Chapter 20 — Don't Run Anymore, Hua Tri Hoa

At the end of autumn, my mother's test results were stable, my father also stopped driving long distances, Tran Mat called me and cursed me: "Hua Tri Hoa, if you don't admit that you like him anymore, I will tell Luong Nghien Chu about your bed-wetting incident when you were a child." I gritted my teeth: "You dare!" He smiled arrogantly: "Put your eyes up and see if you dare." In December, Luong Thi Group organized an open trade forum, the school was granted several tickets to attend the hearing. Phuong Duong won a ticket and happily pulled me along. Originally I didn't want to go, but when I saw Luong Nghien Chu's name on the guest list, my fingers still stopped. On the day of the forum, the lights in the hotel lobby were bright, and the carpet was so soft that stepping on it didn't make a sound. I sat in the back row, bowed my head, and summarized notes. The MC on stage introduced the guests and loud applause rang out. When Luong Nghien Chu stepped onto the podium, in a clean suit, his eyes and eyebrows were even sharper than when they first met. He stood under the spotlight, speaking about adjusting projects, about taking risks, and about the independent decision-making power of the young management class. Those business terms that I didn't understand much, through his mouth became extremely clear and strong. During the question and answer session, a reporter asked questions.

"Mr. Luong, there was a rumor outside that a while ago you withdrew from the marriage project because of personal feelings. Would this affect Thi Luong's interests?"

The whole hall suddenly fell silent. My hand holding the pen tightened. Luong Nghien Chu looked down at the stands. His eyes scanned the crowd, then precisely stopped on me. My breathing seemed to stop. He didn't shy away, nor did he use cliches to get by.

“What I walked away from was not a partnership, but rather removing personal relationships from the bargaining chips.”

The journalist asked: "So that rumor is true?" Luong Nghien Chu looked straight at me, his voice through the microphone carried throughout the large hall.

“It's true that I have someone I like.”

My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. There were small commotions under the stands. He continued: "She is not an attachment to any project, nor is she a tool for me to protest against my family. She is very hard-working, also very proud, once tricked me, and also kicked me twice." Someone in the lobby burst out laughing. I bowed my head, my ears burning. The corners of Luong Nghien Chu's lips moved slightly.

“But I'm still pursuing.”

The journalist was stunned. He withdrew his eyes and his tone was extremely solemn.

"If someone mentions this relationship in the future, I hope the order won't be reversed. It's me pursuing her, not her clinging to me."

The sound of applause rang out from nowhere, gradually spreading throughout the large hall. I sat in the backseat, tears suddenly falling without warning. Phuong Duong sitting next to him rolled his eyes, suppressed his excitement and shouted softly: "Hua Tri Hoa, is it you? Is it you?" I didn't say a word, the pen in my hand was almost broken. The forum ended, people rushed out. I followed Phuong Duong to the hotel door, the cold wind hit my face, stinging my eyes. Have someone called me from behind.

“Hua Tri Hoa.”

I stopped walking. Luong Nghien Chu stood on the steps, next to him were his assistant and several other men in neat suits. Tham Lenh Nghi was also there. She saw me, her eyes stopped for a moment. My palms were sweaty, I wanted to step back. Luong Nghien Chu went down the steps. He didn't hold my hand, just stood in front of me and asked in a low voice: "Let's talk for a moment?"