Chapter 2 — I Return From The Deep

I developed this habit in prison. Every time my emotions are about to lose control, I pull my hair. A little pain will calm down.

"Four years ago, Ms. Trieu obtained evidence that Tong Uyen Nghi had modified the data, and gave it to me to preserve. As a result, the next day, Tong Uyen Nghi reported to the police—saying that he stole expensive equipment from the laboratory."

“Jiang Si Hing believed her.”

“He is my biological brother.”

“He believed Tong Uyen Nghi's words, did not bother to investigate, and directly provided testimony confirming the time spent in the camera-hidden area.”

I closed my eyes.

“I was sentenced to four years.”

“Miss Trieu died of a heart attack three months after I went to prison.”

The clinic was silent for a long time. Wen Nhuoc Duong clutched the USB in his palm, his knuckles turning white.

“This data set… if it is real…”

“Can restore Ms. Trieu's honor.”

I looked at her.

"Professor On, I only have six months left to live. Before I die, I want to see this matter come to fruition."

She looked into my eyes for a long time. Then nodded.

“I will help you.”

—

【Chapter 2】 When I walked out of the hospital, it was already dusk. I stood in front of the hospital gate and suddenly realized I had nowhere to go. Living in prison for four years, when I got out I had nothing. No home, no job, only two hundred yuan left on my bank card from the prison cellmate. My previous belongings——clothes, books, computer, were all at Giang's house. But I won't go back there. Turn on the phone——also the one given to you by the inmates, an old smartphone. Signal flickering. I searched for the cheapest motel around here. Found a small motel for thirty-five yuan a night, located deep in an alley. When entering, the receptionist raised her head and glanced at me, evaluating me from head to toe. My current appearance is truly unsightly. His hair was stringy, his skin was yellow, and he wore old clothes given to him when he was released from prison, as loose as a sack.

“How many nights?”

“Stay before three nights.”

Pay, get the key. Room on the third floor, very small, one bed, one cabinet, one wall-mounted air conditioner. The air conditioner makes a loud noise and the air blowing out has a musty smell. I sat on the edge of the bed without turning on the light. Outside the window is an old street, neon lights shining into the room are sometimes green and sometimes red. The phone vibrates. Message. Strange number, but I recognized it——secretary Jiang Si Hing's number.

"Miss Niem So, the boss told me to inform you that your room will always be the same, you can come back at any time. If you need a car, you can contact me. In addition, the boss has made an appointment with the head of the Oncology Department of City Hospital No. 1, tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.——"

I pressed the delete button. Another message. This time it was Jiang Tu Hanh's own number.

“Nien So, no matter how much you hate me, please heal first.”

I stared at this text for 10 seconds. Then turn off the machine. Lying on the hard bed, looking at the crack in the ceiling. Confused mind. Miss Trieu. Remember her appearance the last time I saw her. That day she put the USB into my hand and smiled very gently.

“Nien So, you have no talent in your whole life, you have only been able to guide one student, me.”

"If anything happens to me, please keep this carefully for me."

“Wait until the storm passes, hand it over to Wen Nhuoc Duong. She will know what to do.”

At that time, I still laughed at her worrying about crawling white teeth. As a result, the next day, the police arrived. And three months later, Ms. Trieu passed away forever. I wasn't allowed to see her off. I didn't even know where she was buried until I was about to leave prison. The corners of my eyes sting. But don't cry. After being there for 4 years, I could no longer cry. Crying is useless, it's better to go to sleep. There's still a lot to do tomorrow. The next day, I went to the job market. Had to find a job, 200 yuan wouldn't last me a few days. But reality is more cruel than I thought.