Chapter 9 — They Locked Me Outside the Door, I Locked Their Lives

"I heard that the last time Truong Lan caused trouble at the hospital, she was detained for five days. After she got out, she had mental problems, and everyone she met said someone wanted to harm her. Tong Nghi didn't have money for medical treatment, so he had to take her back to his hometown."

"As for Tong Nghi... he couldn't find a job, he was picky about everything. Then he went to work on construction projects, and a few days ago he fell from a scaffolding and broke his leg."

"The contractor offered some compensation, but not enough money for the surgery. Everyone's relatives now avoid him, afraid of being asked to borrow money. As soon as his third aunt finished telling the story, seeing his mother was like seeing a ghost. After saying that, he ran away."

There are no waves in my heart. How pitiful? But it's all his own choice. From the moment he casually let his mother lock me out of the door— everything between us was over. When he chose to use the whole family to attack me, instead of looking at himself— he blocked all his own escape routes. In an avalanche— no snowflake is innocent. His today— is the inevitable result of countless previous wrong choices.

“On Nhien…” My mother on the other end of the phone asked very softly, “Do you… feel uncomfortable?”

I laughed. Step out onto the terrace, looking towards the distant sea. The sea breeze blows gently through my hair.

“Mom,” I said, “tonight I'm having pan-fried salmon with asparagus and a glass of white wine.”

“My cat is lying at my feet, sleeping soundly.”

“Downstairs the gardenias are blooming, very fragrant.”

“You live very well.”

“Better than any time before.”

The other side was silent for a moment, then mother also laughed.

“So that's good… that's good.”

Another year has passed. My career steadily progressed, I became a branch manager. I changed cars. On weekends, I often drive along the coastal road, carrying "Luck" with me. I don't love anyone anymore. It's not that I don't want to love, it's just that I no longer feel the need. Alone is enough, free enough, love for me should only be a flower blooming on brocade, not a lifesaver in the middle of winter. I no longer need anyone to define my value, I am me, I am On Nhien. A woman who only relies on herself can live as brightly as light. The last news about Tong Nghi, I heard from lawyer Ly. He said that during a class meeting, someone working at the base court mentioned his story. Due to gambling debts, people chased and beat Tong Nghi. In a panic, he stole medical money from a compatriot and was arrested. The amount of money was not large, but the nature was very bad, and in the end he was sentenced to eight months. Truong Lan in the countryside heard the news and went completely crazy. She wore red clothes all day, stood under a tree in the village, sang and danced, muttering sentences that no one understood. No one from the Song family took charge, everyone said it was because of the "fox star" daughter-in-law. After Lawyer Ly finished speaking, he sighed and said that if he knew this day in advance, why would he have known it in the past? I just said "yes" softly, in my heart there was no more hatred, no more love. It's like watching a social news report, and after watching it, you pass it by without leaving a trace. That weekend, I invited some friends to go to the beach together. We rented a sailboat, the blue sea and sky were wide, the white sails quietly dotted the water. In the distance, dolphins jumped out of the waves, friends stood at the bow of the boat laughing and taking pictures. And I'm lying on the deck, wearing sunglasses, Let the sun and sea breeze cover you. The phone vibrated slightly, a news message was pushed with the title that central housing prices had peaked again, luxury apartments were scarce. I opened it, then laughed, suddenly remembering the house I once sold. I don't know what appearance Mr. Truong and his wife changed into. Perhaps one afternoon, they sat by the window, catching the sunlight like I do now. That house once imprisoned me, and also bound them. I broke that cage with my own hands, so that I could have freedom, while they received the ending they chose. I closed my eyes and let the sea breeze pass by. My life has just begun, ahead is the vast ocean and bright stars. And I will steer my own boat, riding the wind, moving towards my own future.