Chapter 12 — After Seeing Through It, I No Longer Love You

That question made me silent. I clenched my fists, my fingertips turning white.

“Dad, I…” I opened my mouth with difficulty, “I need a little more time.”

"Emotional matters... three years doesn't mean you can let go."

“But I also know, I can't go back to the way it was before.”

“Don't rush to conclusions.” My father didn't press, "It's normal for a puppet to have a puppet mind at this time."

“You just stand on your side first.”

"In two days, I'll book a ticket to Hangzhou."

“You don't need to carry it alone.”

“Dad… are you really going up?” I was stunned.

"Of course." He said it was obvious, "Your daughter is being bullied, can you stand by and watch?"

“Don't worry about Dad making a fuss.”

“Dad is not the type of person to knock on doors and cause trouble.”

“But there are things that I have to say straight to their faces.”

“Let them know… the Lam family is not easily bullied.”

“Dad…” the bridge of my nose stung, my voice trembled, “I'm afraid that being too angry will affect your health.”

“Don't worry, dad is still very healthy.” He smiled, "harder than you thought."

“Just stay calm.”

“Just go to work normally these days, don't revolve around that guy anymore.”

“Think of it as air.”

"As for house repairs, if you have the strength, you can plan ahead."

“If not, just leave it there, wait for dad to come up and watch with you.”

"Yes." I nodded.

“And also,” Dad seemed to suddenly remember, “don't hide it from your mother anymore.”

"She's more sensitive than Dad. She'll realize it sooner or later."

“It's better for you to be clear, than for me to guess.”

“It's okay to let her scold Dad a few times, rather than keeping it to herself.”

I stopped and laughed bitterly.

“Mom… will you scold Dad?”

"Sure." He laughed, "She would say that in the past I shouldn't have let you know that guy, saying that I looked at bad people."

“But don't worry, she scolded me, and her love for me is still real.”

“I will tell her in advance tonight, don't worry.”

The call ended and the living room immediately fell silent. I leaned on the sofa, looking at the ceiling. My mind was still confused, but one corner... suddenly became clear. I'm no longer torn between "should I add a name" or "should I give in" anymore. That door… I closed it myself. The remaining thing is to face something more realistic. Married or not. Hold people or let go. This is a question… I cannot avoid. I ate a few bites of rice. As soon as the chopsticks were put down, the door lock made a "click" sound. My heart immediately tightened. Tu Ngang stood there, carrying a laptop bag, his face carrying a familiar "work" look. Not angry, not laughing. It's like being face to face with a strange colleague.

“I'm back.” I stood up, trying to keep my voice calm.

He glanced across the dining table, then looked at me.

“Did your dad call you?” he asked.

"YES." I nodded, "I told him all about the house."

Tu Ngang smiled coldly.

“You really... have to drag me back to my mother's house no matter what happens.”

“It's such a small thing, but it still has to be reported.”

“Small matter?” I looked straight at him, "In your eyes, this is just a small matter?"

“Don't overdo it.” He changed his slippers, walked in, threw his bag on the sofa, "I just asked you to add my name."

“I didn't ask you to give me the house too.”

“You reacting like that… isn't that a bit too much?”

“If you have nothing to hide… then what are you afraid of?”

“The person with the problem is not me.” I looked at him, my voice very low, "but it's you."

He stopped.

“What do you mean?”

“I looked at your phone last night.” I looked straight, "the whole chat with your mother... and with Chau Lam."

His expression immediately changed.

“I really watch it Already?"

"Correct." I didn't deny it, "I saw it."

“So I went to tell my dad?” His voice was cold, "Ninh Ninh, I never thought you were that childish."

"Children?" I laughed, "Am I being childish, or is your whole family thinking too carefully?"

“Don't talk about nonsense.” He frowned, "You don't understand about work."

"You and your customers go out to eat, drink, talk about cars... these are all normal interactions."

“You keep thinking in the wrong way, that's your problem.”

“So your mother saying 'be cold to me', 'tighten me', 'slowly transfer money to my house'... is also normal communication?" I stared at him, "You said I only looked at the house, said I wasn't filial, said I was selfish."

“Do you know… what your mother said behind my back?”

"She said I was being mean, said I didn't understand, said if I didn't force her now, it would be harder to deal with later."

“What about you?”

"You said choosing a girlfriend is not just based on her face, you have to see if she understands what's going on."

"Say you were spoiled by your father and only thought about yourself."

"You also said... you have to slowly transfer my house money to me, otherwise I'll feel bad."

Every sentence, every word, I repeat in its entirety. Tu Ngang's face became more and more ugly.

“You looked through my phone, and you still dare to say those things?” He lowered his voice, but every word was cold, "Lin Ninh, do you still have any respect?"

“I thought so.” I replied softly, "but after seeing those things, I realized... the person I always respected, from beginning to end, never considered me anything."

“We've been together for three years.”

“I always thought you were hard-working, thought you were filial to your parents.”

“You said you want to change the house for them, I support it.”

“You said you wanted to save money, so I also lived frugally with you.”

“I thought… we were moving forward together.”

“But what about the results?”

“It just involves money, especially a large sum of money.”

“In your eyes… the only thing left is where that money goes.”

“There are my parents, there is my whole family.”

“Without me.”

“Without my parents.”

“Neither have my feelings.”