Chapter 4 — Long-term Contract Marriage

Grandfather was the first to speak. “Real estate, finance, investment in some technology companies.” “Canh Thuy Group?” "Yes." Grandpa was silent for a moment. Canh Thuy Group has developed very strongly in recent years, its real estate scope has covered more than ten cities, and last year it was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Co Dien Chau himself is very secretive, never appearing in front of the media, but many people in the world know this name. “How do you and Nghien Nhu know each other?” "At a party abroad. I pursued her for more than half a year, but she still did not agree. Then I pursued her until I lost patience and directly dragged her to register for marriage." He picked up a chopstick of food and placed it in my bowl, a familiar and natural movement. “She was quite slow to get enthusiastic, and I pursued her quite quickly.” Khuong Van Nhu's smile was very reluctant: "So when you two get married, why don't you have a wedding? Even your family doesn't know." "She doesn't like excitement, I'm busy too. Besides, marriage is a matter between two people, whether to hold a wedding or not is up to us to decide." Co Dien Chau's voice was calm. “And you and your husband, have you had your wedding yet?” Khuong Van Nhu's smile stiffened slightly. Luc Nghien Tu lowered his eyes to drink soup without answering. Grandfather coughed: "General Manager Co is young and talented, Nghien Nhu marrying you is his blessing. But having said that, we have arranged the best experts for his mother's surgery..." "Wei Honggang." Co Dien Chau interrupted him. "He will come this afternoon. He is the one who Nghien Nhu invited." The dining table was silent for two seconds. My father's chopsticks stopped: "Wei Hong Cuong? Is that the person from the hepatobiliary department of Hiep Hoa Hospital..." "Yes." Grandpa's face is not very good. Originally, he wanted to let Co Dien Chau know that the Khuong family had put effort into this matter, not to let people feel that the Khuong family treated their daughter poorly. As a result, Co Dien Chau's gentle sentence "Wei Hong Cuong will arrive this afternoon" stopped everything he was about to say. Luc Nghien Tu finally raised his head and looked at Co Dien Chau: "Director Wei's examination schedule is full until half a year later, how do you invite him?" “If you need to spend money, then spend it. If you need to use the relationship, then use it.” Co Dien Chau smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes. "You're general manager Luc, right? I've shown the experts you arranged. Their qualifications are good, but not on the same level as director Wei. I accept your good intentions, I'll take care of the next things." Luc Nghien Tu's fingers holding the spoon tightened, not saying anything more. Khuong Van Nhu suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying a smile: "Nien Nhu is really talented. Marrying someone like General Manager Co without telling the family, this sister also didn't know how to be happy for me. But... I've been gone for five years, and my family is also worried, afraid that I'll suffer on the outside. Now it's good, there is someone to take care of me, my mother can also rest assured." The words sound nice, but every sentence is full of thorns. What she meant was: I was outside for five years, who knows what I did? Who knows how this marriage was formed? I was about to speak up when Co Dien Chau put down his chopsticks first. “Miss Khuong, when you married your brother-in-law, it seems like you didn't ask her first, right?” Khuong Van Nhu's face immediately turned pale. “She married her ex-fiance, had a baby, and she, a legitimate fiancee, had to leave for five years.” Co Dien Chau's voice is neither fast nor slow. "That year, you didn't ask her if she agreed or not. Now asking how her marriage was formed, isn't very appropriate, right?" Luc Nghien Tu made a "click" sound, put his chopsticks down on the table, pushed his chair back, and stood up. “Co Dien Chau.” His voice was very low, darkness rolling in his eyes. “If you have an opinion on me, just aim it at me, don't drag her into it.” “I didn't drag her in.” Co Dien Chau still sat still, looking up at him. "Am I mentioning her? I'm just presenting the truth. She is your wife, your children are grown up. The matter between you and your wife is related."

What is wrong with my wife? Khuong Van Nhu's tears immediately fell. She covered her mouth, stood up and ran out of the dining room. Luc Nghien Tu stood still for two seconds, looking at me. Those eyes carried emotions so complex that I couldn't understand them. In the end, he still chased her. The dining room is quiet again. Grandpa's face turned pale. My father bowed his head and ate without saying a word. “Okay.” Co Dien Chau stood up, conveniently picked up the half-cooled bowl of soup in front of me and took a sip. “The rice has been eaten, everything that needs to be said has been said. Nghien Nhu, let's go to the hospital to wait for Director Wei." He held my hand and walked out, not letting go until we were out the door. “Are you here to fight for me today?” I asked. “Yes, by the way, let's have a quick meal.” He walked beside me, his steps were neither fast nor slow.