Chapter 60
Spicy, bitter, sweet, rich
Hanna lowers her head shyly, and people don't find it strange. What is strange is that Rose seems calm and at ease. The feminine color on her rosy cheeks reveals that she "has a problem with someone."
Thanh Hang sees Sam about to say something to Rose. She's afraid that her rude son will be careless again, the girl wishing she could sink into the ground still can't hide her shyness, so the mother pats her son's shoulder:
- This guy just talks nonsense. Even if everyone listens to you, Kai is still waiting for you, you idiot!
Sam doesn't understand what his mother means yet, but he sees Huge scratching his nose and clinking glasses with Kai. His father doesn't say anything, but his smile implies a thank-you to Kai. Sam is confused for the second time.
Kai urges him to sit next to him so the younger brother won't be puzzled by his older brother anymore. Sam realizes that the two of them are having a silent conversation about what happened in the woods today.
Sam lowers his head silently instead of apologizing for having accidentally offended Kai and his sister-in-law. Brother and sister-in-law laugh because Sam's posture is exactly the same as The Sun Kingdom person.
Rose giggles at the fool who is having more fun than the Spring Festival. He teases Kai, and Kai teases him back. Thanh Hang and Huge are dumbfounded by the rude way Sam chews the meat, and then the younger brother wipes the grease with his hands and smears it on his brother's face.
Since the day of the accident, his parents have never seen Sam act so mischievously. Strong and iron father, or weak and sensitive mother — the corners of their eyes are red with melancholy. The parents force smiles to let their children enjoy all the joy.
Reason tells them to suppress their emotions and swallow the bitter tears in their hearts. But just as the parents are balancing their minds, Kai rubs Sam's head, laughs throughout the house, and stuffs cake into his brother's mouth. The laughter vents all the sadness, echoing the familiar sound from the past.
Back then, that sound made the corners of the parents' mouths bloom into smiles. Now, it reminds them of a dear figure. The figure of the dearest person reappears through Kai — another brother having fun with the younger brother of someone.
Brotherly closeness is gratifying, yet ironically suffocates the hearts of their parents. The two don't let the sadness overwhelm them for too long. Huge scratches his nose and gently touches his watery eyes with his hand. For a moment, his face is no longer sad. Thanh Hang pretends to use eye drops to wash away the spicy tears.
- Auntie, do you have eye pain?
Kai and Sam are joking when they hear Hanna asking her mother, so they stop kidding. Sam gently holds his mother's head and gently lifts her eyelids with his hands, seeing that her eyes are still red:
- Mother's got pink eye.
Sam takes out a pair of glasses from his pocket and puts them on his mother's eyes:
- Mother, wear these glasses. I'll buy another pair tomorrow.
The super naughty son puts on the glasses and bursts into such wild laughter that he sprays spit everywhere. He can't help it. The girls hold back their laughter, which almost ruins their charm.
Thanh Hang looks in the mirror curiously, and the mother opens her eyes wide to see that the weird glasses make her look like a comedian. Her tears immediately disappear with the refreshing sound.
She and Huge exhale and blame themselves for having too many feelings. After so many ups and downs, today is the happiest day, so they decide to forget all the troubles. Family affection is no longer distant during the dinner. She clears her mind and teases Sam:
- Naughty child, you turned your mother into a farce and laughed like crazy. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?
Sam deliberately glances at his father with an understanding look:
- Mother needs to ask the old man about this. Isn't it, comrade Huge?
Everyone doesn't understand what Sam means and stares at him. Huge frowns, wrinkles his nose, and asks:
- What the hell are you talking about? - Damn, you like to act dangerous again! - Huge sighs.
- Stop it, old father. Stop pretending!
He gives Kai a thumbs up:
- Mother has said that no matter if everyone eats first, Kai is still waiting for me. My brother has wanted to strengthen our bond, so that I wouldn't have to feel awkward about the problems in the forest, so you have thanked him with a smile.
