Chapter 5 — The House Without Me

It was as if architectural structures were like seats in a house. If I just tried to squeeze in a little more, I would be able to leave room for Duong Chi.

“What if we can't have it both ways?”

I asked him. Chu Tu Bach raised his eyes.

“What?”

“If your professional assessment and Duong Chi's requirements conflict, choose only one.”

“Which one do you choose?”

The wind blew through the hallway. The red silk strips piled in the yard swayed slightly. Chu Tu Bach was silent for a few seconds. He did not answer directly. Just sighed and hugged me.

“Yin Yin, things don't have to be that extreme.”

“Duong Chi just returned home, she needs this project to regain her footing.”

“You have the ability, think of a way to help her a little more.”

“When the gallery is finished, I will go on vacation with you.”

“Haven't you always wanted to go to the North to see the snow?”

I leaned against his chest, not moving. His body heat transmitted through his shirt. So familiar that it makes my heart ache. The first year of marriage, he hugged me like this, saying he would never let me suffer without a home again. I believed. So when he gave up the reading room to Duong Chi, I said it was okay. He was absent on our wedding anniversary because of Duong Chi's unwell statement, and I said it was okay. Over and over again. I hide all my unwillingness behind the phrase "it's okay". Hiding until the end, they really thought I could lose anything.

“Chu Tu Bach.”

I called softly.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

I backed away from his arms.

“I will redo the plan.”

The corners of his eyes widened.

“I knew right away that you wouldn't make things difficult for me.”

I looked at him and suddenly realized something. It's not that he didn't know I would be sad. He just believed that my sadness could never compare to Duong Chi's needs. So no matter what I said, he eventually gave me an answer. Tell me to think of another way. That's it, then there's no need to ask any more. * At noon, Chu Tu Bach went with Duong Chi to meet the person planning the painting exhibition. I stayed in the old house and re-measured the load-bearing dimensions of the carpentry workshop. Uncle Luong carried the toolbox in from the back door. He is his grandmother's only disciple. After she passed away, he also helped me take care of this empty house.

“Has the apricot tree been cut down?”

He glanced at the tree in the yard, his face darkened.

“Yes.”

I squatted in the hallway recording data.

“Do you agree?”

“No one asked me.”

Uncle Luong did not say anything more. He walked over and reached out to touch the tree's base. After a long while, he cursed softly.

“Create karma.”

I lowered my eyes.

"Uncle Luong, can the carpentry workshop still be kept?"

“Okay.”

He walked around the outer wall once.

“It's just a waste of effort.”

"The structure of this house is very good, in the past my grandmother supervised it very strictly. Just don't let a bunch of people who don't understand the job destroy it, it won't be a problem to stay for a few more decades."

“Then keep it.”

“What about other places?”

“Renovated to livable standards.”

I frowned.

“Didn't you say to build a gallery?”

“Whatever you do in the future has nothing to do with you.”

Uncle Luong looked at me. I don't explain. Just give it Note the structural drawing I just re-drawn.

“Before the 17th, is it time?”

“It might be just right if you rush it a bit.”

"So it's been hard for you."

He stared at me for a moment.

“Are you going?”

The pen in my hand stopped.

“Yes.”

“Where to?”

“Hac Son.”

The project to restore the ancient town there has been in gestation for three years. Two months ago, the person in charge of the project invited me to participate. At that time I refused. Because Chu Tu Bach's company had just accepted a few cultural tourism projects, he said he needed me.