Chapter 18 — Eating a piece of sea cucumber, I sent my husband's family out the door

He placed the ring box in front of me. Don't kneel down. There are no roses covering the whole restaurant. There were also no cheers from people around. Trieu Minh Vien just looked at me and said:

“Nhuoc Van.”

“I don't promise to make you happy every day.”

“I don't dare say that this life will not have any difficulties.”

“But if you agree.”

"Happy or difficult days in the future, I want to spend them with you."

I looked at the ring. Look again at the man in front of you. Suddenly remembered many things. Remembering the ten year old girl who was kicked out of her house. Remembering the eighteen year old girl dragging an old suitcase and leaving her hometown. Remember the sleepless nights fixing program errors. Remembering the bowl of instant noodles in the engine room on New Year's Eve. Remember the slap over a piece of sea cucumber. Remembering the tears I tried to swallow back. I have come very far. So far that I thought I would no longer believe in love for the rest of my life. But fortunately. Life is still gentle to me again. I held out my hand. Trieu Minh Vien was stunned. It seemed unexpected that I would agree so quickly. I laughed.

“Didn't you say you waited a long time?”

He also laughed. Then take out the ring. Wear it on my ring finger. Size fits snugly.

“Since when did you measure?”

“The time I fell asleep in the car.”

“You secretly measured?”

“Trieu Minh Vien.”

“You really are an old fox.”

He laughed out loud. That laugh was very light. But it makes people's hearts feel strangely peaceful. That fall passed very quickly. Spring next year. We held a wedding. Not too lavish. Only invite truly important people. My aunt sat in the front row. Crying and laughing at the same time. Lao Luu brought the whole technical team to attend. As for Tieu Ai, she held the phone and filmed from beginning to end. As for Tran Hao. I heard he left this city. Change to another job. Live a very normal life. Vuong Thuy Phan also no longer appears. People who have hurt me. In the end, they all became passersby in my life. No longer is she the girl who always tries to prove her worth to others. I understand that. Someone who truly loves you. It won't make you live in fear. Will not use injury in exchange for submission. Will not force you to sacrifice yourself to prove love. He or she will just stand quietly next to you. Like sunlight. Not too dazzling. But enough to warm the whole life ahead. Many years later. When Spirit of Technology's smart city system covers the entire country. A reporter once asked me:

“What makes you most proud in life?”

I looked at Trieu Minh Vien sitting in the stands. He already has a few gray hairs. But the way he looked at me was still the same as the first year. I smiled and replied:

“It's not about how much money you make.”

“It's not about how big a company can be built.”

“The thing that makes me most proud is...”

“I've been hurt before.”

“But never let yourself become a hateful person.”

“I still believe in good things.”

“And finally.”

“I met them.”

Outside the window. The sunlight is just beautiful. The spring breeze gently blew through the trees. The story of Lam Nhuoc Van. This is really the end. But her life. It's only just begun. ❤

“Nhuoc Van, marry me.”

That's not the question. It's an affirmation. I looked at him.

“How do I know you will agree?”

“I don't know.”

“But I'm willing to bet.”

I put that ring on my finger. The wedding was held very simply. Only invite those closest to you. My aunt came. Old Liu arrived. Tieu Ai comes. Tham Thanh also came. My father also came. He sat in a corner. So skinny that it's just skin and bones. But the spirit is very good. When you see me in my wedding dress. He burst into tears. I stepped forward. Gently wipe away his tears.

“Stop crying.”

“Today is a happy day.”

He held my hand tightly. Continually nodding.

“Okay… okay…”

“Dad doesn't cry anymore.”

“No more crying.”

Trieu Minh Vien stepped forward. Bow before him.

“Uncle.”

“I will take good care of Nhuoc Van.”

My father looked at him. Then look at me. The corners of the eyes are red.

“Okay…”

Life after marriage. Simple but warm. Trieu Minh Vien doesn't know how to cook. But he knows how to wash dishes. Every time I finish eating. He all kicked me out of the kitchen. Standing there alone, doing the washing up all day. He is not good at saying sweet words. But never forget any anniversaries. He never said:

“I will treat you well.”

He always uses actions to prove. There are days when I work overtime until late at night. Just opened the door and entered the house. I saw that the living room light was still on. He sat on the sofa waiting for me. Holding a book in his hand. On the table is a glass of hot milk. That moment. I suddenly understood. This is home. It's the home I've been looking for all these years. A house is not an apartment. Not even an address. It's a light that's always on. A glass of warm milk. And someone is still waiting for your return. As for Tran Hao. It is said that he later moved to the South. Work as a programmer for a small company. Vuong Thuy Phan also moved with him. Tran Kieu after his probation period ended. Also leave this city. To Thien was sentenced to three years in prison. Their story. From then on. It has nothing to do with me anymore. Occasionally. I still remember that Saturday night after getting married. That night that man wanted a piece of sea cucumber. Slap me once. If that day. What if that slap doesn't fall? If he's really like what he said during the blind date. Sincere. Treat me well. We will live a quiet life. Let's eat together. Watch TV together. Grow old together. There is no "if" in this world. There are only options. And responsibility for that choice. I chose to leave. I have accepted loneliness. I'm waiting for someone worthy. That's my story. Not too intense. Not so glorious. Just the story of an ordinary woman. Falling many times in the mud. Wipe away the blood from the corner of your mouth. Keep walking. Until the end of the road. Finally seeing the light.

—— Lam Nhuoc Van

Written in the first year after marriage. Outside the window snow is falling. Minh Vien is in the kitchen boiling dumplings. Already burned two pots. But I'm very happy.