Chapter 2 — Love Dissolves Into Clouds

3

After turning on the phone, a series of messages from An Ngon flooded into the phone. I don't need to read it to know that he definitely wanted to justify To Kieu Thien's post that I liked. When I return home, I don't go to the company. Just call a few close friends who have climbed mountains together and invite each other to go trekking.

“Du Lam, since you got married, we haven't had a chance to ask you out anymore.”

A friend in the group laughed and teased me. I bowed my head and smiled softly: "There will be more time later." After three days of trekking, I returned home. As soon as I entered the door, I saw An Ngon sitting in the living room, her face dark.

"Where have you been? I've been home for two days and I haven't seen you, and I haven't picked up the phone. There's a limit to your anger!"

I didn't bother looking at him, my tone was cold: "Going trekking. No signal."

"Are those dangerous sports again? You are now the An family's daughter-in-law, and I am a famous artist. If outsiders knew that your wife would do such rude things—"

An Ngon waved his hand impatiently, he rarely talked so much. But for some reason, now that I listen back, I just find it so annoying that it's funny.

"Why do you have to give up your hobbies just because I don't like it? There's no shortage of people around me who can talk to you, don't worry about me too much."

His face darkened, he was about to get angry but he tried to hold back.

"Du Lam, I'm just worried about your safety. Why do you have to drag Kieu Thien into this? I've explained it many times, there's nothing between us like you think, why don't you believe it?"

"Ah, my mother said that it's been so many days since you returned home and you still haven't come to the company, that's too much! Come home with me tomorrow, apologize to your mother!"

I thought for a moment, then agreed. Anyway, the divorce matter needs to be clearly told to her. As soon as I entered An's house, the first sight I saw was To Kieu Thien gently squeezing An's mother's shoulder, sweetly praising her for maintaining her beauty so well. An's mother laughed until she couldn't close her mouth:

"This To family's little girl's mouth is so sweet! If you were born a few years early, I would definitely take you as the An family's daughter-in-law! Too bad my stupid son doesn't have that blessing!"

I smiled at her, my tone was gentle:

"Mom, there's only a fifteen year age difference, it's not a big deal. If Ngon wants it, there's still time."

The atmosphere in the room immediately froze. An's mother was a little startled, quickly stood up and smiled wryly:

"Linh Linh, you're here, why didn't you tell me in advance? I don't mean anything, it's just that little Kieu Thien has such a soft mouth, I accidentally complimented you a few words. It's not that I'm criticizing you!"

After An Ngon's father passed away, his mother—a woman only accustomed to a wealthy life—did not know how to manage the company at all, so she always wanted An Ngon to take over. But An Ngon was only engrossed in pursuing his painting career and had no interest in business. During the years I was his wife, I ran the company stably, helping his mother maintain a prosperous and wealthy life. Therefore, she did not dare to say harsh words to me. But that doesn't mean her son is the same. Seeing me talking meaningfully to his mother, An Ngon immediately frowned:

“I told you to come and apologize Mom, what do you mean by these words? Don't think that since you're managing the An family's company, you can do whatever you want!"

At that moment, To Kieu Thien showed a pitiful expression and walked in front of me with tears in her eyes:

“Sister-in-law, you misunderstood me. Since I was little, I've liked to go to my aunt's house to play, and it's normal to have a little friendly chat. Do you hate me so much that you won't even allow that?"

I stared at her for a long time, until she felt guilty and lowered her head.

“That's right, I just hate you.”

4

An Ngon suddenly stepped forward and pushed me hard. I couldn't stand firmly and fell towards the blue enamel vase next to me. The heavy porcelain vase fell on me and broke, sharp pieces of porcelain cutting into my skin. To Kieu Thien screamed in surprise, covered her ears and hid in An Ngon's arms, tears streaming down her face. But only I saw, in the midst of her bitter cries, she still glanced at me, her eyes filled with pride.

“Du Lam! Kieu Thien is just a child, is it too much for you to talk like that?!”

As he spoke, An Ngon gently patted her back, trying to comfort her. An's mother saw that her son was on her side and immediately loudly responded:

“Tieu Ngon is right, Linh Linh, you are really too much!”

“The baby Kieu Thien is because my mother watched her grow up, in her mother's heart, she was no different from her own daughter. Saying you want her to be your daughter-in-law is just to make her happy! On the contrary, how could you say such hurtful words to your sister? Mom, you really misread me!”

She didn't mention that I was covered in blood, but An Ngon noticed. His face suddenly changed color:

“I'm injured, are you okay? I didn't mean to push you, I was just a bit angry at that time. Come here, I'll help you bandage it."

After saying that, he reached out to hold my hand to check the wound. I immediately withdrew my hand and smiled coldly:

“Save your noble hands for painting and helping her create soap bubbles, don't get dirty for me.”

“Also, today I came here to inform your mother about the divorce. The An family company, whoever wants to manage it can manage it!”

As soon as my words ended, An's mother's face immediately stiffened:

“What… why did you suddenly ask for a divorce? Linh Linh, is there some misunderstanding? If you don't like Kieu Thien, I won't let her come here again in the future, okay?

"You are the child I grew up watching, and also Tieu Ngon's wife. In my heart, you are still the most important."

I calmly took out a stack of papers from my bag and placed them on the table in front of An Ngon.

"If you have any questions, please contact lawyer Hinh. I'll go trekking in a few days, come back and do the procedures later."

An Ngon took the paper, stared at it, his eyes deep, without saying a word. When I turned to walk away, To Kieu Thien's sweet voice could still be heard behind, as if trying to comfort An Ngon and her mother:

"Mr. Ngon, aunt, she doesn't understand you and me, but I understand! The day after tomorrow is my graduation ceremony, can you two come to it?"

In the evening, lawyer Hinh called me, his tone was a bit strange:

"Miss Du, are you sure you want to divorce your husband? Maybe there's just a misunderstanding between you two."

I frowned: "Misunderstanding? What do you want to say?" He hesitated, then continued:

“I can't reveal too much, but if I really want to know, maybe I should come to To Kieu Thien's graduation ceremony.”

I was silent, then hung up. Misunderstanding? Over the years, are the "misunderstandings" that An Ngon has given me still few? He is not ignorant of the truth. It's just that he chose to cover his ears, not wanting to hear unfavorable things about To Kieu Thien. Thinking about it again and again, I still won't come. Does the truth matter anymore? Women can always feel who a man loves. When my group of friends and I climbed another mountain peak, we had just descended the mountain to celebrate our victory when we received a call from An Ngon.

“Linh Linh... I finally answered the phone. I want to talk to you, okay?”

It's been a long time since he called me in such an intimate tone. But instead of being emotional, I just felt goosebumps all over my body.

“I told you, if you have anything, contact lawyer Hinh. Between us there is only divorce to talk about."

After speaking, I decisively hung up the phone. My companion on the mountain climbing trip looked at me with strange eyes, hesitated for a moment and then spoke:

“Linh Linh, don't you know about the H school graduation ceremony that happened the other day? It's very noisy."