Chapter 5 — Eight Years Is Not Equal to One Betrayal

Clipped inside the piece of paper is a note with delicate handwriting: 【Within 30 days after the end of the consideration period, both parties must be present to complete the procedure; If one party is absent, the application will be considered automatically withdrawn. It turned out that she already knew the ins and outs of all the procedures. In contrast to Luc Nghien Tu, who was completely unaware, or basically didn't care at all. I put the documents back in their original place and was just about to leave when outside the door I heard the sound of Luc Nghien Tu and To Tri Yeu talking. The two of them had returned. To Tri Yeu sobbed: "Nien Tu, have you ruined me and Van Tinh? She probably hates me to the core.” Luc Nghien Tu sighed softly: "No, she just couldn't accept it for a while."

“But what if she really leaves you?”

Luc Nghien Tu was silent for a moment, his voice firm: "It won't happen." To Tri Yeu sniffled and asked: "Why are you so sure?"

"Van Tinh will wait for you, she can't bear to let go of this eight-year relationship."

I stood behind the door, my clenched hands slowly loosening. Before, I really couldn't bear it anywhere. I can't bear to see him work overtime and stay up all night with no one to take care of his three meals; Unable to see the project having problems, he had to bear all the pressure alone; I couldn't bear to see him being scolded by his boss and then had to try to be optimistic to comfort me. What I hold on to is too much, that's why when he hurt me, he was so fearless and relied on it like that. At this moment, the last fragile hope left in the bottom of his heart was completely shattered. I pulled the drawer, took out the engagement ring that belonged to me, and quietly placed it on the dining table. Next to the ring, is a bag of cakes that have not yet been divided. Before leaving the house, I looked around this bridal room one last time. Each piece of furniture, each decorative corner was chosen by me, and at this moment it was so strange that it made people feel cold. Pushing open the main door, two people outside the door simultaneously looked towards me. Luc Nghien Tu frowned and asked: "Where are you going?"

“About the school's teacher dormitory.”

He took a step forward and grabbed my wrist tightly: "It's so late, don't be angry anymore. Once I've finished taking care of Tri Yeu's mother's affairs, I'll definitely give you a satisfactory explanation." Little by little I removed his clenched fingers.

“No need.”

“Luc Nghien Tu, we end here.”

5 The school has reserved a few dormitory rooms as temporary residences for single teachers. They are cramped, simple, and the decorations are old. Absolutely nothing can compare to the spacious and sophisticated wedding room. But the moment I put down my luggage, the suffocating feeling that had been weighing me down for so long finally disappeared. The door lock core was old and stuck. I turned the key over and over but still couldn't lock it tightly. I squatted in front of the door and fiddled with the lock. At the end of the hallway, a figure suddenly appeared.

“Teacher Lam?”

I raised my eyes and looked up. The man wore a simple white shirt, holding a stack of notes in his hand, studying the lecture. I recognized him, Giang Tu Bach, a mathematics teaching research specialist who had just transferred from the district Department of Education, and in recent days had been regularly observing lessons at school. He glanced at the stuck lock: "The lock core is aging, do you have a screwdriver?" I shook my head. Ten minutes later, he borrowed tools from the duty room, removed the old lock core and reinstalled it, his movements were smooth and steady. He didn't ask why I suddenly moved out of the wedding room, nor did he pry into the reason why my eyes were swollen. Before leaving, he only faintly advised: "When you're alone, remember to lock the door and install an anti-theft chain. The security guard downstairs will change shifts at ten o'clock. During that time, try not to go downstairs alone."