Chapter 5 — The Second Life of the Italian Examiner

Co Yen was also present. Saw me squatting on the ground sketching. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"Previously, you worked at a design institute, so you often went to the construction site, right?"

"I was at the construction site for half a year continuously."

"No wonder."

He gave me a bottle of water.

"A lot of architects are very good at making plans, but when they get to the construction site, they immediately panic."

He looked at the drawing in my hand.

"You're different."

I received the water bottle.

"Because I know the drawing is not the end point."

I looked towards the construction project.

"What is truly finished is what is built."

Co Yen nodded. A moment later, he spoke up:

"Miss Tham."

"If you open a private office in the future, remember to let me know."

I screwed the cap on the water bottle.

"Because I want to do it with you."

I was a bit stunned. Then burst out laughing.

"Let's talk about the future later."

That evening. When I return home. The clock showed almost eight o'clock. I picked up Tieu Niem from neighbor Ly's house. After bathing the baby, put her to sleep again. It was after nine o'clock in the evening when Khuong Ngan returned home. As soon as he walked through the door, he carried a faint scent. Not the usual perfume he uses. It's the smell of women's perfume. I'm cleaning up the dishes in the kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him go almost straight to the bathroom. Immediately afterward, the sound of rushing water rang out. I continued wiping the table top. Hands are still steady. The heart is also calm. That feeling is very difficult to describe. Maybe because... Everything is within the plan. A man who never really respected his wife. Having someone else outside is not too surprising. I don't ask. Not because of patience. That was no longer important. Another week has passed. Nam Hang's construction progress has been completed forty percent. The effectiveness of the renovation began to gradually appear. The ancient stone road is kept intact. The shops on both sides use old bricks and old local wood to recreate the new structure. After being restored, the old screen at the beginning of the alley has become the most prominent highlight of the whole neighborhood. Once on site inspection, the investor's leaders came directly to survey. He stood at the beginning of the alley and looked for a long time. After about five minutes, he slowly turned around.

"This alley is alive again."

Lam Chinh Tac pointed at me.

"It's her plan."

The leader looked over at me.

"Tieu Tham, right?"

He nodded.

"After the project is completed, your name will be listed on the design team list."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

On the way back. Lam Chinh Tac walked beside me.

"This project is over, how do you plan to continue?"

I thought for a moment.

"I haven't thought about it yet."

"Then let me think for you."

He stopped walking.

"I have a friend who opened a design office in the provincial capital. The scale is not large, but specializes in cultural and tourism projects."

He looked at me.

"He is lacking an architect to preside over the design."

I raised my head.

"Do you want me to go there to work?"

"Not a hired worker."

"It's about being partners."

I didn't answer right away. Lam Chinh Tac just gently patted my shoulder.

"No need to rush."

"Think carefully before answering."

That evening. When I got home, Khuong Ngan still hadn't returned. Tieu Niem is sitting in the living room building Lego. I sat down next to her.

"When dad came today Picking me up from kindergarten, there was a girl next to me."

My movements still don't stop.

"Who are you?"

"She wears a white dress and her hair is very long."

Tieu Niem replied innocently.

"She even gave me a lollipop."

I picked up a piece of Lego.

"Is it delicious?"

"It's delicious. Strawberry flavor."

I smiled softly.

"That's good then."

Having finished speaking, continue helping her install the roof of the castle. Don't ask any more questions. Ten o'clock at night. Khuong Ngan just returned. He sat down on the sofa.

"Tieu Niem are you sleeping?"

He scrolled through his phone and said:

"Are you busy this weekend? My mother wants to visit Tieu Niem."

He nodded. Then he hesitated a bit.

"She might bring someone along."

I'm packing up Tieu Niem's toys. The hand stopped for a moment.

"Your cousin. Just returned from abroad."

I put the toys in the basket. Khuong Ngan looked at me. Seems like he wants to say something. But in the end it was still silent. Khuong Ngan's mother came to the house. But the person accompanying him was not his cousin. It's his father. As soon as they entered the door, the two immediately went to look for Tieu Niem. I make tea. Peel fruit. Everything is still going normally. Until lunch. Khuong Ngan's mother put down her chopsticks.

"I heard you've been working on an outside project lately?"

I picked up a piece of fish.

"Yes. A design project."

"How much money did you earn?"

Khuong Ngan sitting next to him coughed lightly.

"It's okay if Mom asks."

She turned to look at me.

"Tri Y, does Khuong Ngan know about you doing these jobs?"

"Who looks after the child?"

"I still arrange it myself. Pick-up and drop-off is also not affected."

She nodded. But the smile at the corner of his lips did not bring any satisfaction. After meal. She pulled Khuong Ngan to the balcony to talk privately. I stood in the kitchen washing dishes. Didn't hear the whole story clearly.