Chapter 5 — Dear Wife, Do You Remember Me?

He stood rooted to the spot looking at me. No more chasing. I entered the market. The hand carrying the shopping bag is shaking. The corners of my eyes sting. I scolded myself for being useless. He's just a neighbor. It's just a childhood story. Is it worth it? The phone buzzed again. Not Chu Dien. It's Phuong Tinh.

“To Niem, I heard you and Chu Dien quarreled?”

“Do you need me to advise him for you?”

“Let's meet up for afternoon tea and talk a bit this weekend, okay?”

I kept my eyes glued to the screen. Why does she have my WeChat? I never made friends with her. 06 I did not reply to Phuong Tinh's message. When I went to work on Monday, I pretended nothing happened. Process documents, work with departments, record meeting minutes. Everything is still normal. Chu Dien didn't come down to look for me. No texting. Don't call. For a whole week. I told myself this is for the best. Return to normal co-worker relationships. Everyone lives their own life. Friday afternoon, the Administrative Director called me in again.

“To Niem, there is something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

"Next week the company has a new person, named Phuong Tinh, in the Administration department. Please guide her."

The tip of my pen stopped.

“…Phuong Tinh?”

“That's right, do you know me?”

"She's an outsider? Why did she suddenly join the job?"

The director pushed his glasses.

"It was my superior's idea. I just found out today."

The idea of superiors. Which superior? I don't ask anymore. Monday, Phuong Tinh arrived. She sat right at the desk next to me. Greet each person with a smile and take the initiative to serve tea and pour water. Everyone praises her for being approachable. Gentle, generous, thoughtful. For me, it's even more enthusiastic.

“Niem Niem, let's eat together at lunch?”

“Nim Niem, let me give you this document.”

“Nien Niem, this shirt of yours is so beautiful, where did you buy it?”

I barely resisted. Does not show any abnormalities. But I noticed a few things. First, every noon she goes to the twenty-third floor. Said to bring soup to Chu Dien. Carrying a pair of thermal cages, walking up bright and clear. Every time I pass by the table I have to stop for a moment:

“Nien Niem, I'm going to bring lunch to Chu Dien, do you want to come with me?”

Second, she became WeChat friends with everyone in the room. Regularly give out lucky money in the group, share snacks, and invite them to go out. Destiny is so good it's unbelievable. Third, when chatting with others, she always accidentally mentioned——

“Chu Dien and I have known each other since childhood.”

“Our two families are inseparable.”

“She loves me very much, always telling me to take more care of him.”

Every sentence and every word is not said too harshly. Every sentence and every word fit into my ears. I pretended like nothing happened. Until that Thursday. Right after work, I'm getting water in the pantry area. Phuong Tinh pushed the door and walked in.

“Nien Niem, I want to ask you something.”

“You say it.”

“Are you paying attention to Chu Dien?”

I pressed the water purifier button.

“No.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. I'm just afraid you'll misunderstand."

“What misunderstanding?”

“He treats her well, maybe just because of his childhood neighborly relationship.”

"His personality is like that, he is enthusiastic with everyone."

She hesitated for a moment.

“But even so We're getting married anyway, I don't want there to be any misunderstandings."

I turned off the faucet.

“Phuong Tinh.”

“Hmm?”

“Whether you marry him or not has nothing to do with me.”

“What you say to me is meaningless.”

She blinked and smiled.

“Nim Niem, don't be angry, I'm just asking casually.”

She turned away. I held the glass of water and stood still for a while. Thinking very clearly in my head. Her words have a few loopholes.