Chapter 3 — Dawn After the Crack

In the afternoon, while Tran Canh Tham was not at home, Lam Niem So started packing his things. Not much. Two suitcases, one backpack. Clothes, prenatal examination records, computer, iron box. Tran's mother stood at the bedroom door, watching her quietly clean up.

“Nien So, what are you doing?”

“I moved out.”

“Why are you angry again, Canh Tham just said a little harshly…”

“Mom.” Lam Niem So zipped the suitcase and stood straight, "Canh Tham has someone else outside."

Tran's mother's face stiffened for a moment. Is hardened. Not surprising. Lam Niem So immediately understood.

“Mom knows, right.”

Tran's mother moved her lips: "Knowing or not knowing, young man..."

“I know he has another woman, but I still let him come home and ask to split the expenses with you.”

Tran's mother couldn't say anything more. Tran's father came in from the balcony: "Niem So, if you have anything, say it slowly, we are all family..."

“Uncle Tran.” Lam Niem So pointed at her belly, "In my belly I'm carrying your Tran family's grandchild. For the past seven months, I've never had a proper meal, and I've always gone to prenatal checkups alone. Your son hugged another woman outside, and you guys didn't say a word. Now that I want to move out, I'm starting to speak again."

The living room was silent for three seconds. Father Tran sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. Tran's mother took two steps back, turned and went into the kitchen. Lam Niem So pulled her suitcase and left the house. In the elevator, she sent Tran Canh Tham a text message: I moved out, I took all my belongings away. Ten minutes later, he replied with one word: Oh. Immediately after that, another message: Remember to transfer money. Lam Niem So looked at the screen, then deleted the entire chat. Tong Dao drove to pick her up and help her carry her luggage upstairs. The house is not big, but clean, sunlight shines from the living room window, strangely warm. Tong Dao re-spread the bed for her, then took out a pot of chicken soup from the refrigerator.

“I stewed this morning, drink some.”

Lam Niem So sat down at the table, took a sip, the taste was just right. Her eye sockets suddenly became hot.

“What are you crying about?” Tong Dao sat down opposite, "If you can get rid of that kind of man, you should be happy."

“I'm not crying.” Lam Niem So wiped the corner of her eyes, "The soup is just too hot."

Tong Dao laughed: "Then drink slowly." At night, Lam Niem So put her laptop on the bed and opened the draft contract from Cam Lan Group. The terms are very clear. Chief designer for the new brand "So Kien", salary of fifty thousand, three-year contract, in addition to a percentage of revenue. Fifty thousand. In her previous job, her yearly salary was only eighty thousand. She read it three times, marked a few points that needed editing, then emailed it to Co Tham. The response came quickly: These terms are negotiable. Let's talk in person Monday? She replied: Okay. Turning off the phone, she lay down, placing her hand on her stomach. The baby turned slightly.

“It's just the two of us left.” She whispered, “Mom will take care of it.”

Monday afternoon, Lam Niem So went to Cam Lan Group. The receptionist recognized her: "Miss Lam, Mr. Co is waiting for you on the thirty-eighth floor." The thirty-eighth floor is the Investment Department. Co Tham's office is not large, but neat. There are a few abstract paintings on the walls, and the bookshelves are full of books about commerce and design. He stood up and poured her a glass of water.

"Sit down. I've seen your editing comments, most of them are okay What." He turned the contract to page three, "The profit sharing ratio you proposed is eight percent, but the corporation only accepts six percent at most."

“Seven percent.”

“Six point five.”

Co Tham smiled slightly and extended his hand: "Happy cooperation." Lam Niem So shook his hand.

“One more thing.” Co Tham put the contract away, “Mr. Lam wants to see you. Do you have time today?”

“Are you the founder of Cam Lan?”

Forty-sixth floor, the Chairman's office. The door opened, Lam Niem So saw a gray-haired old man standing in front of the window, his back turned to her. On the table there is a photo. A young woman holds a newborn baby, smiling gently. The old man turned back. Lam Niem So sat down on the sofa, he sat opposite, his back straight.

“I am Lam Sung Son.”

“I know.”

“How old are you this year?”

“Twenty-eight.”

“Where are you from?”

"I... am an orphan, grew up in Hai Thanh orphanage."

His hand holding the cup of tea paused.

“Hai Thanh…” He repeated.

“Yes. When he was three years old, he was adopted, and when he was sixteen, his adoptive parents died in an accident. Since then I have lived alone.”

“Can I see the silver lock around your neck?”

Lam Niem So hesitated for a moment, then took it out. Old silver lock, the front is carved with a cloud pattern, the back is a blurred "Lam" word. Lam Sung Son received it and gently stroked the word. His hand trembled slightly.

“This… where did you get it from?”

“The orphanage said it was already there when I was brought in. Other than that there is no information.”

He returned the lock, leaned back in his chair, and was silent for a long time.

“Lam Niem So, was this name given by the orphanage?”

"Yes. They said at that time there was a piece of paper with the words 'Niem So' written on it."

Lam Sung Son closed his eyes.

“Okay.” He said, “You just do well with the contract. If you need anything, find Co Tham."

Lam Niem So felt he still wanted to say something, but he didn't. She stood up, said goodbye and left. When she touched the door, he said behind her:

“Nien So… is a very beautiful name.”

She turned back. Sunlight fell on his face. In an instant, she saw his eye sockets turn red. Leaving Cam Lan, she got into a taxi when the phone rang.

“Lam Niem So, right? I'm Phuong Di Nhien."

She leaned back in her chair, watching the city pass by outside the window.

“What's the matter?”

“Let's meet. There are things that it's better for women to talk frankly to each other."

“What do you want to say?”

“About Canh Tham.” Phuong Di Nhien's voice carried a familiar smugness. “There are some things you should know.”

“Tomorrow at three o'clock, Starbucks Van Dat.”

After she finished speaking, she hung up. Then texted Tong Dao: Phuong Di Nhien made an appointment with me. Tong Dao answered immediately: I'll go with you. Niem Chu: No need, I can handle it myself. Tong Dao: You are seven months pregnant. Niem Chu: So I just sit, don't need to move my hands. Three o'clock the next afternoon, Starbucks Van Dat. Lam Niem So arrived five minutes early, ordered a cup of hot cocoa, and sat in a hidden corner. At ten past three, Phuong Di Nhien appeared. Intentionally arriving late. She wore a white floral dress, makeup, high heels, and an MK bag. Sit down opposite, and deliberately place your bag on the table to make it easier to see.

“Are you Ms. Niem So?”

She calls her sister.

“If you have something, say it directly.” Lam Niem So raised his glass, not bothering to look.