Chapter 24 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

An An has always filled in the fields... She used a crayon to draw a question mark. One time the teacher asked me privately.

"Is An An's father convenient to participate in the activity?"

I just smiled.

"He works somewhere else."

"Not sure if I can arrange the time."

An An heard that conversation. That night, before going to bed, my child quietly asked me:

"Dad doesn't like us?"

"Not."

"Dad loves you very much."

"So why doesn't dad live in the same house with me?"

I gently stroked the child's hair.

"Adult matters are very complicated."

"You'll understand when you grow up."

An An thought silently for a while. Then seriously said:

"So you don't want to grow up."

"Growing up, you have to do some complicated things."

Lac Lac had already been sleeping soundly, still snoring softly. I bent down and kissed An An's forehead.

"Go to sleep, child."

"Next week Parents Day..."

"Can you let that guy come?"

I still call Co Tram Chu... This is the first time I proactively mentioned him. I looked at my child.

"Do you want him to come?"

An An buried her face in the pillow. Answered softly. Parents' day. Co Tram Chu arrived. That day was not the day he had the right to visit his child. I took the initiative to tell you the time. He asked for half a day off. Fly from city A. That day he wore a casual blue shirt, jeans and sneakers. That was the first time I saw him wearing sneakers.

"Normally I don't wear anything like this."

"Last week during the video call..."

"An An said that everyone in the class wears sneakers."

I don't say anything more. The school's Parents' Day activities include two parts. Make crafts with your children. And outdoor games. In the handmade section. Each family must make a kite together. Lac Lac excitedly ran around the classroom. An An sat neatly on a small chair. In front are colored paper and bamboo sticks. I don't move. Co Tram Chu squatted down. Keep your eyes level with your child.

"Shall we do it together?"

An An looked at him.

"Do you know how to do it?"

"Not very good."

"Can I teach you?"

An An seriously thought for a moment. Then he nodded. I held a pink piece of paper and gave it to him.

"Fold this first."

"Cross fold."

Co Tram Chu followed suit. An An immediately shook her head.

"Incorrect."

"You're in a hurry."

"...Sorry."

"Let me do it again."

An An looked at his hands and concluded very seriously:

"Your hands are too big."

"Not suitable for folding paper."

The parents nearby all burst into laughter. Co Tram Chu was not embarrassed at all. He was very serious and rushed the third time. Finally met the requirements. An An nodded with satisfaction.

"That's OK."

After the kite is completed. Outdoor activities begin. Lac Lac pulled his kite and ran away. After running a few steps, he fell. Get up again. Keep running. An An held her kite and walked to the middle of the field. Then stand still. I walked over to ask.

"There's not much wind."

"Can't fly."

Co Tram Chu came over. Bend down.

"Please pick me up."

"I'm holding a kite."

"A little higher..."

"The wind will be enough."

An An raised her head to look at him. It's a move... That requires trust. It means giving yourself completely to the other person. An An hesitated for five seconds. Slowly spread your arms. Co Tram Chu picked up her child. Place your child on your shoulder. An An held up the pink kite. At that moment... The wind arose. The kite swayed twice. Then slowly fly up to the sky. The corner of An An's lips curled up. The corner of Co Tram Chu's lips... Also curled up. I stood a few meters away. Get the phone. Quietly take a photo. Under the sunlight. A tall man. On his shoulder is a small girl. The little girl held up a pink kite. The kite slowly flew among the blue sky. I carefully saved that photo. Do not send to anyone. After the Parents' Day ended, the four of us — me, Co Tram Chu, An An and Lac Lac — ate a meal together for the first time. At a small restaurant near the kindergarten. Lac Lac wants to eat fried chicken nuggets. An An wants to eat spaghetti. I ordered a salad. Co Tram Chu said any dish is fine.

"You can't say any dish." An An said with a serious face.

"Because mom said, the person who says anything can be eaten is the most annoying person."

Co Tram Chu looked at me. I pretended to study the menu attentively.

"Then give me a piece of steak." he said.

"How many servings do you want?" The waiter asked.

"Five parts."

"Mom also eats five servings." Lac Lac held a piece of chicken and said.

Co Tram Chu looked at me again.

"I know."

The meal lasted forty minutes. Lac Lac's face was smeared with ketchup. After eating the spaghetti, An An pushed the plate aside and took out a small hand-sized storybook to read.

"Is she reading a book while eating?" Co Tram Chu asked.

"I'm used to it. I can't help it either."

"Like you."

"I was like that before, eating and reading books."

The fork in my hand stopped. I still remember. After eating, he took my parents and me back to the foot of the apartment building. Lac Lac was sleeping soundly on his shoulder. An An walked in the middle, one hand holding my hand, the other... holding Co Tram Chu's hand. I didn't say anything. Just quietly hold it tightly as you walk. Coming downstairs, he carried Lac Lac and handed him to Aunt Chu. An An let go of his hand, ran into the lobby of the building and turned around to take a look.

"Goodbye."

Not "Goodbye, uncle." Simply...

"Goodbye."

Co Tram Chu stood under the streetlight, watching the little girl's figure disappear into the interior.

"This is the first time I proactively said goodbye to you." I said softly.

We stood under the streetlight for a while longer.

"You should go back to the hotel."