Chapter 17 — After the Rain, Nam Son Still Has the Fragrance of Medicine

Inside are stacks of copies of house ownership certificates and savings books.

“Before she passed away, Ms. Lam Thanh Hoa left behind a compensation sum, just in case for today.”

Lam Ba Son tightened his grip on the stick.

“It already knows.”

“Mom once said, the longer the sign is up, the more worms will eat it.”

"I can't go back, but I also can't let the patient have to use her life to pay for the Lam family's mistake."

The crowd in front of the door gradually quieted down. Old man Ha suddenly spoke up.

“I will examine first.”

“What is worth recovering is done, what is worth curing is cured.”

"If Nam Son Duong dares to cheat, this old leg of mine will come and block the door every day."

Some people in the crowd burst into laughter. The atmosphere also calmed down a bit. Co Nghien Tri stood outside the door looking at me. I was busy until late in the evening, I didn't even have time to drink a sip of water. Duong Tue put a glass of water in my hand, I only took two sips. Co Nghien Tri stepped forward.

“Can I help?”

Duong Tue raised his hand to stop him.

“The most you can help is stay out of her life.”

I took a look at him.

“From the Co family's side, have you finished handling it yet?”

"My mother will have to coordinate the investigation. The Co family's pharmacies involved have all suspended operations."

“What about Tham Nhuoc Lan?”

"She put all the blame on Chu Hoai Le, but Chu Hoai Le said he had a recording. Tran Thieu also handed over the evidence. She can't escape."

I nodded. Co Nghien Tri said:

“I plan to leave the Co family for a while.”

Duong Tue was sarcastic.

“Go to the beach to watch the waves?”

Co Nghien Tri was not angry at all.

“I will go to the countryside for free medical examination.”

“The Co family was previously built from a pharmacy, but now it is rotten.”

“I want to learn from the beginning.”

“That's your problem.”

"I know."

He looked at me.

“I don't want you to wait for me.”

“I won't wait.”

In Co Nghien Tri's eyes, only bitterness remained. He turned around and was about to leave when I called back.

“Co Nghien Tri.”

He turned his head. I gave him a piece of paper.

"This is a declaration of annulment of marriage. I have officially signed it. From now on, men get married, women get married, they no longer have anything to do with each other."

Co Nghien Tri received it, his hand pressing on the edge of the paper.

“I wish you peace.”

“I also wish you peace of mind.”

As he left, the sunset covered the sign of Nam Son Duong. Duong Tue asked softly:

“Are you really not sad?”

I gave her the empty cup.

“I'm sad enough.”

“Since when?”

“Night at the morgue.”

Duong Tue said nothing more. I went back to the pharmacy counter and picked up the next register. There are still many people waiting outside. I can't stop. The day the case was brought to trial, Hai Thanh poured a heavy rain. I wore a black suit, Duong Tue sat next to me in the audience row. Lam Ba Son did not come. He said he was afraid he would pick up a stick and beat someone right in the courtroom. When Co's mother was brought in, her hair had turned a lot gray. She saw me, her lips moved slightly but she didn't dare call out. Tham Nhuoc Lan walked in still crying, her eyes constantly looking for Co Nghien Tri. Co Nghien Tri sat behind the witness area, looking calm. After the trial began, each piece of evidence was presented in turn. Hotel surveillance camera, hospital call history, documents from Co's mother transferring money to Tham Nhuoc Lan, a recording of Chu Hoai Le arranging people to pretend to be the patient's family members to prevent confirmation of hospital fee payment, and photos and conversations provided by Tran Thieu. Tham Nhuoc Lan's lawyer still wants to defend.

"My client subjectively had no intention of harming anyone, she was just taken advantage of by Chu Hoai Le."

Chu Hoai Le immediately shouted.

“She knows!”

“I told her to keep Co Nghien Tri, so that the Co family would not have time to worry about the Gian family.”

"She also said it was best to let Gian Thanh's mother make a big deal out of it, so Mrs. Co was determined to cancel the marriage!"

Tham Nhuoc Lan screamed.

“You talk nonsense!”

“Obviously, Mrs. Co told me to go!”

Mother Co was also frantic.

“I told you to go cry, but I didn't tell you to hurt anyone!”

The judge tapped his gavel.

“Keep order.”

I sat on the auditorium row, clutching the silver needle my mother left me in my hand. Duong Tue said softly:

“They ended up biting each other.”

“Don't scold the dog in the courtroom.”

Duong Tue was stunned for a moment then laughed softly. When Co Nghien Tri testified, the entire courtroom was silent. The lawyer asked him:

“On the day of the engagement ceremony, did you know that Ms. Gian's mother was taken to the hospital?”

Co Nghien Tri replied:

“Did Miss Gian ask you for help?”

“She called me twenty-seven times, but I didn't listen.”

"She also texted me saying the emergency money wasn't enough, but I didn't have time to see it."

“Where were you that day?”

“I stayed with Tham Nhuoc Lan to resolve the conflict between her and Tran Thieu, then went to a hotel in a neighboring city.”

Tham Nhuoc Lan cried and screamed.

“Nghien Tri, you can't say that!”

“You said you would protect me!”

Co Nghien Tri looked at her.

“I protected the wrong person.”

Mother Co bowed her head and covered her face. The lawyer continued to ask:

“Did your mother and Tham Nhuoc Lan ever discuss sabotaging the engagement ceremony?”

Co Nghien Tri replied:

“The relevant recording was handed over by myself.”