Chapter 13 — I Never Made It to Nam Thanh With You

I had once foolishly believed that if I could only become the perfect, suitable companion, Yen Le would eventually turn his gaze toward me. But now, the truth was laid bare. Ha Man Nhu was never acting out of a desire to secure justice for me. She simply felt that Uyen Ninh was unworthy of being a daughter-in-law to the Co family. She was perfectly willing to let her son love whomever he pleased, but she insisted that I bear the burden of playing the role of the appropriate wife.

I do not wish to be the most suitable choice. I set my teacup down on the table with a firm click. I also have no intention of waiting until he finishes his wedding just to turn my life around.

Ha Man Nhu’s expression darkened instantly. Kien Nguyet, marriage is not built solely on love. Your mother passed away early, and I have always looked upon you as my own daughter. I would never wish to cause you harm. You are young now, and you believe that love is the only thing that matters. In time, you will understand that stability, social standing, and future prospects are far more reliable than mere feelings.

I glanced at the jade pendant lying on the table. If feelings are so unreliable, why don't you simply let Yen Le marry Uyen Ninh?

She was rendered speechless by the retort. How can you compare the two?

And how are they any different? I pressed. The woman he loves has the duty of providing him with affection. As for me, I am expected to provide him with stability, social standing, and a promising career. The Co family wants to possess everything, yet I am the only one who is never asked if I am willing to pay the price.

Ha Man Nhu’s lips trembled. After a long silence, she finally spoke: You and Yen Le are having a spat, but you should not drag the business partnership between our families into it. The upcoming project for the Te Nguyet Villa has been discussed with your father for a very long time. If you suddenly leave for the Northwest, how can the project possibly continue?

So, she had finally arrived at the heart of the matter. The project has a professional team, I replied. It will not suffer just because a single student like me is missing. But the blueprints were designed by you. And so what? You should see your responsibilities through to the end.

She spoke with an air of absolute, suffocating reason. After the inauguration ceremony, you should simply follow Yen Le to Nam Thanh to settle down. Wait until the official start of the semester to handle your paperwork. If you truly dislike the field of architecture, you can find a way to transfer later. As for that university in the Northwest, just give up on it. Regarding Uyen Ninh, I will make sure Yen Le handles the matter definitively. And that summer camp program? You should not go. You have already won awards; you hardly need the experience.

It suddenly dawned on me. She had not called me here today to negotiate. She had already decided everything on my behalf. Give up my school, give up my summer program, continue to toil for the Co family’s project, and marry a man who does not love me. They would then collectively deem this to be the best possible arrangement.

Aunt Ha, I said, picking up the small red velvet box from the table and snapping it shut. Ha Man Nhu’s expression softened slightly, thinking that I had finally listened to reason. Instead, I pushed the box back toward her. You two can find someone else for this position. I am no longer interested.

Her face went deathly cold. Lam Kien Nguyet, do you have any idea what you are saying?

I know exactly what I am saying.

If your father discovers that you are holding the long-standing partnership between our families hostage just because of a childish tantrum, what do you think he will say?

I rose to my feet. The partnership is a matter for my father. Marriage is a matter for me. As for how my father feels about this, I will ask him myself.

As I reached the door, Ha Man Nhu called out after me: The invitations for the inauguration ceremony have already been sent out. Everyone knows that the engagement between you and Yen Le will be announced on that day. If you back out now, it will not just be the Co family that loses face.

I turned back to face her. Then, since we still have eight days left, you should notify everyone immediately. Otherwise, it will only be more embarrassing when the day arrives.

That evening, Uyen Ninh posted a long entry online, titled: Some people are simply born at the finish line.