Chapter 8 — After He Switched Brides On The Ceremony

Ta Van Chau immediately took the phone to call his mother. As soon as the call was connected, he asked:

"Mom, did you give the brooch to Nghien Nghien?"

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

"The wedding was originally a matter between two families. Mom just wanted to let Nghien Nghien keep a memory."

"Is it okay for her to wear a wedding dress?"

"You and Dung Chi are already arguing to this point, why are you still pursuing these matters?"

"I know she's standing outside the door."

"I thought she would cooperate."

Ta Van Chau slowly closed his eyes. The other end of the line continued to say:

"The Dung family girl really cares too much. Is just one dress and one brooch worth making such a fuss about now?"

He hung up. To Nghien stood in the middle of the living room, her voice very soft.

"Van Chau... you will help me, right?"

"How do you want me to help?"

"Pay off the design studio's debt for me, then give me a little more time. I can start again."

"That is the debt of the Ta group."

"But you are the head of the Ta group."

"I signed the papers. Why do you make me bear the burden?"

To Nghien's tears quietly gathered in the corners of her eyes.

"You weren't like that before."

Ta Van Chau looked at her.

"What were you like before?"

"You said, no matter what happens, you will stand by my side."

"What about Dung Chi?"

The expression on To Nghien's face stiffened. He continued asking:

"When I'm on your side...where does Dung Chi stand?"

To Nghien did not answer. Ta Van Chau turned and left. Coming downstairs, he sent me a text message.

"I understand."

I didn't ask what he understood. A long time later, he sent another message.

"The day of the wedding... did you stand outside the door waiting for a long time?"

I looked at the screen, then answered:

"Five minutes."

"Why don't you leave now?"

"I want to see...if you'll stop."

After that, he didn't text anymore. I placed the phone face down on the table, continuing to review the next contract. Outside the window, it started to rain. The wedding promotion sign at Te Ngan manor has been completely dismantled. On the ground there were only a few nails still stuck firmly in the wooden planks. I told someone to replace that board as well. At dawn, Ta Van Chau posted a public apology. No explanation. Don't blame. Just a statement of less than three hundred words.

"The performance of the substitute bride at the wedding was arranged by me. Dung Chi was completely unaware in advance. Even though I knew she was standing outside the banquet hall, I still held To Nghien's hand through the entire ceremony on the red carpet."

"The wedding dress was made by me, and the brooch was taken by me. I never received Dung Chi's consent."

"I used Te Ngan's asset records to provide false information to the bank and partners. This matter is completely unrelated to Dung Chi. All responsibilities arising later will be borne by the Ta group."

"The wedding was canceled, the relationship ended, it's all my responsibility."

After the statement was posted, new criticism did not immediately appear in the comment section. Most people only leave one sentence.

"Do you regret it now?"

After reading the statement, I did not respond. The next day, the Ta group's stock price continued to fall. Ta Van Chau resigned from the company's executive position and actively coordinated investigate. The Ta family pushed all responsibility onto him. He did not object. He began to settle the debts left by To Nghien's design studio. Also started to reimburse each expense to wedding service providers. Originally, those things no longer had anything to do with me. But every time he completes a task, he sends someone to bring me a receipt. The first copy is a confirmation that the capital mobilization documentation has been destroyed. The second copy is the brooch return record. The third version is the settlement table with wedding suppliers. I accept it all. Save all records. But didn't reply even a single sentence. Until a week later, Ta Van Chau personally came to the manor. That day, no wedding was held in the manor. The flower gate has been dismantled. The white carpet has also been rolled up and put in storage. He stood in the middle of a large, empty banquet hall. He was wearing a gray coat, his shoulders still stained with rainwater.

"Why do you still keep this place?"

At that time I was looking at the new quarter's operating report.

"This place is mine."

"I know."

"It's okay to know."

He looked behind me.

"Where is the flower gate?"

"Removed."

"Can it be rebuilt again?"

"Cannot."

"I want to stand here and say a few words to you."

"You've said too much."