Chapter 7 — Loving The Wrong Person For Four Years But Marrying The Right Person

Tich Dien Khanh has left and is no longer involved with me. I heard that I don't know what provoked him, but he suddenly came to take over their family's business and was fighting to the death with his stepchildren. In early March, Pho Chieu proposed to me. He said he wanted to marry me as soon as possible, and didn't want to wait any longer. Not knowing how the engagement news was leaked, Tich Dien Khanh asked to see me one last time. I informed Pho Chieu before leaving. He made an appointment at a suburban gallery, wearing a simple hoodie, leaning against the ground-level window. He handed me a can of beer, tilted his head back to take a sip, glanced at the dazzling diamond ring on my hand, his voice filled with the smell of vinegar: "How long have we known each other and already we're engaged?" I held the beer can and smiled faintly: "If you love the right person, you don't have to wait too long." He chuckled lightly, then silently looked out the window. After a while, he opened his mouth: "To Van Van, what about you?" "I'm done playing with you. When I'm bored, I can just kick you. Now I'm happy enough, what about you?" "There are so many girls who like you, why worry about not having anyone around?" I clinked my beer can at him and grinned. Seeing that he wasn't smiling, I withdrew my hand and said softly: "Tich Dien Khanh, actually I don't really like you. If I loved you, I wouldn't have betrayed you over and over again." "It's just because I've never been dumped, so I'm not willing to let you be the one to say goodbye first." He didn't say anything, emptied the beer in the can. I returned the can to him: "I wish you happiness. This time, I mean it." Then, I turned around and walked away. After walking a while, Tich Dien Khanh suddenly shouted behind him, his voice trembling: "But To Van Van, I really love you!" I didn't stop, just waved my hand behind my back and continued walking. The phone rang – it was a text message from Pho Chieu. "I've finished practicing my alcohol tolerance. Tonight we'll have a decisive battle at the grill downstairs." I couldn't help but laugh and texted back: "OK. Whoever falls first is the dog." In the distance, bright sunlight and gentle spring breeze. Spring... has really come. RUN OUT OF