Chapter 14 — After the Rain, Nam Son Still Has the Fragrance of Medicine

“From today, Gian Thanh will take over the position of Thanh Hoa.”

“Whoever disagrees should stand up.”

No one spoke up anymore. Co Nghien Tri stood at the end of the hall, as if oppressed by that silent atmosphere, bowing his head. Only now did he understand. The woman he once thought was enough to compensate... had never waited for his favor. He was the one who pushed her so far away. I stayed in the old house Nam Son to stay by my mother's coffin. Co Nghien Tri did not leave. He stood outside in the yard, from dark until late at night. Co's mother called him more than ten phone calls, but he didn't answer a single one. Duong Tue went out to pour water. Seeing him still standing there, he placed the empty cup on the doorstep.

"General Gu, there are already two stone lions in front of the door, there is no shortage of another person like you."

Co Nghien Tri's voice was hoarse.

“I want to meet her.”

“She doesn't want to see you.”

“I have something to tell her.”

Duong Tue smiled coldly.

“People like you are truly interesting.”

“When you should have listened to her, you were busy comforting Tham Nhuoc Lan.”

“Now that it's your turn to speak, make sure others listen.”

Co Nghien Tri bowed his head.

“What happened at the hospital... I'll give her an explanation.”

“You should give yourself an explanation first.”

Duong Tue leaned against the door.

“Where is Tham Nhuoc Lan?”

“At the Co family's house.”

“I sent someone to watch her.”

“What's the use of watching?”

“She knows how to cry.”

“If she just cried, wouldn't your heart soften?”

Co Nghien Tri did not object. From the yard came my voice.

“Duong Tue, let him in.”

Duong Tue turned around.

“Are you sure?”

I stood in front of the shrine, my face even more pale under the candlelight.

“Let him in.”

Co Nghien Tri walked to the front of the spiritual hall. When he saw my mother's photo, his knees felt like they were being pressed down by an invisible weight. He knelt down and bowed his head three times. I don't stop it. Co Nghien Tri raised his head.

“Auntie... I'm sorry.”

Duong Tue stood next to him, his voice tough.

“If apologizing worked, hospitals wouldn't need an emergency room.”

Co Nghien Tri looked at me.

“Tham Nhuoc Lan admitted.”

“That day my mother gave her money and told her to come to the engagement ceremony and cause trouble.”

"She took the needle bag because Chu Hoai Le found it first, saying that it contained evidence that would help her enter the Co family's house."

“The call to the hospital was received by her and then transferred to Chu Hoai Le's people.”

“Does she admit to harming my mother?”

Co Nghien Tri was silent.

“She said... she didn't know anyone would die.”

I nodded slightly.

“Just like your mother.”

Co Nghien Tri's face turned pale.

“I have handed over the recording to the police.”

"Tran Thieu also agreed to testify. Chu Hoai Le gave him money to come and cause trouble."

“Why did Tran Thieu agree?”

"He's afraid of going to jail... also afraid of my grandfather."

Duong Tue snorted.

“Know that too.”

Co Nghien Tri took out a ring from his pocket.

"This is my previous engagement ring. Today I brought it not to ask for your forgiveness, but to return it to you. I didn't complete the ceremony that day, today I'll make up for it."

I looked at the ring.

“You take it away.”

“Thanh Thanh.”

“I don't need it to prove anything.”

Co Nghien Tri's arm stopped in the middle the air.

“So... what else can I do?”

I looked at my mother's photo.

“When it comes time to go to trial, tell the truth.”

Co Nghien Tri raised his head.

“Don't ask for relief from anyone, not even your mother.”

Co Nghien Tri's shoulders seemed to sag a little more. Suddenly, urgent footsteps were heard outside the door. The driver of the Co family ran in.

"Mr. Gu, it's not okay! Madam took Ms. Tham away. She said she would take her to the hospital to recover from the pregnancy."

Co Nghien Tri immediately stood up. Duong Tue scolded:

“I knew it right away!”

I asked the driver.

“Which hospital?”

The driver wiped his sweat.

“Nhan An Hospital.”

Uncle Trieu's face darkened.

“That is the private hospital that the Co family often goes to.”

I put the incense stick in the incense burner. Co Nghien Tri raised his hand to stop me.

“Don't go, let me handle it.”

I looked at him.

“The things you handled... my mother had to use her life to verify.”

Co Nghien Tri's hand slowly dropped. The hallway of Nhan An hospital is so bright it's blinding. Mother Co sat in front of the Obstetrics Department door, with her handbag next to her. As soon as she saw Co Nghien Tri leading me, she immediately stood up.

"Why did you bring her here? Nhuoc Lan is already pregnant, don't you think it's chaotic enough?"

Co Nghien Tri asked:

“Where is Tham Nhuoc Lan?”

Co's mother stood in front of the door.

“The doctor is examining.”

I looked towards the nurse's station.

“Did the person who just entered register their name?”

The nurse glanced at Co's mother and hesitated. Mother Co immediately spoke up:

"It's a right to privacy, why should we tell it?"

Uncle Trieu took out the papers.