Chapter 7 — The Second Life of the Italian Examiner

Trieu Ky pulled out a chair and sat down next to me. The voice became a bit lower.

"There's something I want to tell you."

"Don't take it to heart."

I looked at the screen.

"What's going on?"

He hesitated a bit.

"Recently..."

"Khuong Ngan had a very close relationship with a woman."

My fingers lightly stopped on the keyboard. Just one second. Then continue typing again.

"I know."

Trieu Ky was stunned.

"I'm not blind."

He looked at me. Eyes full of surprise.

"So you..."

"Trieu Ky."

I turned my head to look at him. The tone was so calm that even I was surprised.

"This is my family matter."

Trieu Ky raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay. I won't say anymore."

He paused for a moment then continued:

"It's just that I feel... someone as excellent as you shouldn't let yourself suffer like that."

I don't answer. Just keep looking at the drawing in front of you. Seeing that, he did not say more. Quietly stood up and left. At that moment, Co Yen walked in from outside. He looked at Trieu Ky's back.

"What did he come here for?"

"Nothing."

Co Yen pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Ms. Tham, this afternoon the investor will come to the site to check. Has your PPT report been fixed yet?"

"Done."

"Then let's check again later."

The scene inspection that afternoon. The people who came were not only representatives of the Culture and Tourism Group. There is also a Deputy Head of the Provincial Construction Department. After going around the construction site. He stood at the beginning of the alley for a long time. Then slowly walked in front of me.

"Are you Tham Tri Y?"

"How many years have you been a designer?"

I thought a bit.

"If you count the official working time, it's about two years. Then there's a five-year hiatus, only to return this year."

Mr. Phuong nodded.

"Lam Chinh Tac mentioned you."

I didn't speak up. He opened the briefcase. Take out a file.

"Later this year the province will implement a key project."

"Evaluation of model conservation areas of historical and cultural cities across the province."

"We need to nominate a young design representative to join the expert review panel."

He gave me the documents.

"Lam Chinh Tac nominated you."

I take it. List of participating members. My name is clearly on that list. I raised my head.

"Mr. Phuong, my experience is still quite small..."

He interrupted.

"Experience is one thing."

"The work is another matter."

He turned his head to look behind Nam Hang.

"With this work, you are completely qualified."

That afternoon. When leaving the construction site. My phone suddenly rang. It's Khuong Ngan.

"I won't come home for dinner tonight."

"What do you two eat?"

"I'll take Tieu Niem out to eat."

The call ended. I bowed my head and looked at the screen. Call duration. Eleven seconds. The day before. Every time we call each other. No matter how long or short it takes a few minutes. There's always a lot to talk about. And now. Even thirty seconds becomes redundant. I put my phone in my pocket. Step out onto the side of the road. The old tea shop at the end of the alley is still open. The old man who played chess the day before was still sitting in his usual position. Seeing me, he smiled and nodded.

"The street you repaired is very beautiful."

"I look every day."

"The more I look at it, the more it looks like the old days."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

"When will it open?"

"About two months from now."

He clicked a sip of tea.

"At that time, I will definitely be the first person to walk around the streets."

I nodded to greet him. Then keep walking. Just walked a few steps. The phone rang again. This time it's not Khuong Ngan. Which is a strange number.

"Excuse me, is this Miss Tham Tri Y?"

"Hello. We are the Marriage Registration Office of the Thanh Nam District Civil Affairs Bureau."

"This afternoon your husband, Mr. Khuong Ngan, came to learn about the divorce procedure."

"According to regulations, we need to confirm the wishes of both parties."

I stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk. Right at the moment the street lights just turned on. Lanterns in the old town are also lit one after another. A delivery man riding a tram passed by. The whistle sounded very softly.

"May I ask, do you know about this?"

I squeezed the phone gently in my hand. My eyes look to the old town that is reviving day by day ahead. I replied. The voice was strangely calm.

"I know."

The call ended. I stood still. Immobility. I put my phone away. Cross the road. Go pick up Tieu Niem. From a call from the Civil Affairs Department. Until the day Khuong Ngan officially proposed a divorce. Exactly four days apart. During those four days. He's the same as usual. Going to work in the morning. Return home at night. Occasionally chat with Tieu Niem a few words. Sometimes ask me:

"Do you have any plans tomorrow?"

As if nothing had ever happened.