Chapter 1 — Goodbye The One I Love So Much

Five years ago, my fiance died in the line of duty. The body was not found. However, at 8:17 pm on August 20 this year, team leader Vuong personally called me. He said:

“Shen Guannan has been found.

He's not dead, he's still alive and well. But… I'm getting married soon.”

1

On the way to that coastal town, team leader Vuong and his colleagues kept advising me not to go. But I'm not satisfied. I was the person he pursued for two years. The person he cherished for five years. The one he proposed to twice. How could he forget me? I clasped the simple ring on my hand. Apparently he proposed to me. But now, you're marrying someone else? From the plane to the bus, during the five hours on the bus, I vomited until my head was spinning. After ten hours of traveling, the four of us finally arrived at that small town.

“There.”

Captain Vuong pointed to a motel named "Troi Quang". A small, anonymous motel suddenly became famous just because of a set of photos taken by tourists. In that set of photos, the shop owner accidentally entered the frame, just at an angle, but it fascinated countless people. Captain Vuong looked at me and slowly said:

"He doesn't remember anything. You must..."

I stared at that door. All my senses disappeared. As soon as the door opened, the wind chime made from seashells rang out a clear sound. In front of me is a very large garden. A cobblestone path leads straight into the house. In the middle of the yard is a huge swing. There is a golden-haired dog. There are many cats. I was surprised to see these animals. Suddenly, a person stepped out from behind a curtain made of seashells. Tall figure, long slender legs. Black T-shirt hugs strong muscles. His profile is sharp and decisive. Just seeing him, I stood frozen in place. The whole body is stiff, the spine is numb. The mind is empty and buzzing. It felt like all my senses disappeared in that moment. I have met people who look exactly like Tham Quan Nam. Some people even have tear moles under the corners of their eyes just like him. But I only need to look once to know, they are not you. The man in front of me was so different from the boy that year. The face is more mature, the lines are sharper, colder. I couldn't help but move forward, forward again. Until I saw the tear mole in the corner of his eye. See the red string around his neck.

“Tham… Quan Nam…”

I tried to hold back my tears, softly calling his name. Afraid that if you raise your voice just a little, he will disappear. He looked up at me. His eyes were so strange that they made my heart ache.

“What?”

“The Southern Magistrate…”

I can barely say that name. That man looked at me coldly.

“Sorry, miss, you got the wrong person.”

But all my life, I can get everything wrong. Only you, I can't be wrong. Because you are half of my life. Team leader Vuong quickly pulled me back.

“Excuse me, is there any room available here?”

Tham Quan Nam crossed his arms and slowly observed us.

“Yes, how many rooms do you need?”

“Two rooms.”

“Come in.”

He turned and left without even looking at me once. I naively thought that as long as he saw me, he would definitely remember. Just need you see me. Things will be different. But the way he looked at me was strange and scary. Cold. Sharp. Even a little uncomfortable. When I heard that he was alive, I didn't cry. When I heard that he was getting married, I didn't cry. But when I remember that look in his eyes... My heart felt like someone was squeezing it. It hurts so much that I want to explode. Tears fell uncontrollably.

2

“ID card.”

Captain Vuong gave us our ID cards. When he received the ID card, I saw clearly... The little finger of his left hand was missing a section. As he walked towards the counter, his right leg limped slightly. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand. Captain Vuong received the room card and immediately pulled me out. I sat in the room for a long, long time... It took me a long time to find my voice again.

“He… how did he become like this?”

On the way here, I swore that... When we meet again, I will definitely give you a strong slap. This maid. How could you forget me? How can you marry someone else?! But when I saw him... I couldn't bear it. I just wanted to hug him tightly... I sat in the room for a long time. It was so long that Ms. Ly was afraid that I would do something foolish, so she pulled me out. People are eating barbecue in the backyard. As soon as I walked out, I immediately saw him. Tham Quan Nam. He is grilling meat. Captain Vuong stood next to him. The two of them talked happily.

“Niem Nhat, do you feel better?”

I nodded slightly.

“Ah Nam, let me introduce, this is Niem Nhat.”

I slowly reached out my hand, trying to keep myself from shaking.

“Manh Niem Nhat, hello.”

The large, warm hand just lightly touched mine and then let go.

“A Nam, hello.”

Greetings between strangers. In that moment, my nose stung. I suddenly remembered the day he proposed to me. He hugged me tightly, his voice was incredibly gentle.

“Hello, Mrs. Tham.”

But then we still miss each other. Looking at the person in front of me, I have thousands of questions I want to ask. In the end, just one sentence came out:

“This place is so beautiful. Is it good for you two to live here?”

He skillfully flipped the grilled skewer and calmly replied:

“Very good.”

That's good. In the middle of the conversation, a piece of chicken wing suddenly fell to the ground. He looked toward the door.

“Potato, come here.”

Potatoes. The name of the orange cat we adopted together. The name was given by him. He once said: "It's round and fat, let's call it Potato." However... The animal that came running was a golden-haired dog wagging its tail excitedly. I choked up and asked:

“It's also called Potato?”

“Yes, fat and round, what do you call it if it's not called a Potato?”

I turned away, quietly wiping my tears. Only you could think of this silly name. Once the skewers are grilled, everyone gathers around to eat. Looking at the beer cans on the table, I picked one up, popped the cap, and took a drink. A bitter taste filled the mouth. I quietly looked at the person opposite. The tear mole at the corner of the eye is still there. On the neck is still the familiar red string. I just don't know if it's the yarn I donated or not. Everything is not real. Ms. Ly shared the grilled skewers with everyone. She placed a skewer of mushrooms on his plate. I quickly took it first.

“No, he can't eat mushrooms.”

The whole table suddenly looked at me. Before I could react, suddenly a figure ran towards me. The girl jumped on Tham's back Quan Nam, wrapped his arms around his neck, rubbing intimately.

“Ah Nam, I miss you to death!”

Than Quan Nam quickly bent down, holding the girl behind him with one hand.

“Get down.”

The words were reproachful, but the tone was full of love. The other girl was pulled into his arms. He smiled and introduced.

“This is my wife, Diep Ninh.”

3

I still hold the mushroom skewer in my hand. Bewilderedly looked at the girl in front of him. She smiled brightly like the sun. My chest ached. It felt like being hit hard in the chest with a hammer. It hurts so much I can't breathe.

"Hello everyone, I am Diep Ninh, A Nam's wife. Welcome everyone to Hai Thanh!"

Captain Vuong and the others took turns greeting. Diep Ninh is very lively. She complimented everyone in turn. When it was my turn, she smiled brightly:

"Miss Niem Nhat, you're so beautiful! Who is this skinny? I'm so jealous!"

"And your hair is beautiful too, unlike me, you're about to go bald!"

After speaking, she suddenly remembered something. Turned his head to look at the man behind him.

"There must be a problem with your hair drying! Pay attention, otherwise you'll be a bald bride next week!"

Tham Quan Nam rubbed her head and laughed helplessly.

“Okay.”

I looked into her eyes. There is no dust in it at all. There is only anticipation for the upcoming wedding. Exactly like me that year.

“Wedding?” Ms. Ly asked.

"That's right! Next Wednesday is our wedding! Hope everyone can come and celebrate!"

I popped the lid on another can of beer. Diep Ninh also just picked up a can. But before I could drink it, the man next to me snatched it away.

“Do not drink.”