Chapter 12 — Where Sunset Falls

As for me, I gradually started going out to meet friends, meeting Lam Vi to eat, and having afternoon tea with old colleagues. Occasionally, people ask me if I have any partners recently and want to introduce them to me. I smiled and refused, not because I couldn't let go, but because I just temporarily didn't want to enter a new relationship. Every time Luc Thoi Yen saw me going out, his eyes darkened a bit. But he has no right to speak up. He also texted me, occasionally telling me a little about the current situation, saying that he was quitting drinking, saying that he had refused all parties related to Tham Du Du. My answer is always very short: *I know, yeah, okay.* I know that if I won't turn back, I will absolutely not give him any illusions. At the end of the year, I heard that Tham Du Du had gone abroad.

"When you left, she probably thought Luc Thoi Yen was divorced, so she went around spreading the word that she and Luc Thoi Yen were childhood sweethearts, with a very deep relationship. You also know that Luc Thoi Yen is quite famous in Hai Thanh, she grew up with him since childhood, so thanks to that, there are quite a few people surrounding her to flatter her." Lam Vi smacked her lips a few times.

"Later, Luc Thoi Yen, not knowing where he heard this story, personally asked someone to spread the news, declaring that there was no possibility between him and her, nor would they ever be together. He also said that in this life he only loves one person, his ex-wife who is currently living in Hai Thanh."

"At that time, this story was rumored loudly in Hai Thanh's upper class, Tham Du Du became a joke, everyone ridiculed her for wanting to climb to the position of the Sixth Lady to the point of going crazy. There was a time when she didn't even dare to go out of the door to meet anyone, probably because she wanted to prove herself too much. One time she drank and drove and caused an accident, her license was also revoked, and people just agreed to their fate."

I took a sip of coffee and said nothing. Actually, Lam Vi mentioned this to me before. Because of those rumors, the relationship between the Luc family and the Tham family also became tense. Tham Du Du's mother even went to Luc Thoi Yen, wanting him to speak up and correct her in public, to save some face for Tham Du Du. Luc Thoi Yen did not meet her. Lam Vi continued: "The other day at the class reunion, Luc Thoi Yen also came. He didn't see you, I saw him looking extremely disappointed."

"But he doesn't have the look of the old CEO anymore, his whole body is haggard and skinny, he just sits in the corner without saying a word. Sigh, now I see, you took care of him so well before."

14. A few months later, I met Luc Thoi Yen again. He had lost a lot of weight, standing downstairs in my apartment, for a moment I didn't even dare to recognize him.

“Aftereffects of the car accident, I had to stay in the hospital for several months to recuperate.” he said.

“Oh, then recover well.” I looked at him: "If there's nothing wrong, I'll go upstairs first."

He smiled bitterly: "This is what you deserve, you should endure." But in the end, I casually asked one more question: "Does the company have a manager?"

“Yes, I hired a professional CEO.” He looked at me: "Khuong Niem, are you... living well?"

I looked straight into his eyes. I have been in love with those eyes all year long year.

“Very good.” I said.

He nodded and was silent for a moment.

“I have to… go.” He cautiously asked: "In the future, can I come visit you sometimes?"

I looked at him, shaking my head.

“That's too close, let's leave.”

For the past year, he has come every week. Regularly without missing a day. Don't bother me, just stand downstairs, or sit at the cafe opposite. But I don't need that anymore. He lowered his head and was silent for a long time.