Chapter 30 — After the Fire Ends, I Return

I used to think that as long as I was good enough, patient enough, and loved him enough, one day he would turn around and see me. But later I understood. There are people who are not invisible. It's just that they know you're always there, so they don't appreciate it. I said:

“Impossible.”

Luc Canh Xuyen closed his eyes.

“Because of Tham Duat?”

“No. Because I am no longer the old Hua Duong.”

He didn't say anything more. Before leaving, he placed a small box on the back sill. Inside was a necklace of nine hundred and ninety-nine yuan that he had sent his assistant to bring back that year.

"I never had the right to give you this."

I don't accept it.

"Luc Canh Xuyen, keep it. So that every time you see it in the future, you remember that the cheapest thing is not this necklace."

It's a feeling that he underestimates. He understood what I meant. His back left in the long, strangely lonely alley. I don't feel gloating. It doesn't hurt either. I just felt like I was finally able to say goodbye to someone who should have left my life a long time ago. After my identity was confirmed, Grandma Tham wanted to take me back to the Tham family. I refuse. I still live in a small apartment near the Civil Affairs Department, sometimes go to Duong Ky to help my mother, and sometimes visit grandmother Tham. She didn't force me. I just regularly send people to bring me things, from clothes, scar treatment medicine, to some breakfast dishes that I casually praise as delicious. Khuong Van looked at the pile of gifts filling the living room and clicked her tongue:

“Duong Duong, do you feel like you're being compensated by express delivery?”

I opened the cake box and said:

"That's okay. At least this time, you really want to make up for it."

Khuong Van raised her chin and looked at me:

“What about Tham Duat?”

My hand stopped. Since confirming our blood relationship, Tham Dut and I have gone through the procedures to annul our marriage. Legally, we are back to our true status. You are my little uncle. A truth that is both wild and funny. But between us we can't pretend like nothing ever happened. He still comes to Duong Ky every week, sits at a table near the window, orders a bowl of beef noodles, and eats very slowly. Don't talk too much. Also don't mention the past. It's just like using the clumsiest way to appear in my life, but not forcing me to respond. Khuong Van sighed:

“Honestly, if it weren't for that damn identity, I'd think he's ten thousand times more compatible with you than Luc Canh Xuyen.”

I laugh:

“Don't talk nonsense.”

"I know, I know. The little guy can't love, morality doesn't allow it."

She said as she stuffed the cake into her mouth, then muttered in a low voice:

“But what a pity.”

I didn't answer. Outside the window, the rain had just stopped. Sunlight fell on the glass, so bright that it made people's eyes a bit dazzling. Half a year later, everything finally worked out. Luc's father and Lam's father were given heavy sentences. Uncle Two of the Tham family could not escape the charges of concealment, collusion and incitement. Aunt Hai was also brought to trial for kidnapping babies and bribing workers that year. Lam Vi pleaded guilty in part, but because he still tried to hide some details, he was not as lenient as expected. The day the verdict was announced, Grandma Tham took me to the cemetery. In front of Tham Van's grave, she placed a bouquet of white flowers.

"Tham Van, have you seen? Tieu Duong is back."

I stood in front of the tombstone, looking at it photo of a strange man with eyes very similar to mine. After a long time, I bowed.

“Dad.”

A very soft word, but as soon as it was said, tears fell from my eyes. I used to think I didn't need to find my identity. I used to think that just having my mother, having Duong Ky, and having a peaceful life was enough. But when I actually stood in front of my father's grave, I realized there was still a void in my heart. Not a complaint. Just regret. I'm sorry he didn't have time to hug me.