Chapter 19 — Three Years of Patience, One Day of Flipping the Cards

A month ago. He also said he wanted to marry that woman. There are only two words left in my heart: The human heart is the most fragile thing. Thinner than a sheet of paper. The story ends on a very ordinary weekend. I went to my parents' house for lunch. Mom brought out a pot of red braised pork ribs from the kitchen. As he walked, he muttered:

“Looks like Mom missed a spoonful of sugar.”

“I don't know if it's sweet enough.”

Dad sat at the dining table reading the newspaper. My hair is much grayer than it was a few years ago. But the spirit is still good. The bruise that year was on his face. There has long been no trace left. Luc Dao was also present. These days she comes almost every week to eat. The reason is very simple. She asserts:

“Auntie's braised ribs are the best in the city.”

“Uncle Tham.”

Luc Dao asked while chewing on his ribs.

“Are you really the richest man in the city for nine years?”

“So why are you still here?”

“The window is still leaking air.”

My father folded the newspaper.

“Where you live and how much money you have are two different things.”

“This place is near the market.”

“My mother went to buy convenient food.”

“Truly the realm of the rich.”

Luc Dao seriously nodded.

“If you had that much money.”

“The first thing I do is replace this window.”

Mom poked her head out from the kitchen.

“Just changed it last month.”

“Only the inner layer.”

“The outside remains the same.”

“See?”

Dad pointed at the window.

“The inside is double-layered soundproof glass.”

“The outside looks old.”

“But it's very warm inside.”

Luc Dao suddenly turned to look at me. Then lower your voice.

“Your father and you are exactly the same type.”

“From the outside looking in.”

“So poor that it tingles.”

“The inside is full of gold and silver.”

I laughed. Dad also laughed. Mom came out of the kitchen. Place an extra plate of ribs on the table. Winter sunlight penetrates through the glass. Falling on dad's gray hair. Falling on mother's smile. The sound of Luc Dao's incessant chatter fell. Outside the window. The city is still bustling as usual. Old stories will end. New stories begin again. Some people take a lifetime to understand a principle. The scariest thing has never been the person standing at the top. It's the person standing at the top. But he was willing to live with you in the dust for many years. Then comes the time when you think you've won. Just discovered. Right from the start. You have never seen the whole person. I lightly kicked Luc Dao's chair leg.

“Less talk.”

Right at that moment. My father suddenly spoke up.

“Tieu Khanh.”

“Your great-uncle asked someone to pass on a message to me a few days ago.”

The chopsticks in my hand stopped.

“Co Dinh Phuong?”

Dad nodded.

“Old Co said he was sorry for me.”

“The day before, he decided to let Canh Tham marry me.”

“The original intention is to connect the two families.”

“I didn't expect to end up raising a grandchild like that.”

“What else did he say?”

“He said he won't be involved anymore when it comes to the company.”

“From now on, Co Group will be yours.”

“Handle it however you want.”

“And Canh Tham…”

“He doesn't care.”

Dad picked up a piece of ribs and put it in my bowl.

“In the end he even said a word.”

“I'll listen.”

“He said.”

‘Old Tham, you raised a very good daughter.’

I bowed my head to eat. Say nothing. At moment later. Dad spoke again. This time the tone is more serious.

“But there is something I want to remind you of.”

“What?”

“Canh's debt of 800,000,000 yuan Deep."

“Don't squeeze too hard.”

“Pushing people to the end.”

“They will do extreme things.”

I thought for a few seconds. Then slowly say:

“I can give him more time.”

“But the story of To Uyen Ninh slapping dad.”

“He must personally come and apologize.”

Dad shook his head.

“No need.”

I looked up.

“Why is it not necessary?”

Dad took off his glasses. Slowly clean the lenses.

“The one who lost to the end.”

“Their apology is no longer valid.”

He looked up at me. His eyes were as calm as a lake.

“Tieu Khanh.”

“Winning is enough.”

“Preserving a way to live for others.”

“It's not because of them.”

“But for myself.”

“To make my heart feel more at ease.”

I looked at the man in front of me. That sixty-three year old man. The day I was slapped in the middle of a restaurant. No resistance. Don't get angry. It's not because he doesn't have the ability to counterattack. But because he knows. My daughter will take it all back for you. He said again:

“Leave a path.”

I nodded slightly.

“I will extend the repayment period to five years.”

“That's right.”

Dad put his glasses back on. Raise the small glass of wine in front of you and take a sip.

“Let's eat.”

“If your mother's braised ribs get cold, they will lose their taste.”

Luc Dao sat next to him and muttered.

“800,000,000 yuan stretched into five years…”

"I wouldn't dare to borrow this kind of debt even in my wildest dreams."

Mom came out of the kitchen and brought out another bowl of soup.

“Stop talking about money.”

“Quickly drink the soup.”

“The bowl is full of bones.”

“Come here, I'll give you a boneless piece.”

Sunlight penetrates through the newly replaced glass. Warmth shines on the dining table. Shine on the steaming bowls. Shining on dad's silver hair. Shine on your mother's smile. Shining on Luc Dao's satisfied face. Life goes on. There was no more grand finale. There was no applause. There was no coronation ceremony. Just a woman. Finally got out of the wrong marriage. Take back what belongs to you. Then sit next to your parents. Eat a hot meal. Three days later. I received a letter in the office. No sender recorded. No address available. Inside there was only a sheet of paper. And a line of text. Co Canh Tham's handwriting. I looked at it for two seconds. Then fold it again. Drop into shredder. The sound of the engine running softly rang out. The paper was crushed into countless small pieces. Completely disappeared. The office became quiet again. I turned the jade ring on my ring finger. Look out the window. Between tall buildings. The Hoa Thanh Center project has completed the main structure. The silver glass reflects the bright sunlight. That's my city. It's the country I took back with my own hands. I withdrew my gaze. Rotate the chair back to the desk. Open the next file. The new page turned over. The letters appeared before my eyes. Outside the glass door. The sun is still shining. As for Co Canh Tham's story... It ended a long time ago.