Chapter 12 — The Silence Between Two Loves

Sitting on a folding chair in the shop... all night. View cameras. It's not a camera inside the shop— It's a camera he installed himself outside. He said— Tham Vi Son is about to be arrested. But his people… can be reckless. You must ensure safety. Three o'clock in the morning— I got up to make milk for Niem Niem. Saw him falling asleep on the chair. Head leaning against the wall. Still clutching the strawberry milk candy. Niem Niem candy for you. The wrapping paper was wrinkled. But he... never threw it away. Three months later. Tham Vi Son was arrested. Directing to cause injury leading to death. Truck driver— In prison, he confessed everything. Three hundred thousand. Complete chaining. Tham Vi Son— Sentenced to life in prison. Tham Group suffered a big shock. Stocks fell thirty percent. But Tham Tri Ngam— Did not back down. He actively coordinated the investigation. Hand over all evidence. Including things that could implicate other senior leaders.

“You're sabotaging yourself.”

Assistant Tran once said.

“If the wall collapses... it can be rebuilt.”

He replied.

“A dead person... cannot come back to life.”

During the board meeting— He publicly apologized. Not the kind of prepared apology. From the bottom of my heart.

“My uncle... killed someone.”

“Those lives... are the debt of the Tham family.”

“As the successor…”

“I cannot deny it.”

“From today—”

“The Tham Group will set up a special fund.”

“Supporting all families harmed by economic crimes.”

“This is my debt.”

“I will pay.”

That video— Spread all over the internet. Some people say he's acting. Some people say he killed himself with great righteousness. There are also people who say— He is just… Paying for his family's sins. But I know— He is sincere. Because that fund... is named "Vien Son Fund". Tong Vien Son. My father's name. My mother saw that name— Crying for a long time. Then wiped his tears and told me one sentence:

“Van Van... that boy... is fine.”

Nien Niem's third birthday— Tham Tri Ngam arrived. This time, he brought a huge gift. Not Lego. Not a stuffed animal. A key.

“What is this?”

“The key to the store next door.”

He said.

"I've rented it again. You can expand the shop."

I looked at him:

“Don't misunderstand.”

He hastily explained.

“It's not for free. It's an investment.”

"I want to contribute capital. Be a shareholder."

“You... a person worth tens of billions... want to be a shareholder in my small bakery?”

He spoke very seriously.

“Look down on the bakery?”

“This shop makes a profit of fifty thousand every month.”

“According to valuation… at least five hundred thousand.”

“I invested fifty thousand, took ten percent of the shares.”

“Very reasonable.”

I burst out laughing:

“When did you learn these things?”

“I always know how to calculate.”

He said.

"It's just that before... I was always planning big things."

“Now I discovered—”

“Small things… are much more interesting.”

Nim Niem ran around. Hand holding a cupcake, three candles in it.

“Dad! Dad! Blow out the candles again!”

Tham Tri Ngam squatted down. Blow out the candles with your child. Niem Niem clapped her hands and laughed. Then thrust the cake into his hand:

"Dad, eat! I'll do it!"

“You did it?”

“Yes! Mom taught me!”

The girl puffed her chest out proudly.

“I know how to knead dough!”

Tham Tri Ngam took a bite— His expression immediately distorted. Because Niem Niem... mistakes salt for sugar.

“Is it delicious, Dad?”

Brother My face didn't change color, I ate the whole cake.

“Very delicious.”

Nien Niem was so happy that he spun around three times in place. I'm behind the counter. Looking at that scene— The corners of his lips involuntarily curled up. Phone vibrates. It's a message from Chu Nghien Bach.

"Tam Vi Son's case has been resolved."

“Ma Cuong and those involved were all convicted.”

“All received the punishment they deserved.”

“As for your father's case—”

“The court has reopened the file.”

“Preparing for review.”

“If there is nothing unexpected, it will be converted to intentional murder.”

“Tong Van—”

“Your father's injustice... has finally been vindicated.”

