Chapter 25 — I Never Made It to Nam Thanh With You

The ring box in his hand crumpled under the force of his grip. Perhaps it was only at this moment that he truly understood: my presence here today was not to demand an apology, nor was it a desperate ploy to oust Wan Ning. I had come to reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to me—including myself. Professor Tham turned to look at me, his expression softening with professional respect.

Lam Kien Nguyet, the official enrollment results for the Northwest University have yet to be announced in batches, but your special evaluation has already been approved. After the summer camp concludes, the academy will launch a field survey project documenting ancient villages in the Northwest. If you wish, you may join ahead of schedule.

I nodded firmly, my voice steady. I wish to go.

A ripple of applause broke out across the auditorium. It began with my faculty advisor, then my department head, and soon, the entire room joined in. For the first time, the ovation was truly mine. It was not meant for the fiancee of Co Nghien Le, nor for the project assistant of the Co family. It was for Lam Kien Nguyet.

The latter half of the inauguration banquet descended into absolute chaos. The media swarmed Professor Tham and my father, demanding answers regarding the authorship of the project. Ha Man Nhu was in a frantic frenzy, barking orders at staff to seize and destroy the promotional brochures. Standing on the periphery of the crowd, Wan Ning watched with bloodshot eyes. She had convinced herself that if I simply called off the engagement, Co Nghien Le would choose her. Yet, Co Nghien Le did not spare her a single glance. Instead, he trailed behind me like a shadow.

Kien Nguyet, let us talk.

There is nothing left to say.

I truly did not know the brochure would relegate your name to the bottom. It was my mother who arranged the layout.

But it was you who personally added Wan Ning’s name to the credits.

He choked on his words for a moment, his defense faltering. I only saw that she had been there recording the video. I never intended to steal your credit. I never even thought of my actions as theft.

I stopped in my tracks. Because you believe that everything I possess will eventually become our shared property. You granted yourself the right to make decisions on my behalf. But I am not your possession. And what is mine is not yours.

The corners of Co Nghien Le’s eyes turned red. I admit I was wrong. I will fix it however you want. Wan Ning will be removed from the project. The brochures will be reprinted with your name alone. We can keep the engagement private. But you cannot just walk away.

I looked at him. For the first time, I saw genuine panic etched across his features. In my past life, I had waited over twenty years for this, longing for the day he would finally fear losing me. Now that the moment had arrived, I felt no trace of joy. This belated concern was like a dose of painkillers administered long after the surgery had concluded; it was entirely meaningless.

My mind is made up.

You aren't making a decision, he rasped, his voice thick with suppressed emotion. You are just punishing me. Once you go to the Northwest and taste the hardship there, you will realize that Nam Thanh is the only place meant for you. When that time comes, I will be there to bring you home.

Even now, he clung to the delusion that I would eventually regret my choices. There was no need to explain myself any further.

Co Nghien Le, keep that ring safe. One day, you can give it to someone who actually wants to marry you.

I turned my back on him and walked away. This time, he did not follow.

That evening, Wan Ning sent me a message. Are you satisfied now? I glanced at the screen but did not reply. A moment later, another notification chimed. You promised you wouldn't stand in our way. But you humiliated him in front of everyone, and now he won't even see me.