Chapter 16 — Father Wants to Divide His Estate, But the Whole Group Is in My Name

The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Then my mother said softly:

"You've had a hard time."

Just three words. But I heard it... There was a very slight tremble in her voice. Not out of fear. Not because of heartache. Twenty years... I can finally let go.

"What do you want to eat tonight, Mom?"

"You choose."

"Let's go eat Japanese food. We made an appointment last time but still haven't had the chance."

Hang up the phone. I sat in the office, quietly watching the sunset outside the glass window. The whole building seems to be covered with a gentle, strangely warm red orange color. The phone vibrated slightly. It's Tham Quoc Luong's WeChat message. Not a voice message, only five words.

"Thank you, Tri Du."

I stared at those five words for a long time. What did he thank me for? Because I didn't really put him in jail? Or because I still left him a way out? Or maybe, it was because I forced him to do something that he would never actively do in his entire life. I do not know. Perhaps he himself doesn't know. I don't answer. Just put the phone in your pocket, stood up, pushed the door open and walked out. Tan Tu was waiting outside.

"Time's up."

"Come pick up Ms. Tong first?"

"Yes. Go home, change clothes, then take mom out to eat Japanese food."

Tan Tu started the car. The afternoon light shone on the windshield, so bright it made me squint. I lowered the sunshade, leaned back in the chair and sighed softly. It's really tiring. It's not that the body is tired, but the string in the heart that has been tense for many years, has finally loosened. That moment was even more uncomfortable than when I had to endure it. But that feeling was only fleeting and then quickly disappeared. Outside the car window, the city still passes slowly. High-rise buildings, bustling crowds, traffic lights and roadside eateries... all seem strangely normal. It is that normality that makes people feel at peace. Come home. The villa gate is still open. Tham Quoc Luong's brown leather sandals are still lying in the mysterious entrance, the right sandal has long worn out its sole. I just glanced once, changed my shoes, and went straight upstairs. Passing by his room, the door was still open. He was sitting by the window, quietly looking outside, not knowing what he was thinking. I can only see that her back is both lonely and much older. I didn't stop, nor did I speak, I just quietly continued walking. Back in my room, I changed into a creamy white dress made of soft fabric. Standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted the lipstick color on my lips. That's enough. When I went downstairs, my mother was already waiting in the living room. She wore a long dark blue dress, pearl earrings, and her hair tied back. At the age of fifty-two, today Tong Tung is more beautiful than any other day. Seeing me walking down, she smiled. I took my mother's arm and walked out the door with her. When passing by the mysterious gate, Tham Quoc Luong did not know when he had been standing at the foot of the stairs. He just quietly looked at me and my mother. Don't say a word. I turned my head to look at him once. In those eyes there was regret, unwillingness, loneliness... but most of all was the silence of a person who understood that he was no longer qualified to say anything more. I turned away. Don't invite him. Not intentionally cold. It's just that tonight's dinner is a time reserved for mom and me, and has nothing to do with him. After Hey, everyone will live their own life. He can still stay in this house, I won't evict him. But from now on, whatever belongs to me and my mother, even if it's just a small part, will not be given to anyone else. Not out of hatred. But because from the beginning, all of those things belonged to us. The car slowly rolled away from the villa area. Mom sat in the passenger seat, rolling down the window. The night breeze gently passed by, gently blowing a few strands of sideburns.

"Tonight I want to eat at the most expensive restaurant."

I laughed.

"Okay. Today I'll eat at the most expensive restaurant."

Mom also laughed. The smile was very light, very gentle, but there was light in her eyes. I stepped on the gas. The city's night lights just turned on. The road ahead is still very long and very wide. But it's okay, because from today onwards, my mother and I no longer have to rush.