Chapter 5 — After the Marriage Aborted, I Became Something You Couldn't Reach

Tran Viet raised his beer glass:

“Boss Tham, Te Tri is about to take off.”

I clinked my glass lightly with him. Say nothing. The warm yellow light of the late-night diner falls on the table. Next to me, someone was loudly playing guessing numbers, drinking alcohol, and making a lot of noise and excitement. The phone in my pocket vibrated. Message from Phuong's mother.

"Nhuoc Van, can you come home next week? The wedding photography schedule is finalized, the photographer is only available next Thursday."

Thursday next week. If I return according to the plan she arranged... I will wear that long-tail wedding dress, stand next to Phuong Minh Vien, smiling at the camera. Then what? Then one day, at a time completely unknown to me… They will tell me that the wedding is cancelled. The reason may be "not suitable for personality". It could also be that "both sides of the family have disagreements". After that, Phuong Minh Vien will be loyal to Chu Vy Vy. Phuong's mother will tell everyone:

“The Phuong family has been very kind to Nhuoc Van.”

Will become "the girl whose marriage was annulled". Discarded with dignity. I looked at Phuong's mother's message. Then exit the chat frame and open the ticket booking application. I'm not looking for high-speed train tickets from Hangzhou to my hometown. Looking for short-term rental apartments right in Hangzhou. Day eleven. Tran Viet took me to meet Ha Tranh. He's younger than I thought. About thirty years old, wearing a dark blue sweater, speaking clearly and neatly.

"Ms. Tham, I saw your portfolio at the exhibition. The feeling of storytelling in the space is very strong, different from the style that just piles up materials on the market."

"Thank you. That's also the direction we always persevere in."

"My team in Hangzhou is preparing three new stores. I still haven't found a satisfactory team for the unified image system."

“How about this? You come first and give me a preliminary plan, then we can discuss it further.”

Contract intention. Big customers. If it can be finalized... Te Tri's annual revenue can double. Tran Viet and I looked at each other.

“Okay, we will quickly come up with a plan.”

Leaving Ha Tranh's office, Tran Viet was so excited that he spun around on the spot.

"Tham Nhuoc Van! Do you know how big this order is?!"

“Then why are you still so calm?”

I laughed softly. Being calm doesn't mean you don't care. It's because now I understand very clearly... What's truly important in my life, isn't in the face of a man who doesn't even bother to look at me. Twelfth afternoon, two o'clock. The phone rang. The screen shows Phuong's mother's name. I looked for two seconds before picking up the phone.

“Nhuoc Van ah…”

Phuong's mother's voice was different from usual. A little hoarse. A little rushed. I also carry a matter-of-fact command as if I have an obligation to obey.

"Minh Vien's father is hospitalized with acute cholecystitis. The doctor said he needs surgery right away."

"The family's finances are a bit tight these days. Can you help me with an advance payment? About 150,000 yuan."

150,000 yuan. Open your mouth and it's 150,000 yuan. She didn't even use the word "borrowed". Directly say "advance".

“I'm working in Hangzhou, auntie.”

"Work and work! For the past half month, I've only known about work!"

Phuong's mother's voice immediately lowered, carrying a thin layer of anger.

"Nhuoc Van, I'm telling you, Minh Vien's father is in an emergency. You are Future daughter-in-law, if you don't stand up at a time like this, who will?"

I leaned back in my chair, looking at the Hangzhou sky outside the window. Autumn in Hangzhou, sunny days are very beautiful. The sky is so blue it's clean.

“Auntie.” I said. "There's one thing I've never asked you."

“What? Is there anything more important than Minh Vien's father being hospitalized?"

“The story of Minh Vien registering his marriage last month.”

The other end of the line suddenly went silent. So quiet that you can hear the sound of breathing.

“Nhuoc Van… what are you saying?”

Phuong's mother's voice changed. Lighten up completely. Be careful down here.

"I said... about Minh Vien and Chu Vy Vy registering their marriage at the civil affairs department."

I stopped for a moment.

“If you already have a new daughter-in-law…”

“So this pre-surgery…”

On the other end of the line, there was a short, sharp intake of air. Then Phuong's mother opened her mouth, her voice half a tone higher:

“What kind of marriage? Nhuoc Van, who did you hear talking nonsense? How could Minh Vien…”

I interrupted her.

“I saw all the pictures.”

"In front of the red wall at the civil affairs department, Minh Vien hugged Chu Vy Vy, holding two marriage papers in her hand."

“The shooting date was twenty days ago.”

The other end of the line was silent again. This time took longer than last time. Fifteen seconds. Twenty seconds. Then, Phuong's mother's tone suddenly changed. No more panic. No more denial. It's the type of voice that softens very quickly after adjusting your emotions, as if proactively taking a step back.

“Nhuoc Van, I know this is difficult for you to accept. But I heard you say..."

“Minh Vien... it also has its own suffering.”

“Chu Vy Vy's relationship is very important to the company. You also know that my aunt's restaurant has not been doing well for the past two years. Minh Vien's father was so stressed that he fell ill."

“That marriage certificate… is just a formality. To discuss business matters…”

Listening to her make up all kinds of reasons in one breath... I suddenly felt funny.