Chapter 3 — I'm No Longer A Substitute

After reading it, I just found it... funny. All these years, I was nothing more than a tool in their eyes. Internally, I am just Luong Tieu's assistant. Externally, I am no different from the Luong family's mobile ATM. My finger stabbed hard at the screen, typing each sharp word: 【My “good father”, you really understand me. I want to see your houses ruined and rotting piece by piece!】 After sending, I immediately blocked contact. In my head, I quickly calculated that I would have to find a way to meet with Giang Ha in a few days to discuss the next matter. Seemingly seeing me ignoring him, Nguyen Thanh began to... search for a sense of existence. Out of the corner of my eye I glanced over - he sometimes pretended to admire the scenery, but in reality he was secretly looking at me; Sometimes he tried to pretend that he was sitting uncomfortable, slightly moving closer. I couldn't bear it any longer and said: "Young Master, what are you planning to do?" He replied simply: "Find a feeling of existence." I chuckled, deliberately teasing: "Could it be that... Young Master Nguyen is jealous? Blame me for pushing you to Luong Tieu?" At first I just wanted to make him angry. After all, he himself said that he likes the type of literary heroine, full of poetry, free-spirited. Everyone could see that he didn't like Luong Tieu at all, but at least he was a real genius. I originally thought I would see his expressionless poker face again. Unexpectedly - Nguyen Thanh suddenly grabbed my hand and said seriously: "You're finally a little smarter. Yes, I'm just jealous." 6 As soon as the words were spoken, the air in the car immediately froze. My pupils trembled, my heart pounded non-stop. He squeezed my hand, the force became stronger and stronger, as if he wanted to crush my wrist: "And... you're planning to run again, right? Huh?!" I was in so much pain that I almost had tendonitis again. I quickly pulled away from his hand, glared and shouted: "Can you and your younger brother read less novels? One person plays poker face all day, playing the game of forced love! One person goes out and has a good time, and even pretends to be a 'Buddhist in the capital' cosplay!" Nguyen Thanh's face was cold and he retorted: "It's all rumors! Nguyen Tham lives very cleanly!" I laughed: "He's been debauched, so why would he report it to you?" He scowled, his voice serious: "Luong Am, you don't understand anything. I..." I interrupted: "You don't understand me either! Do you know what I like to eat? Know what I want to do?" He stopped, his eyes as deep as a still lake, and said each word: "I know you and Giang Ha took one billion from the Nguyen family." This sentence made me stiffen, the words choked on my lips. Touching Nguyen Thanh's deep eyes, my heart suddenly sank. I originally intended to argue to the end, but thinking about it... indeed, I was a bit too unreasonable just now. But who to blame now, who told him to suddenly be so serious with me? Before I ran away, it was difficult to come home twice every three days. Throw me a black card and let me swipe as many times as I wanted. Yet from the moment I grabbed the money and ran, he seemed to turn into a different person — suddenly taking on the role of "city A's most sympathetic person"! Suddenly, I remembered the rumor about his ex-girlfriend whose body he threw into the ocean to feed the sharks. Feeling cold inside, I immediately... dropped the bomb: "That's right! I only like your money Stop! For you, I have no feelings at all! The thing I love the most is... your house money!" After I finished shouting, my whole body was breathing heavily, seemingly letting out a breath of anger. However, Nguyen Thanh... did not say a word. He just looked at me quietly, his eyes were deep, his expression unclear. The atmosphere in the car became thick. In front, the driver had quietly stopped the car, but a long time later he trembled and opened his mouth: "I... have arrived home..." I tilted my head to look at the rearview mirror - his forehead was covered in sweat, his hands were still shaking. Maybe he was afraid that Nguyen Thanh would go crazy, so he dragged him and threw him into the ocean to raise sharks. Nguyen Thanh and I still maintained a tense standoff in the car. Silent, heavy. Just as I was about to open the door, his voice suddenly became low, deep and hoarse: "But... I like you." I was stunned. He paused for a moment, then looked straight at me, as if telling a hidden secret: "I used to think... you weren't like other people." I almost burst out laughing. Oh my, it turns out that this young master of the Nguyen family, on the outside is so cold and domineering, in fact, on the inside, he is more innocent than a child. I thought to myself: born into a wealthy family, you should understand people's hearts, why can you still say such naive words? I pursed my lips, opened the door to get out of the car, and threw back a light sentence, but enough to cut straight into his heart: "Sorry... I'm no different from the people who tricked you before." 