Part 12
New morning and some old stories.
After a crazy time together, Ha reported the financial situation to Mr. Danh in a naked state. It must be said that her ability was very good, even though she had just experienced a moment of extreme excitement, the numbers in her head were not mistaken. Mr. Danh listened with his eyes half closed while letting his hand glide over her sensitive areas.
Ha did not feel uncomfortable, sometimes she even giggled when Mr. Danh played with her butterfly hair. It took Ha half an hour to summarize all the main points for Mr. Danh, then invited Mr. Danh to come down to the new workshop on the nearest day to know more.
– That information is enough for you to grasp the situation, right? Next week, let Chi compare it with the data sent from below and systematize it, then you will understand completely. All the problems are in the import stage managed by Dao, but now that I have the financial resources in my hands, he will not be able to cause any more trouble. The Philips director is also getting more and more stable, I believe that soon the new factory will be able to operate at full capacity. Let me take a shower and go home, my husband should be home soon.
Mr. Danh nodded and walked into the bathroom with her. The two of them helped scrub each other’s bodies, occasionally hearing Ha’s giggles. Before letting her go, Mr. Danh said.
– Take good care of your husband. If needed, stay home with him. Let Philips take care of the factory.
– Yes, I know. Come down to the factory in a week or two.
So Mr. Danh’s stormy night ended, all the frustration was completely released. As for Chi, she had another sleepless night, every single thing she did tonight was like a movie, slowly playing in her head.
She ran to him with emotional certainty, the desire to express herself and the hope of “love”. She also knew for the first time the primitive desires of women, she acted on instinct, voluntarily exposing her body for a man to enjoy. But what she got in return was confusion, humiliation and disappointment, and when she walked out of that room, she wondered with a bunch of questions in her head.
Was I hasty? I don’t even know what love is? Will he feel pity or despise me? Or will he understand and tolerate me like a father, silently watching the clumsiness of his growing daughter. But no… a father will love and tolerate, will guide me but will not make me lose sleep and be confused like this. Oh, Chi, growing up is so difficult…
Now she did not know how to face him anymore, she was afraid of being looked down upon, afraid of being misunderstood as being arrogant or selfish. Just like that, the young girl lay there all night, tossing and turning, awake.
Luckily, the following days, because I had to take care of my mother, I stopped thinking about that day. Along with that, my mother’s rapid and stable recovery also brought joy to Chi. Every time I went to check my kidney function, I felt happy, and was always touched and grateful for the other person’s kindness.
Exactly one week after her mother’s surgery, Chi returned to work. Contrary to her brother’s confusion, Mr. Danh welcomed Chi with a smile and the same closeness as always.
– How is your mother? Has she fully recovered yet? Why are you in such a hurry to go to work?
– Yes, it’s very good, my mother has started eating and walking around easily. She has been moved to a regular room. If she still improves, I will let her leave the hospital next week. At that time…
Chi was about to say something more but was interrupted by Mr. Danh changing the subject.
– That’s great, then I can work with full concentration without worry, helping my boss. Without me, everything has been in a mess lately.
Chi nodded.
Yes, if you need anything, just let me know.
– Okay, you help me summarize these two figures, then write an invitation letter to the Japanese partner, I have prepared the general content here. One more thing, help me choose a gift for his family, you are a woman, this task will be more meticulous than me.
All morning, Chi was busy with the tasks Mr. Danh assigned her. She avoided looking him in the eye, avoided talking, and was as quiet as a shadow, not wanting him to notice her.
But her job required constant contact and questioning, and every time she did, her whole body broke out in goosebumps. It wasn’t fear, nor was it discomfort or disgust, but just a strange restlessness and uneasiness that she couldn’t name.
As if knowing her confusion, Mr. Danh often brought up the topic. The stories about Mrs. Le’s health made her smile constantly, and she became more comfortable and natural in each answer.
– After mom’s health fully recovers, Chi wants to do something with her.
