Chapter 3 — After Breaking Up, I Just Learned How to Love You

At 11:30, I was dragged by Lam Mieu to go on a blind date. The subject is Chu Huc, a fitness trainer, who is exactly 1m85 and has 8 packs. He was wearing tight workout clothes, his chest muscles seemed to explode.

"Miss Xia is much more beautiful in real life than in the photo." Chu Huc smiled and pulled out a chair for me.

I politely thanked him, thinking that this guy is really smart. But I have to admit, being complimented always makes people happy, especially when the person giving the compliment is a handsome guy. We chatted a few words, Chu Huc suddenly asked: "Do you normally have any hobbies, Miss Ha?"

"Uh... watch the outfit matching video?"

"Can you be more specific?"

I hesitated a bit, then decided to tell the truth: "Look at the abs." Chu Huc was stunned for a second then laughed loudly: "What a coincidence, I also have abs. Miss Ha, do you want to see?" Before I could react, he lifted the hem of his shirt. The eight abdominal muscles are all tightly clenched, giving off a shiny and healthy look under the shopping center lights. Me: "..." Isn't this progressing a bit too fast?

"How's it going?" Chu Huc confidently asked: "Do you want to touch it? Real product at real price, not photoshopped."

I awkwardly waved my hand: "No need..."

"Just touch it," he leaned closer: "It feels so good."

I stepped back, my back leaning against the chair. At that moment, a dark shadow descended. A familiar voice, cold as ice. I raised my head. Tham Ngo stood next to the table, wearing casual clothes: black hoodie, gray sweatpants, and cap. The brim of his hat was pulled low so his eyes could not be seen clearly, but the pressure around him was frighteningly low.

"Tham... Captain Tham? Why are you here?" I stammered.

"Passing." He said calmly, his eyes turned to Chu Huc: "Who is this?"

"I am the object of Miss Ha's eyes," Chu Huc stood up and stretched out his hand: "Chu Huc, fitness trainer."

Tham Ngo did not shake hands. He looked at Chu Huc for two seconds, then his eyes lowered, stopping at the hem of his shirt that was still lifted.

“In public places, pay attention.”

Chu Huc paused, put down his shirt: "Sorry, Miss Ha and I talk too well..."

“Compatible?” Tham Ngo laughed coldly, "So compatible that we talk about abs?"

Chu Huc realized the atmosphere was not right, looked at me and then at Tham Ngo: "Miss Ha, who is this?" I twitched the corner of my lips: "Ex-boyfriend." Tham Ngo's shoulders clearly stiffened.

“Oh…” Chu Huc woke up, then did something that made me dumbfounded.

He put his hand on my shoulder: "It turned out to be an ex-boyfriend, so now that Miss Ha is single, do I have the right to pursue her?" Brother, you're acting a bit too deep. Tham Ngo's eyes immediately changed.

“Ha Linh,” his voice was very light, “go out.”

"Why?" I also don't understand where I got the courage, "Captain Tham, we have broken up, you have no right to take me on a blind date."

Tham Ngo was silent for a few seconds. Then he said: "This shop is at risk of fire safety. I need to check. Unrelated people, please leave." Chu Huc: “…” What is this? Using public work for private revenge? Chu Huc was "invited" out of the shopping center. I still sat in my seat, watching Tham Ngo seriously check the fire extinguisher, so angry that I gritted my teeth.

“Captain Tham, this center has been open for three years, and there has never been any fire or explosion incident.”

“Prevention is better than cure,” he said without raising his head, “as a citizen, you should cooperate.”

“Then why don't you go check out the milk tea shop next door? edge?"

Finally Tham Ngo looked up at me, there was an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't read.

“Ha Linh, do you have to talk to me like that?”

I stopped. His voice was very light, not like a question, on the contrary, like... warmth? Realizing this made my heart tremble slightly. When we were together, Tham Ngo rarely showed emotions. He is always calm and controlled, like a crime-solving machine without emotions. I don't know how many times I blamed him for not being romantic enough, not knowing how to say sweet words, even the words "I miss you" had to be forced to say. But now, he stood in front of me, his eyes under his hat lowered, as if trying to suppress something.

“What do you want me to say, Captain Tham?” I stood up, deliberately emphasizing the words "Captain Tham", "It's like in an interrogation room, you answer whatever you ask?"

His fingers clenched, his joints turned white.

“Present, Captain Tham.” I smiled harmlessly, “Are you done checking yet? After I finished, I had to go back and have a look. Today's schedule is very tight, I'm afraid I don't have time to chat with you."

I turned around and left. Tham Ngo suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. The palm of his hand was hot and the force was so strong that it made me frown slightly. He pulled me, pulling me straight into the next emergency exit. The door slammed shut behind, completely blocking out the noise of the shopping center. In the dark staircase, there was only one yellow touch light bulb overhead.

“What are you doing?” I stepped back, my back touching the cold wall.

Tham Ngo took a step forward, forcing me into the corner of the wall.

“Ha Linh,” his voice was hoarse and low, “don't go.”

“Don't go what?”

“Don't go on a blind date.”

I raised my head to look at him, my heart skipped a beat. The distance was so close, I could smell the faint scent of cigarettes on him, mixed with the familiar scent of cedar wood.

“Based on what?” I tried to stay calm, “Captain Tham, we broke up. Didn't you say you wouldn't be friends with your ex?

He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes falling into a small shadow under the light, "I also don't want to just be friends with you."

"What do you mean?"

Tham Ngo was silent. The touch light is off.