Chapter 8 — The Day She Returned, I Left

It's a calm and leisurely distance.

“On Van.” Luc Han Chau called her.

On Van looked at him, then turned to the man next to him:

"Truong Duong, you go first, I'll meet someone I know."

The man named Truong Duong looked at Luc Han Chau and nodded:

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

He's gone. Wen Van and Luc Han Chau stood facing each other under the streetlight. Not seeing each other for half a year, Luc Han Chau has lost a lot of weight. He was wearing a tailored dark blue suit, but the tie was askew, his shirt collar was unbuttoned, his beard was unshaven, and there were deep dark circles under his eyes. On Van looked at him, without a wave in his heart. No regrets. No resentment. No heartache. But without any feeling. It's like seeing someone you know but aren't close to.

“I'm skinny.” Luc Han Chau said.

“It's normal.” On Van said, “What are you doing here?”

“Come visit me.”

"The visit is over? I'm fine. You can go now."

"On Van..." Luc Han Chau's voice was a bit hoarse, "Sorry."

On Van looked at him but did not answer.

“I know apologizing is useless.” Luc Han Chau said, "But I still want to say. I'm sorry. For the past four years, I've been sorry to you."

On Van was silent for a few seconds, then said:

“Luc Han Chau, do you know when I'm the saddest?”

Luc Han Chau looked at her.

“Not when you weren't with me on my birthday. Not when you didn't go with me to surgery. Nor when you called me by the wrong name." On Van's voice was very calm, "But when I found out, I was no longer sad."

“When you called me by the wrong name, I thought I would cry. But I didn't. I just felt, ah, wrong again. Then I continued to eat, continued to wash dishes, and continued to live through the day.”

“When you forgot your wedding anniversary, I thought I would be angry. But I wasn't angry. I just threw away the food, threw the cake, and put the candles back.”

“I'm not sad, I'm not angry, I'm not disappointed. I don't feel anything.”

“Do you know what that means?”

Luc Han Chau's throat choked.

“It means I don't love you anymore.” On Van said, "It's not that I hate you, it's not that I resent you, it's that I don't love you anymore. Hate and resentment both require feelings. I don't love you anymore, so even if I hate you, I'm too lazy to hate."

"Go away. Don't come again."

On Van turned and left. Luc Han Chau stood still, looking at her back. The streetlight cast her shadow very long. She didn't turn back. Not even once. Truong Duong is Wen Van's colleague. Not a boyfriend. It's you. He is a company designer, three years older than Wen Van, divorced, and has a five-year-old daughter living with his ex-wife. He is not handsome, not tall, not rich. But he is a very good person. The first time Wen Van paid attention to Truong Duong was during his first week at work. That day she worked overtime and arrived very late, missing the last bus. She stood on the side of the road, not knowing where to go. Truong Duong passed by on the tram and stopped when he saw her.

"On Van? Why haven't you returned yet?"

“Missed the bus.”

“Where are you?”

“East of the city.”

"Same way, I'll drive you."

On Van hesitated a bit then sat on his electric car. The wind blew, Truong Duong said in front:

“Hold on tight, I can run fast.”

On Van does not cling. She grabbed the iron frame behind the saddle. Truong Duong looked at her through the rearview mirror and smiled:

“Haven't you ever? Take the tram?

“Not yet.”

"Then you can hold on to my shirt, I'll be responsible for falling."

On Van did not cling to his shirt. But that night, she sat on the tram, the sea breeze blowing, and suddenly felt that this city was really good. So good that even a stranger will be willing to take you home. After that, Wen Van and Truong Duong became friends. They worked overtime together, ate late at night, and complained about the boss together.