Chapter 7 — Long-term Contract Marriage

"Don't worry. With me, no one dares to bully her." My mother nodded, tears flowing into the pillow from the corners of her eyes. “I mistreated him… this child…” “No.” I took her hand. “Mom, just recuperate well, don't think too much.” Then she fell asleep again. Co Dien Chau stood by the window without speaking. Waiting until her breathing calmed down, he softly said: "Your mother understands clearly in her heart." "YES." “So when are you going to tell her the truth?” “Wait until she gets a little better.” I said: "First let you take good care of your body." "Okay. When the time comes, if you need me to come out, just say so." On the twelfth day after surgery, all of my mother's indicators were stable and she could be discharged from the hospital to go home to recuperate. I discussed with Co Dien Chau and transferred her to a rehabilitation center with a good environment, with professional nurses to take care of her and have regular check-ups. The costs are paid by you. He said it would be included in the company's books and benefits, no need for individuals to spend money. I argued a few times but couldn't win him over, so I gave up. On the morning of completing the hospital transfer procedures, I returned to Khuong's old house to get some close-fitting clothes and regular medicine for my mother. When I entered, there was someone sitting in the living room. My grandfather, father, Khuong Van Nhu and Luc Nghien Tu. On the tea table were several files of documents, it looked like they had just finished discussing something. As soon as I walked in, four pairs of eyes looked over. “I came to get mom's things.” I went straight inside. “Stop.” Grandpa called me back. His voice was still low but more peaceful than before. "Your mother has been transferred to the hospital, who will take care of her in the future?" "Rehabilitation center, nurse. I will visit periodically." "The Khuong family's daughter is not in the hands of outsiders yet." Grandfather tapped his cane. "You're back, there are some things we have to sit down and talk about clearly." I stopped walking and turned around: "There's nothing to say. I've already arranged my mother's medical treatment, and I won't spend the Khuong family's money." "What's the difference between spending money from Co Dien Chau and spending it yourself?" My father frowned and interjected. "I married him. He is the son-in-law of the Khuong family. Since we are a family, it is natural that we support each other in business." "Do not." I raised my hand to interrupt. "We've been married for two years, and only now do people know there is someone like him. Now we talk about family, what did people do before?" “Nguyen Nhu.” Khuong Van Nhu stood up, her voice as soft as water. "Dad and grandfather only want the best for me. General Manager Co and I are already a family, he has a project in hand, the Khuong family also has resources, the cooperation between the two families is a win-win situation. I say I help the family even if I help the family, I won't suffer any loss." I looked at her: "What did you agree to do for me?" Her face turned pale: "I don't accept anything, just analyze it for you..." "I don't need your analysis." I looked at her, my voice cold. "I haven't yet settled the matter with you about you agreeing to go on a blind date for me. When you arbitrarily decided for your sister, did you think about the fact that she was already married? Or did you feel that if you married Luc Nghien Tu, I would be moved to tears and obediently follow your arrangements?" Khuong Van Nhu's eyes turned red. She bit her lip and took a step back. Luc Nghien Tu sat on the sofa without moving, looking down at the tea table, his expression unclear. "Alright." Grandfather leaned hard on the ground with his cane. "Let's not talk about this for now. Nghien Nhu, sit down. There's something I have to tell you." “I stood and listened.” Grandpa was silent for a few seconds. "We recently re-investigated the matter of mistakenly hugging. There were loopholes in the hospital records that year. Khuong Van Nhu is not related by blood to the Khuong family." The living room was silent for a moment. Khuong Van Nhu's face immediately turned pale, her knuckles clenching the hem of her shirt turned purple. I looked at my grandfather: "Did you investigate?" "I found the nurse who delivered the baby that year, but she couldn't remember clearly. Then she found an intermediary to test the DNA, there was no blood relationship." Grandpa closed his eyes. “She's not your mother's daughter.” Khuong Van Nhu's tears finally fell. She made a "thud" sound and knelt to the ground. “Grandpa… dad… since I was little

I grew up in this house, you guys are my only relatives…” “Stand up.” Grandpa raised his hand. “Even though I'm not your mother's daughter, I've raised you for so many years, and my feelings are not fake. You are still the daughter of the Khuong family, this will not change." Khuong Van Nhu sobbed as she stood up, her shoulders continuously shaking. Luc Nghien Tu finally raised his eyes to look at her, then quickly moved away, unable to clearly tell what his expression was. I stood in place, just feeling confused. It's been more than ten years, and they finally investigated. But what was investigated was only a half-true, half-false answer. I looked at Khuong Van Nhu's tearful face, swallowed the words that had come to my mouth and returned. Now is not the time to expose her. My mother just got out of the hospital. If the Khuong family's chaos explodes, the first person affected will still be the mother. “Okay.” I did not respond.