Chapter 3 — Cracks Under Light

"Lam Van, don't come tomorrow. Every time you appear, Nhuoc Ninh is talked about by others." I said: "Don't worry, I didn't come because of you." He stared at me: "That's best." The light of the exhibition center shined down on the blue enamel porcelain vase. The crack is so small that it is almost invisible. But I know, once cracked, it's still cracked. The same goes for humans. The next morning, Chu's mother stopped me downstairs. In her hand she held the box of cinnamon rolls that I like the most, trying to force a smile on her face: "Van Van, last night Nghien Tu spoke a bit harshly, I'll apologize on his behalf." My mother was about to send me out. Seeing her, her face immediately turned cold. "Mrs. Chu, our family's Van Van still has to go to work." Chu's mother seemed not to hear, directly giving me the cake: "Since I was a child, I have liked to eat cakes from this shop. Last night Nghien Tu also regretted it. Young people, their mouths are often tough." I did not accept. "Auntie, take it home." The smile on her face stiffened: "Van Van, do you blame me too?" I said: "I don't." blame you.” She breathed a sigh of relief. I continued: "It's just that in the future it's not convenient to receive things anymore." Chu's mother's smile completely disappeared. "This child, why is he suddenly so distant? There is no one next to Nghien Tu to take care of him. His stomach is not good, Nhuoc Ninh has just returned. I understand his habits the best. If you go over there and help arrange for a few days, I will also rest assured." My mother was so angry that she burst out laughing: "You told Van Van to come and take care of your son and the girl." Chu's mother quickly explained: "That's not what I mean. Nhuoc Ninh's health is weak, Nghien Tu is busy. Since childhood, Van Van has been attentive." I looked at the cinnamon cake box in her hand. It turned out that last night's humiliation was only worth a box of cakes in her eyes. "Auntie, I'm very busy today." "What could I possibly be busy with?" Chu's mother blurted out, then felt it wasn't appropriate so she softened her voice: "Working in that small factory, how much money do you make a month? The Chu family doesn't mistreat you either. Nghien Tu said that after Nhuoc Ninh is stable, they can arrange for you to join Chu's logistics department."My mother's expression looked on. white. I asked: "Chu Nghien Tu told you to come?" Chu's mother avoided my eyes: "He has a face, he can't open his mouth." I laughed: "He needs face, so you came to tell me to throw away my face?" Chu's mother's face changed: "Van Van, you were not such a harsh person before." "Before, you were not as alert as you are now." The sound of high heels rang out at the entrance to the building. Tham Nhuoc Ninh walked over, holding a thermos bag in his hand. Seeing Chu's mother, she immediately obediently called out: "Auntie." Chu's mother's expression immediately softened: "Nhuoc Ninh, why are you here?" Tham Nhuoc Ninh looked at me: "I was afraid that Nghien Tu hadn't had breakfast yet, so I brought him porridge. I heard that Ms. Lam's house is nearby, so it was convenient to come visit."My house and Chu Nghien Tu's apartment are half a city apart. I don't know how convenient she is. Chu's mother seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw: "Look, how understanding Nhuoc Ninh is." Tham Nhuoc Ninh handed the heat bag to me: "Miss Lam, I was also at fault for what happened yesterday. This is given to you as an apology." I didn't accept: "Didn't you bring it to Chu Nghien Tu?" She was stunned. Chu's mother quickly said: "It's just a portion of porridge, Van Van, don't count." Tham Nhuoc Ninh bit her lip: "Miss Lam, do you think I'm stealing your position? If so, I can move." Chu's mother immediately felt heartbroken: "Don't talk nonsense. You're staying at Nghien Tu because of my consent." My mother couldn't bear it anymore: "You Chu family really know how to treat people. My son scolded my daughter. To make her lose face, the mother told her to come and serve the two of them, the other girl even ran downstairs to show off her anger. Why, seeing that there was no one in our house, she was easy to bully

Chu's mother's face was unsightly: "Long-time neighbor, don't talk so harshly." I looked at the time. "You're late." Chu's mother stopped me: "Van Van, you haven't finished speaking yet." A black car stopped on the side of the road. The window rolled down, Uncle Phuong poked his head out: "The girl's name is Lam, if I don't go, the exhibition will rush me to death." Chu's mother saw the car, stunned: "Who is this?" Uncle Phuong Hot-tempered: "Someone came to pick her up from work." Tham Nhuoc Ninh saw Uncle Phuong clearly, his face changed: "Master Phuong?" Chu's mother immediately asked: "Nhuoc Ninh, do you know him?" Tham Nhuoc Ninh reluctantly smiled: "A senior in the restoration industry in Nam Thanh." Chu's mother's eyes looking at me changed a bit: "Van Van, when did you know someone like that?" I opened the car door: "Sooner than when I met everyone." people." Tham Nhuoc Ninh suddenly took a step forward: "Miss Lam, tonight Nghien Tu is also coming to the exhibition. Can you stop mentioning yesterday's incident to Mr. Phuong? I don't want Nghien Tu to be said to be biased." Uncle Phuong stuck half of his body out of the car: "Wasn't he biased yesterday?" Chu's mother quickly said: "Teacher Phuong, don't misunderstand. The two kids are just angry." Uncle Phuong snorted coldly: