Chapter 30 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

Tong Tuyet frowned in confusion.

“What are you planning to do again?”

“I don't intend to do anything.” Luc Kien Quan expressed, "I just want to fully understand you."

After he finished speaking, he added another sentence.

“Just when you still have a chance to listen.”

Tong Tuyet stared at him. After a while, she spoke.

“Let's talk later.” She brushed it off, "Now is not the time."

This matter is like a rock, temporarily put aside, but no longer covered with the dust of time like before. It has been exposed to the light. Luc Kien Quan clearly understands that there are some things that cannot be achieved quickly. He just had to take it step by step. The day I was discharged from the hospital, it was sunny. The newly sprouted young leaves of the row of corn in front of the hospital gate swayed gently in the wind, the ground was cut into pieces by the sunlight. Luc Kien Quan changed into everyday clothes. When he walked out of the hospital room, his steps were still a bit unsteady. Luc's mother was carrying two large and small bags, constantly chattering instructions.

"Don't forget to take this medicine. I have the medical examination form in your medical examination book. Remember to come back for a check-up in a few days."

“I remember.” Luc Kien Quan responded.

Tong Tuyet carried a thermos and held a receipt for refunding the hospital fee. Luc Tu Ngang pulled his suitcase and eagerly helped carry things into the car. They walked out of the boarding house, sunlight rushing into them. Luc Kien Quan narrowed his eyes. At that moment, he suddenly felt like he had just been reborn.

“Dad, be careful.” Luc Tu Ngang helped him down the steps, "Don't rush."

“I know.” Luc Kien Quan laughed, "Why are you talking to dad now like you're talking to an old man?"

“Well, Dad is about to become an old man.” Luc Tu Ngang teased.

Luc's mother stood next to interrupt.

“Nonsense talk, your father is still young.”

“Mom, I just had heart attack surgery, and you still tell me?” Luc Kien Quan turned around and smiled.

“This is called being a little sick.” Luc's mother protested, "On weekdays, just pay a little attention."

Tong Tuyet looked at this scene, the corner of her mouth slightly raised. She put the thermos in the trunk of the car, looked back and said.

"Let's take you home first. I have to go to school for a while this afternoon, there's a professional meeting."

“Just go.” Luc Kien Quan said, "Mom and Tu Ngang are at home."

“I'll be back tonight.” Tong Tuyet added another sentence.

Luc Kien Quan said yes. The car started and slowly rolled out of the hospital gate. In the rearview mirror, the white boarding house gradually shrunk, eventually becoming just a faint outline. Luc Kien Quan leaned against the back of his chair, looking out at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window. He suddenly felt that the days of rushing forward with his life half-heartedly seemed to have been separated from the person he is now by a deep crack. On the other side are staying up all night, drinking parties, contracts, phone calls, and receiving guests. On this side are blister packs of medicine, follow-up check-up cards, a bowl of porridge, and the breathing rhythm of a loved one. Before, he used to stand on the other side, naturally thinking that everything he did was inevitable. Now, he has been pushed to this side. The car parked in front of the apartment complex gate. Luc's mother got out of the car first and warmly greeted acquaintances at the gate.

“Old King, are you out?”

“Oh, sister-in-law, are you discharged from the hospital?”

"YES, just got back.”

Luc Kien Quan stepped out of the car, his steps still a bit wobbly. Luc Tu Ngang guided him, slowly walking step by step. The rows of sycamore trees in the apartment complex grow tall, their branches and leaves intertwine above their heads, scattering countless dappled rays of light onto the ground. He looked at the familiar scenes and suddenly remembered this day eighteen years ago, the day Tong Tuyet went to the office to sleep.