Chapter 3 — Farewell Nam Thanh

Tham Viet Trinh also said similar words. It was my third year of university when Lam Nhuoc Giao first appeared on our video call. Off-camera, she called him senior brother and said her medical records were returned again. Tham Viet Trinh frowned and turned his phone face down on the table. When he picked it up again, he explained.

“It's just the children of the ancestors, it's annoying to the point of death.”

“If you don't help her, she might cry in the office all night.”

I looked at his tired face through the screen, feeling unbearably heartbroken. From then on, I rarely called him in the evening. I'm afraid you'll be entangled with Lam Nhuoc Giao all day and will have to deal with me when you return. But every inch of time I give up becomes space for them to be intimate. When I turned to leave, Lam Nhuoc Giao called me from behind.

“If you really love him, don't force him at this time.”

My steps slowed down a bit. She stroked her belly, her voice trembling.

“The child cannot be without a father.”

I don't turn around. Over the past four years, I have often advised myself. The doctor cannot be distracted. Tham Viet Trinh cannot be dragged by me. Our long-distance love cannot be broken because of a little thing. But her baby cannot be without a father. As for my four years, is it worth having no answer? When I got back to the hotel, I put the ring box on the table. The black velvet box opened, the ring inside reflecting the cold light under the lamp. This is the ring I chose a long time ago in Bac Thanh. The salesperson asked me who I was buying it for. I said, buy it for my boyfriend. She smiled and wished me a successful proposal. At that time, I really thought that as long as I proactively took the last step, the four years of long-distance love could end. Tham Viet Trinh always said that the profession of a doctor is special, marriage cannot be rushed. He said he would wait until he was promoted to chief doctor and then think about it. It's not too late for the project to be stable. The house in Nam Thanh has not been decided yet, the wedding can be discussed slowly. I believe again and again. Because I thought you, like me, were waiting for a more suitable time. The phone pops up with a message. Sent by Tham Viet Trinh. 【I just got off the operating table, I'm so tired.】 【Why are you so quiet tonight?】 I looked at those two lines of text for a long time without answering. Before, I would immediately ask him if he had eaten, would remind him to drink some coffee, would cut down on the troubles he encountered in Bac Thanh, leaving only a few gentle sentences for him to hear. I never dared to let him feel that loving me from thousands of kilometers away was tiring. But today when I woke up in pain in the emergency room, he was right a few meters away from me. You don't see me. Don't come looking for me either. He helped another pregnant woman, saying she had severe morning sickness and he didn't feel secure. Chu Nhien sat by the window and poured me a cup of warm water.

“Ninh Ninh, that email confirming the deep sea project, you still haven't replied, right?”

I raised my head. She looked at me.

“You said before that you don't want to continue your long-distance relationship for another three years.”

That's right. After passing the selection round for the deep-sea manned submersible project, I still haven't clicked confirm. The project team gave me a deadline. Once you join, you will have to receive closed training for the first three years, and contact with the outside world will be strictly limited. Initially, I wanted to meet Tham Viet Trinh just decided. If you agree to get married, I will give up. If you don't want to, I also want to hear from your own mouth what our future plans are. But now there's no need anymore. I open the email. The confirmation email sits quietly at the top. 【Please confirm whether or not you will participate in closed training within twenty-four hours.】 There is also a note below. 【During the training period, there will be no contact with the outside unless necessary.】