Everyone looks at him with a chuckle, like "Sam is showing off again". He continues to expose about his father.
- Mother, I've thought that my father hasn't bailed me out because he wants his son to dare to act and dare to take responsibility.
He covers half of his mouth and chuckles:
- Now I understand the heart of a great father. My father has wanted Kai and the lawyer to be the ones who helped me. He must have known that my brother would go to the police station, so he has visited leisurely and then gone home calmly.
People don't understand why Sam usually gets mad easily and acts on instinct. But whenever he encounters something important or needs to act wisely... and... especially when it comes to... family, the hot-tempered guy is incredibly profound. Sam remains eloquent and gives a thumbs up to admire Kai:
- The elder brother has not disappointed old father! He and the lawyer have cleaned up the mess in the forest!
He places his arm on his brother's shoulders and winks at Hanna, signaling his sister-in-law to take a commemorative photo. Hanna adjusts the best angle to capture Kai's bright smile and Sam's grin, showing off his shiny teeth.
- Everything goes perfectly according to old father's wishes. We have no problems, and we still love and care for each other like siblings!
Rose smiles the kind of smile that seems to say she's got goosebumps after hearing that:
- So disgusting!
Huge opens his mouth and lets out a long yawn.
- Someone swears at him so rudely splattering bullets, and he gets offended!
Sam's shoulders shake, and the whole family laughs softly because Huge criticizes the moment Sam exposes their father. Sam stops joking and heats up the food with everyone. Kai ladles the fish stew into Thanh Hang and Huge's bowls.
- Yah, I invite uncle and aunt!
Thanh Hang looks down at the bowl of soup and pauses for a moment to admire the dish. It isn't flashy or colorful, but simple and rustic, just like Mother. She closes her eyes and takes a breath.
- Mild aroma awakens the taste buds! Come on, eat with the whole family!
Kai scoops soup for his younger brothers and sisters in turn, then pours the rest into his own bowl. He doesn't rush to pick up his chopsticks, but watches the family enjoy the taste. The slightly sweet traditional spices and mellow broth make everyone nod.
Excitement turns into a frown because of the sour taste lingering on the tongue. After overcoming the first test not long ago, the spicy flavor boils and tears through every piece of intestine, reminding them of endless pain — the insider, the family member, the soulmate... melancholy... the feeling of deep penetration into the heart is bitter tears.
Swallowing the last tears in the heart, the gentle fragrance turns into deep warmth — just like the emotion between people who truly sympathize with one another. That warmth is the meaning of "every cloud has a silver lining" that Kai gives to his family.
The heart-wrenching spicy taste no longer tortures the heart, and the insider laughs through tears, feeling the bitterness fade beneath the sweet fragrance.
Kai smiles and contemplates his relatives. No one cries, but tears still burn the corners of their eyelashes. The spicy tears are no longer bitter — they are sweet and deep.
Everyone looks at the bowls and chopsticks neatly placed next to Mother, with an empty chair waiting for the dearest one to return. At this moment, all words feel meaningless. Kai avoids admiration for too long, so as not to confuse his relatives.
He quietly tastes the dishes with simple colors — warm aroma — spicy, bitter, sweet, and rich flavors that he has made himself. Brother releases his soul into overflowing emotions.
Sam laughs softly again because everyone looks as weak as women. He secretly glances and sees that his old father is scratching his head and nose again, trying to wipe away the traces of multiple emotions.
The reasonable excuse he's been searching for finally appears. Sam patiently waits for his elder brother to finish savoring the moment, then gently calls out to Kai.
Less than three seconds after the eldest brother turns around, the younger brother picks up a tissue from the table and wipes the tears that have wet his brother's eyelashes.
- Brothers must be this close to be a family!
All can't help laughing, even while feeling contemplative. Everyone is speechless, but silently thanks him — because there's a muddy guy, so the air is fresh without watering.
