Chapter 19 — After Seeing Through It, I No Longer Love You

Another two years have passed. The banks of almond trees outside Tien Duong Cong Quan area have grown a lot. Every time autumn comes, the whole road is covered with a golden color, the wind blows, leaves fall like rain. After that, due to work transfer, Han Tinh moved to a place closer to the company. Before leaving, she walked around the living room.

“I really can't bear to leave this house.” She sighed, "But don't worry, just because I moved away... doesn't mean I didn't leave a trace."

She secretly placed a small card saying "Han Tinh" next to the betel pot in the corner of the wall.

“I used to live here.” She said, "If anyone moves in in the future, let them know... this place once had a beautiful woman with a radiant temperament like me."

“Aren't you afraid of scaring people away?” I laughed, adjusted the card, "Don't worry, if anyone bullies me in the future, I will say there is a sister Duong behind me."

Han Tinh carried her suitcase and stood at the door.

“What about you?” She asked, “How long are you going to be alone?”

“It depends on fate.” I shrugged, “This time… I won't be in a hurry.”

"That's right." She patted my face, "Now you have a house, a career, anyone who wants to touch you... must first come through my door."

“Yes yes.”

We hugged each other. Han Tinh left. The house became quiet again. But this time, the silence was no longer as cold as before. Which carries a gentle aftertaste. I lived alone for a while. Busy with work during the day, sometimes working late at night, going home to shower, lying on the sofa reading books or watching movies. On weekends, I go to yoga class and sometimes eat and drink with friends. I no longer see “marriage” as the end of my life. No longer afraid of questions like "why don't you have a lover yet?" I learned how to... keep my pace of life amidst the gaze of others. One late spring afternoon, I attended an industry exchange. The location is the terrace of a hotel, in the distance the river surface sparkles with water. I stood in the corner, holding a glass of orange juice, listening to the speaker on stage share project experiences. Next to me, someone asked softly.

“Is it Miss Lam?”

I turned my head. He was a tall and thin man, wearing a simple white shirt, dark pants, calm temperament, and gentle eyes.

“We once met in a project on General Manager Co's side.” He smiled, "I'm a legal representative for that technology company, surnamed Trinh."

I try to remember. Then I realized... that was the person who always sat quietly in the corner of the meeting room. In meetings, he rarely speaks up, but every time he speaks, he is on point, his voice is not loud... but always gets to the point.

“Lawyer Trinh.” I nodded, "Hello."

“Just call me Trinh Ngon.” He raised his glass lightly, "I heard that you later accepted our new cooperation plan. General Director Co praised you several times in internal meetings."

“She compliments everyone with a purpose.” I laughed, "Probably so I don't have to complain about working overtime later."

“This also proves that you did very well.” Trinh Ngon said seriously, "I read your risk assessment twice and wrote it in great detail."

I didn't expect him to mention that, I was a bit surprised.

“Do you legal department... also pay attention to the 'lowly soldiers' things like we write?”

“Behind the contract, the person who actually does the work is the most important.” “I pay attention to those things quite a bit,” he said.

His voice is neither fast nor slow, carries a rhythm that makes people unconsciously feel reassured. We started chatting about the project and about the recent upheavals in the industry. The afternoon light gradually receded, and the wind on the terrace blew gently. I suddenly realized... There are people who, without trying, enter your life. Just standing there... is enough to make you feel, everything is no longer so heavy. Occasionally, we also interject a few non-work related stories. For example, a certain coffee shop has a terrible latte, or a newly opened green road has quite beautiful scenery. I realized that talking to him was effortless. No need to try to find the topic, no need to worry about saying the wrong thing. Sometimes you just need to quietly listen to him say a few sentences, then follow it up with your own feelings... the story just flows very naturally. When the meeting ended, it was completely dark. The light on the rooftop is soft, the wind blows, carrying the faint scent of flowers.

“Do you live nearby?” Trinh Ngon asked.

“Not very far.” I replied, "It's about a ten-minute taxi ride."

“That's convenient.” He pointed down, "I'm also in this area."

We entered the elevator one after another. Tens of short seconds passed, neither of them said anything. But that silence... doesn't make people feel awkward at all. On the contrary, it's like a chemistry has just sprouted. When the elevator door opened, Trinh Ngon turned to look at me.

“Later… if we have a chance, can we talk more about work?”

"Of course." I nodded, "There will probably be more cooperation in the future."

“That's good.” He smiled lightly, took out a business card from his pocket, "Sometimes the legal side looks at the problem a bit differently, maybe you need a little reminder from your marketing side."

“Then I won't be polite.”

We exchange contacts. Before separating, Trinh Ngon looked at me for a moment, then added.

“You bought a house in Tien Duong Cong Quan, right?”

I was a bit surprised.

“How do you know?”

“General Manager Co mentioned it last time.” He smiled, "Saying you single-handedly closed the school district over there... you sounded very proud."

I paused for a moment, a warm feeling rising in my heart that was hard to name.

"YES." I nodded, "That's the dowry my father gave me."

“It's a very good choice.” He said, “Having a house of your own… the feeling will be different.”

"That's right." I smiled softly, "It's like there's another piece of solid ground under my feet."

Trinh Ngon looked at me.

“So that's good.” He said very seriously, "There is a place to stand... wherever you want to go, just think slowly."

At that moment, I suddenly realized that the troubles that once bound me... were far away. I'm not sure where Trinh Ngon and I can go. There is also no need to rush to assign any labels to this meeting. I just know, I now... have enough confidence and patience, to take time to choose the truly suitable person. Spring has passed, summer has come. On the balcony of Tien Duong Cong Quan, the betel pot is lush and green, leaves piled on top of leaves. The small card Han Tinh left behind has faded a bit... but still stands there. One weekend afternoon, sunlight filtered through the curtains, spreading across the floor, the air smelled faintly of laundry detergent. I sat at the dining table, took a sip of hot tea, and looked at the computer screen. On the screen is a document. The title… is the project plan I just finished writing. Next to me, the phone lit up. It's a message from Trinh Ngon.

“Are you free this afternoon? I heard a new bakery opened near your house and it's pretty good. I want to try it."

I looked at that line... the corners of my lips suddenly curled up. A very light feeling. Like the early summer wind... passing through my heart.