Chapter 6 — I Have A Boss Who Works Overtime

His voice was blown by the night wind, becoming low and hoarse.

“In the future at the company, don't call me Mr. Co anymore.”

My heart immediately jumped into my throat. He looked at me, clearly saying every word, slowly saying:

“Call me… Canh Tham.”

06

Co Minh Thanh's company organized a vacation trip for leaders and family members, the location was a beautiful mountain resort in the neighboring city. As "family members", my mother and I - To Uyen - are of course also on the invitation list. Early on the weekend morning, we sat in the Co family's private car and headed to the meeting point. The resort is located on the mountain overlooking the river, the fresh air makes people feel comfortable. But that good mood didn't last long. During the welcome luncheon, I met that calculating aunt again — Co Minh Chau. This time she didn't go alone. Walking next to me was a young girl dressed splendidly, with careful makeup, her whole body covered in branded goods, her eyes looking at me filled with scrutiny and hostility. Co Minh Chau enthusiastically introduced that girl to everyone.

“This is my friend's daughter, named Lam Phi Phi, just returned from a prestigious university abroad.”

As she spoke, she pushed Lam Phi Phi towards Co Canh Tham.

“Phi Phi, this is the grandson I often mentioned to you — Canh Tham.”

The intention is clear as day. This aunt still hasn't given up, and brings in an "ideal granddaughter-in-law" candidate, a young lady of the family who is a match for her. Throughout lunch, Co Minh Chau and Lam Phi Phi were like two flies, constantly buzzing around Co Canh Tham. Lam Phi Phi poured all her capital, sometimes talking about finances, sometimes talking about art, trying to show off her education and understanding. Co Canh Tham only politely responded, no expression showing on his face. As for me and my mother, they were intentionally cold. My mother saw my sad face, painfully squeezed my hand, and whispered:

“Don't pay attention to them.”

I nodded, but inside I was still choked up. The feeling of being lost, like a small needle, keeps stabbing into my heart. Afternoon comes, it's time to organize group activities. The resort prepares many interesting team games. Co Minh Chau immediately seized the opportunity. She walked up to the person in charge of dividing the groups and said loudly:

“Canh Tham and Phi Phi are both young and have a lot in common, let's team them up.”

After finishing speaking, she even glanced at me smugly. The person in charge of the activity, of course did not dare to offend her, hastily nodded in agreement. Lam Phi Phi smiled triumphantly and stood intimately next to Co Canh Tham. As for me, pushed aside by this unexpected arrangement, like a superfluous outsider, both confused and disappointed. I took a deep breath, turned around and intended to go out for a walk alone to relieve myself.

“Wait.” Co Canh Tham's cold voice suddenly rang out. He frankly refused his aunt's arrangement, amidst everyone's surprised eyes, and walked straight towards me. He didn't look at anyone, his goals were clear, his steps were steadfast. Then, before the unbelievable looks of Lam Phi Phi and Co Minh Chau, he grabbed my hand. His hand was large and warm, covering my entire hand. “I'm on the same team as my sister.” His voice was not loud, but like a bomb resounding in the crowd winter.

Co Minh Chau's face was so angry that it turned pale, pointing at him, speechless for half a day. Lam Phi Phi's carefully made-up face immediately collapsed, extremely unsightly. I looked at him blankly, my heart beating wildly in my chest. You... just went public and embarrassed your own aunt because of me? During the next activity, Co Canh Tham always walked beside me. He held my hand and led me to play all kinds of games. We rowed together, did archery, and rode tandem bicycles on mountain roads. He removed his big boss aura and transformed into a happy and optimistic young man. We played very happily, laughter echoed among the mountains and forests. I even had a moment of delusion — we were a couple madly in love. In the evening, the resort holds a campfire party by the lake. Amidst the noisy crowd, he quietly pulled me out to a quiet corner of the lake. The night sky is clear, the stars are sparkling. We sat next to each other on the grass, looking at the starry sky, no one said a word.

“Trinh Tu.” He suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. I turned my head to look at him, his profile under the starlight was unusually gentle. He was half joking, half serious, but his tone was somewhat serious: "If I were not your younger brother, would you consider me?"

What happened at the resort, like growing wings, spread to the company in the blink of an eye. Although Bach Vi was fired, she still has a few close colleagues in the company. Soon, a new wave of rumors began to spread throughout the tea rooms and work chat groups. This time, the content is even more cruel and unpleasant. Some people say that my mother is a "little brother who climbed into the main house", and I am more than my mother, even my "little brother in name" does not let go. They said that because I wanted to climb high, I used all kinds of shady tricks. Those cruel words were like invisible blades, each slash cutting into my heart. When I walk in the company, I can always feel eyes talking behind my back. The whispers were loud and soft, even though they couldn't be heard clearly, but each look was full of contempt and suspicion. I was extremely upset, but I didn't know where to refute it. Because things like this, the more you explain them, the more people believe they're true. I started to unconsciously avoid Co Canh Tham. During lunch break, I don't wait for him anymore, but go eat at the staff cafeteria or order food from outside. I also transferred all work reports to email, avoiding direct contact with him. I think, using this method, the rumors can calm down on their own. Co Canh Tham discovered my distance immediately. On Thursday afternoon, during a regular department meeting, his face was as gloomy as a dark cloud. Near the end of the meeting, he suddenly called me by name.

“Trinh Tu.” My heart jumped and I immediately stood up.

“Why have you been avoiding me lately?” His question — straightforward, sharp, thrown straight into the middle of the meeting, without any care.