Chapter 12 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Shine on the table. Makes old letters shine with the yellow color of time. A moment later. He just spoke up. Voice slightly trembling.

"In the letter..."

"My grandmother said."

"The accident caused my father to pass away that year..."

"It was caused by He Kien Minh's people."

I didn't speak up.

"She also said..."

"She knows about it."

"You have no proof."

"You alone..."

"Don't dare sue."

"Should have held that injustice for more than ten years."

I replied softly.

"It's still written in the letter."

"That's why I told you to find the person whose name is in the household registration book..."

He clasped the letter in his hand.

"You believe..."

"That person will help you clarify everything."

"You don't know..."

"That identity is fake."

"You always think..."

"Co Van Ninh..."

"The one who knows the whole truth."

I gently placed the photo back on the table. Then looked at Tran Dich.

"Tran Dich."

"This letter..."

"Can I leave it to you to keep?"

Tran Dich looked at me for a long time. Silence for a few seconds. Then slowly put the letter in my hand.

"What are you going to do next?"

I carefully put the letter and photo in my bag. The voice was calm but extremely determined.

"I will investigate to the end."

"Clarifying the whole truth."

"Not leaving anyone out."

Right at that moment. My phone rings. It's Ha Kien Minh. I pressed listen. There was an unstable voice on the other end of the line. He tried to stay calm. But still couldn't hide the panic.

"Van Ninh."

"Where are you?"

"Southern area."

"Are you going alone?"

He was silent for two seconds. Then quickly said:

"My mother..."

"She went out this morning."

"The phone is off."

"I can't contact you."

"Did she say anything to you?"

I put my bag on my shoulder. Quickly connect every detail in your head. My mother-in-law... We lost contact this morning. Right at the right time... I just went to the police station to complete household registration adjustment procedures. Also right after the secret phone call that Ha Kien Minh made last night.

"Where are you going..."

"Go find it yourself."

"Van Ninh."

"Don't hang up."

"I still have something..."

"Kien Minh."

I interrupted. The voice was very quiet. So soft that... In this dusty house. Only Tran Dich standing next to him could hear it.

"You guys want to use that to control me."

"From the beginning..."

"It's all because of the three pharmacies."

"Right?"

On the other end of the line... Absolute silence. Not a sound. I continued slowly.

"As long as the household registration that year is recognized as legal."

"Under your name..."

"Another adult child will appear."

"If you get divorced."

"At the time of property division."

"The child's rights..."

"Will become a variable."

"Plus..."

"Just the rumor that I have a child of my own spreads out."

"You'll lose all your advantages."

"No longer in a position to negotiate."

I looked into the distance. Each word rang out clearly.

"Is it true?"

Ha Kien Minh... Did not answer. Don't hang up either. That silence... Was the clearest answer. I ended the call. Put your phone in your pocket. Tran Dich stood next to him. Quietly look at me. A moment later. He said softly.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Finally..."

"My grandmother..."

"Still pushing me into this."

I looked at you. An eighteen year old boy. Tanned skin. The bridge of the nose still has very light sunburn marks. In his eyes... There was a calmness beyond his years. I shook my head slightly.

“What needs to be investigated here.”

"It's done."

Two We locked the apartment door. Go down the stairs. Leave the old dormitory. Get to the intersection. Each person goes in one direction. I just took two steps. A voice called out from behind. I turned my head. Tran Dich is still standing at the intersection. Old backpack slung over shoulder. The afternoon sunlight covered his face. Makes him look several years younger.

"Whatever the end result."

"I still want to thank you."

"Thank you..."

"Because in this matter."

"I never considered you an enemy."

I looked at you. Gently nodded. Then turned around and left. The sound of Tran Dich's footsteps gradually went away. Blend in with the noise of the streets. Until it disappeared. I tightened my grip on the bag strap. The phone in my pocket vibrated. It's a message from Lam Tinh.

"Your mother-in-law just arrived at the District Administration Center."

"I'll send someone to follow."

"She was at the civil registration counter for nearly twenty minutes."

"Just came out."

I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Stare at the text message. Civil registration counter. She went there... When I had just completed the procedure to request household registration adjustment? The process has officially started. At this moment... She appeared again at the civil registration counter. Perhaps... You want to process the original file before the adjustment is completed? I immediately called Lam Tinh.

"Is she out yet?"

"Going towards the parking lot."

"Is she holding anything in her hand?"

"A bag of documents."

"When I went in, it wasn't there."

"It just appeared when I went out."

I tightened my grip on the phone.

"Lam Tinh."

"You asked someone to come with you."

"Wait until she gets in the car."

"Pretending to recognize the wrong person."

"But you have to look carefully."

"What color is the file bag?"

"Thick or thin."

"Can you do it?"

"Can do it."

I stood on the side of the road waiting. About five minutes later. Lam Tinh called back.

"Blue file bag."

"It looks like there are several stacks of papers inside."

I remember every detail. The brain immediately analyzes. Original file... I saw it. Important contents have also been fully recorded. Application for adjustment of household registration... Has been received by the police. Doan Kim Ba's report... Will be completed tomorrow. The mother-in-law actually just got a set of documents. What would that be used for?