Chapter 20 — Twenty Years of Reclaiming Justice

Afternoon. A black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the hospital gate. From the car stepped down an old butler wearing a black suit. Wear white gloves. He respectfully opened the car door.

“Young master.”

“The old lady has been waiting for you two for a long time.”

Tham Chu and I got into the car. The car rolled quietly. Heading towards the place I've been away from for twenty years. The old house of the Tham family. All the way. Tham Chu did not say a word. His hands were clenched so tightly that they turned white. It's very chaotic inside. The father has never met. The family only exists in stories. There are so many complicated emotions mixed together. I gently held its hand.

“Mom is here.”

Tham Chu turned his head to look at me. Gently nodded. The car entered a large garden. Solemn and quiet. Walk through the tree-lined path. Finally stopped in front of an ancient mansion with traditional architecture. That is the old house of the Tham family. One of the most powerful families in the capital. Once the center of all power. Tham Chu and I got out of the car. Look up at the large gate in front of you. Twenty years ago. I was kicked out of this place like a dog. Twenty years later. I'm back. Not to ask for a place. But to reclaim everything that belongs to me. The old butler walked ahead to lead the way. Tham Chu and I quietly followed. Cross the courtyard. Walk through ancient corridors. Finally stopping in front of a street with bold ancient architecture. The door from the street is closed. Two bodyguards dressed in black stood on either side. Expressionless face. The whole yard was eerily quiet. So quiet that if a pin drops to the ground you can hear it clearly. The stuffy atmosphere makes it difficult to breathe. The butler stepped forward. Push open the heavy wooden door.

“Old lady.”

“Mrs. On and the young master have arrived.”

I quietly took a deep breath. Holding Tham Chu's hand. Let's step in. Inside from the road. The light is very dim. The air smells faintly of sandalwood. On the middle altar. Filled with ancestral tablets. In a central location. It is the tablet of Tham Chan Hoa. Before the spirit. Long Minh's lamp still burns brightly. An old woman with white hair. Wearing a black Tang shirt. Skinny body. Kneeling on a cushion in front of the altar. That is Mrs. Tham. Heard noise. She slowly stood up. Then turn around. I also saw that face clearly. A face full of wrinkles. But there is still a glimpse of the previous year's blooms. Her eyes are very small. But it's especially bright. Sharp as an eagle's eye. Carrying scrutiny that sends chills down other people's spines. Those eyes glanced over me. Then it stopped completely on Tham Chu's body. That moment. In eyes that were as calm as an ancient well. Suddenly, intense ripples arose. There is excitement. There is joy. There is regret. And there are emotions that are difficult to name.

“Are you Tham Chu?”

Her voice trembled slightly. Tham Chu looked at her. Just standing there. Cold as a block of ice.

“It's really similar.”

Old lady Tham muttered.

“Exactly like your father when he was young.”

She slowly extended her hand towards Tham Chu.

“Come here.”

“Let Grandma take a closer look at you.”

But Tham Chu still did not move. His eyes were cold to the extreme. Mrs. Tham's arm stopped in mid-air. A bit of disappointment and loneliness appeared on the old face. She slowly withdrew her hand. His eyes turned to me again. Restore the inherent sharpness and coldness.

“On Qing.”

“You teach your son very well.”

“Even my own grandmother didn't recognize me.”

I laughed.

“Why does it have to accept you?”

“From small to large.”

“Have you ever fulfilled a day of your grandmother's responsibilities?”

“Have you ever truly considered him your grandson?”

“When it needs love the most.”

“Where are you?”

“When I was kicked out of the Tham family.”

“Where are you?”

“When my mother and I were wandering everywhere.”

“Where are you again?”

“In your eyes.”

“Shen Chu was never a nephew.”

“It is just a tool to strengthen the position of the Tham family.”

Every word I say. All like a blade. Stabbed straight into her heart. Mrs. Tham's face immediately darkened.

“I didn't come here to argue.”

I coldly interrupted.

“She called me home.”

“Isn't it because you want to end it all?”

“Then speak frankly.”

“What are your conditions?”

Mrs. Tham looked at me for a long time. Eyes change continuously. She laughed coldly.

“Still as straightforward as ever.”

“My conditions are very simple.”

“You left the capital.”

“Don't ever come back.”

“Let Tham Chu stay.”

“In return…”

She stopped. A cruel look flashed in his eyes.

“I will help you deal with Tieu Chinh Duc.”

“And also Co Truong Phong.”

“I will make them just like your stillborn husband that year.”

“Disappear completely from this world.”

The whole street fell into silence. The eternal lamp shook. The shadow of a person on the wall trembled slightly. I looked at the old woman in front of me. Suddenly felt funny. It's been twenty years. She's still the same. Still used to using human lives to bargain. Still likes to use others as pawns. Still believe in this life. Everything can be exchanged for benefits.