Chapter 15 — Don't Run Anymore, Hua Tri Hoa

"This is the university you got into, your major, your family situation. I'm not investigating illegal information, it's all public data and what can be seen at your store."

I looked at that piece of paper, my stomach clenched. She continued: "You are very excellent. It is not easy for a normal family to get to this step." I did not respond. She raised her eyes.

“So you must understand more clearly than anyone else how important the next four years are to you.”

Steam rose from the tea cup, stinging the corners of my eyes. Tham Lenh Nghi's voice was not loud, but each word stung the heart.

"Nghien Chu is not an ordinary boy. His emotional choices will affect projects, investments, and personnel arrangements. He can be arbitrary for you for a while, but can you bear the price he has to pay after his arbitrary behavior?"

My fingertips are stiff.

“I never asked him to do anything.”

“But it's already being done.”

She pushed the second set of documents over.

“To refuse the joint marriage project, it is preparing to take a sum of money in its name to cover the risks of cooperation, and must also hand over the main rights of a project abroad.”

I suddenly raised my head. Tham Lenh Nghi looked at me.

“Didn't he tell you?”

My lips are white. The words from last night's phone call drifted back into my ears: engagement, board of directors, mother. Tham Lenh Nghi said: "Miss Hua, liking someone is not a crime, but dragging someone else through the mud, then calling yourself innocent, that's not very polite." My hand under the table clenched into a fist. She finally lowered her voice to a softer tone.

“Her mother's health is not good, her father drives long distances all year round, she has just passed the university entrance exam, tuition fees, living expenses, future internships and master's degree results are reserved, every step she takes is not allowed to make mistakes.”

She stopped for a moment.

“Nghien Chu can lose a game, but she doesn't have the capital to lose.”

This statement is like a basin of ice water pouring straight down from the top of your head. I wanted to object, but my throat couldn't make a sound. Tham Lenh Nghi didn't force me to sign any papers, he just stood up and put the business card on the table.

"I won't humiliate you, nor will I cause trouble for your family. I just hope you don't use a relationship that started with a lie to bet on the future you've just worked so hard to win."

After she left, I sat frozen in place for a long time. The tea had cooled down, and a ring of water remained on the rim of the cup. When Luong Nghien Chu pushed the door open and walked in, the wind chimes rang out with a sharp sound. He saw my expression and his face immediately darkened.

“What did my mother tell you?”

I raised my head to look at him, my eyes were dry and painful.

“You have to deliver a foreign project?”

Luong Nghien Chu's steps stopped. I smiled, but my voice was hoarse.

“Do you still have to use your own money to compensate for the risk?”

He walked in front of me.

“I will handle these matters.”

“How to handle it?”

He frowned: "Hua Tri Hoa." I stood up, the chair leg hit the floor, emitting a shrill noise.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Tell me, then let me run away?”

This statement hits me where it hurts, made my breathing stop. Luong Nghien Chu grabbed my shoulder and suppressed his voice: "Is my mother threatening you with these things? Don't listen to her, I can handle this."

"How do you solve it? Turn on your family? Lose the project? Pay money? Make the board feel like you're crazy because of a girl who just graduated?"

His fingers tightened. I looked at him, my nose stinging.