Chapter 3 — Light Cannot Be Stolen

When the rescue team arrived... I knelt on the snow and vomited twice. The doctor leading the team had just put an oxygen mask on me. The first thing he said was not to ask if I could still walk. It's cursing.

"Who let you breathe helium at this altitude?"

I gently raised my hand... Pointing to the chain of footprints stretching on the mountainside. The doctor looked in that direction, his face immediately darkened.

"Are there still people continuing to climb?"

Old La rushed over from behind, panting so much that even his shoulders were shaking.

"They... they've already arrived at the shooting spot."

"Mr. Co insisted on taking the photo. He said he would come down immediately after taking the photo."

The doctor cursed loudly.

"Don't need the internet anymore?"

The rescue worker helped me onto the stretcher. I grabbed Mr. La's sleeve.

"Camera..."

Old La avoided my eyes.

"Miss Tham..."

"Miss Duong is keeping it."

"She said Mr. Co agreed."

"My memory card... is in there too."

"She talked about giving it back."

The doctor couldn't bear it anymore.

"At this point, are you still thinking about the camera?"

I pulled back a corner of the oxygen mask. Hoarse voice.

"In there..."

"There are all the test photos before this cover shoot."

"There are also documents I took during the past time."

The doctor immediately pulled the mask back.

"Just survive first."

Old La quietly walked next to the stretcher. His lips were cold and white.

"Miss Tham..."

"Earlier... I should have stopped them."

I looked at him. He is a veteran guide. Understand the rules on the snowy mountains. Also know how dangerous my condition is. But just because of a 'bonus'... And a 'I will complain to you' from Co Canh Xuyen... He backed down. Being looked at by me to the point that he didn't dare raise his head, Mr. La said softly:

"My nephew... is waiting for surgery."

"Mr. Co said if I ruined the project..."

"That would make the travel company blacklist me."

I'm not saying forgive. Don't blame him either. Because in a state of lack of oxygen... Even being angry... Is also an extremely energy-consuming task. The rescue vehicle stopped outside the temporary camp. As soon as I was carried inside, the doctor hadn't even had time to put me on the bed when the walkie-talkie rang. It was Co Canh Xuyen calling. The doctor turned on the speakerphone. His voice carried through the whistling wind.

"Did you guys take Tham Van down the mountain?"

The doctor calmly replied:

"She needs to be taken down for treatment immediately."

"Treat what?"

"She's just sulking."

Co Canh Xuyen tried to suppress his frustration.

"You guys quickly bring her back."

"She is the main photographer, the project cannot be interrupted."

The doctor glanced at me.

"She inhaled helium, and at the same time had very clear symptoms of high altitude reaction."

"If you continue to stay on the mountain, your life will be in danger."

"Don't exaggerate."

Co Canh Xuyen's voice immediately rose.

"Helium gas is not a poisonous gas."

"Children still inhale on their birthday."

Duong Niem whispered advice from the side.

"Senior, don't be angry."

"Perhaps Ms. Van saw that my photos were okay, so she was not happy."

Co Canh Xuyen immediately softened his voice.

"Nien Niem, don't think too much."

"You took very good photos."

"More soulful than her old layout."

I closed my eyes. The doctor tried to hold back. But in the end, I still couldn't stand it.

"You took all her oxygen and medicine?"

The other end of the line was silent for a second. Co Canh Xuyen replied:

"Oxygen is a common resource for the whole team."

"Whoever needs it use."

"The medicine she also voluntarily gave to Niem Niem."

Duong Niem quickly continued.

"That's right."

"At that time, I didn't know that it was the medicine that saved Ms. Van's life."

"She also didn't say it clearly."

I pulled down the oxygen mask.

"Co Canh Xuyen."

"When you took my medicine box out of my backpack..."

“I told you to give it back to me three times.”

Co Canh Xuyen lost patience.

"Tham Van."

"Do I have to do such embarrassing things in front of outsiders?"

"The shooting has already started."

"If you really have professional ethics..."

"Tell the rescue team to bring your spare lens up here."

I laughed. He stole my oxygen tank. Take my medicine. Push me down. Snatched my camera. At this point... What he was thinking about was still my lens. The doctor turned off the radio.

"This kind of fiance..."

"Do you still keep it for Tet?"

I put my oxygen mask back on. No reply. At that moment, the tent curtains were lifted. A woman wearing a dark blue hiking jacket entered. It's Hua Lam. Editor of Van Linh Magazine. Her hair was blown by the wind, and there was no makeup on her face. Still clutching the car keys in my hand.

"Tham Van."

I looked at her. Hua Lam walked next to the ambulance stretcher. First she looked at the monitor screen. Then looked at the oxygen tank next to me.

"Who swapped?"

"Co Canh Xuyen."

"Is there any proof?"

I removed the recording button sewn inside the sleeve. Place it in the palm of her hand. Hua Lam tightened her grip on the recording device and lowered her voice.

"You just go down the mountain for treatment first."

"Everything else..."

"Just let me handle it."

I looked at her.

"Camera..."

"In Duong Niem's hands."

Hua Lam's face immediately turned cold.

"She dares to touch my camera?"

The doctor interjected.

"Now is not the time to chase the camera."

Hua Lam turned to look at him.

"That machine is not a normal device."

"Inside there is all the data and documents taken by Tham Van herself."

"Anyone who arbitrarily takes away..."

"Everyone must be responsible."

The doctor was momentarily stunned. I pulled the oxygen mask to cover half of my face. Say nothing more.