7 Some time later, Nguyen Thanh and I had a cold war. But he also didn't mention money, so let's just let it go by default, ha ha ha! Thinking that in a few days I can regain freedom with Giang Ha and leisurely fly abroad to live the life I want, I feel that enduring Nguyen Thanh's cold violence is not worth it. However, the plan could not keep up with changes. Giang Ha suddenly asked me to meet her. As soon as she sat down, she said directly: "Nguyen Tham knows our plan." “But if you grant him one request, he will set me free.” I took a sip of lemon soda and asked casually: "What is the request—not to mention forcing you to give birth to his child?" “How do you know?” I almost spit out the water. “And your family member probably already found out, doesn't he want you too?” Heh, if only they were children, it would be better. But he wants a piece of true love, which I can't give. I didn't say it directly, I just told Giang Ha some of the Luong family's minute plans. Giang Ha proposed: “I have a good idea. That day you must go with them to that art exhibition." "Why?" “Don't you want revenge for what happened in the past?” — she raised her eyebrows at me — “Let's witness a good play together.” I downed the glass of soda: "Of course I want to." She pushed a file towards me: "Look, this is really unique." I opened it — inside was a paternity report. The report was not long, but I read it carefully... many times. The sun had already set when I returned to the Nguyen family's house. The person who opened the door was Luong Tieu. She stood right in front of the door, showing a confident hostess look, her chin slightly raised: "Mr. Thanh said... he doesn't want to see you right now." I smiled coldly. Luong Tieu really likes to play these petty and lowly games. Before I could open my mouth, Butler Vuong rushed out from inside, calmly interrupted, and cleverly pushed Luong Tieu aside: "Madam, you're back! The young master just asked me where you were going!" I didn't even glance at Luong Tieu and walked straight into the house. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I saw her so angry that her nostrils were wide open, and I burst out laughing. She followed closely behind me into the hall. Nguyen Thanh was sitting on the sofa, pretending to leisurely read the newspaper. …But the newspaper is held upside down. Me: “…” It's true that acting requires skill. Luong Tieu then began to attack: "Just now, I told Mr. Thanh that he should take me to the Luong family's painting exhibition to broaden my horizons a bit... Or... are you planning on making an appointment with that girl Giang Ha?" I curled my lips: "Maybe that girl will come along." Luong Tieu seemed generous and fake: "That's fine~ Anyway, I don't understand the painting. At that time, it would be nice to have someone with me, I'll let you go with Mr. Thanh~" Right at this moment, Nguyen Thanh who was "pretending to read the newspaper" suddenly spoke up, his voice light and cold: "It's not necessary. I also understand." The room suddenly fell silent. I almost laughed out loud - Nguyen Thanh was secretly "slapping" Luong Tieu right on the spot. 8 Hearing Nguyen Thanh say that, Luong Tieu did not show any discomfort, on the contrary, he even passed me and sat down next to him. She intimately took Nguyen Thanh's arm and pretended her voice was as sweet as honey: "Of course I know~ I'm just afraid that my sister won't understand the painting and will feel lonely. Right, Mr. Thanh?" Having said that, Luong Tieu even deliberately glanced at me, her provocative eyes were exactly the same as the ones she used to bully me many years ago. I just find it… ridiculous. She really is stupid to the core. I'm too lazy to get involved and don't want to fight over these cheap "heroine" things with her, so I ignore them both and turn and walk straight upstairs. From afar, I could feel Nguyen Thanh's eyes always watching my back. In my heart, I gritted my teeth: What are you looking at? Don't you know how to throw her claws away?!