Part 22
Love-Understanding-Need, Philips’s ex-girlfriend.
Chi obediently sat down, or rather, silently excited. Every time he volunteered to become a teacher, what she learned from her was extremely useful. Mr. Danh took a deep breath, his eyes slowly stopping on her face.
-The feelings between two people, if only based on temporary emotions, often come quickly, also go quickly. But to reach a lasting ending, they need to go through four steps. Compatible – Love – Understanding – and Need (source taken from a sister on TV). It sounds simple, but going through all four steps is a journey that both people have to try.
Chi sat up straight, eyes unblinking, completely focused and listening attentively.
-Yes… I’m listening to you.
He nodded, his voice warmer, but each word was still very firm.
-First is “Compatible”. Two people may not be close at first sight, it’s difficult, but at least when sitting next to each other, they don’t feel constrained. Being able to talk comfortably, laughing together, walking around without getting bored. “Compatibility” is the foundation. If not compatible, everything behind is forced, not finding joy and falling apart. But if there is “Compatibility”, we have taken the first step, maybe being friends.
Chi heard this and nodded slightly, her eyes shining with some recognition.
– Are Phuc and I compatible? From listening to music, drinking tea, taking pictures…etc. We must be compatible, so I was very happy when I was with him. We could have been friends, that’s great.
While Chi was questioning herself, Mr. Danh continued calmly.
– Then came “Love”. But I made it clear: love is not excitement, nor is it ecstasy. Love is when we realize that the other person is more “compatible” than normal, the friendship becomes so close that we cannot be separated. They do things that are to our liking that few people do for us, that makes our hearts flutter, not because they are perfect, but because they are special in our hearts, we want to be better for them. Love is the feeling of wanting that person to be happy, and wanting to be very close together.
She was silent, her lips slightly pursed. Was Phuc that person? She did not dare to call it love, but clearly she had felt very happy when she saw him caring for her mother, when he took care of each photo for her, when he gave her his coat in the cinema. Those quiet concerns had touched deep into her fragile soul. He had also done things to her liking, her heart had “fluttered”, but there was still a distance between them, they were not yet intimate.
Mr. Danh paused for a moment, poured more water, then continued.
-The third step is “Understanding”. There are people who love each other passionately, but do not understand each other, so sooner or later they will lose their way. Understanding means having enough patience to look at the essence, not just the appearance. Understand that the other person has weaknesses, stubbornness, and even mistakes, but still accept them. And be willing to let them understand you.
Chi was silent, she realized, she still hadn’t let Phuc understand her completely. She was still hiding, still holding back, still hesitant. And it was true… she didn’t dare to look straight at his true self, because she wasn’t ready or maybe because of a vague fear of her origin.
-And finally, “Need”. Few people reach this step. It’s when you don’t want someone by your side because you’re lonely, but because that person makes life more meaningful. You don’t depend on them, but their presence… makes everything you do more complete.
His voice was even and then gradually softened.
-“Need” is when you think, if you don’t have that person, you’ll probably still live, but life will be monotonous, your view of life will no longer be as colorful and sparkling as before.
Chi looked at him, she felt something very heavy in his voice. Like a distant memory, an old woman had once walked all four steps with him, and then, now only he sat here, explaining that lesson to her.
-Phuc… is a good guy. But don’t let anyone push you, not even yourself. Just let your emotions go through each step, and time will answer. Don’t rush, but don’t close your heart either.
Chi sat still for a long time, breathing slowly as if absorbing every word he had just said. She felt open, enlightened, the mixed emotions that couldn’t be named, the hesitation between hundreds of forks in the road now had someone to guide her. She said words of gratitude from the bottom of her heart.
-Yes… thank you, uncle
– Haha, the General Director’s office now doubles as a love class.
Chi bowed her head in shame, but in her heart she was filled with gratitude. He was like a father, like a teacher, sometimes close like a friend, by his side every time she grew up, became better. That was a precious thing that very few people did for her in her entire life.
At the same time, there was also someone who was in a mess and had to struggle alone, this person was Phuc. That’s right, in the relationship between the two people, Chi was not the only one who was troubled, Phuc was no different. Even though he had proactively invited her out, proactively expressed and showed a hasty attitude of wanting to move on. He wondered and had to admit that all of that was not entirely due to the influence of Mr. Danh. He himself also had a lot of feelings for Chi, really wanted to be close to her and develop their relationship further. However, deep in his heart, there was still a lingering feeling, or rather, a shadow.
