Chapter 17 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

"But you also have to promise me something."

"What's going on?"

"If one day I really can't bear it anymore..."

"Call home."

"Don't endure it alone."

I nodded. Dad stayed in Tinh city for a week. The day he returned, at the airport, he hugged Lac Lac and refused to let go. Lac Lac held the string of his glasses, laughing nonstop. An An is not as close to her grandfather as she is to me. The girl just stood beside, coldly observing, her small face seemed to be asking:

"Who are you?"

Dad laughed.

"This girl..."

"Exactly like his father."

I replied softly: Before entering the security checkpoint, my father suddenly turned his head to look at me.

"Khuong Niem."

"Are you really not planning to go back?"

"What about that man?"

"Person?"

"Co Tram Chu."

"After that statement..."

"Are you still not moved at all?"

I calmly looked towards the flight information board.

"What did he say?"

"It has nothing to do with you anymore."

Dad was silent for a while. Then ask the last question.

"Do you still love it?"

I kept looking towards the boarding gate. After a while, he spoke softly.

"It's time to board the plane."

Dad sighed softly. He didn't ask any more. Quietly turned around and left. I stood still and looked at his back. Until he completely disappeared behind the control door. I slowly turned around and walked towards the parking lot. There are questions... No answer. New is the most honest answer. I do not know. But I also don't want to know. I know... So what can be changed? The next six months, I was so busy that I didn't have time to think about Co Tram Chu. Niem An Logistics started with just a thirty square meter office and two local employees. In the first month, I signed contracts with three cross-border e-commerce customers. All are small customers. The amount of orders is not much. But every order, I personally follow up. From receiving goods, warehousing, customs declaration, packing containers to tracking the entire transportation journey. Don't miss any step. At three o'clock in the morning, I was still comparing customs documents. At six o'clock in the morning, we were at the port to supervise the packing of goods. At noon, I held my child and sat in the warehouse eating his lunch box. Lac Lac learned his first new word.

"Delivery."

Because every day, the two words my children hear me say the most on the phone are those. By the third month, I landed my first big client. An electronic brand specializing in Southeast Asian market business. Monthly output is about two thousand products. For large logistics companies, that number is not worth much. But for me... It was an order that saved the company. Fifth month. The number of applications increased fourfold. I started hiring a third employee. Then Wednesday. By the sixth month. Niem An Logistics's monthly revenue has exceeded the five hundred thousand yuan mark. Still not enough to cover all operating costs. But the distance to profitability... It's very close. The company's growth rate also quickly caught the eye of Tinh City Logistics Association. One day, the General Secretary of the association proactively invited me to have tea.

"Miss Khuong, your company's growth rate is among the most outstanding among newly established logistics businesses. Have you ever thought about raising capital?"

"Not for the time being."

He's a bit awkward doubt.

"Oh? At this stage, most startups are impatiently looking for investors."

I smiled.

"I want to perfect the business model first."

"Using investors' money to expand scale will indeed be faster."

"It's very easy to lose control."

The Secretary General laughed.

"Your grandfather..."

"Is it Mr. Khuong?"

I'm a bit surprised.

"You know my grandfather?"

"When your ocean-going fleet visited Tinh City port, I was still just a small employee of the Port Authority."

"Your working style..."

"Very similar to you."

"Thank you."

Busy days always pass very quickly. An An and Lac Lac are seven months old. An An already knows how to turn over on her own. Sit very firmly. Recently started learning to crawl. Lac Lac is a little slower than her sister. Still in the learning phase. But especially funny. Everyone you meet smiles. According to the agreement. Every month Co Tram Chu visits her child twice a month. And never lingered too long. Every time he comes. Normally I wouldn't be at home. Aunt Chu stayed in the living room to look after the two children. I went to the coffee shop next door to wait. Not because I'm afraid of meeting you. Unnecessary. But there was one time. I can't go. That day An An had a fever. Thirty-eight and a half degrees. Not too high. But that was the first time she had a fever. I'm not sure. I only dare to be by your side. The doorbell rang. At that time, I was holding An An in my arms, pressing my forehead against her forehead to feel the temperature. Thanh Hoa opened the door. The moment Co Tram Chu walked in. The first thing he saw... It was my appearance.

"What's up?"

"An An has a fever."

"Not serious."

He immediately walked quickly forward. He raised his hand to touch An An's forehead. The girl is upset, her mouth is constantly crying, her eyes are red. But as soon as Co Tram Chu's fingertips touched my forehead. An An suddenly fell silent. I tilt my head.