Chapter 4 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

It is a fatigue that seeps from the bone marrow to the outside.

“Mom, let me take a nap.”

"Go to sleep, mom will give you an IV drip."

Luc's mother sat on the edge of the bed, holding his hand tightly and not letting go. Luc Kien Quan closed his eyes, but could not sleep. In my head I keep replaying the events that happened over those years. Tong Tuyet was pregnant, he didn't know. Tong Tuyet had a miscarriage, he was not present. Tong Tuyet had breast cancer surgery and is on vacation. Now he has a heart attack and has to be hospitalized. Tong Tuyet said she can't stop. It sounds, well, reasonable. It's because you did it first. He always puts work more important than family, guests more important than his wife, and his own affairs more important than anyone else's. Raindrops began to fall. Knocking on the window glass made a loud noise. Luc Kien Quan opened his eyes, looking out at a gray color outside. The phone vibrated again. This time it's Tong Tuyet. In Wechat there is only one sentence.

"Self-study at night until 9:30, I'll come over after school."

Luc Kien Quan stared at that line for a long time. He wanted to leave something behind, but couldn't find the right words. In the end, there was only one word in response. Then put the phone under the pillow. The rain is getting heavier and heavier. The light in the hospital room was blindingly white. The clock on the wall read 9:45 p.m. The hallway echoed with footsteps, very light, but in the quiet hospital room, it was heard extremely clearly. Luc Kien Quan still opened his eyes, not sleeping. The infusion was over, the tape on the back of his hand was a bit itchy, he tried not to scratch it. The door was pushed open. Tong Tuyet walked in. She was still wearing her school's office clothes — a thin light gray wool coat, a white shirt underneath, her hair loosely tied back, a few curls hanging around her ears. In his hand he carried a stainless steel briefcase. She greeted Luc's mother first, her voice monotone. Luc's mother was sitting in a folding chair, originally dozing off, but when she woke up, her face didn't look good.

“Do you even know the way there?”

Tong Tuyet did not answer, but placed the cage on the bedside table.

"I'll stew some soup, you drink some."

She raised her eyes to look at Luc Kien Quan. Luc Kien Quan propped himself up and sat up.

"If you're still running here this late, don't you still have to go to class tomorrow?"

“Just finished self-study class.”

Tong Tuyet opened the lid of the cage and the aroma of rib soup floated out. She scooped a small bowl and gave it to Luc Kien Quan. The movements are very natural, as natural as completing a daily task. Luc Kien Quan took the bowl, the soup was still steaming. He took a sip, the salty taste was perfect for his taste. Tong Tuyet's soup stewing skills have always been excellent.

“What did the doctor say?” Tong Tuyet asked.

“Tomorrow, have a coronary angiogram to see how much blockage there is. A stent may need to be placed.”

Tong Tuyet nodded and did not ask further. She stood by the bed for a moment, then pulled out a chair and sat down. Luc's mother was still staring at her.

"Tieu Tuyet, Quan's illness is not mild. The doctor said someone must be on duty. Mom is old and can't stay up all night. Please take a day off these days."

Tong Tuyet raised her eyes.

“Mom, I already asked permission.”

Both Luc Kien Quan and Luc's mother were stunned.

“You… resigned?” Luc Kien Quan asked.

"Yes." Tong Tuyet took out a leave application form from her pocket, "The principal has approved a three-day leave."

She placed the form on the bedside table. Luc's mother picked it up and glanced at it. It is true that it has been approved, three days from the date tomorrow.

“What can you do in three days?” Luc's mother threw the paper back, "After the examination, if I really have to have surgery, how many more days will I have to stay in the hospital? What can three days solve?"

Tong Tuyet looked at Luc's mother with pale eyes.

“Three days later, Tu Ngang will return.”

"What can Tu Ngang do when he comes back? He's a man, does he know how to serve the sick?" Luc's mother's voice rose again, "You are his wife, isn't it your duty to take care of your husband?"