Chapter 18 — After the Divorce, I Stopped Paying for My Mother-in-Law's Medicine

Two hours later. The finished product is brought to the scoring table. A plate of begonia flower yam cake. Ivory white with light red highlights. On the surface is clearly printed the ancient pattern from the bronze mold. The main judge finished tasting. Raise your head and look at me.

“What is the name of this dish?”

“Truong An.”

He was a bit surprised.

“Why name it like that?”

I looked at the cake plate. Remember the letter my mother left me. Then softly said:

“My mother once said.”

“At the celebration of life party.”

“People don't eat sweets to pray for a more glorious life.”

“It's about praying for the people around you to be safe.”

“Truong An.”

"I hope my loved ones will always be at peace."

The whole hall was quiet. The back seat. To Minh Nghi quietly bowed his head. Use a handkerchief to gently touch the corner of your eye. The final results were quickly announced. Cam Hoa Tuu Lau was reported by the organizing committee for allowing moldy materials to enter the competition area. Points were deducted for Hua Man's Man Xuyen brand. Penultimate ranking. After the results are announced. Giang Diec Xuyen immediately pulled Hua Man's hand.

“Why did you change her ingredients?”

Hua Man cried and shook her head.

“Dieu Xuyen.”

“You don't believe me?”

But this time. Giang Diec Xuyen did not immediately comfort her like before. He just looked at her. Eyes full of disappointment. Don't know since when. Trieu Que Lan emerged from the crowd again. She slapped her thighs impatiently.

“Dieu Xuyen!”

“Don't let Tham Duong divide!”

“Man Man also gave birth to a son for you!”

My movement of packing up my tools stopped. Right at that moment. To Minh Nghi's assistant received a phone call. Heard a few sentences. The expression on her face suddenly became extremely strange. She quickly walked next to me. Lower your voice.

“Boss Tham.”

“The old lady asked me to ask you something.”

I raised my head.

“What?”

The assistant looked towards Hua Man. Then say each word slowly:

“The biological father is listed on the child's birth certificate...”

“Is it really Jiang Yichuan?”

In that moment. Not just me. Even Giang Diec Xuyen heard it. His expression immediately changed. White.

“What do you mean?”

I turned my head to look at him. Giang Diec Xuyen's face was as pale as ever. There was no longer the arrogance or coldness in his eyes from before. Only confusion remains. And despair. He looked at me. Hoarse voice.

“If the baby is not yours.”

“So what should I do?”

I looked at him for a long time. In the end, just answer one question.

“You should ask yourself.”

“The day I lost my child…”

“What did you do?”

Giang Diec Xuyen stood dumbfounded. As if someone had just slapped me hard in the face. The day I had a miscarriage. I used to call him. Call over and over again. But the person he chose to believe was his mother. The person he chose to protect was Hua Man. Lie on the surgical table. Lost my first child. Lost marriage. And also lost all hope.

“Shen Duong.”

He called me. The voice carried a bit of pleading.

“I'm sorry.”

I laughed. First time in many years. I heard those three words from his mouth. But there were no more ripples in my heart.

“Jiang Yichuan.”

"I don't need it."

“You should keep it.”

“Talk to someone more worthy of listening.”

I turned around and left. Hua Man's crying became louder and louder.

“Dieu Xuyen!”

“Trust me!”

“The baby is yours!”

Giang Diec Xuyen did not answer. Just bow your head and look at the paper Register on hand. The words “Relationship: Husband and Wife” are like a blade. Straight into his eyes. Three days later. DNA test results are sent. No need for anyone to announce it. The news has spread throughout the old town. Not Jiang Yichuan's son. Heard that day. Giang Dieu Xuyen sat in the car all night. Don't go home. Don't go to the company. Didn't meet anyone either. The next morning. He directly brought the test report to find Hua Man. In the luxury apartment he bought for her. Hua Man knelt on the ground and cried until her voice was hoarse.

“I really love you.”

“I'm just afraid of losing you.”

“I just want to keep you.”

Giang Diec Xuyen asked her exactly one question.

“Who is the baby's biological father?”

Hua Man did not answer. He threw the test sheet on the ground. First time in my life. Slap her. Things are even more unsightly than what outsiders imagine. The child's biological father. Not a stranger. It's Hua Duc Hai. The person Hua Man introduced to everyone was his uncle. The news just broke out. The whole city was shocked. People who attended the tea party. Guests who attended the Giang family's birthday party. People who once stood by Hua Man's side. Everyone was talking excitedly. But the one who suffered the biggest blow. It's Trieu Que Lan again. She used to brag about her grandchild to the whole world. Because of that child, he cursed at me. Insult me. They even said I couldn't have children. The golden grandchild she cherishes. There is not a single drop of blood from the Giang family. I heard that Trieu Que Lan fainted right at the hospital. Was treated twice. After waking up. The first thing she did. I rushed to attack Hua Man. The two struggled in the middle of the hallway. Being pulled out by security. The scene was extremely chaotic. And Hua Duc Hai. After the incident was revealed. He was forced by shareholders in the restaurant chain to conduct an internal investigation. Old stories are continuously being dug up. Poor quality ingredients. False invoice. In just half a month. The once mighty restaurant chain has plummeted. One month later. The final round of the traditional breakfast competition was held. I brought the last cake to the competition.