Chapter 24 — I Return From The Deep

I have actually recovered my student status. Became a master's student in Professor Wen Ruoc Duong's group. It takes two and a half years to earn a master's degree. Ms. Trieu's thesis was withdrawn in the past, but after evaluation, it was restored to publication. Scholars increasingly cite her data. Her name once again appeared in academic circles. Clean, bright. Tong Uyen Nghi's criminal sentence ended with 6 years of imprisonment. How she behaves in there, I don't care anymore. Jiang Tu Hanh——We can never go back to the way we were before. Not likely. But I allowed him every year on the anniversary of Ms. Trieu's death to visit the grave with me. Every time he comes, he stands for a long time. Don't say a word. One time I stood from afar and saw him slumped in front of the grave, his lips moving. I don't know what she's mumbling to Ms. Trieu. Probably sorry. Maybe he won't be able to say sorry in his entire life. As for Luc Tham—— He never officially confessed his love. Except for the "Yes" that day at sea. But he is always there. When I was studying for a master's degree, every day he came to pick me up after school. On late nights when he couldn't write his thesis, he would appear in front of the laboratory door, carrying late-night snacks. On my graduation day, he sat in the family row. Wear an extremely formal white shirt. Even wearing a tie. That tie was given to you by me. When I went up to the podium to receive my diploma, I saw him sitting below applauding. Eyes sparkling. Just like the day we first met, when he gave me his student card through the car window. Don't say a sweet word. Don't do anything shocking. Just always present. Always there. That's enough. The night of the graduation ceremony. We went to that beach again. It's still the same stone embankment. The wind has weakened a lot compared to that winter. The first night of summer, the sea breeze caresses. I leaned on his shoulder and sat there. He hugged my waist with one hand. The other hand caressed my fingertips.

“Nim So.”

“Yes.”

"There's something I want to ask you."

“Say it.”

“Let's move in together.”

I tilted my head to look at him. He seemed a bit tense, his throat moving.

“That mezzanine… it's too big for one person.”

I laughed out loud. “Are you proposing to me?”

“No——” he said quickly, “It hasn't gotten to that step yet——but if you agree——later on——”

I used my hand to block his lips. "Agree." His eyes glowed. I let go. He bowed his head. Forehead bump. The tip of the nose touches the tip of the nose. Breaths entwined with each other. Warm. Filled with the breath of life.

“Luc Tham.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for letting me live until today.”

He gently kissed my forehead.

“It wasn't me who let you live.”

"It's because I choose to continue living."

The sound of ocean waves hitting the shore wave after wave. The night wind caresses. I closed my eyes. This one life. Been in prison. Ever been sick. Used to hold grudges. Ever been disappointed. But in the end——still came back alive. What fate owed me, it paid back stroke by stroke. Not in an eye-for-an-eye kind of way. But in a way that allows me to live a full, good life. I don't regret anymore. Don't wait for anyone to apologize anymore. I just need to——just like this. Standing by the beach. Rely on this man. Live on. Live well. That's enough. RUN OUT OF