Chapter 18 — The Final Flip: When I No Longer Have Patience

And so, we got to know each other. His name is Giang Nguyen, he is a botanist, came here to survey. He is like me, likes to live slowly, likes things that are not noisy. Every day when he finishes work, he stops by the factory. Stand and watch me knead the soil. Then tell the story. Telling about flowers that only bloom at night, telling about trees that dance to the sound, telling about a world that I have never touched before. His world... is both scientific and romantic. We walked in the village, looked up at the starry sky, ate fragrant grilled dishes, and drank sweet rice wine as an invitation. We talk a lot. From poetry, to philosophy of life. With you, I feel light. Not the violent vibration type. It's a peace... just enough. One day, he picked up the cup I had just finished heating and asked.

“After this… what do you want to do?”

I held the warm cup and thought for a moment.

“I want to open a living space.”

“There's pottery, there's tea, there's books, there's music.”

“A place where anyone who enters... can slow down and find themselves.”

He looked at me. His eyes lit up.

“That idea… is very beautiful.”

He hesitated a bit.

“So… do you lack someone who plants trees, takes care of the garden… as a partner?”

I laughed. Look straight into his eyes. Then I gave him the cup that still had the warmth from my hand.

“Welcome.”

One year later. On the quietest tree-lined street in the city, my shop "One Beat Slowly" officially opened, as a gentle greeting to those who are tired of a hurried life. It is a beautiful small two-story house, with a yard in front, flowers blooming in all four seasons, and the passing wind also carries a scent, making people want to stay a little longer when entering. The first floor is the pottery and tea making area, the second floor is the book and music corner, where everyone can find their own quiet space without having to explain. Giang Nguyen became my partner, and also became the person I wanted to hold hands through the very long days to come, naturally like flowing water without any effort. He takes care of the small garden like he takes care of his own world, each leaf, each petal has a story, and he tells them in a voice as light as the wind, making even time slow down. The shop gradually becomes a mentioned place, without noise, without loud promotion, only spread by the feeling that people bring back after leaving there. We do not accept advertising, do not organize exciting things, simply keep this place... still a place that can breathe. On opening day, my whole family came. My brother looked at Giang Nguyen, patted his shoulder, his voice was serious but his eyes were soft.

“Be nice to my sister.”

Giang Nguyen laughed.

“I will try my whole life.”

My father pulled him to a corner and told stories about the days when he grew vegetables in the army, while my mother held my hand, her eyes red but still smiling.

“You are like now… I can rest assured.”

“I'm fine.”

It's really okay. I have my own job. Someone loves me. And there is someone I want to love. My life… is finally on track. As for the Chu family. Just fragmentary news I heard through my brother. Chu Minh was sentenced to three years for property misappropriation. Trieu Hong could not bear the shock, had a stroke, and was bedridden. Chu Le was divorced by her husband, brought her children home, did chores and took care of her mother, living in difficult days as if there was no way out. Their entire family... becomes an example for people to teach children. It is said that Trieu Hong often cried at night, calling Zhou Weiguo's name, saying he was wrong. But life has no back button. There are mistakes... you have to pay for the rest of your life. To me, they're like a bad movie you've already seen. Remembering... is just a sigh. One sunny afternoon, I was teaching children to make pottery in the yard. My hands were muddy but my heart was very clean. Giang Nguyen walked over and gave me a glass of warm lemon water.

“Are you tired?”

I shook my head, looking at him. The sunlight passed through the grape arbor, falling on his shoulders in patchy streaks of light, so beautiful that it made people not want to say anything more. Maybe... that's what peace is all about. My phone vibrated. A news. A betting ring was busted. I scrolled through. Then turn off the screen. Those things... don't belong to me anymore. My life now... only has light, the scent of flowers, and the man standing in front of me, always with a very wide sky in his eyes. I held his hand.

"Thank you."

He squeezed my hand, bent down and placed a kiss on my forehead.

“It should be me thanking you.”

Thank you... for letting me enter your world. Thank you... for letting me be a part of your new life. I looked at him. This story… It's just begun.