Chapter 29 — After the Fire Ends, I Return

Grandma Tham used her cane to step forward and block in front of me.

“She wasn't thrown away. She was taken away by you.”

Her voice was not loud, but each word was as heavy as stone.

"Tieu Duong is my biological niece, Tham Van's bloodline. From today onwards, anyone who dares to say a word that she is not, is confronting me."

Aunt Hai was dragged away in a shrill cry. Uncle Hai was terrifyingly silent. I watched their backs disappear outside the door, and suddenly heard Khuong Van softly scolding next to me:

"What a nest of poisonous snakes. Luckily we were able to finally pull them all out."

I laughed very softly.

“Yes, luckily it's finally over.”

But actually, I know. It's not over yet. One month later, the Van Lan hall fire case was officially reinvestigated. Luc's father, Lam's father, Uncle Hai, Aunt Hai, and those who participated in hiding evidence that year, were arrested one after another. Because Lam Vi participated in transporting flammable materials, hid the truth and pretended to save his life, he could not escape involvement. The day the first trial opened, I didn't come. I sat in Duong Ky restaurant, helping my mother bring a bowl of hot soup to patrons. Mom looked at me a few times, but finally couldn't help but ask:

“Duong Duong, are you really not going to see?”

I shook my head.

“No need, Mom.”

Mom stopped, her eyes turned red. Since knowing that I was not her biological child, she has always become more careful in front of me, as if if she said one wrong sentence, I would leave her. I put down the tray and hugged her.

"Mom, it doesn't matter if your child's family name is Hua or Tham. The person who raises the child is the mother. The person who teaches the child to be kind is also the mother."

My mother burst into tears.

"But I'm still scared. I'm afraid that once you return to the Tham family, you won't need me anymore."

I buried my face in her shoulder, just like so many years ago, when I was a child.

“You will always be my daughter.”

Khuong Van stood next to the cashier, wiping her tears and pretending to hate:

"Are you two done being touched yet? Table number three is ordering more braised meat. Can the tragedy of the wealthy family be paused to serve the people first?"

I burst out laughing. My mother also smiled through her tears. Duong Ky heard the sound of cooking, customers ordering, and bowls and chopsticks colliding. The smoke from the kitchen is billowing, warm and real. This is my home. In the afternoon, Luc Canh Xuyen arrived at Duong Ky. He lost a lot of weight. The expensive suit on his body is no longer as straight as before. I was clearing the table, when I saw him I just calmly asked:

“What to eat?”

He stood there stunned for a long time.

“Hua Duong, I want to talk to you.”

“I'm working.”

“Just a few minutes.”

I looked around at the customers in the restaurant, then finally put down the towel.

“Go outside and talk.”

The alley behind Duong Ky is very quiet. Luc Canh Xuyen looked at me for a long time, his voice hoarse:

“I came to say sorry.”

“I heard that.”

“Not the type of apology from before.” He bowed his head. "I'm sorry for taking your love for granted for the past seven years. I'm sorry for believing in Lam Vi and not believing in you. I'm sorry for taking your wound and hurting you. I'm also sorry that it wasn't until I lost you that I realized how much I was wrong."

The wind blew through at the end of the alley, carrying with it the faint smell of kitchen smoke. I was silent for a few seconds then said:

“Luc Canh Xuyen, I accept your apology.”

His eyes suddenly lit up. But my next sentence shut it all down.

“But I will not forgive.”

His face was pale.

“I know.”

He bowed his head and smiled bitterly.

"I just... still want to hear you say something. If it weren't for Lam Vi, if it weren't for these things, could we go back?"

I looked at him. That year, I truly loved this person in front of me. Because of one sentence from him, I was happy all day. Once because he frowned, he panicked.