Chapter 4 — The House Without Me

“But the designer has revised it many times.”

“I just want the gallery to look a little better.”

“Sister, is it because this house was assigned to me that you deliberately refused to cooperate?”

The surrounding staff bowed their heads in unison. I looked at her.

“I told you yesterday, the part related to structural safety must listen to me.”

“You agreed.”

“I…”

Duong Chi bit her lip.

“I don't understand architecture, I just think it's just an old wall, probably not that serious.”

“You don't understand, so you have to listen to professional opinions.”

My voice wasn't strong, but her tears immediately fell freely.

“I'm sorry.”

“I thought you agreed to help me.”

“It seems like I'm too naive.”

She turned around and ran out of the yard. Not long after, Duong's mother's phone call came.

"Duong Am, what do you want to do?"

“Duong Chi happily went to see the site, then ran back crying, saying you rejected her entire design.”

I put the tape measure back on my side.

“Her plan will destroy the structure of the house.”

“Then fix it until it doesn't break anymore!”

Duong's mother's voice was impatient.

“Aren't you an expert? You don't even have that little solution?”

“Or do you simply don't want this gallery to open smoothly?”

Like that again. As long as it's what Duong Chi wants, all problems must be solved by me. She made unreasonable demands because she didn't understand. I refused, because I was jealous. If I explain a technical issue, they will say I'm intentionally trying to complicate the issue.

“Let's have dinner together as a family tonight.”

Mother Duong gave the order directly.

“You have to say it clearly in front of Duong Chi.”

“Don't let the girl who just returned home have to suffer resentment because of you.”

The phone was hung up. I bowed my head and looked at the renovation drawing. In the lower right corner is the signature of Chu Tu Bach. He approved. Last night he apparently agreed, structural issues would be completely at my mercy. But overnight, he immediately signed a completely opposite plan. I didn't call him, just took a photo of the drawing, along with the field measurement report, and saved it in the project folder. After that, I changed back to the old brass lock on the side room door. Since grandmother passed away, I sealed this place for four years. The moment the door was pushed open, the smell of moldy wood hit me straight in my face. The inside still retains the same appearance as when I left. Against the wall is a narrow bed. At the head of the bed is an old radio. Under the window is a wooden desk my grandmother made for me. On the wall, from the age of seven to twenty, every year there is a line marking the height. The top line was drawn by my grandmother the year before she passed away. She held a pencil and smiled, telling me how I was still growing taller even though I was this big. I reached out and touched it. Fingertips covered with a thin layer of dust. Suddenly, footsteps were heard from behind. I quickly closed the door. When he turned around, Chu Tu Bach had already walked down the hallway. He must have rushed over, the jacket buttons weren't even buttoned yet.

“Duong Chi called me.”

He walked in front of me, reaching out to smooth my wind-blown curls.

“She doesn't understand architecture, don't be angry with her.”

“I'm not angry.”

I took out my phone, Open Duong Chi's renovation drawings.

“The carpentry workshop cannot be completely demolished, the auxiliary room cannot be broken open, and the glass exhibition room is also not suitable here.”

Chu Tu Bach bent down and looked twice.

“Then think about how to adjust.”

“Duong Chi likes see-through space, you can keep a part of the old wall, then reinforce the structure.”

“Meet her needs while protecting her old home.”

He said it so gently.