Chapter 2 — After the Rain, Nam Son Still Has the Fragrance of Medicine

Co Nghien Tri's hand froze in mid-air, as if wanting to hold the paper, but also as if afraid of touching something dirty. I finished speaking for him.

"When I called back, Tham Nhuoc Lan was standing next to me crying, saying she couldn't live without me."

“I said Thanh Thanh is very understanding, she will sympathize.”

Co Nghien Tri's face immediately became unsightly.

“Did you hear that?”

“I turned it on speakerphone.” I replied. “At that time, I knelt in the hospital hallway, borrowed the nurse's charger to turn on the phone, and listened to it completely.”

Co Nghien Tri opened his mouth, but was speechless. The doorbell suddenly rang. Co's mother's voice came from outside first.

"Nghien Tri is back, right? Open the door quickly, Nhuoc Lan stews, bring some for you two."

I put the receipt back in the cardboard box. As if Co Nghien Tri had grabbed a life-saving blade of grass, he took a few steps to open the door. Co's mother walked in carrying a thermos. When she saw the full cartons on the ground, she immediately frowned.

"Gian Thanh, what are you doing again? Nghien Tri just came back, who are you showing this face to?"

Tham Nhuoc Lan stood behind her, holding a bouquet of lilies in her hand, her clean white dress seemed to be deliberately chosen.

"Miss Thanh Thanh, don't blame Nghien Tri. I really couldn't get over those days."

Mother Co put the thermos on the table, glanced at the white towel in the corner of the room, her expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

"Our mother's story is also heartbreaking, but when the dead don't drag the living down with them. You have to understand a little, don't let Nghien Tri carry the burden in your heart."

I looked at her.

“Uncle Co, when my mother was in the hospital, what did you say at the hotel? Do you remember?”

Mother Co frowned.

“What do I say?”

"Uncle said Tham Nhuoc Lan was miserable, and my mother pretended to faint to ruin the atmosphere."

Co's mother's face darkened.

"At that time, I only spoke in anger. Besides, her health was already not good, who could blame her?"

Tham Nhuoc Lan quickly pulled her sleeve.

"Uncle, don't talk anymore, Thanh Thanh is very heartbroken right now."

I looked at the bouquet of flowers in Tham Nhuoc Lan's arms.

“Bring it to whom?”

Tham Nhuoc Lan paused.

"For my aunt. I heard that she passed away, and I still feel guilty."

“Lilies.” I said softly. "My mother is allergic to pollen. When she was alive, you brought it in front of her. Now that she's gone, you still bring it."

Tham Nhuoc Lan's face immediately turned pale. Co Nghien Tri immediately stood in front of her.

“Thanh Thanh, she doesn't know.”

“She knows.” I took out an old medical record book from the cardboard box and opened it to the first page. "A week before the engagement, she went with your mother to my house to try the dish. At that time, my mother made it clear right in front of her."

Co's mother's eyelids twitched slightly, her hand tightened the handle of the thermos bottle. Tham Nhuoc Lan said softly:

“I was so stressed that day, I don't remember.”

I closed the medical record.

"No problem."

“Anyway, my mother doesn't need to avoid it anymore.”

Co Nghien Tri couldn't bear it and spoke loudly.

"Jian Thanh, do you have to talk like that? Nhuoc Lan only has good intentions."

“Good idea.” I nodded. "Bringing her husband's family to ruin my engagement, making my mother so angry that she had to be hospitalized, and then taking you away for three days. Is that a good idea?"

Tham Nhuoc Lan's tears immediately fell down.

"Sister Thanh Thanh, I know you hate me. Or should I go first, I shouldn't have come here."

Co's mother immediately caught her.

"Why go? The person who should go is the one who doesn't know what to do."

She turned to look at me, her voice sharp as a knife.

"It's good that you're packing your things. Nghien Tri is so soft-hearted that he doesn't have the heart to say it, so let me speak for you. Let's put this matter of marriage aside for now. Your mother just passed away, the house is full of bad luck, and getting married is unlucky."

Co Nghien Tri frowned.

“Don't stop me.” Co's mother threw a red jewelry box on the tea table. "This is the bracelet the Co family gave me, return it here. As for the loss at the party at the hotel that day, you Jian family also have to bear half of it."

I looked at the box.

“I didn't take that bracelet.”

Co's mother smirked.

"Don't take it? That day I put it on for you myself, many guests saw it. Don't tell me the bracelet grew wings and flew away."

Tham Nhuoc Lan bit her lip, as if she had just made a great determination.

“Uncle, that day before Ms. Thanh Thanh went to the hospital, she actually went back to the makeup room.”

I looked at her. Tham Nhuoc Lan slightly took a half step behind Co Nghien Tri.

“I didn't say you took the bracelet, I just said... I saw it.”

Mother Co immediately raised her voice.

"Very good! Just after the funeral, I want to pay off my debt. Gian Thanh, didn't your mother teach you to live a clean life?"

After hearing that sentence, I quietly put the medical record back in the cardboard box. I walked to the low cabinet and held my mother's photo in my arms. Co Nghien Tri looked at my movements and his voice softened a bit.

"Thanh Thanh, my mother's words are a bit harsh, don't take it to heart. Just investigate the matter of the bracelet."

"Investigate?" Co's mother snorted coldly. "What else is there to investigate? In this house, he's the only one lacking money. He doesn't even have money to pay for emergency medical care. If he doesn't get the bracelet, then what will he get?"

I held my mother's photo tightly in my heart.

“Co Nghien Tri.”

“You say it.”

Co Nghien Tri's face immediately changed.

“Your emotions are unstable right now, don't say things in anger.”

“Those were not words spoken in anger.”

“I don't agree.” He replied very quickly. "I will make it up to you about my aunt's matter. I will take care of all the medical expenses and funeral expenses. The engagement party will also be held again. As for Nhuoc Lan, I will keep my distance."

Tham Nhuoc Lan lowered her head to wipe her tears, her shoulders trembling intermittently. Co's mother angrily slammed the table.

"Do you still want to marry him? He stole things, hurt his mother, and even dared to show a cold face to his superiors. Nghien Tri, are all the women dead in this world?"

I placed a parchment bag on the table.

"In here is the declaration of annulment of marriage that I have already signed. I did not touch a penny of the bride price from the Co family, and have returned it to the original account number. As for the bracelet, whoever takes it will pay it."

Co's mother immediately raised her hand to open the paper bag. I held on tight.

“Don't touch it.”

Mother Co glared at me.

“You still dare to mess with me?”