Chapter 3 — The Light Is Out

I suddenly remembered the details that had made me secretly uneasy but unable to speak out over the past five years. Every time the Doan family gathers, Duong Nguyet is present. Doan's mother would intimately pull Duong Nguyet's hand, pick up food for her, and ask if work had gone well recently and if she had eaten well. As for me, I will always be polite and distant:

“Nghien Hoa is here, sit down.”

Once during Tet, Doan's mother prepared lucky money for each junior present. In Duong Nguyet's envelope was a pair of gold earrings. In my envelope is two hundred yuan. At that time, I smiled and said thank you, telling myself not to compare. But those times of not comparing, little by little, accumulated, and finally at this moment became an ironic footnote. Day four. I was sealing the last few cartons when the doorbell rang. I thought it was Doan Gia Hua so I didn't pay attention. But outside, a strange woman's voice rang out.

"Miss Giang? May I ask, is this Miss Giang Nghien Hoa?"

I walked to the door, looking out through the cat's eyes. Outside stood a woman. Long loose hair, oval face, wearing a creamy white cashmere coat, gentle temperament. Holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Nguyet Street. I recognized her. Even though I only met a few times, I can't forget this face. Every time the Doan family gathers, she always stands next to Doan Gia Hua, smiling gently and appropriately. As for me, I was always arranged at another table, chatting socially with distant relatives of the Doan family. I opened the door. Duong Nguyet saw me and smiled softly.

"Miss Giang, I took the liberty to visit, I hope I won't bother you." She brought the bouquet of flowers, "This is for you. I heard that your health has just recovered so I wanted to come visit."

I don't accept flowers. Leaning against the door frame, looking at her.

“What's going on?”

Duong Nguyet's smile still maintains very well. She took the flowers back and held them in her arms, her voice still gentle.

“Actually, I want to talk to you about Gia Hua.” She bowed her head slightly, as if a bit shy, "I know maybe you misunderstood me..."

“There was no misunderstanding.”

I interrupted her, my voice calm.

"He's been sleeping at your house every night for five years now. The data is all there, there's nothing to misunderstand."

Duong Nguyet's expression finally showed a crack. But she quickly regained her gentle appearance.

“Miss Giang, I understand your anger, but things are not what you think.”

She bit her lip.

“I have very serious anxiety and insomnia disorders, I basically can't sleep alone.”

"Gia Hua is my senior brother, he's just... by my side."

“Nothing has crossed the line between us.”

I looked at her, suddenly feeling very tired.

“Duong Nguyet.” I said, "Does he hug you to sleep every night? I don't care whether you cross the line or not."

Her eyes widened slightly.

“What I care about is that the night I almost died, he hung up my phone, then slept next to her for 8.2 hours, with a sleep score of 94.”

“That's enough.”

Duong Nguyet opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say it. I took a step back, preparing to close the door.

“Did you come here because he told you to, or did you come here on your own?”

Duong Nguyet was silent for a moment and said softly:

"I came by myself, Gia Hua doesn't know."

“Oh.” I nodded, "Then go talk to him, no need to waste your time again. Whatever your relationship is, it has nothing to do with me anymore."

“You can take the bouquet of flowers outside the door, I'm allergic to wild lilies.”

After saying that, I closed the door. I don't know how long she stood outside the door. But I don't care. Closing the door, I leaned against the door and sat down on the floor. Allergic to fleur de sel. Having been together for five years, Doan Gia Hua never remembered that I was allergic to fleur de lis. Every year on Valentine's Day he gives flowers, they are all fleur de lis.