Chapter 1 — Long-term Contract Marriage

After learning that my childhood fiance had a child with a fake woman, I ran away from the wedding and went abroad. Before boarding the plane, my phone vibrated continuously, all were messages from that childhood friend. “It's not what you think, I can explain.” "Don't be angry anymore, the wedding will continue as usual." “Answer the phone, consider me begging you.” He refused all of my intimate actions, yet his and his child was already three years old. I saw the word "beg" for the first time typed out on the screen by that man who was always calm and leisurely, his fingertip hovering over the shutdown button for half a minute. Finally, I pulled out the SIM card and broke it. It wasn't until five years later, when my mother was critically ill, that I returned to that house again. As soon as I pulled my suitcase out of the arrival station, people blocked my way. After five years of not seeing each other, Luc Nghien Tu has lost a lot of weight and his eyes are darker than before. The tailored black coat accentuated her tall, straight figure, and the plain wedding ring on her ring finger was especially dazzling in the cold light. They are married. When I realized this, my heart did not waver. He stood right in the middle of the exit, his aura so cold that the assistant behind him didn't dare raise his head. Seeing me step out, his throat moved slightly and he called out in a low voice: "Nguyen Nhu." I didn't answer, just pulled my suitcase around him. The wrist was suddenly tightened. His palm was very hot, the force was so strong that it squeezed my wrist bones in pain. “The car is outside.” His voice was hoarse. “I'll take you to the hospital.” I lowered my head and glanced at that wedding ring. Under the light reflected from the rain, it radiated cold white light. I curled my lips and raised my head to look at him: "There's no need, Mr. Luc. I've already booked the car." As soon as the three words "Mr. Luc" were uttered, his knuckles immediately tightened, hurting so much that I almost frowned. “Khuong Nghien Nhu.” He lowered his voice very low, carrying an almost broken fatigue. "It's been five years. You've been avoiding me for five years, isn't that enough?" I looked straight into his eyes. I have looked at this face for eighteen years. From when I was still wearing pants with holes in my crotch, we used to catch fish and climb trees together, to when I was a teenager, he intercepted all the love letters for me, then when I became an adult, our two families decided to get married, and he said he would take care of me for the rest of my life. When I was fourteen years old, I was moved. When I was eighteen years old, I confessed my love. When I was twenty-two years old, I was waiting to marry him. In the end, what I was waiting for was the fact that my brother and sister had children. “Not enough.” I calmly withdrew my hand. “Hiding for a lifetime is not enough.” His face turned pale and he was about to say something. I interrupted directly: "Get out of the way. I'm in a hurry to sign the medical declaration." He was suddenly stunned, seemingly realizing why I returned. "Your aunt's matter has been arranged. The team of experts in Kinh Bac and the liver source are also being searched." He immediately said: "The car is outside, I'll take you there." I stood there hesitating for three seconds. Finally got in his car. The car was very quiet, only the sound of the windshield wipers rubbing against the glass. He didn't turn on music, nor talk. Every time he stops at a red light, he tilts his head to look at me and then quickly turns away. I watched the scenery outside the window continuously recede. It's been five years. The tea shop we used to go to was demolished, a new bridge was built on the riverbank, and even the previous high school was renovated. “My room in the old house is still the same.” He suddenly spoke up: "Every week my aunt sends someone to clean. The pot of mint I planted on the windowsill is still alive, I've repotted it three times already." "Grandpa told me to go home. Wait until auntie finishes surgery. If you don't want to meet them... I'll help you refuse." "No need." I coldly interrupted: "I'll handle it myself. Besides, I'm staying at the hotel." He didn't say anything more. When the car stopped below the hospital floor, the rain stopped. “I'll wait for you down here.” he said. "No need." I opened the car door. “I'll go on my own later.” “Khuong Nghien Nhu.” He called me over, took the thermos from the passenger seat and brought it over, his knuckles tightening the body of the bottle. "My aunt likes to drink millet porridge. I live here

