Chapter 4 — I Am No Longer His Burden, But He Refuses To Let Go

The moment I let go of the curtain, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a man and woman coming out of the restaurant next door. The man was tall and elegant, looking at me from afar. A few heartbeats stopped — it was Van Chu. His eyes left me and turned to look at the person standing next to the carriage - Tran So Ngon. I didn't stop, I walked straight onto the carriage. I haven't seen Van Chu for half a month, but now I suddenly see him and feel strange again. So strange, as if from beginning to end... we shouldn't know each other. That's good too. If you don't see me, don't bother. After returning to the palace, I told my parents that Tran Ngon and I were not compatible, and today's meeting should end here. Parents nodded, then continued to choose someone else for me to meet. I didn't expect — Van Chu would come to the door. In the past, he came to the palace without prior notice, entering and exiting like his own home. Now, the doorkeeper must come in and ask:

“Miss, do you want to meet young master Van?”

I simply answer:

“No see.”

In less than a moment, the doorman returned:

“Young Master Van said there was something very important he wanted to give to you, and he requested to meet once.”

No matter how important it is, it's not as important as inner peace. We repeat:

“No see.”

This time, the doorman did not return. Not long after, the servants patrolling the palace led to a person who had just been caught climbing the wall - it was Van Chu. His clothes were covered in dry grass and mud, and he looked somewhat struggling. He bowed to my mother and respectfully said:

“Dear aunt, there is something I want to tell you in private, I hope you will allow it.”

The mother's face was cold, not showing any respect:

"If I don't let you in, then climb the wall. If I still don't let you in, are you going to knock me unconscious and rush in?"

Van Chu looked slightly embarrassed, but still maintained his composure:

"This matter really has a reason that is difficult to say. This senior has something important to tell... Miss Lac."

I looked at him, my eyes no longer wavering. The word "mature" is no longer unfamiliar to him. However - in the past, that young man was an innocent and straightforward person, unable to hide his joy or anger, and his facial expression never hid anything. The mother snorted coldly. I reached out and patted her hand gently, saying softly:

“Mother, let me say a few words to him.”

A glint of joy flashed in Van Chu's eyes. I tilted my head, signaling him to follow. We stop at the octagonal building in the garden. The gentle wind shook the bamboo curtain, the scent of flowers wafted through. I stood sideways, didn't turn around, just let out a gentle sentence:

“What do you want to say?”

Van Chu coughed softly, raised his hand to cover his lips, his eyes avoided, turning to other things:

“That little path… why is it sealed?”

In the past, he went in and out of the Lac palace without any rules. Finding a dog tunnel near the fence, he - a gentleman from a wealthy family - didn't mind being dirty. He was too lazy to go to the main door so he crawled through there to meet me. I didn't change my expression and replied faintly:

“Afraid of an intruder breaking in, I had someone plaster it over.

Did you come to me... to talk that way?" Maybe my voice is too cold. His desire to have a friendly conversation also lessened because of that. He was silent for a moment, then pulled out a few pieces of paper from his sleeve and placed them on the stone table in the pavilion:

“This is a list of some talented young men that I personally arranged. I heard that recently she started dating... marriage is a lifelong affair, you can't be hasty, and you shouldn't marry the wrong person."

I was stunned for a moment, I could hardly believe it. Yet he treated my reaction as if it didn't exist and continued to say in a monotone voice:

“Don't you still like handsome looking people?

The people I chose are all handsome and spirited people. Like this person, although he is the second child, his character is steadfast, and his future will surely surpass that of his brother and mother; As for this person, his background is not prominent, but his mind is careful, slowly but surely, sooner or later he will rise to the top. Also..." I recognized those names. In their previous life, they were all people with successful careers, harmonious families, and not involved in any fights or scandals. I finally couldn't help it and laughed coldly:

“What right do you have to get involved in my marriage?”

My eyes looked straight into his eyes, slowly but coldly:

“Van Chu, you are only one year older than me… do you really consider yourself my senior brother?”