– Yes, if my mother gets well, I will take her around the country. From Khau Pha Heaven Gate, to Ban Gioc Waterfall, Tam Chuc Pagoda, Ba Den Mountain, the western river region and even Ho Chi Minh City. Because of her hard work in raising me, my mother could not go anywhere, I will help her make up for her regret.
Looking at the little girl’s sparkling eyes, Mr. Danh understood how much Chi wanted her mother to get well, and he also felt that what he did for her was meaningful.
Pausing for a moment, Chi suddenly looked into his eyes and spoke sincerely.
– Uncle, I apologize for what happened last night. I hope you understand that I did not do it for personal gain or to get ahead. It’s just that your debt to my mother and I is too great. In a moment of rashness, I found the wrong way to express my gratitude. Now I understand. In a few days, when my mother is fully recovered, I will sell the land and house to pay you back immediately.
– Ha ha, silly girl, make me some tea and then I will tell you this story.
Chi nodded and went to prepare. When the tea was ready, Mr. Danh picked up a cup and sipped it. He nodded and said with satisfaction.
– Delicious, you make it as good as Ha, very smart and attentive.
Chi bowed her head to accept his compliment, feeling as happy as the first days she arrived. Mr. Danh pondered for a moment before beginning.
– Do you know why I helped your mother cure her illness?
No, sir.
– Because I don’t want to see Chi helplessly watch her most beloved person leave like me.
Mr. Danh stood up, still holding the cup of tea but his eyes looked through the glass window, filled with sadness. A bit of buried memory came back to life, his voice suddenly became a bit more sorrowful.
– At that time, I had just established the company, everything was still messy and chaotic. I left early and came home late, forgetting to pay attention to the person I loved the most. She gritted her teeth and endured the pain alone, until I found out, it was too late. The terrible heart disease took her away forever.
He looked down at the cold cup of tea in his palm, something ached in his heart, the pain was so strong that even a strong person like him had to grit his teeth.
– More than anyone, I understand how terrible that pain is. I really don’t want Chi to go through that moment. So, I help Chi and her mother to give myself some peace of mind. So you two do n’t need to feel guilty. Don’t think about repaying the favor. Don’t sell the land or house yet. I’ll tell you later when I need money.
Looking at the man who was usually so strong, but now his hands were shaking to contain his emotions, Chi knew that the pain was terrible. Truly, if that day my mother had left, I could not imagine how I would have had to overcome it, how dark life without her would have been. Feeling some of his pain in the past, Chi spoke words of comfort.
– Now she sees you realizing your dream and building a career as you wished, she must be very happy. You should stop being sad, uncle.
– Is this your dream? No, your dream is to enjoy her sweet, passionate love every day without any worries. You are so stupid that only after losing her did you realize your true dream.
The crimson afternoon sunlight cast a long shadow over the lonely man. Chi felt her heart ache, as if someone was squeezing it. She had the urge to go over and hug him, but she held back because of the lesson she had learned that night. Instead, she poured him some more tea, as if to give him some warmth and let him know he was not alone.
– Thank you Chi for being there to listen to my story. You should go home now and prepare carefully so that tomorrow we can go to the workshop together. Please give my regards to your mother.
– Yes, uncle, don’t work too late, go to bed early and take care of your health, I’m going home now.
Chi had left but Mr. Danh was still standing there. What he had just told Chi were the most painful days of his life.
From an orphan without roots, wandering from one film crew to another radio station, doing everything that people told him to do. He had a place to stay, someone to share his life with, he lived in the most sacred and sincere love in the world of a gentle and beautiful woman. He was filled with the will to strive, wanting to repay her with rich silk and velvet, who would have thought…
If that day hadn’t happened, he would be the happiest man now, with a successful career and someone by his side who loves him dearly.
The other half he treasured most was gone, so now he had to live in a self-created fake world. Yes, so fake that he laughed mockingly at his own vanity. Sometimes he didn’t even recognize himself and felt ashamed of the dead.