Chapter 3 — Three Years After Divorce, He Found Out He Had Two Children

He was only wearing a thin vest. It's a bit cold. The phone rang. It was the driver calling.

"General Manager Shen, I have arrived in Xi'an. Where are you located?"

I sent the location over. Continue smoking. One cigarette after another. Until the pack is completely empty. The car arrived, he got in the car.

“Find a hotel nearby.”

“Yes, General Manager Tham.”

The driver drove to a hotel opposite the apartment complex. Four-star hotel. Not too luxurious. But clean. When Tham Nghien Thanh checked in, the girl at the front desk couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

“Sir, are you alone?”

“Is the room with a big bed okay?”

Get a room card. Get into the elevator. He finished showering, lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Can't sleep. He took out his phone. Open Khuong Tri Y's number again. Call one more time. Still turned off. He opened WeChat and searched for her phone number. The profile picture is a cartoon image. Friend circle mode only displays the last three days. Not a single post. Three years ago she was not like that. At that time, she posted three posts a day. What movie to watch? Anything you want to share. I've never clicked like. Never left a comment yet. Once she asked him:

“Have you blocked me?”

“No, I just don't want to see it.”

What expression did she have at that time? It seemed like she just smiled and said:

“Okay, then I won't post anymore.”

After that, she really stopped posting. The last post stops at the date of divorce. There is only one photo. It's a high-speed train station waiting room. The status line reads:

“Gone, don't come back anymore.”

Then he saw it. But just passing by. No comments. Don't click like. She thought she was only going to her mother's house to stay for a few days. Unexpectedly, she really didn't come back. Tham Nghien Thanh threw the phone aside. Outside the window, the sound of cars passing by could be heard. Like belonging to another world. He fell asleep dreamily. In the dream, it was all Khuong Tri Y. She stood in front of the gate of the Civil Affairs Department. Wear a white shirt. Hair tied in a ponytail. Holding divorce certificate in hand.

“Tham Nghien Thanh, you will regret it.”

He reached out to pull her back. But the hand went through her body. Just shoot into space. She turned around. The belly is slightly raised. If you don't look closely, you won't notice it at all. He wants to chase. But my legs felt like they were nailed to the ground. Cannot move. I can only watch her go further and further away. Finally disappeared among the crowd. Tham Nghien Thanh suddenly woke up. Head full of sweat. Heart beats violently. He looked at his watch. Four o'clock in the morning. He sat up and took a sip of water. Then lie down again. This time I couldn't sleep at all. I keep repeating those details in my head. When did she finally discover she was pregnant? Probably before the divorce. Perhaps even sooner. While their marriage still exists. She once showed him a pregnancy test. But he didn't care. At that time, she must have been very disappointed. Not just disappointment. It's despair. A pregnant woman. Husband doesn't care. Mother-in-law forces her to have children. Every day I have to drink three bowls of Oriental medicine. How upset was she? But she didn't say a word. Not even talking about pregnancy. What's more, it's still twins. Tham Nghien Thanh couldn't understand. Why did she have to hide? Are you afraid that I won't let you give birth? He always wanted to have children. I just don't feel it's urgent. Or are you afraid that your mother will steal you? That's very possible. If his mother knew she was pregnant with twins. Surely he will lift her up like an egg. But the two children will also be considered the private property of the Tham family. She does not want her child to become an "item" of the Tham family. She wants her children to just be children. Not an heir. Not a tool to continue the family line. Suddenly Tham Nghien Thanh somewhat understood her. It's not that she doesn't love him. It's that she doesn't love that family. The family where his mother decides everything. And he is forever silent. It's just morning. He woke up. Change into a clean shirt. Stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself. Eyes slightly red. But overall it's still okay. He went downstairs to have breakfast. Sit in the restaurant. Through the glass you can see the apartment complex opposite. Half past seven. In the apartment complex, people began to come in and out. People take their children to school. Market goer. Dog walker. He stared at the exit of building 3. He didn't even dare to blink. Ten minutes past eight. A young woman pushing a double stroller walked out of the building. Tham Nghien Thanh put down his chopsticks. Stand up. Khuong Tri Y wore a gray sweatshirt, jeans and canvas shoes. Hair tied low at the nape of the neck. She is much thinner than three years ago. The collarbone is clearly prominent. The wrist is so thin that it looks like a chopstick. The two children in the stroller were both wearing red coats. Wear the same type of hat. Can't see face clearly. She pushed the cart toward the gate of the apartment complex. Tham Nghien Thanh quickly paid and followed. Keep your distance. Don't dare follow too closely. She turned into an alley next to the apartment complex. There is a breakfast restaurant there.

“Boss, give me two bowls of millet porridge and three dumplings.”

The voice is not loud. Bring a little hoarseness. It was completely different three years ago. Before, her voice was sweet. Like holding sugar in your mouth. And now. It sounds like it has been sharpened by life once. Tham Nghien Thanh stood at the beginning of the alley. Watching her push the stroller to the edge of the table. Then take each child out. Holding one child in one hand. Place on chair. Finally the faces of the two children were revealed. His breathing seemed to stop. That's your child. The boy looks like you. Especially the eyebrows and eyes. Almost identical. The baby girl looks like Khuong Tri Y. Round face. Big eyes. Every time I smile, the corners of my lips curl. Both children are white and lovely. Thick, soft black hair. Sit on a chair and swing your legs. Chatting non-stop.

“Mom, I want to eat meat dumplings.”

“Mom, I want to drink porridge.”

Khuong Tri Y smiled and scooped porridge for the two of them. Break the dumplings into small pieces. One piece each.

“Eat slowly, don't get burned.”

She also sat down. Pick up a bowl of porridge to drink. His eyes still followed the two children. Tham Nghien Thanh stood at the beginning of the alley. My legs felt like lead. He wants to step forward. I want to squat down and look closely at the two children. Wanting to reach out and touch their faces. But I know. I can't. What status do you have? Three years ago he didn't even know they existed. Now it suddenly appears. So what is calculation?