The trip home is no longer gender-specific.

The second time they gave birth, Hau and her husband gave birth to a baby girl. They were very happy when their baby was born healthy and well-behaved. On the contrary, her husband's parents, who had a "male preference" mentality, showed their disapproval because Duong was their only son. After giving birth, Hau planned to return to her hometown to live with her grandparents for a few weeks when her baby was strong enough, so that they could enjoy their grandchild. Knowing Hau's intention, Mr. Thuong immediately dismissed it: "Well, we're not well this time, and when the children and grandchildren come back, we won't be able to take care of them. Just stay in the city, and when we're well, we'll come back to visit our children and grandchildren."

Ms. Hau knew right away that her grandfather did not like his granddaughter, so he said that, but in fact, he and his wife were not sick. Before giving birth to their second child, they insisted that she and her husband find many ways to have a son. Both Ms. Hau and Mr. Duong did not agree with their parents' point of view. They believed that children, whether boys or girls, were precious to them, and they only hoped that they would be healthy.

Because they did not like their granddaughter, every time the couple brought their children back to the countryside, their grandparents were cold and did not take care of them as enthusiastically as many other families. They both loved their children and were angry with their grandparents. So they discussed how to change their grandparents' thinking to make their family peaceful and happy.

So since Tet, Hau and her husband have not allowed their children to go back to their hometown to visit their grandparents. Whenever there is something, only Duong comes back. Seeing the neighbors' children and grandchildren gather together on holidays, Thuong and her husband feel sad. Thinking so, they still cannot forget the fact that they do not have a grandson.

That day, while the group of elderly people were practicing yoga in the communal house yard, a luxury car stopped in front of the village gate. A couple and their two young daughters got out of the car. The girl quickly walked in to greet the old people. While everyone was still surprised and didn’t recognize who they were, Mr. Hai spoke up:

- Is that Mrs. Thanh's Lanh? It's been a long time since I've seen you come back to your hometown?

- Yes, I have been abroad for several years, and this is the first time I have had the chance to visit my hometown!

- Then Mr. and Mrs. Thanh are very happy.

- Yes, I plan to go back to rebuild a new house to make things easier for my parents. Okay, I'll ask for your permission, I'll go back to see my parents.

- Yes, you and your wife should go home or your parents will be waiting.

After Lanh and her husband left, the old people started whispering about the children of this family and that family. "There, why do we have to give birth to a son? Having a daughter like Mrs. Thanh's family is also a blessing. But if a son is like Mr. Thuan's family in the neighborhood above, drinking, gambling, all kinds of vices, even selling off their parents' house, it's really hard for them," Mrs. Thiem added while massaging her feet.

Everyone nodded in agreement with Mrs. Thiem, then asked each other whether their children and grandchildren would be coming home on the upcoming National Day holiday of September 2nd. Everyone said they had already bought food and were waiting for their children and grandchildren to come home. Mr. Hai knew about Mr. Thuong's family's situation, so he encouraged them: "Look, you should change your thinking, every child is a child, every grandchild is a grandchild. Just hope that they grow up healthy, live a good life, and show filial piety to their grandparents and parents, and we will be happy." Mr. Thuong did not reply to Mr. Hai, but sighed softly and asked permission to leave.

That evening, Mr. Thuong called his wife in to talk. He had also thought about the matter of the afternoon, so he told his wife: "Well, we are getting old, let's enjoy each day with our children and grandchildren. Call me and tell them to bring the children back to the countryside during the holiday. Tomorrow, you and I will go to the market to see what's good and then we can buy it gradually."

Mrs. Dan looked at her husband with tears in her eyes and nodded, then quickly dialed the phone number to call her son and his wife. Hearing his mother speak, Mr. Duong hugged his wife happily:

- Honey, your parents have thought it through. So this holiday, you and your family don't have to go anywhere, we'll go back to our roots.

- This trip back to the source was so much fun, my dear. Mom and Dad finally understood and loved their daughters - Mrs. Hau looked at her husband happily.