12

The night in Saigon was quiet, but Yên Pha's mind was anything but calm. Amid the twinkling lights of the city, the image of the girl with the mesmerizing voice still haunted her like a dream, like an unprecedented wave, slowly engulfing her soul.

Yên Pha and Hương Chà, two figures who crossed paths in the foggy Saigon night, had no idea that this encounter was not a mere coincidence. The invisible thread of fate had silently connected them from the moment their eyes met, from Hương Chà's heart-wrenching songs to Yên Pha's hurried steps toward her.

In the quiet, emotionally charged night, it seemed that destiny had placed them on the same path. A path whose destination was unknown, but one that would surely be filled with unspoken emotions, with sweetness intertwined with bitterness that they had yet to recognize.

Yên Pha sat in her car, her eyes following Hương Chà's figure fading behind the car window. Within her, a strange feeling smoldered, like a small flame blown into a fire by the wind, preventing her from returning to her previous calm state.

As the car rolled on, Hương Chà's hand gently gripped the edge of her dress. Her gaze drifted far away, but her mind seemed to linger on Yên Pha's composed words. There was something vague about it, but strong enough to make her remember.

Inside the car, as the faint streetlights passed by the window, Hương Chà reclined into her seat, her eyes momentarily dreamy but also sparkling with curiosity.

• "Anna, do you know who that person was?" - Her voice was gentle, yet tinged with interest. "She's so beautiful that I feel envious."

Lý Anna glanced at Hương Chà through the rearview mirror, then smiled softly, as if she had just mentioned an important figure.

• "That person is Miss Yên Pha - Thái Yên Pha, the only daughter of the Thịnh Phát family, a wealthy and powerful family in Chợ Lớn. You might not know, but her name is well-known in high society."

• "The Thịnh Phát family?" - Hương Chà frowned, as if trying to recall some old stories she had heard. "Aren't they famous for silk trading?"

• "That's right," - Lý Anna nodded, continuing,

• "Miss Yên Pha manages most of the family's business. Even though she's a daughter, her father, Thái Thịnh Phát, loves and trusts her so much that he entrusted her with this responsibility. But because she took on a role traditionally meant for her brothers... life at home is not exactly harmonious."

Hương Chà remained silent, her eyes briefly contemplative.

Lý Anna glanced at her, then continued:

• "She's not just famous for her beauty, but also for her strong personality and wise management. Despite her powerful family, Miss Yên Pha chose not to be dependent. It's said that she bought her own house and left her family at the age of 20 to live her own life."

Hương Chà gently tilted her head, her eyes seemingly captivated.

• "How fascinating. A woman who is both beautiful and independent... Perhaps that's the attraction that makes it hard for me to look away."

• "But, Chị Anna..." - She suddenly wondered. • "Why isn't she like other young masters or businessmen? In the situation earlier, people usually make demands for me to meet, but she didn't even want me to know her name."

Lý Anna smiled faintly and shook her head.

• "You're so naive. If you're a shining star, then Miss Yên Pha is the brightest gem of the southern provinces. It's just that I've been too inattentive to notice."

Hương Chà was momentarily stunned by those words.

• "The brightest gem...?"

• "Yes. But you should be careful." - Anna continued. "This gem isn't easy for just anyone to see. Many admire her, but they all say that Thái Yên Pha always keeps her distance, like a noble flower that no one can touch."

Hương Chà chuckled softly, a smile that was both sweet and slightly challenging.

• "But aren't all flowers waiting for someone patient enough to reach them?"

Anna shook her head, looking at her with both surprise and concern.

• "Hương Chà, I don't know what you're thinking, but remember that Thái Yên Pha is not like others. And right now, your reputation is hard-earned-don't ruin it."

Hương Chà fell silent, her gaze dreamily looking out the car window, where the darkness and city lights merged. A soft smile appeared on her lips, leaving it unclear whether it was by chance or intentional.

She whispered to herself, "Thái Yên Pha, I will meet you again."

Thái Yên Pha returned home late, with Thống Nhất street still vibrant under the city lights. It was a bustling neighborhood where luxury shops and cafes were always full of people coming and going, even in the late hours. The sound of car horns blended with the chatter, creating a symphony of Saigon's ever-awake rhythm.

Yên Pha's house is located in a prime spot, standing out with its elegant Indochine architecture. The two-story house has a spacious façade, high arched windows, and intricately wrought iron balconies, like a quiet work of art amidst the bustling street. The top is crowned with a red tile roof, adorned with graceful decorative ridges, evoking the classic French villas, yet with a touch of the East in the carved wooden details around the main door.

The large gate, made of ebony wood and painted in glossy black, is inlaid with shining brass details. On either side of the gate are two antique-style lanterns, casting a soft light, as if guiding the mistress home whenever she returns late. Inside the courtyard is a spacious area with green stone paving, adorned with a few carefully pruned potted plants. A bougainvillea vine climbs from the corner of the yard up to the second floor, its vibrant red flowers standing out against the ivory-colored wall.

The first floor of the house is a large living room, where Yên Pha often receives guests or sometimes works. The interior is decorated with fine wooden furniture, from the black velvet sofa set, the mother-of-pearl inlaid coffee table, to the tall bookshelves filled with French and Vietnamese books. On the walls hang several abstract oil paintings, bold strokes reflecting the strong personality of the owner. A grand piano sits near the large window, its presence accentuated by the light from the crystal chandelier above.

The second floor is Yên Pha's private space. Her bedroom is located at the end of the hall, with a large window facing the street. It is a spacious room, but not overly ornate, decorated in a minimalist style with shades of white and light blue. The large bed is covered with white silk sheets, and beside it is a small desk holding a few books and a fresh flower vase. The light from an elegant bedside lamp emits a soft glow, creating a sense of peace after a long day.

Upon entering the gate, Yên Pha immediately feels a peace that contrasts with the bustling world outside. She slowly steps up the steps, opens the front door, and quietly enters the house. The stillness of the space seems to await her return. Although outside the house, the sounds of the street never cease, here inside, there is only the silence and privacy that belong to her, a place where she can temporarily set aside the storms and unfinished stories within.

Yên Pha tiredly leans against the glossy black French-style sofa, a luxurious piece that somehow makes her feel even more alone. The vast house, full of grandeur, is empty, with no laughter or conversation. Occasionally, she feels the silence of the house like an undercurrent, gnawing at her soul. Each time she comes home, besides the piles of work, she also faces the loneliness that no one can share.

The image of Hương Chà appears clearly in her mind, oddly vivid. The girl, mesmerizingly beautiful with a sweet voice, but bearing a deep sadness, as if each song hidden a pain that could not yet be expressed. She is like a gentle, mysterious wave, calm yet full of secrets. Yên Pha recalls Hương Chà's gaze, deep and slightly sorrowful, as though holding emotions that cannot be released. She cannot explain the special feeling she has for Hương Chà, but it pulls her in, like a boat drifting in the vast ocean, unable to break free.

The entire night, Yên Pha cannot sleep, her heart disturbed by restlessness. Her eyes close, but Hương Chà's image keeps flashing in her mind, preventing her from finding peace. Even the sound of Hương Chà's singing lingers in her thoughts, not leaving.

Unable to bear it any longer, Yên Pha gets up, weary, and heads to the bathroom. It is 1 AM, but she cannot lie there any longer, cannot let these thoughts continue to occupy her mind. She needs to wash everything away, even if only temporarily, so that she can feel ready to face the world again with calm.

The dim light from the small ceiling lamp shines over the bathroom area. Yên Pha turns on the tap, and the cool water cascades down her body, bringing a sense of relaxation, yet also washing away the worries and fatigue within her. She closes her eyes, allowing the water to soothe her, but in her mind, the image persists - Hương Chà, with her enchanting voice.

Perhaps tonight, these thoughts will not leave. But Yên Pha knows that, no matter what, these emotions cannot be mere coincidence. They are a sign of something, something she cannot ignore.

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I'm sorry to all of you.

Since this story is set in Vietnam, the words and forms of address may not fully convey what the author wants to express in the translation. Therefore, the author would like to change the character names back to their original forms and adjust the forms of address to improve the story.

After the revisions are complete, more chapters will be released. I hope for your understanding.

Thank you sincerely.

Hy . .

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