Chapter 12 — Healing After Days of Neglect

Lam Huyen did not answer. Neither do I. Christmas Eve, I received a private message. Not in the group. It's from Lam Huyen.

“Van Van, are you there?”

“Can I go out and see you for a bit?”

"What is up?"

“I want to talk to you.”

I hesitated for a few seconds.

"Okay. Where?"

“You choose.”

"Coffee shop under Binh Giang Nhat Hao area, the one I designed. Three o'clock."

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Lam Huyen arrived. She has lost a lot of weight and her eye circles are clearly dark. Wearing an old faded cotton shirt, leading Tieu Bao. Completely different from the woman wearing a mink coat and drinking tea with her legs crossed half a year ago. She sat down and didn't order coffee.

“Filtered water is fine.”

I poured her a glass of water. Tieu Bao sat next to him, silently looking around.

“This shop… did you design it?”

The air was silent for a moment.

"Van Van, I came today... to talk about three things."

“Say it.”

"The first thing, the compensation... is that me and dad are at fault with you. At that time I thought it was natural, but now that I think about it... I'm just a selfish person."

I didn't reply.

"The second thing is, before I said I didn't have money, you forced me, blamed me, and even posted something bad about me... you were wrong. I have no obligation to pay the debt on your behalf."

“Third story…”

She looked up at me, her eyes red.

"Can you give me 100,000 yuan? It's not to pay Hao Yu's debt... it's to pay Tieu Bao's tuition. Next year he will enter elementary school. Only public school... but I can't gather enough money right now."

“How much is the tuition?”

“Tuition and living expenses are about 20,000 a year.

I want to borrow some more... rent a small apartment and move out, I can't keep crowding in with my parents."

“Are you looking for a job?”

"I'm looking. But I don't have any skills... graduated from college, before working as a receptionist and administrator. Now I have a small child... it's even more difficult."

I looked at her. For the first time... I saw true helplessness on her face. Not the old-fashioned way of giving grace. But... after losing all self-respect.

“I can give you 100,000 yuan.”

She was stunned.

“But it's not lending… it's giving.”

"For you. No need to pay."

“But there is one condition.”

“What conditions?”

“Learn a profession.

It doesn't matter if you don't have a degree, you can study accounting, flower arranging, baking... whatever. Find something you can rely on for the rest of your life. Don't rely on any man anymore.” Tears fell from her eyes.

“You… don't hate me?”

“I used to hate.”

“What about now?”

“Now… I don't hate anymore.

You have received the full price you paid.”

“What price?”

“You trusted the wrong person and bet everything on him.

Now the game is over, she is empty-handed. That is the price.” She bowed her head and cried for a long time. I do not console. There are pains... that must be borne by yourself. Tieu Bao gently pulled her sleeve.

“Mom, why are you crying?”

“Mom, it's okay.” Lam Huyen wiped her tears. “I'm just… touched.”

I transferred her 100,000 yuan. She looked at the number on the screen, her lips trembling.

“Thank you, Van Van.”

"No need. From now on, live well on your own."

She stood up and led Tieu Bao. At the door, she turned to look at me.

“This cafe is so beautiful.

Later, when I earn money... I come to drink every day."

"Okay. I'll give you a discount then."

She smiled slightly and left. I sat back and drank a glass of Americano. Phuong Vien texted.

“Done meeting?”

"Done."

“How much to give?”

“You have softened.”

"Are not must be soft-hearted.

It was I who thought it through.”

“Tell what?”

“Hatred… has no value.”

“So what is valuable?”

“Live well.”

At the end of the year, Van Chu Design's summary session. Phuong Vien stood on stage reporting.

“This year's revenue is 12,000,000 yuan.

Net profit 3,800,000 yuan. Signed contracts with 42 customers, 17 projects remaining." Applause rang out. I stood on the stage, looking down at the thirty-five faces below. One year ago... it was just me and Phuong Vien.

“Next year's goal: 30,000,000 yuan.”

The applause was even louder. At the end, Co Tham texted.

“Congratulations.”

“Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve?”

“On the rooftop there is a New Year's party. Come with me?”