Chapter 14 — Live towards the light

“Tieu Nghien.”

He called, his voice hoarse.

“I'm sorry.”

Those three words… he had been preparing all night.

“These past years… have caused me and Lac Lac to suffer too much resentment.”

“It's because you're too cowardly and too naive.”

“I thought being patient would bring peace, but I didn't expect… that would just be tolerating their greed.”

“Eat it.” I interrupted, “the food is cold.”

I don't want to hear apologies. What I want to see... is his future actions. That day, we lived like a normal family. Take Lac Lac to the supermarket near your house, buy all kinds of daily necessities and fresh food. Let's rearrange the small house together. I cleaned the glass windows, Co Thanh installed bookshelves. Lac Lac held a crayon and happily drew on the wall. The sunlight penetrated through the clean window, falling on us, strangely warm. At that moment, I even had a hallucination. As if those ten years of repression... were just a long dream. But now... awake. In the evening, Co Thanh went into the kitchen. A full meal. Lac Lac ate until his stomach was full and he laughed until his eyes curled up. After eating, he voluntarily washed the dishes. Standing with his back to me, it took a long time before he spoke.

“Tieu Nghien… thank you.”

“Thank you for not letting go of me… for not letting go of this house.”

“From now on, I swear… to be a good husband and a good father.”

“He will spend the rest of his life… making it up to you and the children.”

I leaned against the door frame, looking at his back. Inside... all kinds of emotions. This man. I used to love. Also disappointed to the end. But now, watching him clumsily wipe each bowl, saying clumsy words... He really wants to change. I… give him one more chance. Also for ourselves. In the days that followed, life gradually entered a new orbit. Co Thanh goes to work on time, comes home to accompany Lac Lac to study, or help me with housework. The smile on his face grew more and more. The whole person... seemed to be relieved of a burden. I also started calculating the future. Use the money in hand to sign Lac Lac up for a few talent classes he likes. Then consider moving to a larger house. Everything… seems to be getting better. But we underestimated Gu Wei's cowardice. His words "the body is ruined and the name is ruined"... is not a joke. That afternoon. Co Thanh is working. The phone rings. Is a human resources manager. He answered the phone. The expression on his face... froze little by little. Finally… turned white. He put down the phone and looked at me.

"What's up?" I have a feeling something is up.

His lips trembled.

“Someone... sent an anonymous email denouncing the company.”

"It says you... have corrupt morals, abuse your parents, and kick your paralyzed mother out of the house."

“The email was sent to the entire company.”

“Now… everyone knows.”

Co Vi took action. Faster than imagined. More evil than imagined. The human resources manager spoke on the phone, his voice cold as ice.

“This has a very bad impact.”

“Leadership has paid attention.”

“Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., come to the meeting room and explain clearly.”

18 Counterattack Co Thanh's world... collapsed again. He sat on the sofa, his hands in his hair. The body trembled with pain and humiliation.

“It's done…”

“Everything… is done…”

He is a middle manager of a large company. What the company values most... is reputation. One email like that... is enough to destroy everything. He can imagine. What will colleagues talk about? How cold the leader's eyes will be.

“My body is ruined and my name is ruined…”

Co Vi... did it. A fatal blow.

“Or… I quit my job.”

He raised his head, his eyes blank.

“Let's change cities.”

“Start again where no one knows.”

He… wanted to hide again. I walked over and sat down in front of him. Look straight into the eyes.

“Co Thanh, look at me.”

My voice was very calm.

“Can hiding… solve anything?”

"If we change places, won't he come find us?"

“As long as you don't solve it completely, they will stick around like parasites.”

“Wherever you go, they follow.”

"So what? Running again?"

“Our whole life… lived like we were running away?”

“What about Lac Lac?”

"He also has to follow us, changing schools over and over again, constantly adapting to new environments, will he never have a true friend?"

Each of my questions was like a hammer hitting him straight in the heart. Co Thanh closed his eyes in pain.

“So what should I do…”

His voice was filled with despair.

“How do I explain it… everyone knows about the family, but no one believes it if they say it out loud.”

“In their eyes, everything you say is just an excuse.”

“Who will believe you?”

“I believe you.”

I held his cold hand and said every word clearly.

“Besides, we don't just have mouths.”

“We have evidence.”

I stood up, took out my phone and a small recording pen.

“Remember?”

“We have your father's recording and a photo of the capital contribution certificate.”

“There is a video of Luu Ngoc Mai forcing me to kneel, threatening me with death.”

“There was also a hospital bill of 150,000 yuan.”

“That is our weapon.”

“Tomorrow, he doesn't have to explain, he doesn't have to justify.”

“It's about clarifying the truth.”