Chapter 3 — Conflicting Fate

Just one sentence, like thunder in a clear sky. For the first time, I saw confusion appear on Giang Chi Hoai's face. Lam San panicked, withdrew from Giang Chi Hoai's protection, and tried to save the situation.

“Mr. Tham, just now I clearly saw her—”

“Miss Lam, are you deliberately defaming my fiancee?”

Lam San's lips trembled. Finally realized the relationship between me and him.

“No, that's not… I didn't mean that…”

Tham Vong Tan gently supported my waist, preparing to take me away. Giang Chi Hoai only now regained his composure and raised his voice to stop.

“Tham Vong Tan, are you going to give me an explanation?”

“Explanation?”

Tham Vong Tan smirked, his tone was lazy.

"My wife just said it very clearly. It's because you're blind and can't see. She was injured by you, I haven't sought justice from you yet, do you still dare to demand justice from me?"

Giang Chi Hoai choked.

“Don't let her fool you! I've experienced it, I know she—”

“That's enough.”

Tam Vong Tan's voice lowered, cutting him off.

"It's my business, I don't need your judgment."

Giang Chi Hoai almost went crazy.

“Are you really treating me like that because of her?”

He grabbed the shirt covered in red wine and angrily roared:

"We grew up together, but you defend outsiders? Don't you have reason?"

Tham Vong Tan looked at him deeply, then coldly said a sentence.

“Then sue me.”

After saying that, he pulled me out of the party.

7

The night wind blew into the car through the slightly open window. The car moves quickly on the road. I secretly looked at the man driving next to me, but didn't say anything.

“Does it still hurt?”

He stopped at the red light and asked softly.

“Well, it still hurts a bit…”

He tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel.

“Take me to the hospital.”

“No need!”

I hesitated for a long time.

“Go home.”

He's made a mess tonight, surely he's seen enough jokes, right? Tham Vong Tan nodded slightly and took me home. After opening the door, he stood right in front of the door, with no intention of entering. In this situation, if you suddenly want to explain, it's a bit strange. I stood at the door, trying to investigate:

“Do you want to come in and have a glass of water?”

“Okay.”

He agreed very quickly, conveniently closing the door. The room fell into darkness. The light in the hallway was blocked by the door, and the space became quiet. I groped to turn on the light, suddenly tripped over something, and lost my balance. An arm wrapped around me. The cold wood scent suddenly enveloped me. His strong heartbeat passed through my palm, each beat clearly.

“Mr. Tham…”

I swallowed my saliva and spoke softly.

“My heart beats so fast.”

“Yes.”

His voice was very low, mixed with a bit of indifference. But it brings with it a feeling of needlessness.

“Sorry, couldn't control it.”

The space fell silent again. I hesitated for a moment, then asked:

“Are you angry with me?”

“No.”

“Tonight… I was a bit impulsive…”

“No, just enough.”

“But you…”

I said half of it, then hesitated.

“I thought you didn't want to see me.”

“Hua Thuc So, I want to explain to Giang Chi Hoai.”

“What?”

I raised my head, looking at him confused. Tham Vong Tan's eyes were deep, containing emotions I couldn't guess.

“At least, I should give you a chance to regret.”

My heart was pounding.

“You think… I want to get back together with him?”

Tham Vong Tan pursed his lips and did not answer. But his expression was the answer. I hastily explained:

“I just don't like being misunderstood. After talking clearly with him, there's nothing left..."

“It's clear now.”

His voice was very light.

“From now on, you two will never have the chance to come back again.”

My heart beat erratically. For a moment, I thought I misunderstood what he meant. Or maybe I'm just being narcissistic and don't dare to think deeper. I tightened my grip on his shirt.

“What do you mean?”

Tam Vong Tan's eyes slid over every line of my face, gently but firmly.

“I like you.”

There was a buzzing sound in my head. The whole person suddenly froze. There was only one sentence that kept repeating in my ears.

“I like you.”

Didn't expect we would get married? Hua Thuc So, I never do unexpected things. It was like a soft feather gliding across the bottom of my heart, itching.

“I…”

Suddenly, his phone rang. On the screen appeared the name Giang Chi Hoai. It's him again. Never disappear. I didn't know where I got the courage, grabbed the phone from his hand, and pressed the answer button. Giang Chi Hoai's voice echoed in the room.

“She is not suitable for you.”

“This woman can do anything to seduce you.”

Tham Vong Tan frowned and was about to hang up, but I dodged away. He lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse:

“Hua Thuc So, what are you going to do?”

Under Giang Chi Hoai's contemptuous words, I stood on tiptoe and kissed Tham Vong Tan on the lips. The arms wrapped around my waist tightened, my body temperature suddenly increased. The wall clock ticked slowly, like a cheerful song in the middle of the night.

“Tham Vong Tan! Are you listening?!”

Of course he didn't listen. Breathing erratically, he carried me to the dining table and took off my tie. Continue attacking. The night gradually deepened, my voice was as soft as a cloud.

“Tham Vong Tan, am I seducing you?”

He stared at me, his eyes dark. Hoarse voice.

“No.”

“I'm seducing you.”

After speaking, he bowed his head and kissed me again. The phone was pushed out of the shoe cabinet and fell to the ground. Giang Chi Hoai's words crumbled, no one cared. The storm that I caused, little by little, swept away all reason. He repeated the motion of soothing my sweaty palm, clasping ten fingers tightly together.

"The phone hasn't been hung up yet..." I kindly reminded.

“It's okay, just let him listen.”

…

8

It rained continuously all night. Waking up early in the morning, many young leaves outside the window had been blown away by the rain. Tham Vong Tan left early. I sat in front of the mirror, staring at the marks on my neck, lost for a moment. The phone suddenly lit up.

“Are you awake yet?”

It's a message from Tham Vong Tan.

“Um, good morning…”

He texted back:

“Do you want to eat together at noon?”

Just found out that there is a project today, I will pass by his company. Without hesitation, I immediately agreed. After getting dressed, I quickly opened the door. But in front of me— It was Giang Chi Hoai again, with dark circles under his eyes. At his feet, cigarette butts were scattered everywhere. It seemed like he had been standing here all night. Hearing the noise, he staggered to his feet, his voice hoarse dense.

“Hua Thuc So.”

I immediately tried to close the door, but he still interrupted me. One hand leaning on the door, he stared at me, his eyes fierce.

“Hua Thuc So, I know what you're thinking.”

“You're just taking revenge on me so you're by my brothers side, right?”

“If you want to target me, just do it directly, don't drag Tham Vong Tan into it.”

Are you that narcissistic? I smiled coldly:

“Go away. I've made it clear, we have nothing to do with it anymore.”

“It's not what you say.”

His voice was hoarse, his eyes were bloodshot.

"Do you think returning the money is enough? I tell you, it's impossible."

"You need money, right? As much as you want, I'll give you as much."

He pulled out a black card and threw it at my feet.

"This money is enough for me to live for the rest of my life. Pick it up, we'll go back."

At that moment, the hallway light went out. Darkness swallowed the expression on his face. Only ridiculousness remains. Does he not understand human language? I swung my leg and kicked him straight in the knee. He winced in pain and fell to his knees. I bent down to look.

“Does it hurt?”

Cold eyes, calm tone.

“Compared to what I endured that year, it's still very far away.”

"I don't like you anymore. It's best not to bring shame on yourself."

I slammed the door, passed him and left.