Chapter 2 — Light Cannot Be Stolen

I looked at him. My throat felt like it was blocked by a cold block of ice. Three years ago. His photography studio is on the brink of bankruptcy. I personally entrusted the entire customer network I built over five years to him. Two years ago. For the first time, he received a big project. I took pictures continuously in the heavy rain for three days and three nights, and proactively put his name first in the work signature section. Half a year ago. When he proposed, he said that the person he admired the most was my recklessness behind the camera, which was also the person who hurt him the most every time I risked my life on the snowy mountains. But now... He changed my oxygen tank to helium... Just to make Duong Niem laugh. I don't beg him anymore. I squatted down, tightened the helium tank valve, and put it back on the side of my backpack. Co Canh Xuyen frowned.

"What are you doing?"

I took out a spare locator from my inside pocket and pressed the red button firmly. Duong Niem saw it with keen eyes and immediately exclaimed:

"Headmaster, she has one more!"

Co Canh Xuyen immediately reached out and tried to rob him. I immediately stuffed the GPS device into my shirt pocket and raised my head to look straight at him.

"Don't you dare touch me again..."

"Wait until the rescue team arrives, I will tell the truth."

Co Canh Xuyen burst out laughing as if he had just heard something ridiculous.

"Tell the truth about what?"

"Are you saying that because of the high altitude reaction, you lost control of your emotions and insisted on canceling the photo shoot?"

"There are so many people here, who can prove that I switched your oxygen tank?"

Duong Niem immediately added in a low voice:

"Headmaster, I can testify that you have absolutely no malicious intent."

The assistants looked at each other. No one spoke up. Old La pulled the brim of his hat lower. Droplets of snow covered the shoulders of his shirt. After a while, he said in a low voice:

"Mr. Co, the weather is about to change."

"It's not appropriate to continue climbing."

Co Canh Xuyen raised his head to look at the sky and snorted coldly.

"You're just a hired guide."

"Don't scare others."

He pointed straight at me.

"If you want to go down the mountain, stay here and wait for rescue."

"The cover photo shoot must continue."

"Tham Van, don't think Van Linh Magazine can't leave you."

"From today..."

"The main photographer will be changed to Niem Niem."

Duong Niem quickly waved his hand.

"Senior Brother, that's not okay."

"Miss Van will be angry."

Can't say it out loud. But her hand went to my camera bag. In it were the camera body and lens that took me a week to fine-tune. Also all the parameters and settings specifically for this cover shoot. I clutched the strap of my camera bag.

"Let go."

Being pulled back by me, Duong Niem immediately leaned over and fell into Co Canh Xuyen's arms.

"Miss Van..."

"I just want to help you hold it."

"Why did you push me?"

Co Canh Xuyen's face immediately darkened. He raised his hand and pushed me hard. My foot stepped on the soft snow. The whole person lost balance and fell to the ground. The back of his head hit the cold stone wall hard. There was only a ringing sound in my ears that never stopped. Camera bag... Was taken away by Duong Niem. Co Canh Xuyen bent down to look at me.

"Tham Van."

"I said it last time."

"Don't cause trouble anymore."

"If you slow down the photography process today..."

"Don't blame me. When I return, I will ask Editor Hua to replace you me."

I put my hands on the snowy ground and slowly stood up. The mouth was filled with the fishy taste of blood. I looked straight at him and coldly replied:

"Just try it."

The anger on Co Canh Xuyen's face stopped for a moment. He hates it most when I use that tone. Because every time I say that... In the end, it's always him who loses. Duong Niem hugged the camera in his arms, his voice was so soft that he felt sick.

"Headmaster, let's stop arguing with Ms. Van."

"She's not feeling well, it's definitely not intentional."

"Let me try taking a few pictures first. If it doesn't work, I'll return the phone to Ms. Van, okay?"

Co Canh Xuyen gently rubbed the wool hat on her head.

"I can definitely do it."

Having finished speaking, he turned to the whole group.

"Keep climbing."

"We have to be at the shooting location in half an hour."

No one moved. Lao La spoke up.

"Mr. Co, Ms. Tham's condition is not good."

"Her lips are already purple, there can be no more delay."

Co Canh Xuyen stared at him.

"You are the guide..."

"Or a doctor?"

Lao La was silent. Co Canh Xuyen turned to his assistants again.

"Whoever wants to stay and wait for rescue with her should get off the mountain now."

"Project bonus..."

"Don't even try to have a single penny."

Tieu Chu held the battery box, his face full of hesitation. Duong Niem saw that and sighed softly.

"Mr. Tieu Chu."

"Miss Van is so good, it will definitely be okay."

"On the contrary... you remember my girlfriend just got pregnant, right?"

"This bonus must be very important to you."

Tieu Chu bowed his head.

"Sorry, Van."

I quietly watched each person carry their equipment on their shoulders, following in Co Canh Xuyen's footsteps and continuing to climb to the top. In the snow... I'm the only one left. And the footprints were trampled. After walking a few steps, Co Canh Xuyen turned around and threw the satellite phone at me.

"I turned off the signal."

"If you really want to wait for rescue..."

"Then just hold your tattered GPS device and wait."

"Tham Van."

"When I've thought it through, I'll crawl up here and apologize."

The satellite phone fell right next to my feet. The screen cracked a line. I picked it up. Boot failed. The wind howled from the snowy ravine. Each gust of wind was like a blade cutting across the throat. I watched their backs get farther and farther away. Then slowly pull up the sleeve. On the inside of the cuff... There is a very small black recording button sewn shut. It's still light. I hit the save button. The tiny beep was immediately swallowed by the wind. But what needs to be recorded... Not a single word will be missed.