Chapter 6 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

“In your eyes…”

“What exactly am I?”

“A puppet that has to listen to your control, no matter what your whole family arranges?”

Trieu Vu's tears finally fell, following his chin to the floor.

“Thanh Thanh, it's not like that… it's really not what you think…”

“I just… just don't want my dad to be upset.”

"He's old and has high blood pressure. I'm afraid he'll get too angry and won't be able to handle it..."

“So you took me out to block the bullet?”

I burst out laughing, my eye sockets also red from tears.

“Trieu Vu, you really know how to calculate for yourself.”

“I'm not just thinking about myself, I'm…”

“Whatever you are.”

I did not let him continue to explain.

“I'm very tired now.”

“I don't want to continue getting involved anymore.”

I pushed past him, went into the spare bedroom and closed the door. Very soon, there was a knock on the door from Trieu Vu outside.

"Thanh Thanh, can you open the door? Let's talk properly..."

“Thanh Thanh, it was me who was wrong, I really know it was wrong…”

“I'll give you one more chance, just this once…”

I leaned my back against the door, listening to the sounds outside. There was no longer any wavering in my heart due to emotion. It's just cold. That night, Trieu Vu stood outside the door and knocked for a long time. But from beginning to end, I never raised my hand to open the door. I sat alone on the edge of the bed in the spare bedroom, hugging my knees tightly, looking at the dark night outside the window. The phone suddenly lit up. It's Dao Dao's WeChat message.

"Sister-in-law, I'm so embarrassed today. We came a bit suddenly and didn't have time to tell you in advance."

“But my brothers said I still work overtime so I won't bother you anymore.”

“Ah yes, Hao Hao's toy car was forgotten at my house.”

“I'll come get it tomorrow.”

"By the way, give me the key back. Dad stuffed it for me today but I forgot it was in my pocket. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

I stared at those words. Suddenly burst out laughing. Laughing so much that tears wouldn't stop falling.

“Forgot it in my pocket.”

What a flattering excuse... And how convenient it is. I don't answer. Just switch the phone to silent mode and then conveniently throw it aside. The next day is Sunday. As soon as it was morning I woke up. I opened the door to the spare bedroom. It was strangely quiet outside. Trieu Vu is probably still sleeping in the main room. I washed my face and changed into simple clothes, then grabbed my bag and went straight out. That whole day, I intentionally let myself wander outside. Sitting at the city library for half a day. Then he cowered in a roadside cafe. Then continue walking aimlessly in the shopping center. Just don't want to go back home. It wasn't until about ten o'clock at night that I dragged my tired body back to the apartment building. The key turned once and the door opened. It was quiet in the house. The living room has been cleaned. The beer can disappeared. Ashtrays are emptied and wiped dry. The unfamiliar coat on the sofa is also gone. On the tea table placed a note. It's Trieu Vu's scribbled handwriting.

“Thanh Thanh, the living room has been cleaned.”

"I've already saved Hao Hao's toy car. When Dao Dao comes over, I'll give it back."

“Dinner is in the pot, just warm it up and you can eat it.”

“Sorry.”

I crumpled the paper and threw it into the trash. Go into the kitchen, open the pot lid. Inside is the braised pork dish Trieu Vu cooked, still warm, the heat constantly rising. That's the dish I like to eat the most. In the past, every time I was angry, Trieu Vu would cook this dish to comfort me. And that trick... In the past, it really worked every time. But now, looking at that plate of greasy braised meat, I just feel nauseous. I closed the pot lid and turned around to return to the spare bedroom. Another sleepless night. Monday morning, I woke up earlier than the alarm. Trieu Vu also woke up and was busy frying eggs and cooking porridge in the kitchen. As soon as he saw me, a cautious, ingratiating smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Thanh Thanh, good morning. I'll fry you a soft egg."

“No need.”

I walked around him and went straight to the mysterious entrance to change my shoes.

“Thanh Thanh.”

Trieu Vu quickly followed.

“Let me take you to the company?”

“No need, I'll catch the bus myself.”

“So let me call a car for you?”

"No need."

I finished changing my shoes and opened the door.

“Thanh Thanh.”

Trieu Vu called me from behind.

"The divorce thing... can you think about it carefully?"

“I swear I will absolutely never make the same mistake again.”

“Dao Dao and them, I won't let you enter the house again.”

"I'll definitely take the key back too."

“This time I trust you one more time, just this time.”

My steps slightly stopped. But I didn't turn back. Just quietly step through the threshold. I gently closed the door behind me.

“Trieu Vu.”

I said softly.

“There are some things that, once they happen, cannot be considered as if they never happened.”

“Some words, once spoken, can never be taken back.”

Having finished speaking, I closed the door. Outside in the hallway, the elevator slowly went down. I leaned my back against the elevator wall and slowly closed my eyes. I didn't take a word of Trieu Vu's assurances to heart. Not because he doubted his attitude. It's that I absolutely don't believe he can do it.