Chapter 5 — Love Behind a Ring

After being instigated by her many times, we finally completely broke up. Looking back now, I was really naive back then. At that time, where did I get the courage to take on the life and future of another person? Chu Lang took me to the dormitory and said softly:

“More contact methods?”

“It will be convenient to discuss work later.”

If you still refuse at this point, it will seem a bit disingenuous. So I proactively took my phone and scanned Chu Lang's QR code. But coincidentally, Phuong Nhu's message appeared again. 【Uong Uong, I don't wear the ring anymore. I thought the ring was bought by you. I didn't know you would notice this...】 I didn't read the rest, just calmly swiped through it. Chu Lang looked at my phone again, the corners of his lips curled up into a mocking curve:

"To be honest, I've always disliked Phuong Nhu."

“She pretends to be innocent so well.”

There is clearly another meaning in the words. I looked at Chu Lang. He retracted his smile, still maintaining his cold appearance, but did not continue.

08

Phuong Nhu's messages came in too often so I blocked her notifications. She called, I also pretended not to see, waiting for the call to automatically disconnect. A few days later, I officially started work. I definitely turned off my phone. After that, I registered a work phone number, just to contact students and research institutes. Chu Lang holds a position at Beijing Medical University, but spends most of his time at the research institute. Every day, he entered the laboratory at nine o'clock in the morning, sometimes he still did not come out until one o'clock in the morning. Besides the first day talking about private matters, after that, he and I did not mention anything related to the past. Both deliberately avoided it. Half a month later... Phuong Chap Duat suddenly appeared as an investor. The professor took me to a drinking party. At first I thought it was just a normal reception, so I teased him:

"Why don't you call Chu Lang? If I mess up, the second half of the year the research institute can only survive by breathing air."

The professor just touched his nose and smiled wryly. At that time I didn't realize anything was unusual. It wasn't until I saw Phuong Chap Duat sitting in the chair of the banquet table that I understood. The professor is guilty. I glared at him without hesitation.

“What an old fox.”

The professor cleared his throat and comforted:

"There is no other way. The investor requires me to be present to double the investment."

“It's money, it's all money.”

I laughed coldly, but in the end I still tried to suppress my dissatisfaction. During the party, Phuong Chat Duat's eyes never stopped on me. He just talked to the professor about the project he intended to invest in. It seems he is really interested in this project. Occasionally even ask a few questions. The professor answered one after another, and I was like just a decorative flower vase. No one noticed, no one cared. So, when I quietly tried to pick up the goose meat dish in front of me... Phuong Chat Duat suddenly turned the table. His calm eyes stopped on me, his tone was extremely familiar:

"That dish has sauce on it, I don't like it. Eat this dish."

Just one sentence made me stunned. Besides the professor who knew, the other colleagues immediately looked towards me. All of these are curious eyes.

"Tran Uong, do you know General Director Phuong?"

“From the tone of your voice, your relationship doesn't seem bad, right?”

I don't know what Phuong Chat Duat wants to do, but this scene is absolutely not what I want to see. So, I curled my lips and smiled, explaining:

“I'm not close to General Director Phuong, but I'm friends with his sister, we've known each other for a long time.”

As soon as the words ended, Phuong Chap Duat's cold face immediately became a little colder. After the party ended, the professor completely sold me out, tricking me into getting into Phuong Chap Duat's car. By the time I recovered, the car door was locked. Next to me, a very light sigh sounded. Phuong Chat Duat did not look at me. He leaned back in his chair, his eyelids lowered, hiding all his emotions.

“Tran Uong, you are not a wild animal.”

I remained silent and did not speak. But the feeling of frustration in my heart grew stronger and stronger.

"I didn't say goodbye, Tieu Nhu was very heartbroken. These past few days she had been constantly arguing with me, and yesterday she even angered herself to the point that she had to be hospitalized."

"Tran Uong, you are his best friend. Are you not worried about him at all?"

In Phuong Chap Duat's words, there is still only Phuong Nhu. Only then did I understand why he appeared in Kinh city.

“If Phuong Nhu is hospitalized, then as her brother, you should stay by her side to take care of her—”

Phuong Chap Duat suddenly interrupted me:

“Tran Uong, what do you want?”

He turned around, his deep eyes landing on me. Phuong Chap Duat is waiting for an answer. But I just laughed sarcastically.

“What do you want?”

"Phuong Chap Duat, the person who should be asked this question is you. What do you want?"

“If because you're worried about Phuong Nhu, you want me to come back to be with her, you can agree.”

"One thing I said is right. She is my best friend. No matter how many things happen, this identity will not change. But in the end I will still leave."

I stopped for a moment, looking straight into his eyes. Phuong Chap Duat's body suddenly stiffened for a moment, his fingers tightened slightly. I didn't pay attention and continued to say:

“If you want me to return to the way I was before, it's impossible.”

There was a long silence. Phuong Chap Duat did not move, nor did he say more. He kept his leaning position like that. His eyes, which had always been bottomless, seemed to finally have a crack. The car stopped below the dormitory area of Kinh Thanh Medical University. After getting off the bus, I didn't turn around and went straight. But I know Phuong Chat Duat is still looking at me.