Chapter 13 — After Seeing Through It, I No Longer Love You

Tu Ngang was choked up by what I said, and after a long while, he was able to say a sentence.

“Do I have to make things so complicated?”

“I just asked one question.” I looked straight at him, "Do you think the 500,000 yuan my father gave me... is your family's retirement money?"

“Of course.” He blurted out, "We're about to get married. The money your father gave you, isn't it for our little family?"

“Our little family… do you have your parents in it?”

“A small family… shouldn't it also have my parents?” he asked back, his voice full of reason.

“My parents worked hard all their lives to raise me.”

"In the first years I worked, the conditions at home were not good. They contributed money to help me and crowded themselves into that old building..."

His voice was still steady, still carrying the familiar "correct" tone. But in my head... another message appeared.

"Mr. Chau, are you free tomorrow night? I want to invite you to dinner. I would like to apologize for the last project. By the way, we can discuss the new cooperation."

Below is a series of smiley icons and a meaningful wink. Just a short line, if taken separately, it wouldn't be too much. But juxtaposed with the previous chats… the disguise has been completely torn apart.

“Is your girlfriend still making trouble?” Chau Lam asked a few days ago.

"It's nothing, she just has some petty thoughts." Tu Ngang replied, "Let's wait a few more days and it'll be fine. She will go into the water on her own. Don't worry, I remember what you told me. I just need to add a name to the house and it's fine with me."

“It's good to be okay.” Chau Lam sent a toast icon, "then you should reward yourself a little."

Below is a blurry photo. Soft yellow lights, Western-style dining table, two people sitting across from each other over a glass of red wine. The angle of the photo is intentional, the face is not clearly visible, but enough for people to understand. I stared at the screen, my throat felt like it was on fire, like being doused with cold water. I used to think... the hardest thing to accept is being calculated. Unexpectedly... there was also betrayal. My hand loosened, the phone fell onto the blanket, making a dull sound. The room was eerily silent. There was only the sound of the clock ticking. My breathing gradually became heavier, my chest felt tight, my ears rang. At this moment, all remaining hesitations... were completely crushed. That house. Three years of love. The days when he was deliberately cold. His mother's "tighten" words. Chau Lam's smile. It's all like a wild play... the curtain has finally come to an end. I smiled softly. The smile was fragile and had just disappeared. Tears silently slid down, soaking into the bed sheet, spreading in small streaks. The phone lights up again. It's a new message from "Mom".

"Son, this time you have to show some sincerity. People at Mr. Chau even helped you talk things through. If it wasn't for her reminding you to secure the house first, you wouldn't have taken the step today."

"So, when you're done with Lam Ninh, don't treat Mr. Chau lightly. As a woman, you don't say anything, but you still like to be noticed, and like to see that you care."

This time, I didn't pull any more. I took a deep, cold breath into my lungs, then turned off the screen. Place both phones on the nightstand. Then, I slowly sat up, leaned my back against the headboard, and hugged my knees tightly. I need to make a decision. Not one… but many decisions. I have never been clear like now. This is no longer a matter of fighting over a house. But... do I want to give my whole life to someone like that or not. I sat in the dark for a long time. Until the night outside the window deepened and then became lighter, a few vague car horns sounded in the distance. There is a string in my heart... gradually tightening, gradually tightening. Then came a moment—

“I'm not getting married anymore.”

I said to myself. But never so steadfastly. The next morning, as soon as it was bright, I woke up. Eyes swollen, as if someone had just hit them. I got out of bed and washed my face. In the mirror, her face was pale and tired. I took a deep breath, grabbed cold water and repeatedly splashed it on my face, trying to force my swollen eyes down. After packing up, I took a suitcase. Start gathering things. Clothes, books, miscellaneous things in Tu Ngang's apartment... each item was arranged. Every time I pick it up, I pause a little. It was a jacket we bought while walking around town. It's the dress I wore when we first went to the beach. It's a small gift he brings home after every business trip. Every thing... still has the heat of the past. The things that were once warm in my memories... now only a cold feeling remains at my fingertips. I don't touch the stories behind it anymore, just quietly fold each item and put it in the suitcase like an emotionless machine. When my suitcase was full, I stood up straight and looked around the small apartment. On the table is still the cup I chose, printed with a picture of a cat lying lazily on a book. In the corner of the sofa was still hanging the jacket he had conveniently thrown down, never folding it. The whole room was a mess, traces of activity everywhere. But in my eyes... this place is no longer "home". Just a place... about to leave. I pulled my suitcase out the door, put my hand on the handle, then turned around to look back one last time.

"Goodbye."