Chapter 9 — After the Fire Ends, I Return

"Why did you say the hotel kept our people? What records? Who gave them permission to check?"

I turned around and walked inside. Luc Canh Xuyen shouted from behind: "Hua Duong, it was you who did it, right?" I didn't look back. Khuong Van replied for me: "It's your ancestor." * The Luc family's wedding became the laughing stock of the whole city. The video of Lam Vi going on stage to appease the guests went viral everywhere. Some people say she's lovesick, some say she's thick-skinned. The person who cursed the harshest was Luc Canh Xuyen's relative. Because that day the hotel did not respect the Luc family, the Van Lan lobby stopped serving as soon as the hour ended, and even placed the booking cancellation file in front of Luc Canh Xuyen's father. I didn't go to the scene, but the next day I received a phone call from Luc's father.

“Hua Duong, let's go out and talk.”

I replied: “Not necessary.” Luc's father's voice was calmer than Luc Canh Xuyen's, and he was also better at creating pressure: "In the matter of you and Canh Xuyen, the Luc family really has a bad job. But you humiliated the Luc family in front of the crowd, this debt must be counted no matter what."

“In front of a crowd?”

“You told the hotel to release the records, didn't you want guests to laugh at the Luc family?”

"The file was left by my son. The joke was also brought on by him."

Father Luc was silent for a few seconds: "Hua Duong, you're still young, don't think that marrying into the Tham family means you can sleep peacefully with your pillow raised. The Tham family's rules are very big, with a background like yours, it can't stand." I looked at the breakfast on the table. It was porridge that Grandma Tham herself told the kitchen to cook.

“Uncle Luc, you called me just to talk about this?”

"The Lam family is very unhappy. Vi Vi is their family's precious gem, yesterday you made me no longer have the face to meet anyone. Go and apologize to her, this matter will be over."

I almost burst out laughing: "Tell me to apologize to her?"

"That's right. I'm sorry Vi Vi, give Canh Xuyen a way out. It will be easier for the two families to meet later."

“I'm married.”

Luc's father's voice was finally tinged with impatience: "Hua Duong, you can still divorce after getting married. You and Tham Duat were just on a temporary impulse. Canh Xuyen still has you in his heart, don't block your own way out." Tham Duat sat opposite, looking up at me. I said into the phone: "My retreat, don't mind." Father Luc's voice was cold: "So you don't care about the small restaurant your father left behind?" My hand holding the chopsticks stopped. Luc's father continued: "For the past few years, your mother has relied on that private restaurant to live. Fire prevention, hygiene and safety, business license, can any of them withstand strict inspection? Young people work, don't involve the family." Tham Duat put down his spoon. I pressed his hand back.

“Uncle Luc, you can try.”

“You think I don't dare?”

“I wait.”

After hanging up the phone, Khuong Van peered out from the kitchen: "Did he threaten your restaurant?" I nodded. Khuong Van angrily slammed the pot lid on the stove: "The Luc family is really worthless. Your mother's restaurant has been open for twenty years, and everyone in the neighborhood doesn't know how clean it is. If you threaten an old person, he can even open his mouth to speak." Tham Duat asked me: "Do you need me to handle it?"

“No need.”

“He will really do it.”

“Let him do it.”

Khuong Van was impatient: “Hua Duong, you don't be stubborn. Auntie's shop is your father's relic, isn't it what you value the most?" I put down the phone: "It's because I care so much that I let them stab themselves." Tham Duat looked at me for a moment: "Are you ready?" I didn't answer, just asked: "Can I borrow your car this afternoon?"

“Where to?”

“Go back to the shop.”

* Duong Ky family restaurant is located at the end of the old town. The facade is not large, the wooden sign is shiny from fire and smoke.