Chapter 23 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

"There is a supplier of imported joint medicine."

"Want to cooperate."

"I think the quality is quite good."

"Do you have time to look at the documents?"

I nodded.

"Send it to my email."

"I'll see it this weekend."

I sit in the office. Review last month's revenue. The numbers are very stable. No sudden increase. Also not unusually reduced. Number of visitors. Still the same as before. This shop is located in the old neighborhood. Surrounded by many residential areas. Guests are mainly middle-aged and elderly people. Most buy medicine to treat chronic diseases. So the need for medical examination is very high. The day before. To build this store. It took me almost half a year. Ha Kien Minh once said.

"This location is not nice."

I just replied.

"The location is not nice."

"But the need is there."

Reality proven. This is the store again. Has the highest profit margin of all three salons. Make the right decision. Not by luck. They are patient enough. Go from start to finish. See each link clearly. Every gap. Each possibility. I used that method. To build a pharmacy. Use the same method. To trace the whole truth. Since that young boy. First time standing in front of the store. Come today. Less than half a year. During that half year. I met everyone I could meet. Investigate everything that can be investigated. Follow each clue. Piecing together the truth piece by piece. I don't rely on tears. Don't expect luck. Haven't waited either. Someone will come forward and help me. I'm not alone either. There is Lam Tinh. There is Doan Kim Ba. There is Trieu Hoa Lan. There is Tran Dich. There is lawyer Luu. It's all a nail. Close to the most important position. Just missing one person. The end of the story. It's completely different. The biggest thing. Which this incident taught me. Don't try to carry it all alone. When you need help from others. Must understand clearly. I need their help with something. Why does it have to be them? What can they bring? What can you give them in return? That's not coldness. Alertness. In the working room of the third store. I organized all the documents. Lock the drawer. Then open the door and step out. Outside the pharmacy. A young doctor is gently examining an old man. His voice was very gentle. Patiently explain little by little. At the next counter. The staff was looking for medicine for another guest. Just got the medicine. Just instructions on how to use. Explain dosage very carefully. It is the usual appearance of a pharmacy. Someone came. Someone left. Someone needs help. There are also people willing to help. I stood by the counter for a while. Review the number of visitors during the day. Then step outside. The afternoon sunlight slanted down onto the road surface. A group of elementary school students. Carry a book bag. As we walked, we laughed and talked loudly. When passing by the store. A boy turned his head to look at the medicine box displayed behind a glass window. Then you pulled me away. Continue laughing. Continue growing up. I got on the tram. Run along a familiar street. Pass by the second store. In front of the door, there is a sign promoting medicine for the day. The text on the blackboard is slightly askew. It was written by the new employee who came in yesterday. I silently memorized. Will teach her to write more neatly. Go to the first store. This is the oldest store. The sign has been changed three times. But location. Never changed. Located in the most beautiful corner of the street. Also welcomes the most guests. I stopped the car in front of the door. Don't step in. Just stand still for a moment. Twelve years ago. Also at this place. I stand alone. Only enough money to pay three months' rent. Only four rows of medicine. Revenue per day. Less than three hundred yuan. Each customer. All thanks to acquaintances for introductions. Every bit of fame. All built by ourselves. Just got it today. That road. No one helps me. It's because you walked through it yourself. Can be taken away. Fall of that year. There is a very small matter. Tran Dich called from the vocational school. His voice was full of excitement.

"I soldered the first joint."

"Master praises."

"Say you're gifted."

"That's the best compliment."

"That I've heard in my life."

I smiled.

"Remember that."

"Every time I work."

"I am a gifted person."

The other end of the line. A very awkward laugh rang out. Just like a teenager. Then he said.

"I was just thinking about trying."

"If I open a small welding and repair shop in the future."

"So how much capital is needed?"

"I'm thinking."

"How long does it take to save enough?"

"So how long has it been?"

I quickly counted in my head.

"Apprenticeship for two years."

"Work two more years."

"Spend enough capital."

"Twenty-two years old."

"Can open a store."

Tran Dich's voice was full of hope.

"You see..."

"Is this plan okay?"

I replied immediately.

"Go ahead."

The other end of the line. Laughter rang out again.

"I will try."

Say goodbye. He hung up. I put down the phone. Continue viewing the import order in hand. Outside the window. Autumn sunlight. Just like spring sunshine. Or summer. It's all the sunshine of this street. I'm all familiar. Have all passed by. That afternoon. Lam Tinh stopped by to visit.