Chapter 3 — Mistakes Cannot Be Compensated

“It's very normal for you to thank him.”

"But this is a matter between us and my husband. You keep telling me you love me over and over again, arranging the anniversary for him, buying my favorite things for him, are you worrying about spending too much money?"

The edges of On Thu Nha's eyes turned red quickly.

“I'm sorry, I didn't think that much.”

She bowed her head, her voice trembling.

"I only see that Director Luc is grateful to my family, and always considers him a senior brother. Seeing that misunderstandings occur between my brothers and sisters because of me, I feel very guilty."

"Gia Hoa doesn't like it, I won't say it again from now on."

The people around couldn't help but speak up.

"Thu Nha also has good intentions."

“Her mother just came down from the operating table, and there's no one else in the house, so it's normal for Director Luc to take care of her a little more.”

"My sister-in-law probably doesn't know, Head Nurse On hasn't even been able to sleep for several days."

On Thu Nha quickly waved her hand.

“Everyone stop talking, it's all because I'm not good.”

The more she advised, the more the speaker helped her. Luc Hoai Xuyen put down his chopsticks.

“That's enough.”

The cafeteria was silent. He looked at me, his eyes filled with suppressed dissatisfaction.

“Thu Nha has no bad intentions.”

"I said these words in front of so many people, making her lose face in front of everyone. How will she work in the department in the future?"

I asked: "What did I say wrong?"

“Do you keep trying to twist the words?”

“She interfered in our marriage, I'm not allowed to say?”

On Thu Nha quickly stood up.

"Headmaster Luc, don't argue with Ms. Gia Hoa. I'm going out to eat."

She picked up the tray of rice, moving too hastily, spilling the bowl of soup. Hot soup splashed onto the back of her hand. She let out a small cry. Luc Hoai Xuyen immediately grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the sink to flush the water.

“Are you burned?”

“It's okay.”

"The red skin is gone, is it okay?"

He turned around and called the nurse on duty to get ointment for burns. A few people gathered. I stood in place, still holding my father's medical records in my hand. No one looks at me anymore. The plate of sweet lotus roots on the table was soaked in the spilled soup, and sweet cinnamon flowers floated on the layer of grease, looking nauseating. I turned around and walked out. Luc Hoai Xuyen chased me to the door and grabbed my arm.

“Where are you going?”

“Go to work.”

“Sorry Thu Nha first.”

I looked at his hand.

“Let go.”

"She always speaks well of us. Today you embarrassed her for no reason, is it that difficult to apologize?"

“You feel like I should apologize, so say it for me.”

Luc Hoai Xuyen's face darkened.

“Tham Gia Hoa.”

He rarely calls me by both my first and last names. Usually only when he thinks I'm causing trouble for no reason.

“This is a hospital, not a place for you to get angry.”

“I don't get angry.”

I pulled my hand away.

“Director Luc, go back to taking care of the patient.”

The moment that name came out, he was stunned for a second. I turned and walked out of the restaurant. In the afternoon, I went to Hospital No. 2 of the city. Doctor Trieu - the person who took care of my father that year - has retired. Hearing clearly my purpose, he arranged to meet near the hospital. His hair has turned white, but he still clearly remembers my father's illness.

“My father's condition at that time was indeed dangerous, but not to the point of being completely inoperable art.”

“Our hospital does not have an experienced aortic arch replacement team, so we contacted the affiliated hospital.”

I recounted Luc Hoai Xuyen's old explanation to him. Doctor Trieu was silent for a moment.

“The affiliated hospital over the years has indeed corrected the practice of cross-hospital surgery.”

“But critical emergencies like this can be done through inter-hospital consultation. The other hospital agrees to accept, the medical department will make an emergency report, the specialist can come here, or coordinate the surgical team to wait for the patient.