Chapter 8 — I Have Conceded Enough

If I knew too early, he would find a way to block my new path. Luc Tram Le suddenly asked:

“Are you going to To Yen Thu's studio?”

I looked at him.

“How do you know?”

“She was also present at the antique jewelry exhibition I participated in abroad.”

As expected, he investigated. I thought for the past year he was only busy taking care of Hua Tinh Mien. Turns out he also remembers me sometimes. Luc Tram Le stared at me.

“To Yen Thu's studio is very small, it can't give you resources like Ta Thi.”

“So what?”

“Don't gamble with your money.”

“I don't bet.”

“So why did you ask to resign as soon as you returned home?”

“Because the contract expired.”

"I know you didn't ask that."

I looked at him.

“Luc Tram Le, do you think that anyone who leaves you guys is because of anger?”

He was speechless.

“Tri Vi.” My mother's voice trembled. “Do you still blame your parents for sending you abroad?”

“No.”

“So why did you want to go as soon as you got home?”

I pondered.

“Because everyone already has someone else.”

Mom's eye sockets turned red in an instant.

“You are my biological daughter.”

"Tinh Mien is also my daughter."

“This is not the same.”

“Not the same anywhere?”

She parted her lips. But speechless. Over the past year, she celebrated Hua Tinh Mien's birthday, accompanied him to medical examinations, and prepared him to open a painting exhibition. She called me exactly three times. First time telling me not to blame Tinh Mien. The second time, he told me to advise Luc Tram Le to stay with Tinh Mien more. The third time was to tell me that Tinh Mien would get agitated when she saw my photo, and told me not to go home for now. It's really not the same. Hua Tinh Mien needs her. As for me, just "understanding" is enough. The eldest brother tapped on the table.

“I do not agree with the resignation.”

“I'll go to work with you tomorrow.”

“Tinh Mien wants to join the design department, I'll help her get acquainted with previous projects.”

“Which project?”

“Wedding jewelry collection.”

I smiled softly. Turns out, I wasn't just forced to give in to my fiance. Even the collection I designed specifically for the wedding had to be given to her.

“Okay.”

The eldest brother's expression relaxed a bit.

“Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, I'll tell the driver to take you two.”

“No need.”

I pushed the USB towards him.

“Give her the documents.”

“I won't go there.”

“I agreed just now.”

“I agree to let her join the design department.”

“But did not agree to take her along.”

The eldest brother's face turned cold.

“Tinh Mien has no experience.”

“Then move up from assistant position.”

"Tinh Mien's status is not suitable for being an assistant."

“So is my identity suitable?”

“You and it are not the same.”

It's like that again. Whenever I need to give in, we are "one family". Every time we need him to be responsible, we are "not the same". I nodded.

"Since they're not the same, I shouldn't be in charge."

Dad slammed the teacup on the table.

“Do you really have to make this house stir up to be able to stand it?”

“I have given up everything on the engagement agreement and the bedroom.”

“Now I don't even want to work anymore.”

“What kind of trouble am I making?”

No one said anything. The office was so quiet that you could even hear the clock ticking. Every beat. One beat at a time. My mother suddenly hugged me face.

“Tri Vi, what do you want your parents to do?”

I looked at her. I have asked this question many times before. Being harmed by Hua Tinh Mien, I asked. Being criticized by my eldest brother, I asked. Before being thrown on the plane, I also asked. I asked them, what should I do to make them believe me for once? They answered me:

“Stop messing around.”

Now it's your turn to ask me. But I don't have any answers anymore.

“There's no need to do anything.”

I stood up.