After finishing the stewed fish soup, everyone turns to the honey sauce beef. The meat is tough in the first few seconds, but with every beat of chewing, the soft and delicious pieces release sweet juice that blends with the rich, creamy sauce — savory and indulgent, but not overwhelming.
The salty sauce rolls around the lips and tongue, and the mayonnaise blends with the aromatic herbal scent to awaken the smell of honey. The whole family inhales deeply to satisfy their sense of smell.
Everyone nods, feeling the meat dissolve in their mouths before they swallow it. Huge is the most pleased. Father eats his delicious dish comfortably—one piece, two pieces, three pieces—each piece evaporates from the plate and flies into the gourmet's gullet. The old father gives a thumbs up and praises the super chef's talent continuously:
- Whoever becomes your wife is a blessing from three generations of ancestors!
The whole family laughs happily, watching Sam's envy. The younger brother brings a large plate of his barbecue, gives each person a portion in turn, and places one in Father's bowl, pretending to envy his brother:
- Old Father has finished drinking, and now he'll give praise!
Huge stuffs all the meat into his mouth, chews, and frowns:
- Any girl who touches you, her fate will be darker than a pot bottom!
Sam's face goes blank. His mouth draws a straight line, showing no teeth or gums, causing the whole family to laugh and rock in their chairs at his loss of interest. He glares and mutters as he pours the remaining roast meat into Rose's bowl. Rose is about to aim the tip of her thorn at Sam. But at that moment, his teasing sentence just now—"Raw meat, but you're already drooling. Once it's grilled, no one will be able to compete with you in eating it!"—hits her head with every blow... causing... Rose to close her lips and sulk at the guy who "cut" her because he's angry with Father. Her reaction seals the shy smile that almost makes her blush.
The guy without charm has been disturbing her mind all day. This time, whether intentional or not, he gives her the food she likes most (more accurately, because he's venting his anger at being criticized by Father).
The rude behavior still paints red on her peach cheeks. Rose lowers her head and presses a heap of meat down into her rice bowl with her chopsticks.
Sam doesn't know the girl is sulking and embarrassed. He mumbles something that makes her purse her mouth tightly to stop laughing:
- Hey, eat. Anyone can praise, but you—I don't need it! Eat and drink to your heart's content!
Everyone chuckles at the guy being an idiot to the girl. Rose continues focusing on eating her favorite food, biting each piece of shiny fat meat gently without feeling bored. The greasy outer skin is tough and crispy, curled and wrapped around the soft meat like gummy candy.
The crispy chewiness and the soft smoothness dance on her tongue, gliding and swirling around her mouth. Rose feels this unique dish is roller-skating all over her mouth and tongue. It glides smoothly across every corner inside.
After a few bites, she can taste all the delicious and sweet flavors in her heart. Rose doesn't want to, but the grinning face still flashes through her eyes. The girl purses her lips and smiles charmingly. Although it appears briefly and disappears, it's a pity that it still doesn't escape Hanna's eyes.
Her confidant smiles subtly at the expression that's easily misunderstood but no longer strange. Rose is still happy watching Sam give his sister-in-law a dandelion cake. He laughs and says:
- This cake is just for you. Forbid the girl who gouges beak!
Every time she's emotionally stirred, he wipes out her emotions. Rose is furious. She moves her lips, intending to charge the guy who teases her shamelessly, but she doesn't dare to make trouble with him.
Sam ignores her and joyfully watches his sister-in-law smile brighter than flowers. Hanna thanks her younger brother and enjoys the gift. Sam urges her to eat immediately to avoid it cooling down.
Hanna eagerly cuts the cake and shares it with everyone. This time, there's no sadness or complaint—everyone gives a thumbs up.Sam raises his chin and wears a proud grin as he hears his sister-in-law's praise:
- Crunchy and nutty crust, the soft interior of the cake is filled with sweet and pure mint. — She takes a big bite and winks at Sam — You should open a cake shop!
