Chapter 3 — Dear Wife, Do You Remember Me?

Coming downstairs, I unfastened my seat belt.

“Thank you.”

“See you tomorrow.”

I got out of the car, walked a few steps then turned around and knocked on his car window. The window rolled down.

“Chu Dien.”

“Hmm?”

“You… really waited nineteen years?”

He did not answer. Just look at me, smile. That smile was exactly the same nineteen years ago. The window rolled up and the car drove away. I stood there stunned. Heart pounding. The phone rang, it was a text message he sent.

“It's true. Have a good night.”

I put the phone in my pocket and went upstairs. When I opened the door, my hands were still shaking. Not because of the cold. But because I realized something. It seems like I—— I'm not so anti-dismissive anymore. 04 In the second week of working, I started to get into the rhythm here. The work in the Administration department is not exactly idle, but much better than the old company. No one forced me to pour water for tea. No one considers me invisible. Chu Dien also really knows how to be more restrained. No more flying down here three times a day. Occasionally we meet in the cafeteria, just nod once and pass by. I thought you thought it through. I thought those words were just a joke when we met after a long time. Until Wednesday afternoon. The Administrative Director called me into the room.

"To Niem, the company has a mid-year party on Friday, please be in charge of coordinating it."

“Yes.”

"The location has been chosen by President Chu, please go up and discuss the details with the boss."

I carried the notebook to the twenty-third floor. Knock on the door and enter. Chu Dien was on the phone, pointing towards the sofa. I sat down and waited. After hanging up the phone, he walked over and sat across from me.

“About the party?”

“Yes, location, menu, seating chart, I need to finalize it with you.”

“You can just decide.”

“…You're the boss, no matter what, you have to take a look.”

“I believe in you.”

I flipped through the notebook: “So where to sit——”

“Leave a space next to me.”

“To whom?”

He looked at me.

“Let me tell you.”

I pretended not to understand, bowed my head and wrote.

“The main banquet table for the board of directors, I arranged it at——”

“To Niem.”

I looked up. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Are you avoiding me?”

“No.”

"So why have you been texting me for the past two weeks and only replying with one word?"

“Busy work.”

“Is it so busy that even 'yeah', 'yes', 'oh' have to be so frugal?”

I closed the notebook.

“Chu Dien, I want to make it clear to you.”

“You say it.”

“I came to this company to work.”

"Not to... reconnect with some old love from childhood."

He was silent.

“Words said at the age of six don't count.”

“You probably understand.”

He leaned back on the sofa, staring at me for a few seconds.

“Okay.”

“What?”

“If you say it doesn't count, it doesn't count.”

He stood up and walked around behind the desk.

"I'm in full charge of the festival, there's no need to discuss it with me anymore."

“…Yes.”

I stood up and went out. At the door, he called me back.

“To Niem.”

“Yes?”

"That statement doesn't count, so I'll pursue you from the beginning."

“Starting today.”

I didn't turn back. Close the room door. The hallway only has the hum of the air conditioner. I leaned my back against the wall and stood for ten seconds. Breathing is a bit messy. The phone vibrates.

“The first day, starting from being a colleague. ——Chu Dien”

I face down Flip the phone screen face down and put it in your pocket. On Friday, there was a party, and I was very busy. This includes signing attendance, leading guests to their seats, coordinating the kitchen, and handling any problems that arise. From six o'clock in the evening to eight thirty, I haven't had a sip of water. At nine o'clock, the program was considered over. I leaned my back against the wall in the hallway and breathed a sigh of relief. Someone gave me a cup of warm water. I looked up. Not Chu Dien. Being a woman.