Chapter 9 — Boss Huo Waited For Me For Eight Years

Not the polite, social, industrial smile. It's that kind of smile — a resigned smile, mixed with a bit of bitterness.

“You came here today, just to ask about this?”

“Not just this.”

I took a step forward. The sound of shoes stepping on the wooden floor was clear.

"In 2017, you forced me to stay overtime on a heavy rainy day. Was it because I was afraid of thunder?"

His fingers curled slightly.

“2021, that cake. Bought it for me, right?”

He did not answer. But don't deny it either.

“Password. 2901.”

His eyes blinked slightly.

“And a cup of coffee. The last two weeks, every morning, I put it on the table.”

“…Tham Khe.”

“I know everything.”

I took another step forward. About 2 meters away from him. He sat on the sofa, looking up at me. The light shined on his face, and for the first time I noticed that there were some blue circles under his eyes. The type of person who lacks sleep.

“You know, so what?” His voice was very light, but steady, "Did you come to apologize to me? Or did you come to say 'I'm sorry I didn't mean that'?"

“Not at all.”

“So what did you come for?”

“I came to say that my marriage has been annulled.”

The living room suddenly fell silent. Even the sound of the air conditioner disappeared. He glared at me. His eyes never blinked.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I'm not getting married anymore.”

“…Why?”

“Because I found out.” My voice is a bit hoarse. My throat felt like someone was choking me. "For the past 8 years, the thing I look forward to most every day is not getting off work. It's the few minutes it takes to bring you coffee every morning."

His lips parted. I saw the hand on his knee tighten, his joints turning white.

“Miss…”

"I know I'm stupid. I'm blind. I deserve it. It's been 8 years since I understood my own feelings. If you want to scold me, you can scold me freely."

“But Huo Hoai Can.”

I bent down. Kneel on one knee in front of him. Look straight into his eyes.

“Do you still need me?”

His eyes were red. This time he did not turn away. He just stared at me, tears swirling in his eyes, he tried to hold them back for 3 seconds and then "a little bit" fell down. Falling straight onto the back of his clenched hand.

“Tham Khe, you bastard.”

“Yes.”

“8 years.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how long I waited?”

"I know. I was wrong."

“I thought you really didn't like me.” His voice began to tremble. “I thought you saw it, but you didn't want to respond, so I just…”

“No.” I grabbed his hand.

It's cold. Always cold. I tightened my grip, embracing his hand in my palm.

"It's me who really can't see it. The whole company knows it, I'm the only one who doesn't know it. Even Mr. Ly, the cleaner, can see it, but I still don't see it."

He "puffed" a laugh. Choked laughter with a nasal voice. Tears were still on my cheeks.

“You really…”

“Stupid, I know.”

“It's not just stupid.” He used his other hand to wipe his face. “You are a once-in-a-century piece of wood.”

“So do you still want this piece of wood?”

He looked at me. The eyes are red, the tip of the nose is also red. But the corners of the mouth curl up. He pulled out the hand I was holding. Then — Use both hands to hold my face. The palm of his hand pressed against my cheek, the tip of his finger touching the shell of my ear. Cold. Then the temperature from those hands gradually increased. He rested his forehead on mine. Breaths entwined with each other.

“If you dare to be stupid again.” His voice was sad, his breath fanned against my lips. “I will deduct all your overtime pay for the past 8 years.”

“Okay.”

"That watch too, confiscate it."

“No, I gave it to you.”

“That's what I bought for my girlfriend.”

"It's mine too."

He was stunned for a second. Then burst out laughing. This time it was a real laugh. No bitterness, no repression. The kind of smile that spreads from the bottom of the eyes.