Chapter 18 — Light Cannot Be Stolen

"Scandalous..."

"It's just dirty water."

"The work..."

"Still the work."

"If you can't even tell the difference..."

"Then don't continue doing this job."

Duong Niem's face... was completely pale. I looked at her.

"Duong Niem."

"You always said you wanted a chance."

"Now..."

"The opportunity is right in front of us."

"Open your eyes and look carefully."

"Someone else's ladder..."

"Not for you to sneak up on."

Three days later. Police announcement published. The content is very short. Co Canh Xuyen was investigated for intentionally swapping emergency supplies, destroying property, threatening others and showing signs of falsifying documents. Duong Niem was also summoned to coordinate the investigation. The recording on the snowy mountain and the video in the meeting room quickly went viral. The previous defense immediately reversed.

"I thought it was just a misunderstanding."

"It's a life-saving oxygen tank."

"Bring in the helium tank and then still laugh?"

"Is this kind of person still doing photography?"

"The most guilty is Ms. Tham."

"If I were her, I would sue to the end."

That very night. Co Canh Xuyen's studio had eight consecutive contracts canceled by customers. Two major brands simultaneously announced the termination of cooperation. By day five. The building owner sends a notice of site recovery. No one is willing to continue renting that studio anymore. Tieu Chu called me.

"Studio... is closed."

I'm on a drip at the hospital.

"What about him?"

"I heard..."

"Are running around borrowing money."

"But everyone knows about it."

"No one dares to help."

I was silent. Tieu Chu laughed again.

"The first time I saw..."

"He bowed his head and begged someone else."

"It feels..."

"It's no different from the day I asked for an oxygen tank."

I paused slightly.

"That day..."

"I beg to live."

"And him..."

"It's asking out of greed."

Duong Niem proactively sought me out. She no longer wears a white dress. No more makeup. Both eyes are swollen and red. As soon as I saw it, I knelt down.

"I was wrong."

"I know I was wrong."

"Since I was little, I always thought..."

"Want something..."

"Just need someone to back me up."

"I never thought..."

"One day I will lose everything."

I looked at her.

"Stand up."

Duong Niem refused.

"Can you forgive me?"

"I don't work anymore."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry..."

I shook my head.

"You apologized to the wrong person."

"You should apologize to yourself."

"You had a chance."

"There is youth."

"Has natural talent."

"But you chose..."

"Go steal other people's lives."

Duong Niem hugged his face and cried. I didn't turn back. My mother came looking for me. She carried a bag of fruit. As soon as I walked in the door I cried.

"Mom was wrong."

"I forgive you, Mom."

I put the book down.

"Twenty thousand dollars..."

She bowed her head.

"Think for yourself."

"I don't blame mom."

I said calmly. She was dumbfounded. I looked at the woman who gave birth to me.

"I blame mom."

"From small to large."

"Every time I get bullied."

"Mom told me to hold back."

"Every time my younger brother causes trouble."

"Mom makes me carry the burden."

"When I almost died."

"Mom still told me to apologize."

"If that day..."

"I died on the mountain."

"Mom will you forgive Co Canh Xuyen?"

She burst into tears. But this time. I'm no longer soft-hearted.

"I will still provide old age pension."

"It's an obligation."

"But it's my brother's business."

"I won't care anymore."

"Wouldn't let any either who..."

"Use it to threaten me."

My mother cried until she couldn't say a word. There are injuries. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. One month later. Documentary photography exhibition opens. My collection of photos of the border area. Published for the first time. Photo of a little girl holding half a cake. Placed in a central location. There is a comment line.

"There are photos that not only record the truth, but also bring a life home."

Many people stood in front of that photo. Then bow your head. No one knows. The day I started filming. I don't know either. An unintentional moment. Can change a child's fate. Tan Hoai Vien stood next to me.

"Finally..."

"Light also finds its way to your work."

I looked at the photo.

"It's a work..."

"Find your own light."

Afternoon. Hua Lam gave me the phone.

"Do you want to see?"

It's news about Co Canh Xuyen. The court accepted the case. The studio officially declared bankruptcy. All assets are distrained to repay debts. He stood in front of the court gate. Surrounded by reporters. No more neat suits. No longer looks confident. I only looked once. Then return the phone. Hua Lam laughed.

"Not satisfied?"

I shook my head.

"One person..."

"Destroying my whole life with my own hands."

"It is the greatest retribution."

Half a year later. I received the award for Outstanding Documentary Photography. When the MC read the name. The entire auditorium stood up and applauded. I walked onto the stage. Get the trophy. The light is very bright. But this time. I'm no longer afraid of the dark. In the audience seats. Hua Lam is smiling. Tan Hoai Vien also nodded at me. Tieu Chu sat in the farthest corner. Holding her newly born daughter. He gave a thumbs up. I also smiled back. The host asked:

"If I could go back three years ago."

"Do you still choose this path?"

I looked at the camera placed on the podium. Gently replied.

"Because..."

"The most precious thing."

"Never been a person."

"It's the light."

"Someone else can steal my oxygen tank."

"You can steal my camera."

"Even..."

"Can destroy a copy."

"But they..."

"Never steal the eyes."

"Already seen the light."

Applause rang out like thunder. I bowed my head. Then step off the stage. No one can force me to apologize... Just because I want to live.