Chapter 9 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

Luc Can Nien's legal wife. The woman is carrying his child in her womb.

"See you at three o'clock."

"Let her choose."

Three o'clock in the afternoon. Tong Dao chose a coffee shop in a residential area. The restaurant is very small, remote location. No one will recognize us. When I arrived, she was already sitting there. The six month belly has protruded very clearly. She wore a baggy coat, her face was yellow, and there were heavy dark circles under her eyes. She doesn't look like the "peaceful teenager" type at all. Seeing me, she immediately stood up. Lips moved for a moment. In the end, I can only say two words:

"Miss Phuong."

I sat down opposite her. Say nothing. She bowed her head, her hands clasped together.

"What happened last night, I... I saw it all."

I raised the glass of water in front of me and took a sip.

"Miss Phuong, there are some things... I don't know how to tell you."

Her voice was very soft. Fragile as if it would break with just the slightest touch.

"For the past seven years, I have not volunteered."

I looked at her.

"He said he would divorce you."

Her eyes turned red.

"At first, he spoke very quickly."

"Then he said we had to wait for the opportunity."

"And later..."

"It's become impossible to hurt you again."

"I've been waiting for seven years."

I put down the glass of water.

"Tong Dao."

I calmly called her name.

"Did you find me just to talk about these things?"

She raised her head. Tears fell.

"I want to tell you something."

"That medicine bowl..."

"It wasn't his intention alone."

My fingers tightened slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"It's a member of the Luc family."

"It's his father."

Her voice dropped lower.

"Luc Minh An told him to do so."

"He said..."

"As long as you can't have children, you will forever be tied to the Luc family."

"Wait until my grandmother passes away..."

"The natural heritage will become the Luc family's."

I looked straight into her eyes. She doesn't shy away. This was the first time in seven years... She dared to look straight at me.

"Why did you tell me this?"

She wiped her tears.

"Because last night, after Luc Can Nien returned..."

"He slapped me."

She tilted her face to the side. There is a bruise on the earlobe.

"He said..."

"It was me who leaked the information."

Her voice was so calm that it was almost numb.

"It's been seven years."

"This is the first time he hit me."

I looked at that bruise. Silence for a long time.

"Tong Dao."

Finally, I spoke up.

"Now you have two choices."

She looked at me.

"The first."

"Go back and continue giving birth to the Luc family."

"Being a mother without a name or a place."

"Waiting for the baby to be born..."

"Luc Can Nien will carry it away."

"And you..."

"Still nothing."

Her hand was placed on her stomach. Fingers tightened around the hem of his shirt.

"Cooperate with me."

"...How is the cooperation?"

"Luc Minh An is the one behind it."

"Luc Can Nien is just the implementer."

"Do you have any evidence in your hand to prove that Luc Minh An directly directed this matter?"

Her lips trembled slightly. Then, she took out an old phone from her pocket.

"In here is the message he sent to Can Nien."

"Regarding that bowl of medicine."

"He still refuses to let Can Nien delete it."

"Because he thinks..."

"Everything was absolutely sealed."

I looked at that phone. She pushed the phone luxurious.

"Miss Phuong."

She called softly.

"I'll help you, can you not..."

"Your baby will not be affected."

I interrupted her.

"That's your child."

"No matter what his last name is..."

"It also has nothing to do with the Luc family."

Her tears fell again. She doesn't wipe anymore. Co Dien Chu and I sat in the office together, rearranging the evidence. The messages on that phone lasted from seven years ago to half a year ago. Each text message Luc Minh An sent to Luc Can Nien.

"Increase the dose a little. The cycle is too long, what if something happens in the middle?"

"Nhan Hoa Duong, I already told Mr. Truong. Adjust the recipe, don't let her detect the change in taste."

"Bong Phi, please stabilize him. Don't let him make trouble. Tell him to wait two more years, wait for the old woman to die, everything will be yours."

I read every line. The fingertips did not tremble.

"Are these enough?"

I asked Co Dien Chu.

"Legally..."

"But how are you going to use them?"

"Call the police or..."

"No report."

He looked at me.

"Luc Minh An is the person who values family reputation and status in the world the most."

"Legal sanctions are too slow."

"I want him to lose face in front of everyone."

"I want everyone next to him to leave him one by one."

"How?"

"Annual industry conference next month."

I said calmly.

"Luc Minh An is the vice president of the association."

"He will go on stage to present the award."

"The number of people present that day..."

"Three times the party last night."

Co Dien Chu leaned back in his chair. Quietly look at me.

"Phuong Niem Tri."

"You're more cruel than I thought."

"Not cruel."

I turned off the phone screen.

"The debts are too much to pay."

"So what about before the annual conference?"

"During this period of time, the Luc family will not sit still and wait to die."

You're right. Today is the second day after the party. Luc Can Nien is definitely looking for ways to save it. Do media. Thanks to someone who spread the word. Even... Come find me directly.

"Let's get my stuff out first."

"In Cam Tu Giang Son apartment there are still some of my personal items."

"You want to go yourself?"

"Because..."

"Luc Can Nien is definitely there waiting for me."

I calmly replied.

"Then just let him wait."