Chapter 19 — Three Years After Divorce, He Found Out He Had Two Children

Tham Nghien Thanh lowered his head to look at her. Her eyes sparkled. As if filled with stars.

“Can I kiss you now?”

"Impossible."

“Because I still owe you a proper proposal.”

Tham Nghien Thanh burst out laughing.

“I make up for it.”

She raised a finger.

“It's your story.”

“Just take it slow.”

“Wait until the kids are ready.”

“Then tell them.”

She raised another finger.

“My mother's story.”

“You handle it yourself.”

“I don't want to see her again.”

Tham Nghien Thanh burst out laughing helplessly.

“In the end, how many more requests do you have left?”

“Last request.”

She looked at him. His eyes were extremely serious.

“From now on, you can't disappear again.”

“No matter what happens.”

“You also have to stay by my side.”

Tham Nghien Thanh held her hand. Place it on your chest.

“No matter what happens later.”

“I will always be by your side.”

Khuong Tri Y smiled. Rest your head on his shoulder.

“That's okay for now.”

The two of them continued to rely on each other. Admire the starry sky. Downstairs, the sound of traffic was heard. In the distance there was the sound of a dog barking. Above is the sound of planes passing by. A night so ordinary that it couldn't be more ordinary. But for Tham Nghien Thanh. This is the happiest night in the past three years. Because of the person in my heart. It was the treasure he had lost for three years. He won't lose her again. The proposal took place a month later. Tham Nghien Thanh covers an entire exhibition room in the Xi'an Museum of Fine Arts. All over the room. All hang paintings by Khuong Tri Y. Next to each picture. Each has a separate written paragraph. First picture. It is the opening painting in the series "Return". Train station scene. Next to it is an inscription:

“Three years ago, I left this place.”

“I thought you would come back.”

“But you didn't come back.”

Second picture. High-speed train compartment. Next to write:

“I have taken the bullet train countless times to come find you.”

“Every time I'm afraid you won't want to see me.”

Third picture. Old house. Next to write:

“I once said I wanted to return to Xi'an to build a house.”

“I remembered for three years.”

Fourth picture. Mother's hands. Next to write:

“I've been a single mother for two and a half years.”

“It's been hard for me.”

Fifth picture. Baby's feet. Next to write:

“The feet of Tieu Niem and Tieu Du.”

“Just like your feet.”

“This is the best gift I've ever given you.”

Sixth picture.

“No Return.”

Next to write:

“But in the end I still came back.”

“Come back to my side.”

“So this painting should be renamed.”

“It's better to call it 'Return'.”

Khuong Tri Y stands in the middle of the exhibition room. Look at each picture. One picture at a time. Cry like a baby. Tham Nghien Thanh stands next to the last painting. In his hand he held a ring box.

“Khuong Tri Y.”

He looked at her. The voice was very quiet.

“Three years ago.”

“I lost you.”

“It took three years to find it again.”

“I don't want to lose you again.”

“Marry me.”

Khuong Tri Y covered her face. Crying and nodding. Tham Nghien Thanh stepped forward. Put the ring on her finger. Then bend down. Gently kiss her forehead.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The voice was so soft that it almost melted into the air. Right at that moment. Two children ran over. Hug their feet. Khuong Niem raised his head and asked.

“Why are you crying?”

“Because mom is happy.”

“Why are you crying when you're happy?”

“Because it's so fun.”

Khuong Niem thought for a moment. Then he also burst into tears.

“So I want to be happy too.”

Tham Nghien Thanh burst out laughing. Pick up the baby. Seeing this, Khuong Du also raised his hand to carry her. He held one child in one hand. Khuong Tri Y stood next to him. Rest your head on his shoulder. A family of four. Standing in the middle of the exhibition room. Sunlight penetrates through the ground-level glass window. Falling on them. The first week after getting married. Tham Ngoc Cam arrived. Not to cause trouble. But to apologize. She stood outside the door. Carrying two large gift bags. Looks uneasy and uneasy.

“Mom is here to visit me.”

Khuong Tri Y stood at the door. Don't step aside.

“Don't call me child.”

“We're not that close.”

Tham Ngoc Cam's face immediately turned pale. Tham Nghien Thanh stepped forward. Standing next to Khuong Tri Y.

“What are you doing here, Mom?”

“Mom came to visit the children.”

“The children don't need their mother to visit them.”

“Tham Nghien Thanh, mother…”