Chapter 16 — The Secret Pension

I stepped forward and straightened his collar.

Father, stay here and watch over Mother. This time, I will not let them lead us around by the nose.

His eyes grew red. It was because I was too frightened in the past that they grew more and more daring. Do not be like me.

I said, I am not afraid. I am going to tear away their last shred of decency.

The old photography studio in the southern district stood on a weathered street slated for demolition. The red paint on the signboard had peeled halfway off, and a few faded wedding photographs sat behind the glass display. When I pushed the door open, a wind chime rang out once. A woman in her early forties sat behind the counter. Her hair was bound tightly, her expression haggard. Upon seeing me, the first thing she asked was, Are you Han Thanh?

I nodded. She stood up immediately and bolted the door from the inside.

Duong Vy was watching me from across the street. I deliberately did not turn my head. The woman lowered her voice.

My name is Vien Tue. Old Madame Tien was my mother.

My chest tightened. The two of you shared a room with my mother back then?

Vien Tue nodded. Your mothers right arm was in a cast, I remember it very clearly. It was my mothers birthday that day, and I had brought a film camera intending to take a portrait of her. When your second uncle and that woman walked in, I was adjusting the focus.

My breath caught. You managed to capture it?

She did not answer immediately. She walked over to the curtain in the back and parted a gap. A darkroom lay within. The red light glowed dimly, and several old photo boxes sat on the table.

Vien Tue spoke: I captured them holding the ink pad. I also captured that woman gripping your mothers left hand. Your second uncle stood beside the bed, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

My heart beat violently. Where are the photographs?

Vien Tue looked at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hesitation. The roll of film is still here. For all these years, I never dared to take it out. My son works in the management department of the old factory district. Someone once reminded me not to speak carelessly about old matters.

I asked, Who reminded you?

Her lips quivered. Before she could speak, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. More than one person.

Vien Tuess face instantly turned pale. She pushed me into the darkroom. Go inside first.

I had barely steadied myself when I heard the glass door outside being pushed open. Han Viets voice drifted in.

Aunt Vien, have you thought it through? Those tattered rolls of film cannot be exchanged for money even if you keep them.

Vien Tue forced her voice to remain calm. There is nothing here that you want.

Han Viel laughed. Do not pretend. My father said Han Thanh would certainly come. If she has come, tell her to come out together.

My back pressed against the wall, my breathing growing shallow. The darkroom smelled of chemicals. The photo box beside the table was not tightly closed. I lowered my head and saw a strip of black color film pressed inside. The image was very small, but in one frame, Han Duc Hai indeed stood beside the hospital bed. In his hand, he held an open red ink pad.

The very next second, the darkroom doorknob was twisted from the outside. Han Viets voice rang out right against the crack in the door.

Sister, do not hide anymore. I know you are in there.

I tucked the film roll and the photo box into the inner pocket of my coat. The darkroom door took a kick from someone. The wooden panel shuddered, making the picture frames on the wall sway.

Vien Tue spoke hurriedly from the outside, Do not cause trouble here.

Han Viet let out a cold laugh. Aunt Vien, who do you think you are trying to frighten with a few old photographs? My father already said, as long as those things vanish, no one will remain to prove anything.

Another man spoke up. Search quickly. La Minhs side has already set their sights on this liaison point.

I recognized that voice. It was Lu Kien Quoc. I never expected him to come as well.

I pressed close to the door, listening to the sound of drawers being pulled open. Photographic paper scattered all over the floor.

Vien Tue cried out, You are not allowed to ransack my shop.

Han Viet grew impatient. Do you still want to keep your sons job? Is your mothers old hospital stay truly worth dragging your entire family down into the water?

Vien Tue remained silent. I checked my phone. The signal in the darkroom was extremely weak. The message I had sent to Duong Vy kept spinning endlessly. I gritted my teeth and opened the small ventilation flap on the window. The outside was a narrow alley. The window frame had rusted shut and could only be pushed open to the width of a hand. I pressed my phone against the opening. The message finally went through.

I did not wait any longer. I stuffed a stack of discarded photographic paper from the table into an empty photo box and deliberately placed the box in an obvious spot.

The people outside kicked the door once more. The lock gave a crisp snap and fractured. I retreated to the red light.

Han Viet was the first to rush in. Upon seeing the photo box on the table, his eyes lit up. Here.

He lunged forward to grab the box. When he opened it to look, it was filled entirely with discarded photographic paper. His expression plummeted instantly.

Han Thanh, you truly thought you could take it away?

Lu Kien Quoc stood at the entrance, his gaze icy. Hand over the items. Your fathers matter could easily have been resolved with money. What benefit is there for you in dragging everyone down now?

I looked at him. It benefits my father. It benefits my mother. It benefits everyone whom you people have forced down and compelled to keep quiet.

Han Viet stepped closer with every word. Do not speak so grandly. Your mother is still in the hospital, and your father is getting old.