Chapter 22 — I Can't Be Patient Anymore

“Ah mom, there is one thing, I will understand later.”

"My mother taught me all her life to be honest, to be patient, to think of others. She said that suffering loss is a blessing."

"I heard, I did the same. But the result... I also saw it."

"So, now I think, honesty is not wrong, but honesty must have teeth. Being gentle is not wrong, but gentleness must have limits."

"I haven't had time to teach you the second half of the sentence, you can learn it yourself."

“I will live well, don't worry mom.”

I smiled softly. Turn around. Step into the rain. Along the stone road, each step was taken slowly, the sound of heels echoed clearly, as if each step closed a period of life. When arriving at the cemetery gate. The clouds parted a small gap, sunlight fell onto the still wet ground, reflecting into a thin layer of golden light. Take a deep breath. The air after the rain is fresh, carrying the smell of earth and grass. Phone vibrates. I took it out to see. Is the person in charge of the sending fund.

"Miss Lam, this morning there was another case asking for help. The wife had been abused for many years and wanted a divorce, but the husband threatened to kill the whole family. We have collected part of the evidence. Can you see when it's convenient? Let's meet online?"

I replied.

“In one hour, back to the office for a meeting.”

Then open the ride-hailing app. Enter the address. The car arrived very quickly. I opened the door and sat in.

“Go to Trung Son street, Cam Tu building.”

Car starts. Leave the cemetery. I leaned back in my chair, watching the scene outside the window recede. Giang Thanh is still Giang Thanh. But it's not like before. The car passed by the old house. I didn't say stop. Don't look any further. There are places. There are people. It's over. The phone vibrates again. An assistant in Shenzhen.

"Ms. Lam, at the trade negotiations next week, the partner wants to make an appointment with you first to have a light meal. Can you arrange it?"

“Send me the time and location, I will fly back to Shenzhen tonight.”

"Yes, one more thing, boss Vuong said he wanted to introduce a friend to you, an international student returning home, working in the finance industry, very capable. Would you like to meet him?"

I smiled softly.

“Thank you for your good intentions, but I'm quite busy these days, let's talk later.”

"I got it."

I looked out the window. The sunlight had completely risen, shining brightly, covering the entire city with a clear and decisive layer of light. I suddenly remembered a year ago, the day I walked out of court, it was the same sunlight. This one year. I crawled out of the mud. Clean off things that stick to your body. Learn to stand strong. Learn to run forward. Learn how to protect yourself. And also how to protect others. I am no longer the Lam Uyen Thanh of the past. I'm Lam Uyen Thanh. Have your own career. Have your own principles. There is a limit that no one is allowed to touch. And a heart. Once broken. But it was me. Little by little. Although there are still cracks. Completed. The car stopped in front of Cam Tu building. I paid, got off the bus, and walked into the lobby. The elevator goes up. Stop at the twelfth floor. The sign "Uyen Thu Women's Legal Support Fund" hangs in front of the office door, simple but neat, like a promise that doesn't need to be said loudly. I pushed the door and walked in. A few busy young employees saw me and immediately looked up.

“Miss Lam is back!”

“Miss Lam, the coffee just finished brewing, can I pour it for you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

I entered the office. Put the bag down. Open computer. On the table, a photo frame is placed neatly. In there are me and my mother. I put my arm around her shoulder. She leaned on me. Both of them smiled brightly. That was the year I graduated from college and took her on a trip. She is still healthy. Still believe this world is very beautiful. Believe that people are always good. Now I understand. The world is not always beautiful. People are also not always kind. But it's okay. I have enough capacity. To make the world his. Get a little better. Also have enough strength. To honest people. No more bullying. Outside the window. The sunlight is just right. I raised my cup of coffee. Take a sip. Slightly bitter taste. But the ending is sweet. I opened the case file. Start working. On screen. It's a photo of a woman. Face and nose are bruised. Eyes full of fear. But deep inside. There's still a small spark. Just like me a year ago. I took a deep breath. Pick up the phone.

"Hello, are you Ms. Luu? I'm Lam Uyen Thanh, from Uyen Thu fund. We have grasped your case, don't be afraid, we will help you. Now, please tell me everything you know..."

My voice is calm. Walk through the sunlight. Through the glass. And go very far. Needing it.