Chapter 15 — You demand justice, I'll show you what justice is

The whole hall was buzzing. A tall, thin man walked up. Calm eyes, thin frame glasses, dark blue vest. Technician temperament. I looked at him. He smiled.

“I am Tham Vu, Tan Duyet's technology partner... and Lam Vy's fiance.”

The air rose again. Tham Vu joined the company three years ago. On the first day, he brought with him a team of engineers and a plan. In the first meeting, he talked about the algorithm for thirty minutes. When I looked up, I was the only one still listening. Then he found me.

“Mr. Lam, you are the first person to listen to everything without losing concentration.”

“Because I understand.”

Everything started from there. No noisy confessions. Don't chase drama. Just two people, through working nights, through data sheets and plans... standing quietly next to each other. The first time he said he liked him... was on the company's rooftop. The city is as bright as a sea of stars underfoot.

"I don't care how much money you have. I care about when you make a decision—that feeling of being so clear-headed, so decisive. That... is worth much more than money."

I then said:

"Are you sure? The person who came back just because he saw I had money... has already signed the divorce papers."

He gently pushed his glasses.

"I got a perfect score on my college math exam. I'm not to the point where I can't calculate... your value."

That's all. No need to try to prove anything. No need to divide in half. There is no need for anyone to feed anyone. Two people standing next to each other. Each person glows on their own. Then the light touched each other. That's what I want. Listing celebration night. I received a message. From Tran Hao.

“Congratulations on listing.”

I looked for a while. Answer in two words. Then put the phone down. To Lac stopped to look.

“Him?”

“Do you still keep in touch?”

"Don't delete. Too lazy to delete. Doesn't affect anything."

To Lac shrugged. The party gradually ended. Tham Vu stepped forward, leaned close to my ear and whispered:

"I recorded the bell sound just now. Every year after the anniversary, I'll play it again for you to listen to."

“You have too much free time.”

“This is called a ritual.”

“Technical people invent rituals.”

“Learn from me.”

I laughed. That night, the car drove past the old house. The apartment has been sold for a long time. Half a year after the divorce, I sold it. Change to a large apartment in the center. When the car passed the gate of the old area, I looked in. Still see that balcony—third floor, second apartment from the left. The place where ornamental bamboo pots used to be placed. Now someone else is there. People's clothes dry on it. Warm yellow light shines from the window. A very... peaceful feeling.

“What are you looking at?” Tham Vu asked.

“Old place.”

“Want to go back?”

The car continues to run. The street lights passed through the glass, one by one, like time. Five years ago, I stood in that room and heard him say:

"Split it in half. Fairly."

At that time, I only thought of one sentence: If you want to be fair— Then be fair to the end. What are the outcomes of equity? It was he who discovered— He was always standing on the stairs set up by someone else. The steps were withdrawn— He fell down. As for the person who built the stairs... From beginning to end, there was never a need for stairs. Because she herself— is the step. The car stopped under the building. Tham Vu and I walked into the elevator together. The door closes. He took my hand. Not tight. Not liquid. That feeling reminds me of a sentence— Someone once said. Some people... never said it.

“I raised you all my life.”

Tran Hao once said that. But can't do it. Tham Vu never said. But every day is work. There are words—saying them is worthless. There are words—no need to speak. Just holding hands... is enough of an answer. The elevator door opens. I entered the house. Living room is clean. Balcony, green bamboo pots. I replanted it myself. No one helped water. No one broke it either. It's still growing very well. Like me.