Chapter 2 — I Have Conceded Enough

Tears welled up in his eyes again.

“It's me making things difficult for everyone.”

"I'm going to change clothes right away."

His mouth said so, but his body did not move. My mother was extremely sad.

“Tinh Mien, it's not your fault.”

After speaking, she turned to look at me, her voice carrying a sense of reproach.

“Tri Vi and Tinh Mien have lacked a sense of security since childhood.”

“He's just too afraid of losing us, so he takes love so seriously.”

"You are the biological daughter of the Ta family, no one can replace you."

“Why can't you give in to him just once?”

It's that saying again. I am a biological daughter. So I have more stuff. I am a biological daughter. So my things can be shared with him. I am a biological daughter. So no matter where I am sent away, no matter how many times I am forced to give up, I still have to believe that they always love me. Blood relationships are so convenient. Like a permanent promissory note that never expires.

“No need to cancel.” I spoke up.

The eldest brother was stunned. I looked at the banquet hall manager.

“The ritual continues as usual.”

"Change the bride to Hua Tinh Mien."

The industrial smile on the manager's face stiffened slightly. He didn't dare to answer, just looked up and asked for help from his eldest brother. The eldest brother tried to suppress his anger.

“Ta Tri Vi, please reduce it.”

“I gave in.”

"So in the end, what are people still dissatisfied with?"

“I…”

Luc Tram Le suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly. The hand force is very strong.

“Come out with me.”

I bowed my head, glancing at his hand.

“Let go.”

He didn't let go.

“I have something to tell you.”

Hua Tinh Mien immediately rushed forward and nervously pulled Luc Tram Le's sleeve.

"Mr. Tram Le, don't argue with me."

“It's all my fault, I shouldn't have said it.”

"If you give me back my ring, it's okay if I leave."

She said to return the favor, but her hand still held tightly to the diamond ring. The ring's surface was deeply engraved into his palm, leaving a red mark. Luc Tram Le saw it, but did not expose it. I don't expose it either. I'll just say it again:

“Let go.”

Luc Tram Le stared at me, his eyes carrying scrutiny.

“Do you really not mind at all?”

I thought for a bit. A year ago, I might have even bothered. The first month of being sent abroad, I waited for his phone call every day. The second month, when he heard that Hua Tinh Mien was hospitalized, he stayed up all night to take care of her. The third month, when I was at the restoration workshop, a pile of jewelry collapsed on me and my hands were cut by glass, but on the phone, he told me to stop arguing with Tinh Mien. The fourth month, he forgot my birthday. In the fifth month, he promised to wait for Tinh Mien's mood to stabilize and then go abroad to visit me. Seven months later, he didn't come once. A really long year. Enough to oxidize a ring. It's enough for a person to erode all expectations.

“Before, I didn't care.”

I answered honestly. Luc Tram Le's eyes wavered slightly. But Hua Tinh Mien's face turned whiter.

“So what now?” He demanded.

“Now you guys are quite a match.”

A person who likes to watch others compete with him. A person who likes to steal other people's things. Truly a match made in heaven. But I didn't say the last part. Big brother already hear the sarcasm in my words.

“Tri Vi, don't make excuses here anymore.”

“Today's matter, go home and deal with it later.”

“Go out and explain to the guests first.”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

The eldest brother clearly breathed a sigh of relief. He probably thought that I was finally willing to cooperate in acting.

2

The lights in the banquet hall were bright. More than two hundred guests simultaneously turned their eyes to the entrance. I was still wearing the long black dress from when I arrived at the airport, holding no flowers in my hand, nor wearing a ring.