Chapter 4 — Back to the Year 70 I Became the Blacksmith's Wife

I went back to work at the dance troupe. First the wallet in the locker room disappeared, then someone dropped a worm into my water bottle. Then the threads in my performance outfit came loose, almost affecting the performance. The group leader was angry and called me up to talk:

"Lieu Anh, I know your family has been having trouble lately, and the group has been very kind to you. Now you're not concentrating at work, is it because you get complacent with some achievements, or is there another reason?"

Without evidence, I cannot criticize others without reason. I calmly replied: "I'm sorry, captain. It's probably because the dressing room was crowded that there was a mistake. It's also my fault for not taking care of the performance equipment carefully. I suggest centrally managing the performance equipment to avoid affecting the performance." This dance performance is very important to the whole troupe, the troupe leader agreed. That night after the performance, I gathered everyone's stage costumes and put them in a closet in the captain's room. Unexpectedly, the lights went out - the whole group lost power. I groped my way out, intending to go home, when a hand clamped over my mouth. After that, I fainted. I woke up thanks to Dai Hoang's tongue licking my face. I was lying in front of the house gate, it was late at night, the bright moon hung high above. My whole body ached, my clothes were torn. I understood what happened — the feeling of helplessness filled my head, I wanted to cry but couldn't. There was still light in the room. I saw Tran Dien Sinh's figure tossing and turning on the earthen bed, definitely waiting for me. My tears kept flowing. Dai Hoang walked around me, moaning softly as if to comfort me. I don't know what to do. Maybe I shouldn't be so stubborn, I shouldn't confront them. The good life... has been ruined by me.

“Wife?” – The door opened slightly, a dark shadow slowly crawled out, a hoarse voice rang out: "Is it you, wife?"

Dai Hoang wagged his tail and ran back. I didn't dare look at Tran Dien Sinh, my first reflex was to run away.

“Lieu Anh!” – He screamed – "If you run away, and I have to get up and chase you... then my legs will really be damaged! Do you want to see that?!"

His legs are still in the recovery stage and cannot bear weight yet. He still wants to live, wants to move on with me.

“Listen, come back. If you don't help me, how can I climb into bed?”

I stopped. Dai Hoang pulled the corner of my shirt, pulling me back.

11

Seeing my appearance right now, Tran Dien Sinh's thick eyebrows furrowed tightly, his hands clenched into fists, his nails almost digging deep into his palms.

“Who is it?” – After a long time, he hoarsely spit out a word full of anger.

At that moment, tears welled up in my eyes. I don't know who. I don't know if Tran Dien Sinh's second uncle and aunt sent someone to harm me to take revenge, or if Xuan Le and Tu Hong retaliated because I replaced them. The only people I can rule out are my dad and stepmom. They hate me, yes. But they still expect to profit from me. If Tran Dien Sinh and I divorce, they get nothing. If something is not beneficial, they will not do it. Tran Dien Sinh continuously patted and comforted me. The next morning, when it was not yet bright, he called both my father and stepmother to the house.

"I want a divorce. Would you two please bring my daughter back and return my bride price?"

Tran Dien Sinh is very calm, but also very determined. My parents were frantic: "Why is that? It's not going well Star?" I burst into tears in frustration, making hand gestures to describe someone tearing my clothes. Even though I was drugged, the pain did not go away. My stepmother immediately understood: "Who did it?!" Tran Dien Sinh leaned against the wall, his face full of seriousness:

“Because of the house division, my uncle's family soon had a grudge against us. As for Lieu Anh's colleagues, there are people who are jealous of her..."

“Good son-in-law, tell me how will I not get divorced?” – My father was frantic. He did not want to pay the bride price, and he did not want to receive back this "clingy" child.

“If the person who caused the trouble admits his mistake, then I will reluctantly accept to continue with your daughter.”

My father heard that and immediately understood Tran Dien Sinh's meaning. Take your stepmother and leave with a face full of confidence. This is the plan we have discussed: let the two sides confront each other, while we sit and wait for the fisherman to benefit. This matter absolutely cannot be left alone. Tran Dien Sinh firmly demands justice for me. He said he had never despised me, never found me shameful. The wrong person is the evil person, the dirty person is their soul — not me. That's right, from start to finish... I was never wrong.

12

I was still as usual, dressed neatly and in a radiant spirit to the work group, not letting anyone detect anything unusual. Xuan Le and Tu Hong looked surprised when they saw me: "Are you... still coming?" I smiled and walked closer — they couldn't understand my handwriting anyway. But I am almost certain: they are the insiders in the singing and dancing troupe, helping others harm me. Before the performance that night, my costume was torn again. The group leader was angry and called Xuan Le into the office and scolded him. He saw her working on the costume with his own eyes. Xuan Le also admitted that she did it out of jealousy, and vowed to perform better than me. It's just a pity... now the audience only wants to watch me, no one remembers her anymore. That night, I accidentally saw Xuan Le and Tu Hong being teased by some thugs in a dark alley. In the distance, I saw my father hiding behind a tree. So, next... it's probably Tran Dien Sinh's second uncle and aunt's turn. Tran Dai Hanh's crime was confirmed and he was officially sent to serve his sentence. As for his second uncle and aunt, they came to deliberately upset Tran Dien Sinh and cause more trouble. My father was afraid that I would return home, so he played all sorts of tricks. He asked someone to send a message to his second uncle and aunt, saying that if they would help Tran Dai Hanh switch people to prison, he would be "safe and sound". The funny thing is... the second uncle and aunt really believe in her! The result? The whole family "gets together" to be friends. My father then carried rice, noodles, and oil to Tran Dien Sinh's house and bowed politely:

“Son-in-law, please don't divorce, okay?”

But unfortunately, this brother-in-law... is disabled. My father smiled flatteringly: "So... whose name should be written on that house?" Tran Dien Sinh gently raised his hand and pointed: “I don't know. Or will you take your mute daughter home?” My father turned pale and quickly retreated. After he left, I cried like rain: "Tran Dien Sinh, are what you said true? Why does it sound so real... You're bored of me, right?" Tran Dien Sinh hugged me tightly, his eyes filled with pain: "I swear to heaven and earth, my wife, in this life you are the only one who criticizes me, how dare I criticize you?" Xuan Le and Tu Hong did it themselves. Just because of jealousy, they dare to ignore it My safety and honor were ultimately betrayed by my own cruelty. It was said that Xuan Le went crazy, and Tu Hong was found in a tattered state in the middle of the street, attempting to commit suicide several times. Then, someone smart gave him a tip, and Tu Hong followed the clues and found the real mastermind. As for Tran Dien Sinh and I, we officially moved into the red brick apartment provided by the factory. With each successful performance, my salary skyrocketed. Standing mirror, wooden cabinet, radio, electric fan... each item, the couple bought everything together. Tran Dien Sinh laughed: "Wife, see, I didn't lie to you. Our house is becoming more and more like a real house!" I leaned on his shoulder, whispering softly in my heart: It's not because of the house... It's because of you that I want to build this place. End