Chapter 3 — The House Without Me

If given to people who do not understand traditional wood structures, this house cannot withstand a violent renovation. Grandma kept it all her life. I can't let it collapse before my eyes.

“The gallery can fix it.”

I calmly spoke up. Everyone looked at me.

“But the restoration plan must be in charge of me.”

Chu Tu Bach was a bit surprised.

“Do you agree?”

“I only have three conditions.”

“First, in the parts related to structural safety, you must completely listen to me.”

“Second, drawings, tools and manuscripts in the carpentry workshop, must not be used for any commercial advertising purposes.”

“Third, before completing the restoration, no one was allowed to enter the extra room I used to live in.”

Duong Chi hesitantly looked at Chu Tu Bach. Chu Tu Bach only thought for a few seconds, then nodded.

“Okay.”

“Listen to me.”

He raised his hand to hug me. I leaned forward to avoid it, bending down to pick up a brochure blown away by the wind. On the cover, Duong Chi smiles gently and brightly. It was as if she had lived in this old house for many years. I put the book back on the table.

“I'm a bit tired today, I'll go home first.”

Chu Tu Bach was about to take me home, but Duong Chi called me back.

"Tu Bach, the opening date has not been finalized yet."

His steps stopped. Hesitating only for a moment, he immediately told the driver: "Take the lady home first." I walked out of the hospital gate alone. Behind him, a bustling discussion was soon heard. No one found out, I didn't get that key back. No one knows, half an hour ago, I received an official job offer letter from the Hac Son Ancient Town Project Committee. The phone screen lit up again. The project manager texted me and asked:

"Miss Duong, when can you accept the job at the latest?"

I stood next to the apricot tree that had been sawed off, looking at a shriveled apricot seed left at the base of the tree. Bend down, pick it up and put it in your palm. Then answer:

“Day 17.”

“I will be on time.”

* Early the next morning, I brought measuring tools back to the old house. A new lock has been installed on the hospital gate in addition to the old lock. Duong Chi was holding the key and standing at the door, behind was a person from the design company. Seeing me, she froze a bit, then smiled and walked over.

“Sister, you came at the right time.”

“Last night I put together some renovation ideas and wanted to discuss them with you first.”

She held the tablet out in front of me. On the screen, the old house is modified beyond recognition. The entire eastern carpentry workshop was demolished and converted into a glass exhibition room with high ceilings. The old kitchen was sealed and turned into a warehouse for collecting collectibles. The extra room where I grew up was demolished and turned into a guest room for VIP guests. Even the kitchen counter left behind by my grandmother was noted as "Structure of little value, recommended to be dismantled". I flipped through each page. Finally stopping at the garden perspective drawing. Where apricot trees were originally planted, there is now a human-shaped sculpture of Duong Chi.

“How is it?”

In Duong Chi's eyes there was expectation.

“The designer said this would be more modern, and also more in line with the aesthetics of international galleries.”

“Tu Bach also found it very good.”

I turned off the tablet screen.

“No way.”

The smile on her face stiffened dull.

“Not allowed anywhere?”

“The carpentry workshop is an important support area of the entire house, it cannot be completely demolished.”

“Glass exhibition rooms will change the drainage system in the yard. During the rainy season, it is easy for water to stagnate and become damp.”

“The chimney of the old kitchen is connected to the back wall. If it is directly sealed, it will affect ventilation.”

“Additional rooms cannot be opened.”

I returned the tablet to her.

“This plan must be completely redone.”

Duong Chi's eye sockets immediately turned red.