Chapter 22 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Shortly after. Niem Niem ran back. Just saw the cake box. His eyes immediately lit up.

"Is this the shop from yesterday?"

I smiled.

"Right."

The child holds one. Take a bite. Chew very seriously. Then nodded.

"So delicious."

A moment later. The baby grinned.

"I did it."

I laughed. Rub your child's head.

"I did it."

During that time. Procedures for adjusting Tran Dich's household registration. Also completed. Registration information was wrong in the past. Cancelled completely. Your household registration. Officially back to normal. Date to receive confirmation. He stood in front of the pharmacy. Hold the paper up to the sunlight. Look for a long time. Then fold carefully. Place in the innermost compartment of an old backpack. I looked at you.

"That's my real name."

Tran Dich nodded slightly.

"I passed the vocational school exam."

"School starts next Monday."

"Just study properly."

"I want to study well."

"Later, open a small store of your own."

"Repair."

"In my city."

"This job is also a lot of work."

"Enough to feed myself."

I nodded.

"That direction is very good."

"The need is here."

"It's really a lot."

Tran Dich laughed. First time. I see your real smile. No longer a forced smile. No longer the stubborn look of trying to resist. It's a very natural smile. Very relieved. Finally looking like a normal eighteen year old boy. But no longer a child. Had to bear too much suffering. Since birth. Tran Dich looked at me. Hesitate for a moment. Then asked softly.

"Can I ask you something?"

"And Mr. Ha..."

He hesitated.

"Later..."

"Is he looking for you?"

I thought for a moment.

"Court day."

"We met."

"How is he now?"

I replied softly. Tran Dich nodded. Don't ask any more. He put his backpack back on.

"Then I'll go."

"Thank you."

"Thanks for everything."

I smiled. He walked out of the pharmacy. Walk on a familiar street. Don't look back. Very steady stride. That back. It seemed wider than the first time I saw it. Maybe. Just my feeling. I stood in front of the door. Wait until his shadow disappears completely. Just turned around and went back in. Tieu Tang is introducing cough syrup to an old lady. Just looking for medicine. Just patiently explained. Which one is gentler? Which type is suitable for older people? Speak very clearly. I stood and listened for a while. Then smile. This girl. Just a few more years. It's completely possible to run an entire store by yourself.

"Little Monk."

"Yes, Ms. Co?"

"Next month."

"Give me a raise."

"Three hundred yuan."

The girl was stunned. His eyes immediately lit up. Then he smiled shyly.

"Thank you, Ms. Co."

The old lady standing next to her also laughed.

"It's true that we should increase it."

"She gives clearer advice than the doctor at the hospital."

Everyone in the shop. They all burst out laughing. The laughter is not loud. Very ordinary. Extremely honest again. There are stories. Closed. There are also stories. Still continuing. Tran Quoc Binh case. The driver that year was sentenced. Intentionally causing injury leading to death. There is also the responsibility of the mastermind. Takes longer to determine. Because it happened too long ago. Chain of evidence. Needs to be added little by little. That's not my ending anymore. That's another case. There are others. Continue processing. It's no longer my turn to worry. As for Ha Kien Minh. Will What is the conclusion? I don't keep asking. No one asked me to ask. I have done my part. What needs to be reported? I reported it. What needs to be submitted? I have surrendered. The rest. To the law. And process. Self-fulfillment. Lam Tinh asked me.

"If later."

"There are final results."

"How will you feel?"

I thought for a moment.

"Don't know."

"It wouldn't be too surprising."

"It won't be too fun either."

Lam Tinh was surprised.

"Why aren't you happy?"

I quietly looked out the window.

"Whatever the outcome."

"Those who died."

"Can't come back to life."

"Tran Nhuoc Mai."

"Tran Quoc Binh."

"Tran Thuc Phan."

"Trieu Boi Dao."

"Those four people."

"Everyone carries a story."

"Much more complicated than mine."

"They don't have a chance."

"Speak for yourself."

Lam Tinh was silent. A moment later. Just asked softly.

"What about Tran Dich?"

"The boy also had an end."

I nodded.

"The boy has."

"Everything."

"It's all worth it."

That afternoon. I went to check all three pharmacies in turn. See each stall. Talk to each doctor. Check the prescription record again. Make sure there are no errors. At the third store. The doctor sits and examines. As a person thirty years younger. Just transferred back from the province. Very solid expertise. But patients all appreciated it. See me coming. He stood up and greeted.