Chapter 32 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

Luc's mother had pulled the curtains half way back at some point, and a little bit of the remaining sunset light leaked in, leaving orange-yellow streaks on the floor. Luc Tu Ngang sat on the edge of the bed, his head bowed, scrolling through his phone.

“Are you awake yet?” He looked up, "How do you see him?"

“It's okay.” Luc Kien Quan's voice was a bit hoarse, "Where is your mother?"

“Mom has gone to school.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "Tell me I'll go home after the meeting."

"What time is it?"

“It's almost six o'clock.”

Luc Kien Quan nodded.

“Why don't you go with Co Tinh?” he asked.

“She's packing her things at the motel.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "Tomorrow her parents will come up, the two families will discuss the details of the wedding."

Having said this, he hesitated for a moment.

“Dad, there's something wrong, I want to tell you first.”

“You say it.”

"On the day of the wedding, the hosting process has already been finalized with the hotel." Luc Tu Ngang said, "Tieu Tinh and I discussed and wanted to make a small surprise for our parents during the toast."

“What surprise?” Luc Kien Quan was a bit nervous.

“By then, Dad will know.” Luc Tu Ngang smiled, "Dad, you just need to stand still there."

“Don't overdo it.” Luc Kien Quan advised, "Your mother doesn't like shows off."

“I know.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "So we will try to make it as simple as possible."

He paused, then added another sentence.

“Dad, on the wedding day, can you and mom… try to cooperate a little.”

“What do you mean?” Luc Kien Quan frowned.

“I mean, don't keep a straight face.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "I don't force my parents to be as cheesy as when they first got married, but at least they have to look like a couple still living together."

Luc Kien Quan listened and felt sad, but also found it funny.

“My parents are still married and living together.” He deliberately emphasized.

“It's just a formality.” Luc Tu Ngang exposed, "There are times when I look at the two of you and it's like two people living together."

Luc Kien Quan was speechless.

“Tu Ngang.” He suddenly called his son.

“If one day, your dad and mom really can't move on together, will you hate me?”

Luc Tu Ngang was stunned.

“Why do you suddenly ask that?”

“Let's just say dad asked first to prepare himself.” Luc Kien Quan said.

Luc Tu Ngang pondered for a long time.

“Dad, if it was before, maybe I would hate you.” He frankly admitted, “But not now.”

“Because I know, marriage is about two people.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "I can pity my mother and demand justice for her, but I have no right to decide for her. If one day she really wants to leave, I will stand by her side. But I will not use 'hating my father' to force her to stay."

After he finished speaking, he stared at Luc Kien Quan again.

“Of course, if Dad can make things better, I will be very happy too.”

Luc Kien Quan nodded.

“I will try.” I promise.

"Dad." Luc Tu Ngang hesitated, "Actually, this time Dad was sick, I was a bit scared."

“Afraid of what?” Luc Kien Quan asked.

“I'm afraid my dad will suddenly leave.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "There's not even enough time to say goodbye to us."

He lowered his head.

"The last time I said those harsh words, they were too harsh. When I went home to rest and lay in bed, I also questioned my conscience. If Dad hadn't survived that day, perhaps I would have to bear the debt of those words for the rest of my life."

“You're right.” Luc Kien Quan An consoled, "No harsh words."

“No matter how right you are, if Dad leaves, it will become meaningless.” Luc Tu Ngang smiled bitterly, "Human beings are truly contradictory."

He raised his head.

“So, dad, in the future can you… try not to let me experience this feeling of fear again.”

“I will try.” Luc Kien Quan affirmed.

“Dad did it for me, also for mom.” Luc Tu Ngang said, "None of us want to have to stand outside the hospital hallway again, waiting for an uncertain outcome."

The story naturally ends here. Dinner is something Tong Tuyet brought home after work. She bought a few rustic dishes at the restaurant near the school, simple boiled vegetables, tofu, and steamed fish.

“Now you can't eat food that's too greasy or too salty.” She picked up the food on the plate and said, "You have to eat frugally for a while."

Although Luc's mother still grumbled, "What kind of man eats vegetables and tofu every day?", the picker still picked up a piece of fish meat and put it in Luc Kien Quan's bowl.

"Your father just got sick, let's nourish his stomach to recover first." She said.

After eating, Luc's mother insisted on going back to her room to sleep.

“You two still have a lot to talk about.” She explained as she packed her things, "Mom is here, but it's a shame."

“Mom, what are you saying?” Tong Tuyet was a bit resigned.

“Wouldn't it be better if Mom went over there?” Luc's mother smiled, "If you two have anything to say, just take it easy. If you have any conflicts or problems, just let them out, don't stew in anger."

Her words were half-joking and half-serious, with a tentative meaning. Luc Kien Quan understands. Luc's mother is helping him. Tong Tuyet saw Luc's mother to the door and told her to be careful on the way. The door closed, and the house suddenly fell silent. In the living room, there was only the sound of a small TV and the sound of the clock ticking on the wall. Luc Tu Ngang looked at his watch, stood up and spoke.

"Tomorrow morning I have an early high-speed train back to Hangzhou. I have to go home and pack my things tonight."

“Is it so urgent?” Luc's mother had asked once just now. She was not present at this time, so he did not beat around the bush to explain further.

"So many weddings piled up." He turned to Luc Kien Quan, "Dad, don't worry, I will send you a copy of the program script, until then you can just follow along."

"Okay." Luc Kien Quan nodded, "Don't work too hard."

“I'm not tired.” Luc Tu Ngang smiled, "Dad, don't let yourself get tired."

He glanced at Tong Tuyet.

“Mom, please take good care of Dad.”

Tong Tuyet said "yes" softly. The moment the door closed, Luc Tu Ngang looked back and saw the figures of his parents standing next to each other in the living room. He suddenly realized how far away this image was. From childhood to adulthood, he was used to seeing only one person open the door to welcome him, the other person was absent. Now, both are present. Even though there is still an invisible distance between the two, it is warmer than just seeing a single back. The night is getting late. The living room had turned off the lights, leaving only a wall lamp radiating a gentle glow. After finishing cleaning up in the kitchen, Tong Tuyet came out to see Luc Kien Quan sitting on the sofa, his feet covered with a thin blanket, reading a book. That was a medical book instructing recovery for heart patients that Luc Tu Ngang gave his father before leaving.

“Can you read it?” Tong Tuyet asked.

"That's OK." Luc Kien Quan closed the book, "The writing is so scary."

“It's good to scare you.” Tong Tuyet calmly said, "Then you will obediently listen."

She walked out to the balcony, pulled the curtains, and then returned to the living room.

“Go to sleep.” She urged, "The doctor told me to go to bed before eleven o'clock."

“What about you?” Luc Kien Quan asked again.

“I'll sleep later too.” Tong Tuyet replied, "In the office, I've finished changing the bed sheets."

Luc Kien Quan was stunned.

“Are you still sleeping next to the office?”

Tong Tuyet did not answer immediately.

“What do you think?” She asked back.

Luc Kien Quan gasped, not daring to say anything, "I hope you go back to this room to sleep." He clearly understood that any request made at this time would be sudden.

“Go into the room first.” Tong Tuyet said, "I'm going to take a shower."