Chapter 1 — What you don't keep, others will appreciate

Giang Ky is my first love. After many years we met again, in the elevator. He didn't recognize me. After pressing the button for the 26th floor, he saw that I hadn't moved, so he asked me where I was going. I replied in a low voice: "I also went to the 26th floor." He glanced at me a few times, until I tensed up, then he opened his mouth: "I don't remember there being an employee like you in the company." I clasped the hand holding the thermos and replied: "I am a family member of the employee." He nodded slightly and said nothing more. I looked at his tall back and was lost for a few seconds. You no longer remember me, but I can't forget you for the rest of my life. He was my boyfriend for three months, then used me as a stepping stone to approach my best friend, then became a couple with her. In the hottest summer of that year, I lost both my best friend and my lover. 1 Giang Ky and I stepped out of the elevator one after another. He has long legs and big steps, walking ahead. I'm neither in a hurry nor slow, following him. He turned left into the office, I saw the title board in front of the door. It turned out that he was the suddenly newly appointed superior that Tran Nac mentioned a few days ago. I turned right into the work area. It was already nine o'clock at night but the development room was still lit up like daytime. Most of Tran Nac's colleagues knew me, and when they saw me carrying a thermos, they immediately became jealous: "My God! Why does little Tran Nac have a loving boxed lunch, while we have to eat big pot rice alone outside the cafeteria?" Tran Nac was teased by the group, smiled shyly, and pulled me to the balcony. There are few people here. Every time I bring you food, you always bring me here. In the thermos is chicken soup. My mother deliberately bought free-range chicken from the countryside, the aroma is mouth-watering. “It smells so good.” Tran Nac sniffed and said emotionally: "With a wife like this, what more could a husband want?" “What time do you get off work tonight?” I sadly patted his head, "I'm about to go bald." "No way, the new official took office, three torches were burned, everyone has been working at a faster pace lately." Tran Nac approached me intimately, "When I finish this project, I will ask for leave to marry you." I met Tran Nac through a blind date. He has a high income, I have a stable job, a very popular combination in the marriage market. Having met each other a few times, they were both approachable and easy to live with, so the relationship was established. Last month, both sides introduced themselves to their parents and started talking about marriage. He treated me very well. Even though he was not married, he paid all his income to me. He also followed online instructions. Each time he transferred money, he noted "voluntary donation". I responded by feeling sorry for his hard work, and after work I often cooked rice and brought it to him. I feel like this is a very peaceful type of relationship. He doesn't criticize me for my ordinary beauty, nor do I criticize him for his dry personality. Two ordinary people rely on each other and live life together. 2 Tran Nac continuously worked overtime for nearly a month, I came to look for him every other day. Even if we don't bring rice, it's still fun for the two of us to meet up to eat for a change. But every time I come, I see Giang Ky. He is truly a strict superior, with very high demands on his subordinates. However, Tran Nac said Giang Ky is divided between public and private, and although he forces others to work overtime, he himself works even crazier. Most importantly, Jiang Ky's abilities are truly outstanding, so he is very popular with everyone dress. I could hear the admiration in Tran Noc's words, but I had seen this type of admiration too much, and I didn't find it strange. At first I was quite nervous, worried how Giang Ky would react if he recognized me. But later, my heart gradually calmed down, because even though Tran Nac called my name in front of him, Giang Ky didn't show any expression. You really have completely forgotten me. I breathed a sigh of relief, even later when Giang Ky felt I knew him, I could still smile naturally at him. Giang Ky is the type of superior who always keeps his distance and does not joke around with subordinates, so every time he meets me, he just coldly nods to say hello. I think that's good. After all, Tran Nac is working under him, the simpler the relationship, the more secure he is. 3 At the end of his overtime days, Tran Nac happily called me and said he