Chapter 13 — They Teach Me To Grow Up By Abandoning Me

"I originally intended to leave some money for you! But your father said you can't leave too much, leaving too much will lose the meaning of training—"

“So the other 200 yuan—”

"I really want to transfer that 200 yuan! There's really a problem with the bank app—"

“Mom, do you know how I've been these past three days?”

My voice started to tremble. Not because of the cold.

"On the first day, people looked at me like a homeless person in the hotel lobby. The receptionist asked for the room fee, but I couldn't get the money out. A lady in the next room saw how miserable I was, and almost tried to donate it to me."

"On the second day, I went all over the food street, begging each restaurant to accept me to work. No place accepted me. Because I didn't have any documents."

"The third day is today. I've been without a bed for two nights in a row. One night at a convenience store, one night at McDonald's. Now my neck is still askew."

“That's what parents call 'training'.”

On the other end of the phone, my mother said nothing. But I heard her breathing. It's heavier.

“Daughter… I'm sorry.”

Her voice was very soft. Carrying an emotion I rarely heard from her—

"It's not a good mother. I shouldn't have listened to your father. I should have stayed with you..."

“What is the use of saying these things now?”

"So tell me what to do? What do you need now? I'll think of a way to help you."

"I need identification. Tomorrow the police station opens, I will go get a temporary confirmation. I will send your identification to my home address as soon as possible, I will get it myself when I get home."

“Okay okay, mom will send it right away tomorrow.”

"Also - parents will handle their matters themselves. I can't manage them, and I don't want to."

I hung up. Fingers are still shaking. Palms are sweaty. Those words just now— It was the first time in my life that I spoke so harshly to my mother. From childhood to adulthood, I was always a "good child". Don't cause trouble. Never disobeyed my parents. Passed exam 985. Found a job. Every month I send money home. I thought I was doing well enough. But in their eyes... I'm still not good enough. Being fired— What they think is not “it's okay”.

“This girl needs to be taught.”

This way. Throw me back in a strange city more than 1,200 km from home. It's like throwing a disobedient dog out. See if it can find its way home on its own. I sat on a park bench, clutching my phone in my hand. Knuckles turn white. Bite your lips hard. Don't cry. I don't cry. I'm twenty-six years old. Fired. Considered useless. But I don't cry. Because there's no use crying. What helps is— Get a certificate. Then change the door lock. Let them also try what it feels like to be "locked outside".

— Just kidding.

But it's not entirely a joke. At five o'clock in the afternoon, I still came holding the billboard as usual. Today is the last day. I stood at the intersection, my throat so hoarse that I could barely make a sound. But I still scream.

“King crab special offer 198 yuan!”

The crab head looked at me:

“Miss, your voice is not good today.”

"It's the last day. I leave tomorrow."

"Oh? Don't do it anymore?"

“Where is home?”

“More than a thousand kilometers.”

He froze, looking at me through the slit of his lobster head.

"More than a thousand trees? And yet you come here holding a billboard?"

“It's a long story to say.”

"Alright."

He patted my shoulder, and the shrimp-shaped glove hit me painfully painful.

“Have a safe journey, sisters.”

"Thank you."

That night after work, manager Tran still paid me as usual.

“Tomorrow really won't come anymore?”

"Don't come anymore. I'll go home tomorrow."

"Okay."

He searched the drawer, took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out and gave it to me.

“Smoke?”

“No smoking.”

"That's good. Young people, don't smoke."

He lit a cigarette for himself, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"Tieu To, these past few days I've seen that you're not doing well. It's not like you're going on a trip to make some extra money... but like you've encountered something."

I looked at him.

“Left here by my parents.”