right here, just call me if anything happens.” I didn't accept it, turned around and went straight to the boarding house. The hospital room is located on the sixteenth floor. Pushing open the door and entering, I saw my mother lying on the hospital bed, with an oxygen tube plugged in, her face yellow, and sleeping very deeply. Khuong Van Nhu sat next to the bed. She wore a creamy white wool dress, her hair was tied in a loose bun, she was peeling an apple in her hand, her face was always pale and weak, like a white jasmine flower that would shatter with just the slightest touch. After five years of not seeing her, she still had that harmless look. Hearing the noise, she turned around. As soon as she saw me, her eyes immediately turned red: "Nguyen Nhu, you're finally back." Mom has been talking about you these past few days, and I'm finally waiting for you to come home." I walked to the bed and touched the back of my mother's hand. “Why are you here?” I didn't raise my head, my tone was calm. “You are your mother's daughter, of course you have to take care of her.” Her voice was very light. "I've been gone for five years, and things at home can't just be left alone." Every sentence and every word is implying that I am unfilial. I didn't pay attention to her and used a tissue to wipe away some stray hairs on my mother's forehead. “Nguyen Nhu.” Khuong Van Nhu spoke again, her voice cautious and careful: "I know you blame me for marrying Nghien Tu, but that year it was just an accident, the baby was also unexpected..." "How old is the baby?" I interrupted her, turned my head to look at her. She suddenly stiffened, her face turned a little whiter, she bit her lip, and her eyes turned red. Behind him came the sound of quiet, familiar footsteps. I didn't turn my head, but Khuong Van Nhu's eyes immediately lit up, her voice carried just the right amount of choking: "Nghien Tu, why are you up here?" Didn't you say you would wait downstairs?" The familiar smell of cedar spread, stopping two steps beside me. "I saw you wouldn't come down so I came up to see." Luc Nghien Tu's voice was low. “Prevention of constipation, your asthma has just improved, don't stay too long. Go down and get some fresh air first.” “I'm okay.” Khuong Van Nhu smiled gently and naturally reached out to clasp his arm. “You're the one to worry about. If you don't change your clothes if you get caught in the rain, you'll have a stomach ache later." The movements were skillful and natural, as if they had been done thousands of times. I looked at my mother's hand that was administering fluids and said nothing. “I stay with my mother.” I stood up. “You two go, don't make so much noise that she can't rest.” “Nguyen Nhu…” Khuong Van Nhu was about to say something. “Be quiet for a bit.” I raised my eyes and looked over, her eyes were so cold that her voice suddenly stopped. Luc Nghien Tu frowned, and finally supported Khuong Van Nhu's shoulder: "Let's go out first." If something happens, call me." The two of them walked out side by side. Before leaving the door, Khuong Van Nhu turned her head to look at me. There was no anger in those eyes, only the satisfaction of a winner. I stayed in the hospital room on guard all afternoon. At dusk, the driver of the Khuong family came upstairs and said that my grandfather told me to go back to my old house to eat. I knew it couldn't be avoided, so I told the nurse a few words and then followed the driver back to my old house. The carved iron gate, the camphor tree in the yard had grown a round, the furniture in the house had not changed at all. The long table in the dining room was filled with food, and the crystal lights were so bright it was blinding. Mr. Khuong sat in the chair position. On the left are my father, Khuong Chan Bang, and Khuong Van Nhu. On the right is Luc Nghien Tu. As soon as I walked in, all eyes were on me. Luc Nghien Tu's eyes were the first thing that stuck to me, carrying a little bit of unnoticeable worry. I moved my eyes away, not looking at him. “Do you still know the way back?” The old man tapped his cane on the ground and said in a heavy tone: "Your mother is in critical condition so she won't show up. I see that in your heart, this house is no longer there anymore." I don't explain. Explaining is also useless. “It's good to be back.” My father spoke conciliatoryly, but the next sentence went straight to the main issue: "You are also twenty-seven years old, wandering outside for five years, so you should settle down. Dad and grandpa discussed it. The eldest uncle of the Lam family is Lam Canh Nguyen, whom I met when I was young. He studied abroad, his family background and appearance are worthy of you. Waiting for my mother to have surgery

After finishing talking, you two should decide on marriage." My hand holding the chopsticks suddenly tightened. As expected, this meal was never meant to welcome me back. “I won't take it.” I raised my head, my tone was calm. “What did you say?” Grandpa's face darkened. “I said I wouldn't take it.” I repeated: “Your mother's illness, you take care of yourself. When it comes to marriage, I have my own plans in my heart, no need for anyone to worry." “Wrong!” Grandpa slammed his chopsticks on the table. “What has become of a girl who has been wandering outside for five years? My sister is the same age as me, and her children are old enough to buy soy sauce themselves!” I instinctively looked at Luc Nghien Tu. He sat there, his fingers slightly curled, his eyes bowed and he said nothing. I suddenly felt funny. "Her marriage is good doesn't mean my marriage has to follow everyone's arrangements." I put down my chopsticks. "I am not Khuong Van Nhu, I will not go on the path that everyone has set for me." The air immediately froze. Khuong Van Nhu's eyes immediately turned red, she bowed her head and tightened her hem, as if she was suffering a great pain. “Khuong Nghien Nhu!” My father shouted loudly: “What are you talking about? Over the years, your sister has taken care of the family for you and shouldered so many things for you, so why would you say that to her?" “Replace me?” I laughed. “Should I marry Luc Nghien Tu instead, or should I have a child instead?” “Child!” My father was so angry that his face turned blue and he raised his hand to hit me. “Dad.” Luc Nghien Tu suddenly spoke up to stop him. "Nguyen Nhu just came back, her mood is not stable yet, don't force her." “You still defend him!” Khuong Van Nhu said in a low voice, her eyes becoming even redder. I just felt nauseous, pushed my chair back and stood up: "I'm full, let's go out to the yard and get some air." The night wind carried the scent of camphor, so cold it made me shiver. Behind him came the sound of hurried footsteps, Luc Nghien Tu chased after him. “Lam Canh Nguyen is really not a bad person. The Lam family can help the Khuong family, and can also find better medical resources for aunt..." I turned around to look straight at him: "What identity are you using to tell me these words now? Ex-fiance? Or my brother-in-law?” He was suddenly stunned, his pupils constricted. “Five years ago, you chose her, so choose her to the end. Don't stop me at the airport, don't interfere with my marriage. When doing these things, have you thought about Khuong Van Nhu's feelings?" “She is my wife, the mother of my child.” I looked at the ring on his hand. “I'm just your wife's sister. Would you mind distinguishing clearly? From behind came a light cough. I turned my head and saw Khuong Van Nhu standing in the hallway, wearing a shawl, her face pale, I don't know how long she had been standing there. “Nguyen Tu.” Her voice was soft, carrying a bit of reproach: "Why don't you wear a coat and go out? It's cold at night, have you forgotten that your stomach is not good?"