Chapter 10 — From now on, mountains and rivers do not match each other

After seeing the Old Lady off, I fiddled with the jade bracelet, with all kinds of mixed emotions in my heart. That night, I received a text message from an unknown number:

“Is grandma's leg better? — Luc.”

I texted back: "Currently undergoing treatment." Soon there was a new message: "Thank you. And, I miss you very much." I don't text back anymore. But that night, I couldn't sleep.

—

Luc Tram Chu officially reappeared in my life a month later. That day, a modest black sedan that didn't stand out in front of Nhan Hoa Duong's door, he got out of the car, holding in his hand a bunch of... herbs? That's right, dried wormwood, honeysuckle, and mint, tied with hemp rope, just like those sold in the countryside market. Teacher Tan looked at him and laughed: "Mr. Luc, this bouquet of flowers from you is really unique." Luc Tram Chu was a bit embarrassed, but still gave it to me: "I heard you use these things." I took it, and it was indeed all commonly used medicinal herbs.

“Thank you.”

“Tonight… can we have a meal together?” He asked cautiously, "It's just a small restaurant at the beginning of the street. It's not expensive and tastes quite good."

Lam Da immediately said: "Tonight, Ms. Vu Vi must teach me to recognize acupuncture points."

“I can wait.” Luc Tram Chu patiently replied, "What time will you two study, what time will I wait?"

That night he actually waited until eight o'clock to close. The owner of the small restaurant knew me and enthusiastically greeted: "Doctor Khuong is here! And this one is..."

“You.” I replied.

The boss smiled understandingly and brought up a few cabinet items. While eating, Luc Tram Chu asked many questions. Ask how many patients I see every day, ask what diseases I like to treat the most, ask if I encounter any unpleasant patients. Just like an elementary school student, filled with curiosity about an unknown world.

“Why do you want to know these things?” Finally I couldn't help but ask.

“Because I want to understand you,” he said seriously, “The most real person, not Mrs. Luc, but Dr. Khuong Vu Vi.”

I bowed my head and served the rice without replying. From then on, he went to Van Chau once or twice a week. Sometimes he brought some medicinal herbs, sometimes he brought a few ancient medical books, sometimes he came empty-handed and sat in the waiting area watching me work. When there were many patients, he even helped maintain order. One time a drunk guy came to cause trouble. Before Luc Tram Chu could make a move, Lam Da rushed up to control him. The teenager glared at Luc Tram Chu: "I will protect Ms. Vu Vi, you don't have to worry." Luc Tram Chu smiled again: "I know. You did very well." Lam Da was stunned and shyly turned away. As the days passed, Luc Tram Chu gradually integrated into the "ordinary world" that he once despised. He will discuss medicine with Master Tan, will make crafts with Lam Nguyet, and will help me store medicinal herbs that are drying on rainy days. But I still haven't opened my mouth to loosen the limit. Until that stormy night.

—

That night, thunder rumbled, I was startled awake, and discovered there was a power outage. While groping for a candle, I heard a knock on the courtyard door.

"Vu Vi! Open the door!"

It was Luc Tram Chu's voice, extremely impatient. I opened the door, he rushed in soaking wet and hugged me. Hugging so tightly, so tight that I couldn't breathe.

“You… what's wrong?”

“I had a nightmare,” his voice shook trembling, "I dreamed something happened to you, but no matter how I looked, I couldn't find you."

I froze in place. The man who called the rain and called the wind, decisive and ruthless in this marketplace, at this moment was like a lost child.

“Luc Tram Chu…”

“Don't push me away,” he buried his head in the crook of my neck, “Just for a moment, just a moment is enough.”

The sound of thunder rumbling and the sound of rain falling.