Sam shows his teeth, squints his eyes, and smiles. He opens his mouth and says he wants a piece. Hanna quickly glances at her bestie who's enjoying the delicious food. She shows a rare naughty smile, pretending to bite too loudly when Sam asks. He looks at his sister-in-law blankly. It's unlucky for him, but lucky for someone—because parents and brother have just finished the last bite.
Rose smiles softly, purses her lips, and glances sideways at Hanna. The "pure" girl now changes her mind and becomes cunning. Her confidant covers her mouth and giggles at the scene where Rose bites her lip and shyly "stuffs" the cake into Sam's mouth.
The guy, always idiotic toward the girl, stares at her with wide, dumbfounded eyes. Rose reluctantly looks sideways to hide her shame. She clenches her hand so tightly that Sam's face ends up covered with cake:
- Eat it all up, you greedy, hungry idiot!
- Wow Ai Slow? Oh An Chi Oh Wow Chi Ke Oh Ah? Wow San Yi! (What are you doing? What does my gluttony have to do with you? Obnoxious!)
She keeps getting shy, still not used to it, because she's embarrassed and afraid that everyone will notice she has a 'problem' with Sam. The whole family pays attention to the two of them, so she can only giggle and beat around the bush:
- You're choked to the point your voice is distorted. Drink some water, General![1]
Sam wrinkles his nose and swallows a few mouthfuls. He pours the water and drinks it all, swallowing the cake into his stomach, then opens his mouth and screams:
- Hey, why do you suddenly care about a guy you hate? Don't tell me you want to make me choke to death!
This becomes an opportunity to clear up the skepticism, so Rose immediately retorts. The two argue for a while, and Rose snorts and turns away. Sam gets so angry he wants to spit blood because Rose makes a gesture that she doesn't want to argue with a child. But the girl already stops fighting, and he has no reason to argue, which makes him even more irritated.
The whole family smiles secretly at the two people sitting opposite, but they're too lazy to look at each other's faces. Kai cleverly reconciles them through delicious food. The brother asks his sister to help him clean up the table and set out the plate of rice rolls.
People are surprised by the artwork. The ingredients aren't arranged in a default order, but by the minds of people who live emotionally. In particular, everyone's perspective is different. The bright pink flying fish roe sits side by side with the white rice. Rose feels excited, realizing companions are helping and protecting each other from all bad things.
Sam prefers to think of the yellowed butter staining the pure white rice, like his sister-in-law who is almost humiliated by a bunch of perverts. He feels happy watching the scene where the salad and cucumber jump in to bully—just like the blocks of life creating drama for the Gym Lord to suck fame. The sour and sweet pickled pink ginger scatters around like crows and vultures, spying and pecking.
Huge nods in satisfaction at the pink shrimp and white crabs gathered around the white rice—a vivid image like the family of "someone" who protects the stranger, now a familiar person. That image represents gratitude always sheltering the little swallow.
Not as impressive as the shrimps and crabs, the deep green seaweed is like the "sky" that gently embraces the soft and sweet rice. It's as gentle as the affection between a brother and his sister. The little swallow and the sky aren't afraid to give each other warm smiles.
Mother delicately covers her slightly smiling lips, silently contemplating the eyes of the brother and sister filled with emotion.
The eyes of the two are clearer than those of an angel, which makes her unconsciously remember a group of jealous critics, ridiculers, and troublemakers who once accused the national brother and sister of being a pair of perverted animals obsessed with incest.
She almost laughs out loud, sorrowful as she thinks of her son—grieving for the poor child, aching for the flower reeling in the storm. The mother admires the fragile flower, yet it is not crushed by the buried wind and waves.
Note:
[1] In this context, "General" is used playfully to mean a blabbermouth. The word doesn't just imply someone who acts superior or has an unpleasant personality—it's also commonly used by Vietnamese people when teasing or scolding someone they love and care about.