Chapter 6 — I Have Conceded Enough

Close the lid.

“The room is not mine anymore.”

“The name is saved here, it doesn't match.”

The edges of my mother's eyes suddenly turned red.

“Tri Vi, no one said this is not your home.”

I looked at her.

“So where should I stay?”

She choked on her words. Guest room? Hotel? Or return abroad? No one answered. I picked up my suitcase and walked out the door. Hua Tinh Mien unconsciously stepped back to make way. As I passed by it, it suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

“Sister.”

“Do you hate me?”

I bowed my head and looked at his hand.

“No hatred.”

Receiving requires strength. I've been very busy over the past year. Busy trying to survive. Busy learning to not wait for the phone anymore. Busy picking up my broken pieces and fixing them. There's really no time left to hate it.

“So why did you do that?”

“What does that mean?”

Hua Tinh Mien's tears finally fell.

“Nothing is needed.”

I looked at it. Suddenly wanted to laugh. Before, when I wanted something, they said I was greedy. Now I don't need it anymore, it's scary again. I gently withdrew my sleeve.

"Don't worry."

“If I tell you, I won't take it back.”

I went downstairs. The suitcase wheels rolled loudly on the stairs. The sound is clear and deafening.

“I want to see.”

“What else do you want?”

4

The living room is on the first floor. Far away from the master bedroom, far away from everyone. I pushed the suitcase inside, Aunt Tran followed behind, hesitantly wanting to speak again.

“Miss, do you need me to change you a new set of sheets?”

“No need.”

The living room is normally empty, and the air smells of moldy wood. Bed is very small. But it's still comfortable compared to the folding bed in the warehouse at the foreign branch. I hung a few clothes in the closet and put the toolbox on the table. Just after finishing cleaning, the door was pushed in by someone from the outside. The eldest brother stood at the door. He forgot to even knock on the door.

“Come here.”

“What's going on?”

“Dad is waiting for me in the office.”

I glanced at the clock. 11:17 p.m. The way the Ta family handles matters related to me has never distinguished between day and night. Hua Tinh Mien cried, they could hold family meetings all night long. When I had a 40-degree fever abroad, my assistant called home and my mother said:

"Tri Vi's health has been good since childhood, she will be fine."

It's not dead yet. So it doesn't count as a problem. I followed my eldest brother upstairs. When passing by the second floor, the door to my old room was closed. The nameplate was removed, leaving two tiny screw holes. Hua Tinh Mien stood inside, looking at me through the door. Seeing me looking back, it quickly slammed the door. Clack. Always lock it. I withdrew my gaze. After that, it's his room. Of course it must be locked carefully. In the office, Dad sat in the middle of the sofa. Mother sat on one side with red eyes. Luc Tram Le was also present. He hasn't returned yet. Only Hua Tinh Mien was nowhere to be seen. Maybe I harvested too many things tonight and need a little time to slowly digest. Dad pointed to the sofa opposite.

“Sit down.”

I sat down.

“Say it.”

Dad frowned.

“What kind of attitude is that?”

I changed the way I spoke.

“What do you want to talk about?”

His expression softened a bit.

“What happened at the party today, you did too much.”

“Yes.”

I admitted it too quickly. The lecture that my father worked so hard to prepare suddenly got stuck in his throat. I couldn't say anything for half a day. The eldest brother coldly continued:

"I know it's wrong, so why do I have to say those words in front of so many people?"

“Everyone asked me to explain.”

“We told you to save face for the Ta family!”

“I don't curse or argue.”

“Is that what you call not arguing?”

The eldest brother laughed out loud because he was angry.

“You said in front of many guests that your family forced you to give up the engagement.”

“Isn't that right?”

“Ta Tri Vi!”

Luc Tram Le suddenly spoke up.