Part 20
Mr. Danh’s advice, next appointment.
On Monday, Chi arrived earlier than usual, even though she slept a bit late last night. It was also Phuc’s fault that he texted her very late last night, and at the end, he even invited Chi to hang out again this weekend. That made her think all night and not sleep well. It was
true that hanging out with him was fun and very compatible, but when she saw his overly specific approach, she was worried. The worry even she didn’t know where it came from. Was it because she didn’t have any experience in men and women, or because their statuses were far apart, or because he was her uncle’s son?
Her thoughts were spinning, making her lose focus. Cleaning the office was usually very quick, but today it took half an hour.
Her uncle came, looked around, and then sat at the table. Chi bowed to him, and he responded with a gentle, friendly smile as usual.
-Chi is thinking about something, that corner of the table has been wiped over and over again four times.
He reminded her, startling her, and she immediately regained her composure. She made him a cup of hot tea and brought it over to put on his table.
– Uncle, do you have any important appointments or things to pay attention to today?
– No, sir, just an appointment at 2:30 pm with a Japanese partner. In the morning, I will meet the chief accountant and the head of the planning department to discuss preferential policies on taxes and land rent for businesses producing environmentally friendly materials.
– Yes, not much work, I remember, thank you Chi.
The task of reporting the schedule for the day to him was over but Chi still hadn’t left, seeing that, Mr. Danh immediately asked.
– What’s wrong, is there anything else you want to tell me, is it something important that you’re delaying for so long?
– Yes, not too important but… a bit difficult to say. The thing is, on Friday night, Phuc and I went out, uncle.
– So what, why is it difficult to say something like that? So what, did you have fun hanging out with him, did you get along, did he take you home early?
-Yes, he is very polite and kind, and knowledgeable too, talking to him is also fun, thanks to him I learned a lot.
-So is there anything that makes you feel awkward that you have to think so much?
-Yes, it’s because he continues to invite me out next week… I… I…
Unlike Chi who usually speaks clearly and decisively, touching on the issue of men and women that she has never experienced before, she did not know how to explain her confusion. But standing in front of her was an experienced person in both life and love, he understood her at first sight.
-He was acting hasty and made you feel overwhelmed, you have never loved or dated anyone seriously before, right?
Chi blushed and nodded, and Mr. Danh smiled again, he picked up the cup, took a sip of tea and continued speaking.
-Phuc is 27 this year, he has also been sent to study everywhere, affirming that he has encountered many. He knows which women are worth befriending, learning about and pursuing. As for me, even though I am not as good as other parents, I still hope he meets a wonderful girl. If that person is you, I am very reassured. Chi
heard Mr. Danh speak and thought he was talking about someone other than herself, she was surprised when he gave her such good compliments. But when he said that he strongly supported Phuc in pursuing her, for some reason she felt a little choked up. Mr. Danh noticed her thoughtful face, he thought for a moment and then continued.
-Chi, don’t think things are too heavy and worry, things are actually very simple. You and Phuc both need a friend to talk to, listen to music or do something to relieve stress. Take Friday’s date to verify, as long as you feel comfortable and happy when sitting together, and feel relieved and excited when the date ends, you can consider the other person as your friend.
Thanks to Mr. Chi’s guidance, I realized that I had thought too far and worried about nonsense, things were much simpler. Indeed, Mr. Phuc was worth being friends with, if she had a friend like that, it would be her luck. As for the further matters between the two of them, no one forced her, let time answer instead.
Thinking like that, Chi’s face also relaxed, no longer tense, she quickly returned to work and was still the dedicated, bright Chi of every day. Mr. Danh looked at her with satisfaction, impressed that she had the same interests as her late wife, making him look at her longer.
A long, silky black hair tied high in a bun, thin, smooth shoulders and a soft, wasp waist combined with a leisurely and graceful gait with a round, plump butt shaking on both sides. If you only look from behind, they look quite similar, but because of the 2 generation gap and the influence of education and work, the 2 people have 2 completely different temperaments. After watching for a while, Mr. Danh laughed to himself and scolded himself for being silly. He took a deep breath to regain his composure and focus on work.
A busy week passed in the blink of an eye. On Friday afternoon, Chi was about to leave when he received his wishes.
– I wish you a happy weekend, Chi. If possible, please be more generous with your son.
Chi just remembered that it was Friday afternoon. On schedule, Phuc would pick her up tonight to go out. She almost forgot. She was a little embarrassed and said goodbye to him.
Phuc had returned to the city since the afternoon. He had prepared quite carefully for the two of them to have a fun and memorable evening. At the same time, he picked her up to go out, they chose a cinema and then watched an old psychological comedy.
There weren’t many people watching, most of them were in pairs, each couple chose separate seats to feel as private as possible. When the movie started, the lights were dim, one could hardly see the other, and sometimes all one could hear was whispers, or girls giggling.
The movie was gentle but profound, quite good, so both Phuc and Chi focused on enjoying it, only sometimes touching the popcorn box made them a little startled. In the changing lights, the light and dark intertwined in the cinema, sometimes the light shone on Chi’s face quite clearly, highlighting each delicate line. Phuc glanced over, his heart seemed to stop.
