Chapter 23 — The Day You Abandoned My Mother and My Child in the Middle of the Airport

Can't bear to leave. Because the compensation money is not enough to buy a new house. We made an appointment with the neighbors to move together. Simply because they were too dissatisfied with the attitude of the previous clearance groups. Want to keep some dignity. Ly Minh Trach. Solve each problem one by one. Who lacks money? He sought to balance the project budget. Who doesn't want to move? He revised the planning plan. Retain part of the old architecture. Who's still angry? He carried the wine. Bring food to your home. Sit and drink with them until midnight. Two months later. Signing rate of the Northern Old Quarter project. Reached ninety-seven percent. Three percent remaining. These are households that really cannot negotiate. Ly Minh Trach did not press anymore. He proactively discussed with the government. Adjust planning scope. Eliminate those houses from clearance. Keep their place of residence intact. The day Trieu Vien Son saw the final solution. He was silent for a long time.

“General Manager Ly.”

“I do know.”

“Do so.”

“Will the project cost increase by how much?”

"I know."

“And yet you still…”

“General Manager Trieu.”

Ly Minh Trach interrupted.

“There are things.”

“More important than money.”

Trieu Vien Son looked at him. His eyes were full of complexity.

“Does Tham Niem know about this?”

“Do you want her to know?”

Ly Minh Trach was silent for a few seconds. Then shook his head.

"No need."

Trieu Vien Son did not ask further. Take the plan. That evening. Ly Minh Trach received a call.

“Ly Minh Trach.”

Her voice rang out from the other end of the line. Like it's right next to your ear. It's been a long time. Can't hear her voice anymore. So long. I almost didn't realize it.

“I saw the plan.”

“Why do you keep those old houses?”

“Do you know that doing this will increase the project cost by fifteen percent?”

“So why do you still do it?”

Ly Minh Trach holds the phone. Standing on the balcony of the motel room. The lights of one apartment were still on. A family of three is having dinner.

“Tham Niem.”

He said softly.

"Before."

“Every project at a time.”

“I destroyed a lot of houses.”

“I never thought.”

“Those houses.”

“For the people who live in it.”

“What does it mean?”

“I think so.”

Tham Niem was silent.

“Not to please you.”

Ly Minh Trach said.

“I really thought.”

The other end of the line was quiet for a long time. So long. Ly Minh Trach still thought. She hung up.

“Ly Minh Trach.”

“Next Saturday.”

“Nien Niem will perform at the kindergarten graduation ceremony.”

Ly Minh Trach's heart skipped a beat.

“Do you want to come see?”

His hand holding the phone. Started to tremble.

“…Okay?”

She hung up. Ly Minh Trach stood on the balcony. Look at the lights from the building opposite. Tears fell silently. Saturday next week. You have seven days left. Seven more days. You will meet Niem Niem. One year and three months. It's been a year and three months. He couldn't see his daughter. Ly Minh Trach began to lose sleep. Not because of worry. But because of stress. He rummaged through the entire wardrobe. But couldn't find a suitable set. Your clothes now. Or T-shirts bought at a discount. Or the sweater is ruffled. No outfit is neat enough. To wear to Niem Niem's graduation performance. He gritted his teeth. Go to the shopping center. Buy a new shirt. Cotton fabric. Four hundred and eighty yuan. That's his living expenses for three months. I think it's worth it. He went to cut again hair. The leather shoes have been worn for two years. The sole is almost worn smooth. He also wiped it over and over again many times. Saturday morning. He was awake. He sat by the bed. Looking at the sky outside the window gradually brightening. Heart beating rapidly. I want to buy a gift for Niem Niem. I don't know. What do you like now? Last time I saw you. Niem Niem is only three years old. I really like stuffed rabbits. I am now four and a half years old. Do you still like it? He thought for a long time. Go to the toy store. Buy a stuffed bunny. Exactly like the previous one. He hugged the stuffed bunny. Take the subway. Then change buses. Go to Niem Niem's kindergarten. In front of the school gate. There were a lot of parents. Person holding flowers. The person holding the gift. Person holding a camera.