Chapter 3 — The Day You Abandoned My Mother and My Child in the Middle of the Airport

In the afternoon, it was time for Niem Niem to take a nap. Finally, I couldn't help but turned on my phone. WeChat immediately showed up dozens of messages. Mostly it's conversations in moms groups and announcements from your child's kindergarten. Ly Minh Trach did not send me any news. On the contrary, To Man sent three voice messages. I hesitated for a moment. Finally click open.

"Niem Niem, you've been to Sanya, right? Have fun? I'm also on a business trip to Sanya. General Manager Ly took me to visit the company's new project. What a coincidence."

"Ah yes, Niem Niem, I saw your husband's car yesterday. Did you change it to a new one? It's so beautiful."

"Forget it, you don't need to answer me. I just miss you."

Every recording is so sickly sweet. Like a glass of sugar water that has been soaked for three days. I didn't answer a single question. I opened To Man's friend circle again. Yesterday's post was deleted by her. Instead there is a new post, located at Sanya duty free store. The status line reads:

“Buy buy buy, I'm so happy I want to fly.”

In the photo, she is carrying three shopping bags. Behind, there is the silhouette of a man wearing a black polo shirt. I enlarged the photo. Looked for a long time. Just that stance. Even if I close my eyes... I still realize it. That evening. I alone took Niem Niem to the seafood restaurant we had booked in advance. I ordered a full table of food. Just peeled shrimp for you. I just watched my child eat until his mouth was full of grease. The child grinned at me. Revealing two beautiful little baby teeth. Suddenly I realized. Whether Ly Minh Trach is here or not... It doesn't seem to matter anymore. The days that followed. I took Niem Niem to Sanya for nine full days. We arrived at Thien Nhai Hai Giac. Go to the Ya Noda tropical forest. Arrive at Ngo Chi Chau island. I took countless photos and videos for my children. Then send it to the family group. My mother commented:

“Just have fun, remember to wear sunscreen.”

Ly Minh Trach's mother did not answer. The same goes for Ly Minh Trach. During those nine days. I proactively texted Ly Minh Trach three times. First time. Third day in Sanya. I sent him a video of Niem Niem playing in the swimming pool. Accompanied by a sentence:

“Girls have fun playing.”

Message read. No reply. Second time. Thursday. Niem Niem accidentally fell down the slide. Scratched knees. I cried until my voice was hoarse. I took a photo of the wound and sent it to you.

“I fell, do I need to go to the hospital?”

Message read. He only answered one question correctly:

“You decide for yourself.”

Third time. Evening of the eighth day. Niem Niem's fever was as high as thirty-nine point two degrees. I held my child in line at the emergency department. Take a photo in the infusion room and send it to me.

“Nien Niem has pneumonia and has to be hospitalized.”

Message read. Still no answer. That night, I sat by the hospital bed, looking at Niem Niem's small sleeping face. That moment... The last thing left in my heart shattered. Not heartbroken. Not angry either. But a quiet despair. Like a house. The house's foundation has been soaked in water for five years. At some point. The whole building silently collapsed. Not a sound. I picked up the phone. Send Ly Minh Trach the last message.

“We're home.”

I turned off the computer. The next morning. I gave Niem Niem to do it hospital discharge procedures, then take a taxi to the airport. I'm not going back to Shanghai. But bought two plane tickets back home. Half a year ago, my mother bought a small house in the countryside. Ly Minh Trach did not know about this. At that time, I told him that my mother wanted to return home to retire. He didn't even lift his head. Just coldly said: Get off the plane. I found a phone store. Buy a new phone. Get a new phone number. Old phone. Same old SIM. I threw them all in the trash at the airport. Nine days later. Ly Minh Trach realized it for the first time. Has disappeared. ________________________________________ Not until the night of the ninth day. Ly Minh Trach just discovered something was wrong. That day, after the company's reception, he returned. After drinking half a kilo of Maotai wine, my head was dizzy. The driver took him to the front door of the villa. He staggered and pushed the door open. According to the habit of calling out:

“Tham Niem, pour me a glass of water.”

No one responded. The living room was dark. Only the sensor light at the entrance is on. He frowned. Call again:

“Tham Niem?”

Still no one answered.