wanted to come home for dinner. I specifically asked to leave work early, buy food and then stop by. I like to cook, and I also like to see my loved ones enjoying the food I cook and smiling happily. Tran Nac is not good at cooking, so he volunteers to wash the dishes every time. From the door, I heard the sound of turning the key. I took the cooking shovel and walked out of the kitchen. I just happened to see Tran Nac carrying a fruit basket and entering the house. Before I could say hello, I saw Giang Ky walking right behind him. The words "Are you home?" I was about to say suddenly got stuck in my throat, I stood there stunned for a few seconds. Tran Nac didn't notice my strangeness. He bent down to find sandals for Giang Ky: "Director Giang, please wear these. They're brand new, I've never worn them before." Those are the love slippers I bought last month, currently, the women's pair are right at my feet. I curled my toes slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable. But Tran Nac doesn't know anything, and I can't say directly that I don't like him giving other people's love slippers. After all, when guests come to the house, they are superiors, of course they must be treated attentively. Giang Ky saw me and naturally greeted: "Hello, I'm sorry." Tran Nac smiled brightly: "When I got off work, I just happened to meet Director Giang. He asked me if I wanted to have dinner with him, so I invited him to my house for dinner. "Director Giang, I'm not showing off, my family's cooking skills - her sister Due - must be said to be the best! You'll know right away if you try it." Giang Ky slightly raised the corners of his mouth: "If you don't eat, you'll know. Every time your girlfriend brings you a loving meal, I sit in the office and still smell the fragrance." “Director Giang, do you avoid any foods?” Giang Ky replied: "I'm not picky about eating, any dish is fine." You lied. He can't eat ginger and onions, can't eat cilantro, and can't eat spicy food. But Tran Nac loves spicy food. I can completely pretend not to know, but Giang Ky is Tran Nac's superior. If he is not satisfied with the meal tonight, will it cause trouble for Tran Nac? I bit my lip, hesitated for two seconds, then decided to change the spicy boiled fish to pickled fish. Braised ribs only add a few slices of dried chili for flavor. Make another dish of spicy and sour stir-fried potatoes, then cook a bowl of simple tofu soup, and mix a bowl of satay with the dipping sauce. That's enough for three people to eat. When the meal was served, Tran Nac excitedly took out the precious bottle of wine and said he wanted to thank Giang Ky for helping him all this time. I opened my mouth to intervene. Tran Nac has a poor tolerance for alcohol, only one glass is enough collapsed. But the wine has already been opened, and if I say anything now, it will be like pouring cold water on me. Had to eat in silence. Giang Ky didn't say much, throughout the meal, Tran Nac's voice was mainly heard. Suddenly my foot was lightly bumped, my whole body stiffened, my eyes reflexively glanced down at the table, only seeing the art style tablecloth. Probably accidentally touched it? I silently withdrew my foot. 4 In the end, Tran Nac was still drunk. He put his head down on the table, his cheeks red. I poured a cup of honey water, gently coaxed him to drink it all, then smiled shyly at Giang Ky. When not smiling, Giang Ky's eyes are so cold that it makes others wary. He took out his cigarette case and signaled with his eyes to see if I was paying attention. I can only say: “It's okay.” So he sat on one side smoking, his eyes quietly watching me help Tran Nac lie on the sofa. I ran back and forth, covered Tran Nac with a blanket, and cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks. Giang Ky didn't proactively say he wanted to go home, and I also didn't have the convenience to say goodbye to the guests. Tran Nac fell asleep, Giang Ky and I just stood there, the atmosphere was awkward. I had to rack my brains to find a job for myself. Washing the dishes, cleaning the table, there was nothing left to do, so I cut a plate of apples and cut them into rabbit shapes. Giang Ky used a fork to skewer a piece, looked at it for a moment, then suddenly opened his mouth: "Cung Due." For the first time after our reunion, he called my name. “Do you treat all your boyfriends the same way?” “What am I like?” “Dedicated to doing our best, not worrying about anything.” He concluded, “Just like a maid.” He thought for a moment, then continued: "That's not true, not just with boyfriends. With friends, you are like a free maid."