I tightened my grip on the phone. Take a deep breath. The sun is beautiful. Niem Niem is sitting on Tham Tri Ngam's neck. Both hands grabbed his hair as a rein:

"Run! Run! Dad, run faster!"

Tham Tri Ngam ran around the shop. Messy hair. Vest wrinkled. Forehead full of sweat. He laughed. Laugh like a child.

“Tong Van!”

He ran and cried.

“Your daughter bullies me!”

“That's my daughter.”

“Also my daughter!”

He stopped, breathing heavily.

“Tong Van, when will you—”

“…Nothing.”

He ran again. Niem Niem laughed until he doubled over. I'm back. Continue kneading the dough. Sunlight shines on the counter. Shining on my powdery hands. Projecting onto an old iron box— I placed it in the most visible place. See it every day. Dad, do you see? Niem Niem is three years old. The baby is healthy. Naughty. Tham Tri Ngam— Making a horse for her to ride. He has changed a lot. Dad's right. He... is not bad at heart. It takes time. I will give him time. Niem Niem's fourth birthday— Tham Tri Ngam brought a whole room full of flowers. Not a rose. It's a baby flower.

“Why this flower?”

“Because you said you liked it.”

He replied.

“When did I say it?”

“First year of marriage.”

“It's my birthday.”

“I stood on the balcony, talking to myself—”

“‘Baby flowers are so beautiful… it's a shame no one gave them.’”

He bowed his head.

"At that time I was standing behind, smoking."

“I heard it.”

“But I pretended not to listen.”

I looked at him.

“Tham Tri Ngam… you remember for four years?”

“I miss it so much.”

He said.

“It's just that before... I didn't dare to admit it.”

He took out a small box. It's a ring. Not the showy kind of diamond. Just a simple platinum ring. Inside are engraved two words:

“Van Ngam.”

“Tong Van。”

He took a deep breath.

“I know… I have no right to say this.”

“But I still want to say—”

“Marry me.

Not because of the old man's wishes. Not because of Niem Niem. Nor for any other reason. Just because… I want to be with you. The shop is very quiet. The smell of cakes spreads from the oven. The wind chimes gently vibrated in the wind. Niem Niem poked her head out from behind and whispered:

“Mom… please say ‘yes’!”

I burst out laughing. Tears rolled down my cheeks. But I still laugh.

“Tham Tri Ngam.”

“In the future, will you still pipe ice cream into a shapeless lump?”

“…I practiced. It's beautiful now.”

“Will you still install Niem Niem's Lego incorrectly in the future?”

“No. I saw the instructions.”

“In the future, will you stay up late in the store watching cameras?”

He stopped for a moment.

“Because I worry about you and your mother.”

I looked at him. Look at his fingers that are shaking very slightly. Look at the red ears and you can't hide them. Look at that look— Serious. Sincerely come level... almost reverent. Tham Tri Ngam was stunned.

“What… did you say?”

“I said… okay.”

I held out my hand.

“Put a ring on me.”

He frantically took the ring. Put it on my hand. Stuck in joint. He pulled out again. Sweat covered his forehead.

“No need to rush.”

“I'm not in a hurry.”

His voice trembled. Second time— Finally put it on. He held my hand. Bow your head and look at the ring for a long time. Then look up. But the lips smile.

“Tong Van.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

“Thank you… for waiting for me.”

“Waiting so long.”

The sunset is very beautiful. The sky is dyed orange. Someone walks a dog. Someone goes to the market. Life is peaceful like a slow flowing river. In the shop— The oven “dinged” once. The cake is done. Niem Niem ran over. Embrace our legs. Raising his head, his voice cooed:

“Mom, dad, I'm hungry!”

Tham Tri Ngam bent down and picked up her child. Kiss your child on the cheek.

“Go, dad cut the cake for you.”

"Do you know how to cut? Don't cut it wrong again!"

"I know! I've practiced!"

“Dad always says that!”

I leaned against the counter. Look at father and son. The sunlight shines on them. Extending silhouettes of two people— Overlapping each other. Like a picture. Dad, do you see? It is your "later".