Chapter 5 — After the Rain, Nam Son Still Has the Fragrance of Medicine

Co's mother looked at the policeman, then looked at Co Nghien Tri. In the end, she still had to swallow her anger.

"Okay, let's go. I also want to see what a dead person can still hear."

When we returned to the Co family's house, it was completely dark. In front of the urn were three more incense sticks. Before leaving, the housekeeper of the apartment complex lit them for me. Co's mother stood in front of the low cabinet, her face darkened. Tham Nhuoc Lan hid behind Co Nghien Tri, still clutching the explanation in her hand. I adjusted the incense tray. Mother Co gritted her teeth for a long time before finally reluctantly blurting out a sentence.

“In-laws... the matter about the bracelet was a misunderstanding, I made a mistake.”

I looked at her. Mother Co turned her head angrily.

“What else?”

“You stopped my mother from going to the hospital.”

Co's mother said in a shrill voice:

“I told you, I didn't know her condition was so serious!”

Co Nghien Tri's voice was low. Co's mother felt guilty when he looked at her and had to turn back.

"That day... I shouldn't have stopped you from taking your mother to the hospital. Okay?"

I didn't reply. Tham Nhuoc Lan slowly walked up, her voice choked.

"Auntie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come to the engagement ceremony, and I shouldn't have let Nghien Tri leave Thanh Thanh alone. At that time, I really had no other way, I just wanted to find someone to help me."

“Why did you wear a white dress that day?”

Tham Nhuoc Lan was stunned. Co Nghien Tri also turned to look at her.

“Miss Thanh Thanh... what does that have to do with anything?”

“That day was my engagement.” I said calmly. "Your name was not on the guest list. You walked in wearing a white dress, sat right at the main table, crying and saying that Co Nghien Tri was the only person who could save you. Who do you want to lose face?"

Tham Nhuoc Lan's tears fell even more intensely.

“I... I don't think that much.”

I took out a photo from the cardboard box and placed it on the table. That is a photo taken in the engagement ceremony hall. In the photo, Tham Nhuoc Lan held Co's mother's arm and sat in the exact position that belonged to my mother. My mother could only stand next to me, her face pale.

“This is a photo taken by a photographer.”

Co Nghien Tri picked up the photo, his fingertips squeezing so tightly that the edges of the photo wrinkled.

“Nhuoc Lan, my mother asked you to sit, why didn't you refuse?”

Tham Nhuoc Lan choked.

"You're so enthusiastic, I... I can't refuse."

Co's mother immediately protected her.

"I told him to sit. Why do you blame him? Gian Thanh, don't take the photos and intentionally separate them."

I put the photo away.

“This is not a separation.”

“This is to leave evidence.”

Mother Co smiled coldly.

"Evidence? Are you still planning to sue us? Do you have that ability?"

I looked straight at her.

“You will know.”

That sentence immediately angered Co's mother. She grabbed the cup of tea on the table, intending to throw it on the ground. Co Nghien Tri held her wrist tightly. Mother Co couldn't believe her ears.

“You yelled at me because of him?”

Co Nghien Tri looked at the jar of ashes, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

“Her mother is gone.”

"Dead people, dead people! Everyone of you brought dead people to force me!" Co's mother blushed and screamed. "Since his mother is dead, do we, the Co family, have to compensate him for the rest of his life? Nghien Tri, don't forget, right now Nhuoc Lan is the one who needs you more."

Tham Nhuoc Lan quickly spoke:

“Uncle, I don't need it... I can do it myself Okay."

Mother Co held Tham Nhuoc Lan's hand.

“What else can you do? My bastard husband comes looking for me every day. If it weren't for Nghien Tri to protect me, I would have been dragged back by him long ago."

I raised my eyes to look at her.

“You have a husband.”

Co Nghien Tri avoided my eyes. Tham Nhuoc Lan cried and said:

“We are separated.”

I nodded.

"So when Co Nghien Tri took her to see the sea, she was still someone else's legal wife."

Tham Nhuoc Lan's face immediately changed. Mother Co angrily shouted:

“You should be careful what you say!”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door outside.

“Shen Nhuoc Lan! I know you're in there!”

A man's scream made the door vibrate. Tham Nhuoc Lan was scared and immediately hid behind Co Nghien Tri. Mother Co was also frantic.

“Why did he come here?”

Co Nghien Tri immediately ran to lock the door. I held the jar of ashes and walked towards the door. Co Nghien Tri stopped in front of me.

“It's dangerous outside, don't go out.”

I looked at him.

“It's even more dangerous for my mother to stay here.”

The man outside continued to bang on the door.

“Co Nghien Tri! You dare hide it from my wife, get out of here!”

Mother Co turned and shouted at me.

“You can't go! You reported it to the police yourself, you have to explain clearly!”

I stopped walking.

“I called the police because of the bracelet, not because your son hid someone else's wife.”

Co Nghien Tri's face became even more unsightly.

“Thanh Thanh, don't stab me at this time.”

“Co Nghien Tri.” I hugged the jar of ashes tightly and slowly said each word. “When you stabbed me in the heart, did you ever choose the moment?”

The lock was beaten so much that it made a cracking sound. Tham Nhuoc Lan suddenly rushed forward and grabbed my sleeve.

“Sister Thanh Thanh, please save me. He will beat me to death.”

I lowered my head to look at the hand holding me.

“Let go.”

“I know you hate me, but you're also a woman, you can't see death without saving you.”

I pulled back my sleeve.

“When my mother asked for help, she also saw it.”

Tham Nhuoc Lan's hand stopped in mid-air. Before opening the door, Co Nghien Tri turned his head to look at me.

“Go into the office and hide first.”

I didn't move at all. A man who smelled of alcohol rushed in, followed by two strong men behind him. As soon as he saw Tham Nhuoc Lan, he immediately reached out to pull her.

“Bitch, follow me home!”

Co Nghien Tri stepped up to block the front.

“Tran Thieu, don't move your hand.”

Tran Thieu laughed fiercely.