Chapter 2 — Khuong Niem woke up dreaming

Tam Duat started out as a pharmaceutical representative, and has now risen to the level of regional director, holding a lot of medical resources in his hands. Although we are still in a cold war, it is true that he has the idea that "the red flag inside the house does not fall, the colored flag outside flutters". That's it, if I don't use him now, when will I wait? The phone connected, I briefly said a few sentences about my father's test results. Without saying a word, Tham Duat contacted the most reputable lung specialist in the city, and on the same day he finalized the hospital bed and surgery plan, and also arranged a special care room. The surgery went very smoothly. The night after surgery, he even volunteered to stay and take care of him all night. Father woke up from anesthesia and saw Tham Duat guarding the bed, his eyes turning red on the spot. He pulled Tham Duat's hand, then pulled my hand, placing his hands on top of each other, his voice weak but solemn: "Tham Duat is a good child, Niem Niem, you have to live well with people, don't keep acting childish." I smiled and nodded, softly saying: "Yes." When I turned around to get hot water, the smile on my face disappeared little by little. This kind appearance of Tham Duat certainly made To Duong uncomfortable. After that night of treatment, he immediately used the excuse of going on a business trip and was not seen for several consecutive days. That day I picked Nhinh Nhiem back from her piano lessons and went to buy cake. As soon as I pushed open the shop door, I saw Tham Duat and To Duong standing side by side in front of the counter. He bowed his head and said something to her, the corner of his mouth showing a smile. Nhiem Nhiem's eyes were sharp, at a glance I saw, like a swallow returning to the forest, she let go of my hand and ran past, calling out clearly: "Dad! Are you home from work?" Tham Duat quickly bent down to pick up his daughter, discreetly moved half a step to the side, widening the distance with To Duong. The corners of To Duong's mouth drooped down, his unhappiness clearly written on his face. Nhiem Nhiem hugged Tham Duat's neck, eyes full of anticipation: "So tonight, dad, can you tell me a story to help me sleep?" Tham Duat was just about to open his mouth to say "Okay", To Duong took a step forward, his voice was soft but with the intention of refusing to refute: "Director Tham, we still have work to do tonight, have you forgotten?" After speaking, he tilted his head to look over, his eyes fell straight on my face, the corner of his lips curled slightly, his smile hiding an invisible tongue. Tham Duat hugged his daughter and stood there in dilemma. I opened my mouth first, my voice calm: "Your work is more important. Nhiem Nhiem, come here." Nhiem Nhiem pursed her lips, still obediently sliding down from Tham Duat's lap, taking small steps towards me. Tham Duat and To Duong both looked surprised. Tham Duat was surprised, while To Duong was briefly surprised, then immediately replaced by even stronger pride. When passing each other, To Duong's shoulder intentionally bumped into mine, the contempt in his eyes was not hidden. I tightened Nhiem Nhiem's hand and did not turn around. 6Tham Duat returned early the next morning. The collar of the shirt was slightly open, and above the collarbone was a brand new hickey, so red that it was blinding. He noticed my eyes, unnaturally raised his hand to pull his collar to try to cover it, cleared his throat and said: "Let's talk." He sat down on the sofa, trying to soften his voice: "What do you think now?" I leaned against the dining table, not sitting, looking down at him from above: "I should be the one to ask you. You and To Duong said those words in front of me, are you still worthy of being fathers?" His face turned red, his ears were also red, hastily explaining: "You taught her last night, I promise I won't do it again." After saying that, he stood up and wanted to hold my hand, but I leaned away. He stiffened for a moment, shyly withdrew his hand, looked at my face, and changed his tone to a guttural tone

"Niem Niem, To Duong is not like you. She doesn't get married or have children. What she wants is to spend her life freely. You and her won't last long. I know in my heart that in the end, our childhood husband and wife are old friends, still the two of us." Seeing that I didn't answer, perhaps he felt there was hope and immediately ironed the iron while it was still hot: "Don't worry, from now on, thirty thousand is the living allowance each month. I will not lack a penny, I will absolutely not mistreat you and Nhiem Nhiem.” Thirty thousand. He spoke lightly. Like a generous benefactor, using this money to buy me to close one eye and open the other, to buy this family's external reputation, to buy a passport so he can do whatever he wants outside. If it was before, I absolutely couldn't accept it. Since when did I, Khuong Niem, need to use money to exchange for dignity? But now, I just close my eyes and don't speak. Tham Duat clearly took this as tacit agreement. He breathed a sigh of relief and patted my shoulder: "That's right, it's good to think clearly." I quietly clenched my fist, then slowly released it. He sat back on the sofa, changed the subject, and started talking to me. He and To Duong discussed a bit and planned to resign together and open a medical equipment company.