Chapter 4 — Light Cannot Be Stolen

Hua Lam also did not explain. She stood up, picked up the walkie-talkie and reconnected with the group on the mountain.

"Co Canh Xuyen."

The other end of the line was extremely noisy. Looks like someone is adjusting the lamp stand.

"Editor Hua?"

"You came at the right time."

"Tham Van insisted on going down the mountain."

"Here, I let Niem Niem take the picture for her."

"Don't worry."

"She is very talented."

Hua Lam asked coldly:

"Who gave you permission to replace the main photographer?"

"I'm just for the project."

"Who gave you permission to take Tham Van's camera?"

Co Canh Xuyen paused for a moment.

"She's not well."

"Leaving the device alone is a waste."

"Plus I'm her fiance."

"What's wrong with just a little?"

Hua Lam's voice was still steady, without any ripples.

"Immediately seal the camera."

"Keep the status quo."

"Take it down the mountain now."

Duong Niem immediately panicked.

"Editor Hua."

"I've taken a lot of pictures."

"If I bring it down now..."

"The light will be gone today."

Co Canh Xuyen immediately chimed in.

"That's right."

"This is Niem Niem's first time taking a cover photo on a snowy mountain."

"Her condition is very good."

"Editor Hua, you can't deny a new person just because of Tham Van's feelings."

Hua Lam calmly replied:

"The person I deny..."

"Not a newbie."

"It's someone who arbitrarily uses someone else's equipment."

Duong Niem immediately choked up.

"I didn't steal it."

"The principal said that Ms. Van agreed."

Hua Lam asked back.

"Did she agree?"

Co Canh Xuyen lost patience.

"Editor Hua."

"Don't let her lead you by the nose."

"Tham Van is just too possessive."

"Don't let anyone touch your things."

"It was the same before at the studio."

"Everyone has to revolve around her."

Hua Lam did not bother to argue further.

"Co Canh Xuyen."

"I'll only say it once."

"Immediately take the camera down the mountain."

"If not..."

"Van Linh magazine will cancel all cooperation with your studio immediately."

On the other end of the line... Falling into silence. At that moment, Duong Niem suddenly shouted:

"Headmaster! There's a problem with the memory card! The camera says it's locked!"

I slowly opened my eyes. Hua Lam bowed her head and looked at me. I gently pulled down the oxygen mask.

"My device..."

"Do not accept strangers."

The doctor doesn't understand. But Hua Lam understands. She looked towards the snowy mountains outside the tent and suddenly burst into laughter. Not for fun. It's laughter because of extreme anger. On the other end of the line, Co Canh Xuyen gritted his teeth.

"Tham Van..."

"Did you do it on purpose?"

I picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Before passing out..."

"I haven't had time to teach Duong Niem how to turn on the phone."

"Sorry."

Duong Niem cried even harder.

"Miss Van..."

"Why do you have to do that?"

"You know how important this photo shoot is to the principal."

I calmly replied:

"I also know..."

"Oxygen is more important to me."

The other end of the line immediately fell silent. I returned the walkie-talkie to Hua Lam and lay down on the ambulance stretcher. Before the rescue vehicle departed, Mr. La hurriedly ran over and stuffed a small black bag into Hua Lam's hand.

"Editor Hua..."

"This is Miss Tham's medicine box."

"I picked it up from the outside pocket of Ms. Duong's backpack."

Hua Lam opened it and looked. The medicine inside... It's more than half gone. Old La awkwardly rubbed his hands.

"And this."

He took another small sticker. Each word was clearly printed on it: Helium gas. Ban inhale directly. Hua Lam raised her head to look at him.

"Why didn't you show it just now?"

Old La lowered his head.

"I... am afraid of losing my livelihood."

Hua Lam put the stamp and the medicine box away.

"Are you not afraid now?"

Lao La looked towards me in the rescue vehicle. His voice was hoarse.

"But no matter how scared I am..."

"I can't stand still and watch a human life die in front of me."

The car door closed. Through the small glass window, I saw a few figures walking down the mountainside. It's Co Canh Xuyen. He still had my camera bag on his back. Duong Niem followed behind. She cried so much that her shoulders trembled. But his steps were extremely steady. Even... Even took off the oxygen mask. When I woke up, I was in the district hospital. Co Canh Xuyen is sitting next to the hospital bed. In his hand he held a bouquet of flowers. The flower petals were curled at the edges by the heat in the heated room. Duong Niem sat on a small chair in the back. Her eyes were red as if the one who suffered the greatest injustice was her. Hua Lam is not here. Neither did the doctor. Seeing me open my eyes, Co Canh Xuyen placed the bouquet of flowers on the bedside table.

"Are you awake?"

I looked straight at him.

"Where is my camera?"

The patience on his face instantly faded by half.

"Can't you ask first if I'm worried about you?"

"Where is my camera?"

Duong Niem timidly spoke up.

"Miss Van..."

"The camera is in the principal's car."

"Very safe."

"No one touches us."

I looked at her.

"You touched it."

Duong Niem immediately bit his lips and bowed his head. Co Canh Xuyen angrily rubbed his hair.

"Tham Van."

"Can you stop being so aggressive?"

"Nien Niem just wants to help."

"Help take away my oxygen tank?"

"That's what you did."

"Or help get my medicine too?"

Co Canh Xuyen took a breath.

"I admit I didn't handle this matter well."

"But you didn't need to call Hua Lam to make things like this."

"Do you know that Van Linh Magazine has decided to temporarily stop cooperating with our studio?"

Duong Niem said softly:

"The principal has stayed up so many nights for this project."

"Miss Van..."

"You are the one who understands him best."

"Can you help him say a few words to Editor Hua?"

I looked at Co Canh Xuyen.

"I'm coming..."

"It's to apologize to me."

"Or do you want me to plead on your behalf?"

Co Canh Xuyen was silent for a moment. Finally tearing off the peaceful disguise on his face. He lowered his voice.

"Tham Van."

"We're about to get married."

"Studio is the future for both of us."

"Not yours alone."

"If we lose Van Linh Magazine's project..."

"The studio will suffer huge losses."

"You should call Hua Lam."

"Talking on the mountain was just a misunderstanding."

"Speaking after the altitude reaction, I remembered everything wrong."

I quietly listened to every sentence and every word. Suddenly I feel... My three years of love are exactly like footprints in the snow. As long as the sun shines down... Everything looks dirty.