Chapter 5 — The Child You Never Knew

Wen Tam Duyet's smile stiffened for a split second. There was silence for two seconds. Ms. Luu quickly reconciled: "Children don't know how to be serious when they talk, Tam Duyet, don't take it to heart." Wen Tam Duyet quickly regained his expression and reached out to stroke Tieu Chau's head. Tieu Chau decisively moved aside, pulled the chair and moved towards her mother.

“So lovely.” On Tam Duyet smiled and retracted his hand, "Just like mother."

Whether this sentence was a compliment or a sarcasm, the people present understood in their hearts. The filming schedule is available. The director's plan is for Wen Tam Duyet to play the role of "guiding star", taking turns participating in each family's tasks. The first day, arrange her and Doa Doa in the same group, the next day it's Tieu Chau's turn.

“Khuong Niem,” the director found her to talk privately, “Tomorrow in the interaction between Wen Tam Duyet and Tieu Chau, you will not participate in the filming.”

“What do you mean?”

"The task design is 'the instructor takes care of the child himself', the parents in the next room watch through the camera screen. That's how to create a vaudeville effect." The director hesitated, "Don't worry, the entire process will be accompanied by a cameraman."

Khuong Niem stared at the director's face for five seconds.

“I don't agree.”

The director rubbed his hands awkwardly: "Khuong Niem, this is the plan the superiors have decided. You also know who has a say in this program. If you don't cooperate, the allocation of screen time later..." He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear. Khuong Niem did not say anything more. But her lips were pressed into a straight line. That night, she squatted on the edge of her son's bed, helping him cover the corner of the blanket.

"Chau Chau, tomorrow there will be a girl to guide you through the game. Mom is in the next room watching you, I see you."

“Is that the girl who faked a smile today, Mom?”

Tieu Chau thought for a moment: "What if she doesn't treat me well?" Khuong Niem was silent for a moment, took out a children's locator watch from his pocket. "I just bought it, put it on tomorrow. If you feel unhappy or scared, press this red button, I will immediately come find you." Tieu Chau took the watch, turned it over and looked at it under the light. "Yes."

“There's one more thing.” Khuong Niem paused for a moment, "No matter what that girl says or does, you don't need to be afraid. Mom is always with you."

“I know.” Tieu Chau grabbed her finger and said seriously, "Mom, don't be afraid."

The next day. The image of Wen Tam Duyet leading Tieu Chau on a mission was transmitted live via camera to the parents' observation room in the next room. The task is very simple: Use building blocks to build a "Dream City". Wen Tam Duyet squatted next to Tieu Chau, his smile and body language were impeccable, showing absolute friendliness in front of the camera.

"What do you want to arrange, Chau Chau? Please help me." She passed a red puzzle block.

Tieu Chau did not accept. The boy himself selected blue and white blocks from the bin, arranging them according to a certain logic that only he understood. Wen Tam Duyet raised his hand to adjust the position of a puzzle block.

“It looks better here.” She said smiling.

Tieu Chau moved the puzzle back to its original place. “I have my own plan.” On Tam Duyet still kept smiling. But when she retracted her hand, her fingers I tightened a bit. This movement is very fast, so fast that it is almost imperceptible in front of the camera. But Khuong Niem in the surveillance room saw it. For the next half hour, Wen Tam Duyet maintained the image of a perfect "patient guide". But Khuong Niem saw a few details on the screen: After Tieu Chau finished arranging one architectural floor, On Tam Duyet "accidentally" knocked over two blocks, saying "Oh, I'm sorry"; When Tieu Chau lowered his head to find the puzzle, On Tam Duyet made a subtle gesture towards the cameraman, the lens immediately panned away for a few seconds.