Chapter 8 — Fateful Night In The Garage

Every time she closes her eyes, she remembers that baby. The last sentence was: "Thank you for not letting me die in your car." I looked for a long time. My heart feels like it's been stabbed by something. She is not completely innocent, not responsible at all. She believed Chu Ky Bach's words, came to find me to get in the car, and was even prepared to consider "her driving faster" as the only way to live. But the person who really pushed her into the abyss was the one who held her hand. I didn't go see her. I asked Manh Lam to convey the words: "Live well." Besides that sentence, there is nothing more to say. But I started to fear the underground parking lot. Every day after work, I tell Luc Tri Hanh to call me first. During the walk from the elevator to the parking lot, I had to hear his voice. One time, the car next to me suddenly honked, my whole body stiffened in place, my fingers trembled so much that I couldn't press the car key. Luc Tri Hanh asked over the phone: "Lin Chi?" I was speechless. He quickly ran over. He didn't say "it's over". Also don't say "don't think too much". He just stood next to the car with me. "Let's not drive for now." "Let's look at the back seat first." He pulled the car door open. The back seat is clean. The child safety seat is still there, next to the comic book Tieu Chu forgot. Bloodless. There was also no one lying there accusing me. Luc Tri Hanh said: "This is our family's car." "Not their accident scene." I stared at the back seat for a long time, then slowly exhaled. Later, I went to psychological counseling. The consultant asked me when was the most unbearable moment. "It was when Diep Van knocked on my car window." I said. "She was in a lot of pain. She was a pregnant woman." "If it weren't for those comments, I would definitely open the door." "I would say it was kindness." "But that kindness almost killed me." The consultant asked: "So you're afraid to help others right now?" I was very quiet. "What I'm afraid of is that others will turn my help into evidence to incriminate me." That day when she got home, Tieu Chu was lying on the dining table doing her homework. Seeing me, the boy held up a picture. In the picture are three people sitting in a car. Father, mother and boy. Next to it there is a winding road, at the end of which is a small house with lights on. The boy said seriously: "Mom, this is the car to take my family home." My eye sockets immediately became hot. Luc Tri Hanh poked his head out of the kitchen. "Wash your hands and eat." At that moment, I suddenly felt like I was a little closer to a normal life. I stuck that picture on the refrigerator. Before going to bed, I no longer constantly turn on the parking lot camera and watch it over and over again like before. Only put the car keys in the drawer at the entrance. Before turning off the lights, Luc Tri Hanh asked me: "Can I still come pick you up tomorrow?" I thought. "No need." He looked at me. I said: "You can drive home yourself." He smiled. "Okay." The next afternoon, I walked into the underground parking lot alone. The sound of wheels rubbing against the ground echoed from afar. I stood in front of the car, my palms sweating. Then press the unlock button. The car lights flash twice. I pulled open the driver's seat door. Sit inside. In the rearview mirror, the back seats are empty. I looked for three seconds. Start the car. This time, I didn't run away.10When Zhou Jibai's sentence was announced, it was the summer of his second year. He was convicted of intentional injury, false accusations of harm, misappropriation and illegal use of controlled drugs. The person in charge of the private clinic was also held responsible. The operations team behind the spontaneous media account was administratively sanctioned and publicly apologized for receiving fabricated money and spreading false information.

Diep Van and Chu Ky Bach are divorced. Listening to Manh Lam, she later moved back to her parents' house and began long-term psychological treatment. I don't ask more. The document appointing Deputy General of the Hoa Nam region of the group was issued one month after the verdict. I won that position. During the congratulatory party, Thinh Nam Son held a glass of wine and walked in front of me. "Lin Chi, the past year has not been easy." In my hand was filtered water. "That's right." He sighed. "Initially, the group's handling was a bit too cautious, I apologize." The people around looked over. I didn't touch my glass with him. "Deputy General Thinh, the institutional apology has been written in the company's announcement." "As for this personal apology glass of wine, there is no need." The atmosphere stiffened slightly. Someone smiled and said: "Director Lam, it's over, today is a happy day." I looked at that person. "For you, it's over." "For me, not yet." That person immediately closed his mouth. I don't want to pretend to be generous. I also don't want to use the word "go away" to whitewash everyone. What I almost lost was not just my position. But also my honor, my family, my son's peaceful life, and my ability to continue to trust the world.