Chapter 14 — Good People Don't Need To Prove For Too Long

I nodded.

"Let's go eat."

Tieu Dao immediately clapped her hands. Ms. Hua loudly reminded:

"Go home early and leave early."

"Meeting at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

I smiled helplessly. Co Nghien Chu said softly:

"The people from the outpatient center..."

"...harder than the Board of Directors."

I looked at him.

"There's still time to regret it now."

He looked at me for a long time.

"Seven years ago..."

"...you missed one."

"This time..."

"...I won't regret it anymore."

I didn't reply. When going to the door. I turned my head to look at the sign in front of the Outpatient Center. Thanh Ninh - Thanh Xuyen grassroots outpatient examination center. This name was given by Commissioner Tran. At first I didn't agree. She only said one sentence:

"This name is not just for you."

"But for everyone who..."

"...even though I was misunderstood..."

"...still choose to continue moving forward."

Finally... I accepted. The car left the street. Co Nghien Chu asked:

"Trinh Vy's job application..."

"...do you approve?"

"Doubt."

"If she qualifies?"

"Then handle it according to the correct procedure."

"What if it's not enough?"

He laughed.

"You really don't respect love at all."

I look at the road ahead.

"So..."

"...I've never put a rock in a well."

"But it's a rule..."

"...then no one is allowed to pass."

One year later. The pilot model in Thanh Xuyen has expanded to twelve residential communities. The outpatient center serves eighty-three thousand patients each year. Of these, there are sixteen thousand public benefit examinations. Tieu Dao passed the Chief Nursing Exam. Liu Man became the person in charge of training. Ms. Hua's re-employment contract was also extended for another year. Thanks to the pilot project. Lam Tu Ngang's hospital regained its reputation. He and Trinh Vy also officially divorced. Trinh Vy does not work at my center. She went to another small clinic. Start again from the instructor position. Someone once asked me:

"Do you still hate her?"

I just replied:

"I'm not free."

That person doesn't understand. I also don't explain. I'm really busy. Busy with medical examination. Busy taking people who have been rejected by the doors of big hospitals... ...a step further. The day Co Nghien Chu proposed to me. Still in front of the Outpatient Center. There is no fleet of supercars. There was no crowd cheering either. Only Tieu Dao hid behind the instruction counter and peeked. Ms. Hua pretended to arrange documents. Luu Man held the phone and pretended to click on the computer. Co Nghien Chu holds the ring. It's more stressful than the first time walking into a Board of Directors meeting.

"Tham Thanh Ninh."

I looked at him.

"Think carefully before speaking."

He nodded.

"I've been thinking for seven years."

"Think about another year."

"I don't want to be your support."

"I know..."

"...you don't need it."

"I just hope..."

"...from now on every time I get off work..."

"...someone will ask you a question."

"Are you tired today?"

Tieu Dao stood behind and burst into tears. Ms. Hua immediately scolded:

"Don't take the spotlight."

I looked at Co Nghien Chu.

"Then answer me one question first."

"You should ask."

"What if I still have to work overtime tomorrow?"

He smiled.

"I brought food."

"What if I have to go on a business trip the day after tomorrow?"

"I booked the ticket."

"What if I'm always so busy?"

"...I will always wait."

I held out my hand. Tieu Dao immediately jumped up.

"Agree already!"

Ms. Hua also laughed. The phone in Luu Man's hand almost fell to the ground. Co Nghien Chu gently put the ring on my finger. The ring is not ostentatious at all. Fits to perfection. I looked at the sign of the Outpatient Center. Then looked at him. Rumors. Misunderstandings. The frustrations. All the unwillingness that had weighed heavily for so many years... All seemed to disappear with the flow of people coming in and out of the front door. Co Nghien Chu asked softly:

"What are you thinking?"

"Thinking..."

"...there's a meeting tomorrow morning at eight o'clock."

He sighed.

"Doctor Tham."

"You really know how to ruin the atmosphere."

I laughed.

"You'll get used to it."

A few years later. The Thanh Ninh grassroots public utility clinic system is present in twenty-six cities. The number of examinations each year exceeds nine hundred thousand. The total number of public examinations has exceeded one hundred and eighty thousand. I have a larger office. But still often sit in the clinic. The old quartz watch... ...I kept in a drawer. The new watch is a gift from Co Nghien Chu. Value is not cheap. Trinh Vy once sent me a letter. In the letter, she said... Three years as a concierge at a small clinic helped her understand that... Being needed by patients every day... ...is a very peaceful feeling. She wrote... Not expecting my forgiveness. Just wanted to tell me... She no longer lives by putting others down. I put the letter in my folder. But no response. Lam's mother still brings soup from time to time. Lam Tu Ngang became the most diligent director in the pilot hospital system. After retirement. Ms. Hua became a permanent lecturer in our training courses. Tieu Dao is Head of Nursing Department. Every time I guide new employees... ...more strictly than anyone else. Co Nghien Chu still keeps his habit. Every afternoon when I get off work... ...you ask:

"Are you tired today?"

I often smiled and replied: So you opened the lunch box.

"Then let's eat first."

One day. Tieu Dao asked me:

"Doctor Tham."

"If I met those people who said bad things about me now..."

"...what would you say?"

I thought for a moment.

"There's nothing to say."

Tieu Dao was not convinced.

"Is that all?"

I closed the medical record.

"Those people..."

"...I forgot a long time ago."