Her silky black hair was loose, a few strands falling on her forehead, sparkling in the dim light. Her big, round, sparkling eyes were attentively watching the movie, but her plump lips were slightly pursed, as if trying to suppress an emotion that was difficult to say. Chi wore a thin cream-colored sweater, with a round neck revealing her slender collarbone, and every time she leaned over to get the popcorn, the curve of her wasp waist was briefly visible through the shirt, evoking a secret, unobtrusive sexiness, but enough to make Phuc confused. He swallowed hard, trying to turn his face to the screen, but the gentle scent of her hair wafted past, making his heart flutter a little.
At this moment, the film switched to a hot scene, by the flickering fireplace, the male and female characters were wrapped around each other. Through the firelight, and under the cinematic angle, their touches and contacts were extremely fragrant. Every curve of the body appeared sharply, accompanied by the sound of skin and panting breath played on the speakers, making the whole cinema sink into a burning suffocation. From the back row, Phuc heard soft whispers, mixed with the rustling sound of clothes and a small moan even though the other person tried to hold back. The couple in the corner of the cinema was even more daring, under the dim light, they hugged and kissed each other while the man’s hand disappeared under the fabric of his shirt to touch his lover’s skin. Another couple nearby, the girl giggled and sat on her boyfriend’s lap, they were also in a trance, tightly holding each other as if looking for comfort in the stimulating space.
Chi unconsciously tightened her hands on the edge of the chair, her breathing became rapid, causing her whole chest to heave uncontrollably. Her face was bowed, her cheeks flushed under the flickering light of the screen. The hot movie scenes and the couples showing too much affection made her confused, a strange feeling rose in her body, which she wanted to hold back but couldn’t. Her heart beat faster, her palms were sweaty, and a hot wave ran down her spine. She bit her lip, trying to stay calm, but her fingers unconsciously dug into the popcorn box, causing a few kernels to fall onto her skirt. Phuc noticed Chi’s awkwardness, he wanted to say something to break the atmosphere, but it seemed he was too direct, he cleared his throat.
-Chi… are you okay?
His voice was small, close, but still made her startled, her cheeks flushed, confused like a playful child who had been discovered.
-Yes… I’m fine.
Chi mumbled, her eyes still glued to the screen, but it was clear she was trying to hide her awkwardness. She pulled her sweater up to cover her neck, as if to hide the patches of skin that had turned pink from the heat of the whole theater. Phuc smiled, feeling her innocence, his heart was both fluttering and wanting to protect her.
-If… you don’t feel comfortable, let’s go out for a bit?
He whispered, his voice calm but full of concern. Chi shook her head, still trying to act carefree with a forced smile.
-No, it’s okay… the movie is good.
-But it’ll be even “hotter” in here, can you stand it?
-Um…let’s go out then.
Phuc stood up first, he showed his protection by putting his thin coat on her shoulder.
-The North Wind is back, it’ll be colder outside.
Indeed, the wind came so suddenly, many people were forced to shiver by the cold, while Chi comfortably sat sipping a steaming cup of cocoa and talking with Phuc about the impressions of the movie.
-The love in the movie is so crazy, isn’t it? No storm or challenge can stop it. Is it really like that in reality?
-I don’t know either, maybe because I haven’t loved anyone that much, or I’m not brave enough to do something so great for the one I love. But I know there are people who have done it, they sacrifice for each other, love for them is not just an emotion, but the reason for their whole life.
-Oh really, they are so admirable.
Chi’s eyes sparkled dreamily, not paying attention to the regret and remorse in his eyes. She continued.
-I wonder how the movie will end, will that couple be happy or not, it’s a pity I haven’t seen it all.
-Sorry for the incomplete experience, to make up for it I will volunteer to be your photographer tomorrow morning, with my professional camera and my European working experience.
-Right tomorrow morning.
-Yeah, didn’t you say you wanted to take pictures on the flower trellis on the street we passed by the other day?
-But…
Chi was a little hesitant, the two of them seemed to be progressing too quickly.
-I want to make it up to you tonight, and I want to have a great weekend. Just like last week, I really relaxed, came back in a relaxed mood, and my productivity all week increased.
-Yes, then 8 o’clock.
-Okay, I’ll be there on time, oh, Chi, please help me with something.
Phuc took a card from his wallet and gave it to Chi.
-Chi, help me give this to your mother.
When Chi saw the card, she didn’t dare to reach out to receive it right away, waiting for him to continue.
-Right in the area where I live, they just opened a knitting and embroidery class mainly for women. I saw that my wife had been home for a long time, and I was afraid she would be sad, so I bought her a 6-month course. Help me give her the membership card.
A very practical gift for your mother, Chi really liked it, but it was too valuable, Chi didn’t dare accept it right away.
-The gift is very suitable for your mother, but it must be very expensive, I have to let you pay for it before you dare to take it.
-Haha, I am a resident in a priority area, the price I bought it for is very cheap, don’t think too much, take it and help me give it to my mother, remember to include a wish for her to get well soon.
Chi also had no excuse to refuse, she happily took it and left with him.