Chapter 2 — Three Thousand Yuan Every Month, In Return The Whole Family Is Ruined

She patted my hand gently, almost artificially friendly.

“Yet Duyet, from now on you two can rest assured and go to work, let me take care of all the housework!”

I smiled and nodded.

“Yes, mother.”

That evening, Vuong Lan took her card to go shopping at the supermarket. Toan buys discounted vegetables, and milk is about to expire. When he returned, he proudly showed us the receipt.

"Look, how many things can you buy with 100 yuan! Do you know how to live?"

Chu Minh immediately chimed in.

“Mom is the best.”

I said nothing. Quietly go back to your room and open the shopping app. Order for yourself and Chu Minh the freshest imported fruit, along with some steaks. Orders delivered to the area gate. I went down to get it. When he returned, his arms were full of large and small bags. When Vuong Lan saw it, his face immediately darkened.

"You're spending money on random things again! Your salary card has already been given to me, where did the money come from?"

I gently shook the phone.

“Ah, just exchange credit card points.”

I said a random reason. Vuong Lan half-believed, half-suspected, but did not pursue anymore. Anyway, the card is in her hand, she thinks she has it all. She didn't know... From the moment I showed the card, the initiative returned to me. The days that followed. Vuong Lan officially became the "queen" of this house. Her biggest joy every day is showing off to the ladies in the neighborhood.

"My daughter-in-law is very filial, she also entrusts her salary card to me to manage!"

"My son doesn't have to say anything, he has listened to me since he was little!"

“It's my house now, I decide it alone!”

Every time I hear those words, I want to laugh. Just let her be satisfied for a few more days. The higher you fly... It hurts when you fall. I'm waiting. Wait until payday. Waiting for the moment her bank phone rang. Wait for her expression when she sees the number 3,000 yuan. Time passes quickly like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, the fifteenth day came, the day the company distributed salary. That whole day, I waited. Don't have to wait for your salary. But waiting for Vuong Lan's reaction. At five thirty in the afternoon, I left work on time. As soon as I stepped out of the company gate, my phone vibrated. Bank messages.

“Account tail 9527 on March 15 at 15:30 received 3,000.00 yuan, balance 3,125.50 yuan.”

I laughed. The finance department works very neatly. Right after that, my personal account also announced the news. A sum of money much larger than 3,000,00 yuan was quietly lying there. My mood improved when I got home. But as soon as I opened the door, I sensed something was wrong. Vuong Lan sat on the sofa, her face gloomy as if it was about to rain. Chu Minh sat next to him, not daring to breathe. I pretended to know nothing.

"Mom, I'm home. Who made you unhappy today?"

Vuong Lan raised her head, her eyes were like knives cutting into my face.

“Tham Duyet, tell me the truth.”

“Your salary this month… is only this much?”

She held the phone out in front of me. The screen is the bank message. Exactly the same news I received. 3,000.00 yuan. I blinked, looking innocent.

“That's right mom, what's wrong?”

"What's up?" Her voice immediately rose, "You earn 3,000,00 yuan a month? Who are you fooling?"

“I'm not cheating.” I said very quietly, "The company has been doing poorly lately, projects have been canceled, and the entire department has had their salaries reduced."

“This 3,000.00 yuan is how hard I tried to keep the basic money.”

Half-truth. It's true that there are canceled projects. But it doesn't concern me. Vuong Lan doesn't understand. She only knew that the amount of money she thought was tens of thousands was now only left again a tiny number. The fall was so strong that she couldn't bear it.

“No way!” She slapped her hand on the sofa, "You're definitely lying to me!"

"Mom, why are you tricking me? There's a payroll tomorrow, you'll know when you see it."

I calmly looked straight. What is the salary schedule... which is decided by the finance department. My calmness caused Vuong Lan's momentum to decrease by half. She looked at me, half-convinced. At that moment, Chu Minh's phone also rang. Bank messages.

“Account 9527 on March 15 at 15:31 received 3,000.00 yuan…”

His basic salary is also 3,000,00 yuan. This time, Vuong Lan was really speechless. She can't say her son also lied to her. She sat down on the sofa, muttering nonstop.

“Why is this… why is it so little…”

Indoor air falls to the bottom. For dinner, Vuong Lan only stir-fried a plate of vegetables. Even though I regret not daring to give more. Chu Minh ate with a sullen face. I ate very well again. After the meal, Chu Minh sneaked into my room.

"Yeu Duyet, what's the matter? Our company didn't reduce salary."

I put the book down and looked at him.

"I know."

“Chu Minh, do you think our money should be left to mom to manage?”

He was silent.

“She is my mother… also for our good…” he said softly.

“Because it's good for us, can our privacy be violated?”

“Can we freely decide on our hard-earned money?”

“Can cutting ties be used as a threat?”

My voice wasn't loud, but every word made him unable to refute. He bowed his head.

“Yeu Duyet, I…”

“No need to say.” I stood up, "From the moment you showed me your card, you lost your right to speak."

“Now the finances are in the house, my mother decides.”

“6,000.00 yuan a month, how to live, let you figure it out yourself.”

I pushed him out and closed the door. Leaning against the door, I heard his helpless sigh outside. Chu Minh, this is not what I want. But it's your choice. This month has just begun. The real drama… is still behind. I wanted to see how Vuong Lan would "housekeeper" with only 6,000.00 yuan. At that moment, Chu Tinh's sister-in-law's phone call came. Call Vuong Lan. As soon as Vuong Lan looked at the display name, her gloomy face immediately bloomed.

“Oh my darling daughter!”

“Mom, next month I'm going on a trip with my friends, will you sponsor me a little?”

Chu Tinh's voice was cooing from the other end of the line. Vuong Lan did not need to think to answer immediately.

“Mom will give you as much as you want!”

“Five thousand!”

The smile on Vuong Lan's face... stiffened. On the other end of the phone, Chu Tinh was still chirping non-stop.

"Mom, you are the best! I know you love me the most!"

Vuong Lan tightened her grip on the phone, her facial muscles twitching slightly. That number was like a heavy rock weighing on her heart. Currently, all the money in her hand is only a little more than 6,000,00 yuan. If you give 5,000.00 yuan to your daughter... What will the whole family eat this month? What to drink? Where do you get to pay for electricity, water, gas...?

“Tieu Tinh ah…”

Vuong Lan's voice was dry.

“This month… the house… is a bit tight.”

She tried to save it. But Chu Tinh was immediately unhappy.

"Mom! What do you mean?"

“Mom still agreed just now?”

"Why did you turn around and change your mind? Mom, don't you love me anymore?"

A series of questions rushed like a whip straight into Vuong Lan's heart. In her eyes, her son can suffer losses. Daughter-in-laws are more likely to be pressured. Only this girl… is treasure held in hand.

“No, I didn't mean that…”

Vuong Lan immediately softened his voice.

“I just wanted to ask… can you… reduce it a little?”

"Impossible!"

Chu Tinh replied immediately and decisively.

"All my friends are going, we have agreed to go to the beach and rent a homestay, 5,000.00 yuan is the minimum!"

"Everyone else has it all, but if I don't have it, I'll lose face!"

"Mom, if you don't let me, then I won't go anymore! I won't talk to you anymore from now on!"

Familiar killer attack. Crying, causing chaos, then threatening. Vuong Lan falls every time.

"Give! Give!"

She almost gritted her teeth as she spoke.

“Mom, have you ever said no to me?”

“When my daughter goes out, she has to be dignified!”

“Send me your account number, I'll send it right away!”

The call ended. Vuong Lan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. She sat motionless on the sofa for a long time.