Chapter 6 — The Second Life of the Italian Examiner

But there were still a few pieces of conversation that caught my ears.

"Not at home all day."

"Tieu Niem is still young."

"Once a woman's mind is directed outward..."

I turned on the faucet a little louder. But Khuong Ngan's voice still faintly echoed.

"Mom, don't worry anymore."

"If he likes to be busy, let her be busy."

"Anyway, it doesn't affect the family right now."

His mother immediately responded:

"It's not affected now."

"So what happens next?"

"Wait until it's fully fledged..."

The sound of running water covered the rest of the conversation. I finished washing the last bowl and chopsticks. Dry your hands. When they walked out of the kitchen, mother and son returned to the living room. Khuong Ngan's mother looked at me. Show a faint smile.

"Tri Y, I don't mean anything. I just think you're taking care of your child and working on a project at the same time. It's too hard."

I also smiled back.

"It's okay. Being a little busy makes life richer."

She didn't say anything more. That evening. After the two grandparents left. Khuong Ngan leaned against the sofa.

"Don't take what my mother said to heart."

"I don't care."

"She just has a bit old thinking."

He turned his head to look at me.

"But there's one thing you're not wrong about."

"I'm really too busy these days."

"Next semester, Tieu Niem will move up to the pre-primary class, and the closing time will also change. How do you plan to arrange it then?"

I'm still looking at the phone screen.

"I have already arranged it."

"How's the arrangement?"

"The pre-primary class ends at three-thirty. I discussed with the project team that we only need to leave the construction site before three o'clock every day."

Khuong Ngan frowned slightly.

"So I still have to work overtime at night to do drawings?"

"So aren't you spinning every day from morning to night..."

"Khuong Ngan."

I put down the phone. Look straight at him.

"In the years I worked twelve hours a day, did anyone ever ask me if I was tired?"

The corners of his lips moved slightly. But in the end, he couldn't say a word. I stood up.

"You don't need to worry about me."

"I can arrange it myself."

Having finished speaking, I went straight to the bedroom. Close the door. I don't lose sleep. On the contrary, it sleeps very deeply. The project continues to be implemented. Nam Hang construction progress has been completed seventy percent. The neighborhood's changes gradually attracted attention from outside. A local public account posted the introduction. The article title is:

"Nam Hang ancient town wears a new coat: A cultural street filled with the breath of life is about to be reborn."

The article mentions the design team. Referring to Lam Chinh Tac. And also my name.

"Young designer Tham Tri Y is in charge of the key experience area plan. Her design not only preserves the historical memory of the old town but also cleverly combines modern functional spaces. Many industry experts consider this to be an exquisite work rarely seen in the field of cultural and tourism design in recent years."

That article was later shared by one of Khuong Ngan's colleagues to her circle of friends. That evening. When Khuong Ngan returned home. His expression was somewhat unsightly.

"Are you in the news?"

I'm reading comics with Tieu Niem.

"Not really. Just a public account."

"Some people tagged me."

"Ask your wife if she is Tham Tri Y in that article."

I turned to the next page.

"Um. It's me."

Khuong Ngan stood in the middle of the room guest. Complicated eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

I raised my head.

"Say what?"

"My project has been reported by the media."

"That's an article written by the reporter himself."

"It wasn't me who initiated the contact."

He was silent for a few seconds. Then suddenly asked:

"Are you fully fledged now?"

My movements stopped. I raised my head to look at him.

"Khuong Ngan."

"What do you mean?"

He smiled coldly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you discussed everything with me before."

"What about now?"

"Take on the project yourself."

"Go to school by yourself."

"Appear yourself in the media."

"I've never received an interview before."

I calmly interrupted.

"So it's the same thing."

He looked at me.

"Tieu Niem is here."

I interrupted softly. Don't raise your voice. But enough for him to see the girl raising her head to look at them both. Khuong Ngan immediately fell silent. A moment later. He turned around and went into the office. The door closed quite strongly. Tieu Niem hugs a picture book. Look up at me with your clear eyes.

"Is Dad angry, Mom?"

I patted her head.

"No."

"Dad's just a little tired."

"Let's continue reading, Mom and Dad."

The next day. When I arrived at the project office. Trieu Ky was present early. He holds a cup of coffee. Stand by the window. As soon as he saw me walk in, he burst out laughing.

"Exam Tri Y."

"It's so popular these days."

I put my bag on the table.

"What's famous?"

"It's the post on that public account."

Trieu Ky took a sip of coffee.

"Did you know? The number of reads has already exceeded twenty thousand."

"I do not know."

"Does Khuong Ngan know?"

I turned on the computer.

"If you want to know, go ask him."