Chapter 2 — Transfer Rate Changed

To Van Tinh was standing on the steps of the apartment lobby, wearing that ivory white shirt, holding my keys in her hand. She smiled very sweetly: "Co Thua told me to bring it down. He told me to stop making trouble and go home to eat." I looked at the set of keys in her palm.

“This is the key to my house.”

To Van Tinh moved the key forward a little more: "For now, it still counts. Sis, you've been in the mountain for too long, maybe you don't understand, opportunity is something that if you can't grasp it, it will become someone else's." I don't accept it. She said again: "Co Thua just wants the best for you. When you return to the City Hospital, the pressure is great. If something goes wrong, he will be the one who will lose face." The wind blew her jacket open, revealing an expensive designer dress underneath. I asked: "My name, did you tell him to cross it out?" To Van Tinh blinked: "What you say is so harsh. The list was compiled by the hospital, I just happened to be more suitable."

“Accidentally twice is more suitable?”

She took a step forward, lowering her voice: "It's been seven years, there must be someone by Co Thua's side. I can't refuse to go home on my own, then blame someone else for standing next to him." I looked at her for a moment.

“You keep the key.”

She was stunned. I continued: "Don't wear those indoor shoes and step on my doormat. That's the carpet my father bought for me before he passed away." To Van Tinh's smile stiffened on her face. The upstairs window opened, Co Thua stuck her head out, the voice came from the sixteenth floor.

"Khuong Ninh, stop embarrassing yourself downstairs. Come up here."

People in the apartment began to look over curiously. I raised my head to look at him.

“How many times have you edited the list?”

Co Thua frowned: "Do you have to say it here?"

“How many times?”

His face darkened: "Twice. Is that enough?" I nodded.

“Not enough.”

I turned around and walked away. Behind him, Co Thua shouted: "Khuong Ninh, don't regret leaving today." I stopped at the apartment gate, without looking back.

“The one who regrets it won't be me.”

I will not return to Van Linh. Near the bus station there is a small motel open twenty-four hours. The girl at the front desk saw me carrying an old canvas bag, her eyes roamed around the hem of my muddy pants.

“Citizen identification card.”

I handed over the papers. She finished scanning, looked up at me: "Doctor Khuong?" I'm a bit surprised. She rolled up her sleeves, there was a faint scar on her arm: "Three years ago my mother fell downhill in Van Linh, and I carried her down. Don't you remember me?" I thought for a moment: "Aunt Luu is in Dao Hoa ditch?" The girl's eyes lit up: "That's right, I'm Liu Tieu Man. Why are you here? Going back to your hometown to visit relatives?" I said: "You won't come back anymore." She stared at me for a few seconds, then slipped the room card into my hand: "No deposit needed. Hot water is on the left, there's a noodle shop downstairs, let me cook you a bowl."

“Remember to collect the money.”

“Collect what to collect.” She closed the registration book, "That year I advanced your mother's medicine money, you haven't paid it yet."

I won't refuse anymore. The room is very small, the window faces an advertising sign. The bed sheets were washed until stiff. I sat on the edge of the bed, opened the burlap bag, took out the jar of honey and wild tea and placed it on the table. The phone rang again. Co Thua texted arrive.

"If you've done enough, go home. Mom has a weak heart, don't anger her."

Next news.

"Van Tinh is crying, she didn't mean to provoke you."

Next news.

“I will think of another way about the transfer rate, but don't use the matter of leaving home to threaten me.”

I texted back two words: "Divorce." He immediately called back. I picked up the phone and turned it on speaker. Co Thua's voice suppressed her anger: "Khuong Ninh, do you know what you are saying?"

“Know.”