Chapter 10 — Long-term Contract Marriage

"Divorce her. The child will belong to you. Whatever she did, you must be responsible for it. I will no longer shield her." Khuong Van Nhu suddenly raised her head: "Luc Nghien Tu!" He turned to look at her, his eyes as pale as water. "You deceived me for five years. You and your father deceived everyone. Van Nhu, you did everything you could." Khuong Van Nhu's lips moved. Tears fell in big drops, but she couldn't say a word. I stood there looking at him for a few seconds. "What's between you and her, you two can handle it yourselves. It has nothing to do with me." “I know.” He said: "I'm not saying these things today to make you turn around. It's just an explanation that I owe you, so I should pay you back now." I didn't say anything more, turned around and walked out of the Khuong family's big gate. The leaves of the camphor tree in the yard rustled in the wind. Sunlight passed through the branches and leaves, falling to the ground into broken pieces of gold. I stood on the steps, squinting at the sky for a moment. The breath stuck in my chest finally slowly dissipated. The phone vibrates. Co Dien Chau sent a text message: 【How is today?】 I replied with two words: 【Okay.】 He sent again: 【So I invite you to dinner tonight. I'm busy every day these days, so I'll reward my stomach with a meal.】 I laughed and typed three words: 【You choose.】 You said okay, send it to an address, meet at seven o'clock. I put my phone away and went down the steps. When passing by the camphor tree in front of the yard gate, I stopped for a step. On the tree trunk there are still words carved from childhood. The three words "Khuong Nghien Nhu" were engraved by Luc Nghien Tu. The handwriting had been stretched and deformed by the bark, but was still vaguely recognizable. I reached out to touch the engraved mark, then withdrew my hand, without turning around, but walked straight out. Five years ago, when I left, I hated it so much that I wanted to cut down this tree. Looking back five years later, it's still there, the words are still there, the people are still there. But there are many things, once it's over, it's over. The night wind blew the tips of my hair. There is a tea stall on the side of the road. I bought a bowl of red bean sweet soup, warm and sickly sweet. I stood on the riverbank to eat, watching the thousands of lights of the families on the opposite bank light up one by one. At seven o'clock, when he arrived at the restaurant Co Dien Chau had chosen, he sat and waited on a bench. On the table are two sets of bowls and chopsticks. He poured me a cup of warm water, and in front of him was a half-empty cup of tea. “I ordered all the dishes you like.” He said: "The salt and pepper fried shrimp dish you mentioned last time." “Is your memory that good?” "I don't have many times to eat with you, of course I have to remember." After the food was served, my appetite was quite good, I finished two bowls of rice. He also didn't ask much about what happened today. Sometimes he picks up food and puts it on my plate, telling the maid in his house to make this dish better, and another day he will ask her to cook a meal. I put down my chopsticks and took a sip of water. “Co Dien Chau, today everything about the Khuong family has been exposed.” "YES." "Khuong Van Nhu is my father's illegitimate child. Luc Nghien Tu wants to divorce her." He put down the teacup and looked at me: "What about you? What do you think?" "I want to sort out mother's matters first. Let's talk about other matters later." "Okay." He didn't ask any more questions and bowed his head to eat. I looked at his profile, whose gentle lines were illuminated by the warm light in the restaurant, and suddenly said: "Co Dien Chau, thank you." He raised his head: "Thank you for what? I didn't hit anyone today." “Thank you for always being here.” I said. He looked at me for a few seconds, put down his chopsticks. “There was a sentence when signing the agreement, I guess you didn't read it carefully.” “Which sentence?” "The agreement will be renewed every two years. If you feel it is necessary, we can extend it." I was stunned. “I mean…” “I mean…” He picked up the teacup and took a sip, his tone was calm, but the tips of his ears were slightly red. "I've lived quite well these past two years. If you're not in a hurry to end the agreement, we can extend it. Of course, if you want to end it, I have no objections. You decide for yourself." I looked at him for a moment. “Co Dien Chau, when you first signed the agreement, did you intend to extend it?” “K

not right.” He put down the tea cup. “It's just that after two years with you, I feel like you're quite compatible with me. Distinguish everything clearly, don't get angry easily, and when faced with problems, you can fend for yourself. Very less worrying.” “Is that all?” “That's all.” He stopped for a moment. “Maybe there's something else. Let's talk later.” I didn't continue to ask, I raised my glass of water and touched his tea cup. “Then let's extend it.” He curled his lips and said nothing. Under the table, the toe of his shoe lightly touched the toe of mine, then quickly pulled back. After eating, step outside, the river wind blows, making people's minds alert. He took me back to the hotel. The car stopped on the side of the road, he got out and opened the door for me. “Are you coming to visit your aunt tomorrow?” he asked. “Yes.” “I'll come with you.” "Okay." I walked into the hotel lobby and turned around to take a look. He was still standing next to the car, the wind blowing his shirt. Seeing me turn my head, he raised his hand and waved.