Chapter 18 — Husband's Death Certificate

Tieu Duong cried again. “Doctor Lam, will you come back later?” “Go back to eat in the cafeteria.” She stopped crying and smiled. “Then I'll get you some food.” The homeroom teacher stood next to him, his face sometimes blue, sometimes white. “Lam Thinh, if you have a chance in the future, you can still cooperate.” I picked up the cardboard box. “Headmaster, there is no need for cooperation.” His face was very unsightly. “Do you still blame the hospital?” “It's not a complaint.” I looked at him. “It's about remembering.” When I walked out of the big gate of the Emergency Center, I turned around and looked back once. In this place, I have saved people and also suffered frustration. I thought I wouldn't be able to leave. But when I actually stepped outside, the wind blowing in my face, I just felt relieved. Co Thua An's car is parked on the side of the road. He lowered the car window. “Convenient.” I asked, “Do you know where I'm going?” “Training center.” “I will report my name next week.” “Then it's not convenient.” After he finished speaking, he laughed himself. I opened the car door and got in. “Team leader Co, you really don't know how to find excuses.” “Um, studying.” The car rolled for a while, he said: "The hearing before the trial of Tham Nghien's case next week, Tran Mai will attend. Hua Niem moved to be a witness, asking for a reduced charge. Trieu Minh Vien's side has pulled out a whole chain." “What about the Tham family?” "Tam's father has returned part of the death benefit application. Tham's mother is still making noise, but no one pays attention anymore. Tham Dao found Tran Mai, wanted to apologize, but Tran Mai refused." I nodded. Co Thua An asked: "Didn't you ask about Tham Nghien?" “When the verdict is announced, just let me know.” “He asked someone to bring you a letter.” I looked at him. “Do you bring it?” “I brought it.” He took out the letter from the locker. I took it, didn't even look at it, and tore it in half. Co Thua An reminded: "It hasn't been peeled yet." "I know." “What if there is important information inside?” “He will declare important information to you, not write to me.” I threw the scraps of paper into the trash bag. “Writing to me can only be a request for me to soften my heart.” Co Thua An did not say anything more. The car stopped on the riverbank. Tran Mai took her two children standing there. The boy's fire truck has been repaired and all four wheels can turn. The boy ran back. “Auntie, Uncle Co fixed it for me.” I looked at Co Thua An. He coughed. “It's convenient.” I'm not exposing it. Tran Mai put a bag of chicken eggs in my hand. “Doctor Lam, there's nothing delicious at home.” I pushed back. She was frantic. “Don't criticize.” “It's not a criticism.” I said. “Please keep it for the children to eat.” The little girl stepped forward and gave me a picture. In the painting there is a woman wearing a white blouse, next to a tiny person standing with the word "Dad" written on his head. “Mom said, you were the one who helped dad get home.” I received the picture. “Thank you.” Tran Mai wiped her tears. "Regarding compensation, Chief Chu said someone would help me. I want to take the children back to the countryside, so that I can grow in the fields and survive. It's just that later when the children ask about their father, I can also tell them that he was not thrown away, but was found." I said: "If you have any problems in the future, please call me." She nodded, then shook her head again. “Can't keep bothering you forever.” Co Thua An gave her a business card. “You can also find me.” Tran Mai took it, took the two children and left. The boy turned his head and shouted loudly: "Hello, aunt! Hello, Uncle Co!" The wind blew from the river surface. I bowed my head to look at that picture. Co Thua An asked: "What are your plans next?" "Go to work." “What else?” "Go to bed." “What else?” I thought for a moment. "Go find that master's fortune-telling booth." Co Thua An was stunned for a moment. I said: "Five years ago, I kicked his stall over and still haven't paid him back." He burst out laughing. “Shall I go with you?” “Is Team Leader Co so free?” “Not free these days.” "Just that." “You can ask for leave.” I looked out at the river. The sun went down, and on the surface of the water were streaks of light sparkling like crushed gold. I suddenly felt that the great fortune teller five years ago was actually right. Tham Nghien has indeed died. Die at the moment he chooses

chose to let Luu Thuan lie in the flames instead of him. Died the moment he pushed Hua Niem out as cannon fodder. Died at the moment he thought that I would forever be the one to clean up all the dirty things for him. Just because a person's body is alive, does not mean he is still counted as a human being. Half a month later, the trial of Tham Nghien's case opened. In court, he finally met Tran Mai. Tran Mai is wearing black clothes, holding a photo of Luu Thuan in her hand. Tham Nghien didn't dare look at her. The judge asked him if he would plead guilty. He was silent for a long time, then said: "Plead guilty." Tham's mother in the auditorium seating area fainted from crying. Tham's father supported her and no longer begged anyone. Tham Dao sat in the last row, crying from beginning to end. Hua Niem appeared in court to testify. She finished talking about the whole process and turned her head to look at me.