Chapter 19 — Three Hundred Twenty Eight Yuan Card

But no one smiles and talks like before. Duong Kien Hoa did not eat a single bite. Tien Le Binh also did not move his chopsticks. Duong Thien Tuong gave his grandmother a piece of fish.

“Eat fish.”

She quietly said "yes". After eating half of it, the fourth aunt picked up the cup of tea and stood up.

“I'll get you a glass of tea instead of wine.”

“For all these years, I have been living with Niem An and it has not been easy.”

“What happened before was that I didn't do well.”

“But later…”

“If you need any help, just say something.”

Mother raised her tea cup and gently touched fourth aunt's cup.

“Thank you Tu Phuong.”

Second aunt also stood up.

“Nien An.”

“Thing Hoa scholarship story…”

“It's only now that second aunt knows.”

“This girl really looks like her father.”

“Work quietly, never brag.”

“That's what you should do.”

The meal ended. When everyone was about to leave, Duong Kien Hoa stood at the door and hesitated for a few seconds. He turned his head to look at me and my mother. Lips moved slightly. But in the end there was nothing he could say. Tien Le Binh gently pulled his sleeve from behind. The two people, one in front and one in the back, left. The youngest boy drove my mother and I back to the apartment building.

“This matter seems to be resolved.”

"If there's anything missing about Niem An going to Beijing, I'll tell you."

“No need.”

“The scholarship is enough.”

The youngest boy nodded and drove away in the old van. My mother and I went to the fifth floor. The living room is still that wall. That photo. Dad in the photo is still smiling. Mom stood in front of the photo and looked at it for a long time.

“Chi Vien.”

“I'm relieved.”

After speaking, mother went to the kitchen to boil water. I sat down on the sofa, took all the documents out of my bag and looked them over. Scholarship confirmation. Certificate of winning the competition. Three sheets of paper. But what they carry on it... is extremely heavy. Mid-August. In two weeks I will go to Beijing. Duong Kien Hoa's first amount of money has been transferred. 137,000 yuan. Two months earlier than scheduled. Mom checked the balance, took a screenshot and sent it to Chu Minh Vien to save.

“He paid early…”

“Proves that you want to end this quickly.”

Chu Minh Vien said on the phone.

“Leave him alone.”

“Money will come.”

Since the day at Phuc Man Lau... Duong Kien Hoa has not contacted my mother and me anymore. The same goes for Tien Le Binh. The name of the relative group was also changed. From "The Duong family"... To "The Duong family group". It's the youngest son. The group owner was also changed. Tu Duong Kien Hoa... Became the youngest son Duong Kien Quan. No one objected. A few days later, several relatives sent private messages to my mother. The content is similar: Previously did not know the truth. Now I know. A distant cousin called and said something that made me remember forever.

"The pain I've had to endure for so many years..."

“It wasn't just caused by Kien Hoa alone.”

“It's because of all of us.”

“We have chosen to believe its lies.”

“No one is willing to bow their heads and take a look…”

“How did you and your mother live?”

Mom said thank you and then hung up. Then go to the balcony to collect clothes. August 15. I finished packing the last box of luggage. One carton. My entire estate. Mom squatted on the ground to check the zipper for me. Each one is pulled back and forth twice.

“Have you brought the blanket yet?”

"Thanh Hoa has blankets and pillows distributed."

“Then also bring a thin blanket.”

“Beijing's autumn is colder than where we are.”

“I'm pregnant.”

Mom opened the carton again and checked again.

“The laptop Didn't you bring your old one?"

“Not brought.”

“It's time to change.”

“What can I exchange?”

“The bonus money is back so I can buy it.”

Mom sealed the carton and wrapped it with tape three times in a row.

“Mr. Chu said it.”

“In Beijing he had a friend who opened a logistics company.”

“If anything happens, go there and find someone.”

“Don't be shy.”

“Uncle Chu and your father have a lifelong relationship.”

Mom stood up. The knee makes a clicking sound. After ten years of standing at the supermarket counter, my mother's knees have long had problems.

“Mom's leg hurts again?”

“It doesn't hurt.”

“Mom, don't lie to me.”

“It really doesn't hurt.”

Mom rubbed it twice then went into the kitchen. August 17. Two more days to go. The youngest boy, Duong Kien Quan, drove the van and helped me move my luggage to the van first.

“The day after tomorrow I will take you and your mother to the station.”

“Kien Quan, my gas money…”

“If you're even polite to me, I'll be angry.”

The youngest boy smiled. He arranged each piece of luggage neatly and then used a rope to tie it in place. Then bent over the passenger seat and pulled out a red envelope.

“The youngest son doesn't have much money.”

“This is 2,000 yuan.”

“Not much.”

“But it's your heart.”