Chapter 28 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

The three of them were all waiting for an answer.

"If you move to Star City..."

I said slowly.

"What will happen to the Co Group?"

"Actually, the group's plan to build a Southeast Asia headquarters already existed."

"Star City is the most suitable location."

"You've been planning this for a long time?"

"A year ago preparations began."

"A year ago you planned to move to Tinh City?"

"Then why didn't you say so sooner?"

"I didn't ask."

I looked at him. He also looked at me. An An and Lac Lac looked at both of us.

"Mom's face is red."

Lac Lac said.

"Do not have."

An An immediately added.

"You two, go brush your teeth and go to bed!"

The two children giggled and ran away. In the living room, there were only me and Co Tram Chu left. The remote control car was still humming along the floor, because Lac Lac ran away so quickly that he forgot to turn off the control. I bent down to turn off the car. When I stood up... He was standing right in front of me. Closer than any time in the past seven years.

"Khuong Niem."

"I moved to Tinh City..."

"It's not just about the company."

"So you..."

"Don't speak too quickly."

I took the towel in my hand and twisted it twice.

"Co Tram Chu."

"I want to say something."

"You say it."

"The first."

"You move to Tinh City, I have no objection."

"You guys need dad by your side."

"It's the truth."

"We will never go back to the way we were before."

"The old Khuong Niem..."

"It's gone."

"I know."

"Tuesday..."

I stopped for a moment.

"If you want to start over..."

"Not going back to the past."

"But starting from the beginning..."

"Then you have to pursue me."

He was stunned.

"Pursue?"

"Chasing me like pursuing a woman you just met."

"Start with the first meal."

"First date."

"The story of An An and Lac Lac is between the two of us."

"And our business is our business."

"Do not mix."

"I mean..."

"I mean..."

"Co Tram Chu."

"You have that chance."

"But you have to start from the beginning."

"I won't be with you just because you're An An and Lac Lac's father."

"I need to see..."

"I'm willing to try for 'Khuong Niem'."

"Not for the children."

"It's not because I want to make up for past debts."

"It's because of who I am."

He stood there. Quietly looked at me for a long time.

"Start again from the beginning."

"Are you sure?"

"It may take a long time to pursue."

"I will follow."

"Until you agree."

I bowed my head and folded the towel. Place it on the kitchen counter.

"Then let's start tomorrow."

"Can't today?"

"It's too late today. An An and Lac Lac are still not asleep."

"So tomorrow morning?"

"Didn't you say there's a flight tomorrow morning?"

"I canceled it."

"Cancel the plane tickets now. Book the hotel now. Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, I'll come pick you and your dad up for breakfast. Is that okay?"

I looked at him. For the past five years, he has flown to Tinh City twice a month. One hundred and twenty times. Two hundred and forty round trip flights. Never been late for an appointment. Never arrived more than a day early. Today is the first time. Five years later. Tinh city port. A brand new large container ship slowly docked. On the ship's hull, the four words "Nien An Shipping" sparkle in the sunlight. It was the hundredth ship owned by Niem An Shipping. Harbor whistle rang out. The workers on the docks applauded and cheered. I stood on the observation deck. On the left is twelve year old An An. On the right is twelve year old Lac Lac. An An is now as tall as my shoulder. Slim body, wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses. Exactly like three children. All are farsighted. Lac Lac is half a head shorter than her sister, but is sturdy, has healthy dark skin, and is a core athlete of the school's athletics team.

"One hundred already."

An An pushed up her glasses.

"Mom is so good!"

Lac Lac raised his fist and shouted. I patted my child's head. Footsteps were heard from behind. Co Tram Chu came over and gave me a cup of coffee. No sugar. It still tastes like the first cup of coffee he ever gave me. Twelve years ago. At that time, he was still just a man with only one dying real estate project. In a temporary house at a construction site on the outskirts of city A. He poured me a cup of instant coffee in a paper cup. He stood next to me. Watch the ship slowly dock with me. Three years ago, the Southeast Asia headquarters of the Co Group was officially located in Tinh city. Co Tram Chu also moved here. Not having to move into my apartment. He bought a house himself. Right next to my apartment complex. Walk five minutes to get there. An An and Lac Lac can run to find dad at any time. You can also stop by for dinner at any time. We did not remarry. We were together. In a completely different way than before. He is no longer the man who devoted all his life to his career and viewed his wife as a stable support system. She is no longer the woman who gives all of herself to marriage, just waiting to be seen one day. You have your career. I have my career. Have dinner together on the weekend. Take a day off and travel together. On weekdays, everyone is busy. But we call each other every night. Just five to ten minutes. The things we say... are all very small things. An An's exam today. Lac Lac again won first place in running. Aunt Chu's back hurt again, so she took her to the doctor. Thanh Hoa is about to get married. The subject is a lawyer from the company's legal department. It's all small things. Little things. But warm. He has learned how to listen. Learned how to speak out. That's something it took us seven years... to learn.

"Nem Niem."

He called me. He took out an item from his pocket. A pearl of peace. It's not the nineteen yuan peace jade that came with it for free in the past. Which is a new piece. Warm jade quality. Exquisite carvings. The front is engraved with two words. The back is engraved with two small letters.

"Taken from the names of An An and Lac Lac."

"It's also the name of my company."

"That's what I wanted to tell you too."

"Niem Niem, peace."

I received the jade piece. In the palm of your hand. It's still a little warm. Twelve years ago. In a small, simple villa. I gave birth to two children. Use nineteen yuan to buy a piece of peace jade. Then respectfully make a small wish. I just hope... You guys are safe. Twelve years later. I stand at my own harbor. Look at your own fleet. Next to them are the children. And a man... Finally learned to appreciate. I clasped the jade piece in my palm. Outside the harbour. The whistle of the hundredth ship sounded once again. Through the harbor. Through sea surface. Through twelve years of storms, separation and reunion. Forever waiting... To a far away place. Lac Lac pulled my sleeve.

"That ship is so big!"

"Can I be a captain in the future?"

An An glanced at her.

"I don't know how to swim yet."

"I will learn!"

"What are you learning? Last time I went into the pool I drank a full belly of water."

"That's water going into your nose! It's not the same!"

The two children argued while running towards the railing of the observatory. Co Tram Chu looked at the shadows of the two children. Then turned to look at me. He held out his hand. I looked at that hand. Then gently put your hand in. His palm is still very large. Covers my whole hand. Still the same as twelve years ago. But this time... I'm no longer afraid that you'll let me go. Even if one day he really lets go. Also strong enough to stand on my own two feet.