More than two years ago, when he had just finished his master’s program and was working as a project manager for a fairly large company. Here, he met and got to know a Chinese girl named Tieu Van. The two were the same age, the same skin color, quite similar in culture and way of thinking.
There would be nothing if handsome men and beautiful women did not often find each other. Tieu Van is beautiful, the proud and intellectual beauty of a swan who knows she is beautiful and talented. Many people like her, from board members to partners and even a few female bosses. However, she noticed the quiet Asian man, but once he spoke, he often took all the attention of everyone.
Not knowing if he or she took the initiative or maybe both, they stuck together like glue and from here marked the first love of Phuc, now known as Philips.
They often cook together, travel and teach each other their country’s language. Tieu Van loves him very much, and she wants to be loved by him and be with him forever in this life. Philips also loves Tieu Van but in his heart there is always another place to turn to, that place is the origin, the place where he still has “filial piety” to repay and mistakes to correct.
That day was very near, yesterday Phuc received a call from Vietnam, the person on the other end of the line just said.
-The new factory has started construction, I need a capable executive director here, this time can I trust you?
Phuc answered almost without thinking.
-Yes, I will arrange my work here to come back immediately, Dad, give me 2 months.
…Beep…beep… The other end of the line only had a dry machine sound, Phuc looked at the phone in his hand with a heavy heart. He was about to leave the place he had been attached to for a long time, and also Tieu Van, his new girlfriend, they had just confirmed their love for 4 months now. Their feelings were at their peak, now they were really reluctant to part…
-Wow…Philips, why are you so absent-minded?
Lost in thought, he let Tieu Van come to his side without realizing it. Only when the English-Chinese voice, sometimes with a few Vietnamese words, rang out did he suddenly turn around. Tieu Van in a white turtleneck shirt, a beige long skirt and a dark coat was standing in front of him. Not too much makeup, with a delicate face with bright eyes, a high nose bridge and a bright smile, she stood out, making many people praise her. images – 2025-07-16T174326.501.jpeg
Today the two of them had an appointment to cook together, Philips had promised to teach her to cook Northern braised fish, and she would teach him how to make Chinese-style braised pork. They went to the market together, chattering like a pair of birds, but if you pay attention, you will see that Philips’s eyes occasionally flashed with sadness.
The Asian market had everything they needed, the hard-to-find things Philips and Tieu Van had prepared in advance, it didn’t take long for Phuc to carry a pile of things in his hands and stand in front of the door. However, his wallet and house keys were in his pocket, he was struggling to put the pile of things down when a voice rang out.
-Be careful not to break the egg… just pick it up, let me get the key.
Mouth talking, hands working, Tieu Van’s small hand had crept into Philips’s trouser pocket. Only a thin layer of fabric separated her hand from touching his very sensitive skin. Their warmth was exchanged, along with the excitement for both of them. The trouser pocket was not too big, Tieu Van had to slowly move her fingers, unconsciously scratching lightly to provoke him. Her face was red, and Philips above was also breathing heavily. Luckily, at this time Tieu Van had grabbed the stubborn key.
-Ha ha, here you are, where are you running to?
-Tieu Van… wait… slowly… don’t make me… stuck.
It turned out that in the few minutes her small hand crept into the trouser pocket, that area of his had changed a lot, something had grown very quickly due to stimulation. It and the key chain were pressing against each other, if it was too hasty, the thing that had just woken up would be injured.
Tieu Van understood that, although it was both funny and embarrassing, she still did everything more carefully, because after all, she still enjoyed that thing. She had to preserve it well so that one day it would bring her happiness.
-A ha ha, okay, both Philips and little Philips are completely intact, let’s go inside.
Tieu Van freely teased, her delicate playfulness made both of them less embarrassed.
The door opened, they stepped inside, filling the room with the scent of love, they played, learned to cook, sometimes stopping to give each other passionate kisses.
Their lips and tongues were familiar with each other, they entangled passionately and passionately. When both of their breathing became rapid, his hand slipped into her shirt to caress her smooth skin. Their love could be called long enough, enough understanding and trust. Tieu Van was also ready to give herself to him, she did not speak but showed it through her body language.
She let him press her face down on the sofa, his hard, bulging erection rubbing back and forth on her soft, hot mound. Its firmness, even through many layers of clothing, still made her insides wet.
She moaned softly, her legs spread wider and not at all hindered when his hands were placed on her breasts. To be more exact, she was also excited right now, she wanted him to strip off the things on her body that were getting in the way, and then enjoy themselves together all night.
But like many other times, at this moment he pulled his hand away, pulled her shirt neatly and said a very unnecessary word to her.
-I’m sorry…