Chapter 5 — Freedom Is My Destination

The kidnappers stood in a circle, their eyes looking like wild animals. They looked at Diep Nhiem and then at me, discussing with each other: "Rich ladies are not allowed to touch this little fish... just casually." In just a blink of an eye, five men were arguing loudly right in front of me, fighting over who could be "dealt with" first. A man with tattoos covering his entire arm reached out to pull me away. At that moment, Diep Nhiem hugged me tightly like an octopus, shielding me, screaming: "Who dares to touch my sister, I will die for you all to see!" The tattooed guy was angry, waved his hand and pulled hard, but Diep Nhiem bit his arm, blood flowing all over his mouth. Pop! A loud slap whistled through the air, her face was red and swollen. But Diep Nhiem just smirked, the corners of her lips were bleeding, her voice was hoarse as if tearing her throat: "I'll see... who dares to separate us!" The remaining guys looked at each other, faltered, the tallest guy mumbled angrily: "Okay, let it go, hold on a bit. Wait until I have money... I can sleep with ten more beautiful people a day!" I burst into tears, hot tears falling on the back of my hand. I didn't expect Diep Nhiem - who used to be arrogant and arrogant - to risk his life to protect me like that. Her face was half swollen, her false eyelashes were about to fall off, her breathing was interrupted, but she still leaned forward to cover me: "Tieu Noan... Without you, who will help me handle the company, who will be my love advisor? My people... I will protect!" Sunset falls, the sounds of cicadas and the sound of the forest wind seem to blend into one creepy song. Suddenly, from afar, a series of gunshots rang out, bursting continuously, intermittently. Diep Nhiem immediately turned her head, her red and swollen eyes shining with hope: "Is... someone coming to save us?" The sound of footsteps gets closer and closer. The lock was broken and the door opened with a "bang". Weak light poured in, and a tall figure stood blocking the door. The person who came... was Trieu Kha Xuyen. He said, his voice deep and hoarse: "General Luc... was hit by a bullet." After hearing this, Diep Nhiem's face turned pale and she quickly rushed towards Luc Minh. It was as if I was hit by a rush of adrenaline. I instinctively jumped into Trieu Kha Xuyen's arms, hugged him tightly, breathing heavily: "Brother... you're really... so handsome!" He bowed his head to suppress laughter, gently squeezed my shoulder, then led me across the winding, bumpy mountain road to escape that place. Luc Minh was taken to the hospital. The bullet grazed his heart, luckily saved him in time, snatching him back from the hands of death. This "hero saving the beauty" once made Diep Nhiem completely fall in love, willingly staying by his bedside day and night, taking care of him without leaving his side. A few days later, Diep Nhiem took me out to drink. In the bar, the music pounded and the lights flashed. The drunk girl pulled me down on the chair and fumbled to open the two buttons on my chest: "This is... more sexy!" Suddenly, Diep Nhiem frowned, his voice vague: "Eh? Why is this button blue, and the others are all white?" I honestly replied: "Ah... it fell off, I... used a green button to sew it on temporarily." She tilted her head back to drink a large glass of wine, the spicy alcohol rushed to her face, her eyes were red, her sigh could be heard clearly in the loud music: "Why... can I never enter his heart?" I froze, listening to her continue, her voice mixed with sobs and bitterness: "He never took the initiative to hold my hand... Those things... Kisses... were also forced by her. Maybe… in his heart, you are just a friend.” I looked at her, momentarily not knowing how to comfort her, I just shook my head slightly: "I... really have no way." Suddenly, Diep Nhiem swung the wine glass, the cold liquid splashed straight at me. I stood still, my whole body shaking from the cold. Her eyes at this moment, completely unfamiliar, hidden hurt and disappointment, her hoarse voice seemed to come out from between her teeth: "Of course you have no way... Slut!" You… secretly seduced my man.” Her fingers clutched my collar tightly, her breath smelled of alcohol, her teeth grinding and hissing through each word. As for me... I could only stand dumbfounded, my eyes completely blurred: "What... what are you saying...?" 7 “This button…” – Diep Nhiem stared at my chest, her voice shaking with excitement – “I saw it on the table in his bedroom! Tell me… is it such a coincidence?” I shook my head in panic, my voice hoarse from tension: "It's not what you think!" That... that day he wanted to force me..." She smiled faintly, her laughter was as cold as broken ice: "Hah... forced me? He's surrounded by women, he can't get anyone he wants, so why bother forcing you? Don't insult him like that!” I closed my eyes tightly, trying to control my emotions, my voice choked up: "I... I don't understand either... I don't know why, every time I see you, he turns into an animal, like he's excited, he's lost all reason..." I clenched my fist, firmly saying: "I always try to stay away from him, I don't like him at all... I never compete with you for men!" My chest heaved, my eyes filled with despair, "Sister Diep Nhiem, if I lie, if I go out this door, I'll be hit by a car on the spot!" Diep Nhiem looked at me, her eyes wavered violently, remaining silent for nearly half a minute. Then she suddenly shouted: "Get out!" I stood silently for a few seconds, then finally sadly left. After that time, Diep Nhiem disappeared for a while. When we met again, she was completely different from before - the corners of her eyes were a little more seductive, the corners of her lips curled up teasingly. "I... pretended to be you, and when he was half drunk and half awake with Luc Minh, we slept together." I was stunned, my heart felt like someone was choking me. She smiled calmly, her voice as light as air: "Luc Minh hates me... but men, in their heads they think one way, but in their bodies they think another way." She tilted her head back and took a sip of wine, smiling softly: "It turns out... No matter how good something is, once you have it... that's all." I tried to swallow the lump in my throat and asked softly: "Are you... still going to marry him?" Diep Nhiem curled her lips and smiled gently: "It's over. Marrying someone you like... Anyway, it's better than marrying someone you don't like." She suddenly seemed to remember something and tilted her head to look at me: "Ah, that's right... Luc Minh asked my mother the other day. He said he wanted to invite me to his house again. He also heard my mother say... that night I was hit by a car and died. After hearing that, I felt very sorry." I stopped, my heart skipped a beat. Because the company had gone bankrupt in the past, my mother's application had many overdue debts. Although it was later paid, our bad background made it difficult for our application to be approved. Therefore, my mother used a fake identity, so Luc Minh accidentally lost contact with me. The love affair ended, I took the company's financial report and pushed it in front of Diep Nhiem: "Let's take a look." She took it, her eyes glanced through a few pages, suddenly her eyes lit up, her lips curled up raised his eyebrows: "Not bad... There's a lot of potential." Hey clown. Fast forward another year and I have become a senior partner of the company. Then, the global financial crisis broke out, many businesses suffered heavy losses. Luckily, Luc Thi Group and Diep Thi Group joined together to support each other and overcome the gloomy winter together. Diep Nhiem and Luc Minh officially got married. But marriage did not make him happy, on the contrary... After the wedding, Luc Minh became even more promiscuous than before, even becoming famous as a "playboy" in the upper class. Scandal after scandal followed, playing around became increasingly difficult to control. As for me, life is much calmer. My mother quit her job, started joining the square dancing club, and lived comfortably and happily every day. I also felt at peace. Two years later, our company was officially listed on the stock exchange, reaching the top ten global enterprises. That day, Diep Nhiem with a pregnant belly, eyes full of pride, pulled my hand: "Tieu Noan, go up on stage and speak. I want... everyone to see you."