Chapter 4 — The Room You Don't Need

Trinh Y Chu came down from upstairs, carrying a gift box in his hand. “Put it on.” “What?” "Dress." I opened it, and there was a moonlight white dress, simple in design, but very beautiful. When I finished changing and came out, Trinh Lan's eyes were red. My father was also stunned for a long time. Trinh Y Chu looked for two seconds, then looked away. “For now.” I laugh. She said it's okay, it's very beautiful. Before dinner, the doorbell rang. I thought the cake was coming. As a result, the door opened, and the people standing outside were Lam Giao Giao and my mother. Lam Giao Giao dressed very delicately, as if coming to participate in a poll. The moment she saw the living room, her expression stiffened. Her eyes scanned the wall of photos, scanned the dining table, and finally landed on my dress. “Lam Thinh Van.” Her voice was tight. “I really lived enough to celebrate my birthday here.” My mother also looked blankly into the house. Perhaps she thought she would see me with a dirty face, carrying tea and pouring water. But there is nothing in sight. Trinh Lan personally adjusted my hair. My father is in the kitchen serving my favorite dish. Trinh Y Chu stood next to me, like a wall. That was the first time Lam Giao Giao saw clearly. That Thursday she pushed me, not the fire pit. Lam Giao Giao stood at the door for a long time without saying anything. My mother reacted first, smiling a bit stiffly. “It's Thinh Van's birthday, we came to visit.” Trinh Lan is very polite. "Come in. Let's have dinner together." Lam Giao Giao walked into the living room, but his eyes were still staring at the photo taken together on the wall. She suddenly pointed to the middle plate and asked: "Why don't you have children?" My father put down the plate. "That day, dad asked me if I wanted to go to the park together. I said I didn't have time." Lam Giao Giao's face turned pale. “I just… I didn't know people wanted to take this kind of photo.” Trinh Y Chu said coldly: "Taking photos does not require prior approval." My mother was not happy to see her. “Why does this child talk like that?” Trinh Lan continued. "Y Chu spoke frankly, but without any malice. If Giao Giao is willing, we can take pictures together in the future." She took the stairs down. But Lam Giao Giao doesn't need it. She looked towards me, her voice became shrill: "You dress like someone from this family." I bowed my head and looked at my dress. “I gave it to you.” She felt like she was stabbed. "You call her sister? How long have you two known each other?" Trinh Y Chu raised his eyes. “Do you still have to count seniority when giving gifts?” Lam Giao Giao bit her lips, tears falling. "Originally, it's Dad's new house, the first person who should come is me. I'm just scared, so I let Tinh Van come over and see it first." I looked at her. “It's not for it, it's because I don't need it.” Her face immediately became ugly. My mother immediately frowned. "Thin Van, at that time your sister was also scared by your mother. She is cowardly, don't hold on forever and not let go." Trinh Lan placed the cake on the table, his voice was gentle, but not weak. "It's understandable to be scared. But you can't push another child out and then ask her to help you find the way." The room was quiet for a moment. Lam Giao Giao cried even harder. She's the best at this trick. As long as you cry, my mother will definitely stand by your side. Sure enough, my mother's face changed. "Our Jiao Jiao family has been sensitive since childhood. Why are you forcing him like that?" My father finally spoke up: "No one is forcing her. Ha Van, you have always told her that her new family will definitely harm her." My mother stiffened. “I did this to protect my child!” "Protect?" My father's voice lowered, "Protecting a child is not about making her afraid of all good intentions. It's not about letting another child bear the unknown for her." I tightened my fingers. I have been waiting for these words for many years. Lam Giao Giao looked at me, for the first time in his eyes there was no irony, only jealousy that could not be hidden. “Lam Thinh Van, you are very proud now, right?” “You took away my father, took away this house, took away the position that should belong to me.” Before I said anything, Trinh Y Chu laughed. "Location?" She walked in front of me. "When you criticized this place as a mud puddle, you pushed him over. Now that you see that this place is not a mud puddle, you say it should have been yours." "Lam Jiao Jiao, what do you do when you see a house? When you don't need it

Then you put it in someone else's hands and take it back if you want it? Lam Giao Giao's face turned red after being responded to. Trinh Lan gently patted my back. “Thin Van is not anyone's replacement.” My father also came and stood on the other side of me. “She is my daughter. Giao Giao, me too. But you can't ask dad to hurt her in order to make up for you." Lam Giao Giao cried and shook his head. My mother pulled her and glared at me fiercely. “Okay, very good. Lam Thinh Van, now you have support." I suddenly don't want to explain anymore. I walked in front of the cake and lit the candles. The fire is very small, but very steady. I closed my eyes and wished. I hope that in my future life, I will no longer need to rely on concessions in exchange for a little love. When I opened my eyes, Trinh Y Chu placed a paper crown on my head. “Are you done wishing?” “Um.” “Blow away.” I blew out the candle. Applause rang out. Not much, but honestly.