Chapter 8 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

Light colored jacket. Makeup is very delicate. But still couldn't hide the tired look on his face. About thirty years old. Very beautiful. When the woman saw On Nhuoc Van, she was slightly stunned. Then smile.

"Hello."

"May I ask, are you Ms. On Nhuoc Van?"

"My name is..."

"Tong Thanh Nghi."

On Nhuoc Van's fingers that were placed on the door frame gently tightened. Tong Thanh Nghi. That's the name. The name appeared on Pho Hanh Chi's phone screen two years ago.

"To bother you like this, I'm really sorry."

Tong Thanh Nghi's voice was very calm. But in the eyes. There was another emotion that On Nhuoc Van was very familiar with. Those are the eyes of a person. It took all my courage to dare to come here.

"I know."

"Maybe you don't want to see me."

"But there are a few words."

"I wanted to tell you personally."

"Relating to Pho Hanh Chi?"

Tong Thanh Nghi gently shook his head.

"Concerning myself."

"The truth of that night."

On Nhuoc Van stood in front of the door. Rain and dust blown in by the wind. Wetting her sleeves. She looked at Tong Thanh Nghi. Then lean over. Give way. After entering the workshop. Tong Thanh Nghi did not look around. Not polite either. She stood next to Wen Ruo Wan's desk. His eyes stopped on the still unglazed cup. Even the crack is deliberately engraved on the body of the cup. Tong Thanh Nghi said softly.

"Kintsugi?"

Wen Ruowan pulled out a chair for her. As for me, I'm leaning against the desk. Don't pour tea. Not social. Tong Thanh Nghi sat down. Place the bag on your knees. Hands clasped together.

"That night in Hangzhou..."

"Two years ago."

"I owe you an explanation."

On Nhuoc Van said nothing. Just quietly looked at her.

"Hanh Chi said..."

"He explained it to you."

"That's just his side of the story."

Tong Thanh Nghi raised his head.

"I want to tell you..."

"My version."

"You just say it."

"It's true that I came to find him to fix the plan."

"I decided to switch from architecture to become an exhibition curator."

"The first plan I submitted was failed twice."

"There's only one last chance left."

"Hanh Chi has done many real projects in the industry."

"So I found him for help."

On Nhuoc Van's face remained calm. No change at all.

"Arrived around eleven o'clock at night."

"The plan has been fixed."

"At first I booked the room right next door."

"But the receptionist said that floor was full."

"The nearest room is only on the eighth floor."

Tong Thanh Nghi stopped for a moment.

"I admit."

"At that time I was hesitant."

"Hanh Chi said..."

"It's okay for him to sleep on the sofa."

"And then?"

"Then..."

"I drank half a bottle of red wine."

"The pressure was too great that day."

"The matter of the plan almost forced me to suffocate."

"Drink."

"I fell asleep on the sofa."

"And Hanh Chi."

"Still sitting at the desk over there."

"Continue to handle his business."

"You laughed."

On Nhuoc Van suddenly spoke up. Tong Thanh Nghi paused.

"While I was standing outside the door."

"I heard you laugh."

Tong Thanh Nghi was silent for a few seconds. Then nodded slightly.

"I remember."

"When the final plan is approved."

"I did laugh."

"I also told Hanh Chi..."

'This time it won't be death.'

On Nhuoc Van bowed his head. Fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the desk job. Tong Thanh Nghi's voice was very soft.

"I know."

"These words sound so weak."

"Even..."

"I have no way to prove anything."

"But there's one thing."

"I must let you know."

She took a deep breath.

"High school."

"It's true that I used to like Hanh Chi."

"I was young then."

"If you think you're close then you like it."

"He went to Beijing to study at university."

"We also lost contact."

"Then I heard he got married."

"I'm really happy for him."

"When I looked to him for help."

"The first thing he said to me was..."

'I'm already married.'

Tong Thanh Nghi laughed at himself.

"It's like I'm afraid I'll misunderstand."

On Nhuoc Van did not laugh.

"Why don't you explain to me?"

"It's been two years."

Tong Thanh Nghi's voice trembled slightly.

"Because I don't know how to face you."

"I know."

"Whatever the truth of that night is."

"For you."

"It's still traumatizing."

"I'm afraid..."

"If I stand in front of you."

"You'll think I'm just trying to justify myself."

She stopped. It took a while to continue.

"A few days ago."

"I saw the news that you won the award."

"Seeing the works she made."

Her gaze landed on the cracked cup.

"I feel."

"You should know the whole truth."

"It's not because of Hanh Chi."

"But for yourself."

In the workshop. So quiet that the only sound left was the sound of rain and dust falling on the bamboo canopy in the yard. On Nhuoc Van stood next to the desk. In her head. Constantly mull over every sentence and every word you hear. A moment later. She just spoke up.

"Tong Thanh Nghi."

"What you just said."

"It's all true."

Tong Thanh Nghi's shoulders clearly relaxed. As if a rock had just been dropped. On Nhuoc Van raised his head to look at her.

"You have to understand something."

"That night."

"Never was the whole reason I left."

Tong Thanh Nghi quietly looked at her.

"It's just..."

"The last drop of water."

On Nhuoc Van said calmly.

"A whole year before that."

"Hidden words."

"The gaps are getting bigger and bigger."

"That's what really crushed me."

"Even that night."

"Nothing really happened between the two of you."

"Which is very possible."

"It's true that nothing happened."

"He still chose not to tell me he was going to meet you."

"Still chose to lie and say I was on a business trip."

"Still choosing to make me a person..."

"You have to check your husband's location to feel secure."

Her voice was very calm. But every word. All clear.

"That's the problem."

Tong Thanh Nghi bowed his head.

"You're right."

The two were silent for a while again. Tong Thanh Nghi stood up.

"What needs to be said."