Chapter 4 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

I hesitated for a few seconds then picked up the phone.

“Thanh Thanh.”

Mother's voice rang out from the other end of the line.

“Where are you?”

“At the company.”

“Do you still work on weekends?”

Mom stopped for a moment.

"Why is your voice so strange? Are you crying?"

"Do not have."

I conveniently wiped away the wet corners of my eyes.

“Just a little cold.”

It seems she really believes it.

"By the way, next month your younger brother pays his tuition, there's still 8,000 yuan left. Can you still work?"

My heart sank a little further.

“Mom, I just sent you 5,000 yuan last month?”

“That 5,000 yuan was living expenses, this time it's tuition, how can it be the same?”

My mother spoke full of reason.

"Your younger brother's going to school is a serious matter. As an older sister, you also have to help, right?"

“Okay, no more children.”

Mom interrupted impatiently.

“Remember to switch over before Monday.”

After speaking, she immediately hung up. I heard the monotonous beeping sound on the phone and suddenly felt it was funny. It was like the whole world was reaching out to me, demanding something. But no one has ever asked me... If I'm tired. Is it fun? I lowered my head to the table, my shoulders shaking slightly. But very soon… I slowly sat up straight again. I dried my tears and turned on the computer. I can't keep crying like that. Once you cry until you collapse... It's like admitting defeat. Trieu Vu's phone called again. This time, I picked up the phone.

“Thanh Thanh, you finally answered the phone!”

Trieu Vu's voice was full of impatience.

"Where are you? I came to find you."

"No need."

My voice was strangely calm.

“I'm working overtime at the company.”

"Overtime? What kind of overtime are you working on today, Saturday?"

“There is an urgent project.”

I replied leisurely.

“It must be done in time.”

“So… what time will you be home tonight?”

“I don't know, probably quite late.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

“Thanh Thanh…”

Trieu Vu lowered his voice.

"What happened today is that I was wrong. My father... his personality is just like that, don't take it to heart."

"I've already told my dad about Dao Dao going to the bathroom. I won't let them come arbitrarily anymore."

"As for the key... the key, my father gave it to Dao Dao, I can't get it back. But don't worry, I told her, she won't make a mess."

I laughed softly.

“Trieu Vu, do you think I will believe it?”

“Thanh Thanh…”

“Okay.”

I interrupted him.

“I still have to work, I'll hang up now.”

Without waiting for Trieu Vu to say more, I directly ended the call. Then I reopened the design file, bowed my head and continued editing the drawing. Once you focus on work, time always passes very quickly. By the time I raised my head again, it was pitch black outside the window. The whole office was so quiet that only the hum of the air conditioner remained. The entire floor left me alone. I stretched and looked at my phone. Exactly nine o'clock at night. More than ten missed calls. All were called by Trieu Vu. WeChat also has a few unread messages available.

“Thanh Thanh, what time will you be home?”

“I already cooked the rice, it's still heating in the pot.”

"Don't be angry anymore. We'll talk properly when we get back."

I neither open nor respond to any messages. Turn off the computer, grab your bag and leave the company building. Outside the neon lights were shining brightly. The traffic flow is endless. I stood on the side of the road, watching every car rush by, but for a moment I didn't know where I should go. Going home? Can I still call it my home now? In the end, I still raised my hand to call a taxi and read the address of my apartment complex. By the time I got back downstairs, it was almost ten o'clock. I used the key to open the door. It was dark in the house. Trieu Vu must have fallen asleep. I walked in lightly, changed my shoes, and conveniently turned on the living room light. The next second… I stood frozen in place. On the tea table were several empty beer cans. The ashtray was stuffed full of filters, almost overflowing. There was also an unfamiliar men's jacket draped over the armrest of the sofa. The dining table was cluttered with unprepared bowls and chopsticks, and the food on the plate was cold, but just by looking at it, you could tell that at least three people were sitting down to eat. Five people to be exact. Because there was also an abandoned child's plastic toy car on the floor. I stood frozen in place, only feeling the hot blood rush straight to my head, the ringing in my ears felt like it was exploding. I took out my phone and called Trieu Vu. The bell rang for more than ten times before the other end of the line slowly picked up. His voice was hoarse and sleepy, like he had just been awakened.

“Trieu Vu.”

My voice was freezing cold.

“A few cans of beer in the living room, a pile of cigarette butts in the ashtray, a coat on the sofa and bowls and chopsticks on the dining table…”

“What is it?”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Only the sound of his somewhat rapid breathing remained.

“Well… Dao Dao and they came over tonight.”

Trieu Vu said a little guilty, as if he was cautiously testing my feelings.

"Dad called to say the water heater was fixed and asked them to come over and take a shower. I think you're working late anyway, so... I should let them come."

“They don't just bathe.”

My voice was cold.

"And we still eat rice, drink beer, and smoke in our house. Right?"

“Thanh Thanh, don't be so angry, it's just convenient to eat dinner…”

“Trieu Vu.”

I directly interrupted him.

"Before I went out, I made it very clear that I didn't want them to come in and out of our house arbitrarily."

“And at that time, you also patted your chest and promised me that you would not let them enter the house without permission anymore.”

Trieu Vu was speechless, unable to say a complete sentence for half a day.

“Where are you now?”

“In the bedroom… sleeping.”

I only said one word.

"Right now."

I hung up the phone directly. A few seconds later, the bedroom door made a "click" sound and opened. Trieu Vu walked out wearing cotton pajamas at home, his hair messy, his face still full of sleepiness. As soon as he faced my cold, knife-like eyes, he immediately instinctively dodged and pursed his lips.

“Thanh Thanh, please listen to my explanation…”

“Explain what?”

I pointed straight at the empty beer cans on the tea table.