Chapter 17 — The Day I Return

Nguyen Tieu Ngu thought for a long time.
"I don't know." She answered honestly, “But I know — if I didn't have him in my heart anymore, I wouldn't be interested in wondering about this question.”
I was silent. Little is right. If I really let go, then nothing Ky Lang says or does should not affect my feelings. But the truth is — Last night when I read those messages, about Geneva, about the cafe, about the fire extinguisher — my heart almost jumped out of my chest. That feeling is so familiar. Just like the first time I saw him when I was fifteen years old. Eight years. Three years away from home. I thought I had rooted this person out of my heart. But actually just — burying him deeper.
“Nguyen Tieu Ngu.”
"Have."
“Maybe you still like him.”
The small mouth opens into an O.
“But I don't plan to respond to him now.”
"Why?"
"Because —" I put down my pen, "Like is one thing. Trust is another. He broke my trust, which takes time to rebuild. I won't forget what he did because of being shaken."
Nguyen Tieu Ngu looked at my expression and slowly nodded vigorously.
“Second sister.”
"YES."
“You really… have matured a lot.”
I smiled.
"Okay, stop being so cheesy. Help me see if there's any problem with this group of data."
“Come here, come here—”
That night at eleven o'clock, when I was getting ready to go to bed, I texted Ky Lang a message. 【My brother's illness has been verified. It's true.】 The reply came almost immediately. 【Have you checked?】 【Yes. I need to confirm whether you lied to me or not.】 Hesitated for a few seconds. 【I will never lie to you. Anytime. From now on, it will be the same.】 I looked at this line, typed it and then deleted it for a long time. Finally click send: 【Let's talk about this later. Now I just want to tell you — I know about your illness. I have heard your suffering too. But these things don't mean I have forgiven you.】 【I know.】 【Stop texting me at two or three in the morning. My heart can't stand staying up late.】 When this message was sent, the other end of the line was silent for a long time. It took so long that I thought he wouldn't answer anymore. Then — A message arrived. 【Okay. Listen to me.】 I turned off the phone. Lie down. The corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up slightly. Immediately press down. Don't be happy too soon, Giang Duong. You just... Just discovered that you still care about someone. That's all. Let's sleep. There's still a lot to do tomorrow. **【Chapter 7】** Fourth day. The flight back to Zurich was less than 48 hours away. The morning schedule is to go to the industrial park to confirm the final drawing design revisions. In the afternoon, work with the lawyer to arrange the documents to move the grave. Evening — Originally, nothing was arranged. But at 10:30 a.m., when I was in Area B of the industrial park discussing drainage directions with Director Lam, the phone rang. Giang Ninh's number. I hesitated for two seconds then picked up the phone.
"Diabetes." Her voice sounded panicked, unlike her usual gentle and deliberately suppressed tone, "Can I talk to you now?"
“If you have something to say, please say it.”
“Mom is hospitalized.”
My steps stopped.
“This morning I woke up and my blood sugar shot up to 24 and I was taken to the emergency department No. 1 in the city — now in the Endocrinology hospital room, the doctor said he is temporarily stable, but must be monitored.”
I was silent for two seconds.
“Which hospital room?”
“Inpatient treatment area, 7th floor, room 712.”
“I know.”
Hang up. Dean Lam next to me noticed my expression change: "Dr. Giang, is it urgent?"
“My family member is hospitalized, I need to go there once. I will send comments on design modifications to you by email before this afternoon."