Chapter 27 — Marriage Is A Trap

Editor-in-Chief Trieu said... This is the best autobiography he has ever encountered in twenty years of publishing.

“This book is not just a bestseller.”

“But books live long.”

“Ten years later…”

“There will still be readers.”

I laughed softly. The story of ten years later... Let's continue thinking about it ten years later. For now… I have more important things to do. In just half a year... Kien Hoa Foundation has helped more than four hundred women. One hundred and twenty people received free legal aid. Eighty people received psychological counseling. Sixty people participated in vocational skills training. Thirty-five people escaped unhappy marriages. Twelve people found their jobs again. Four people started a successful business. Those numbers are not big. But behind every number... is a real person. Lam Kha compiles all data into the fund's annual report. On the last page… I added a sentence myself.

“We cannot change the past.”

“But you can choose your future.”

That's what I said to myself. The first anniversary of the establishment of Kien Hoa Foundation... We held a small meeting. About eighty people attended. People who have been helped by the fund. Volunteers. Colleagues at Tan Loc's law office. Editor-in-chief Trieu's publishing team. Co Dien also came. He stood in the last row. Holding a glass of water in hand... Quietly listening to each speech. There was a woman who came up on stage to tell her story. Her name is Truong Le Quyen. Thirty-eight years old. Mother of two children. Husband is addicted to gambling... Lost all the money in the house... Even used to attack her. After receiving support from the fund... She successfully divorced. Win custody of children. Currently working as a manager at a supermarket chain. Salary is not high. But enough to feed myself and my two children. On stage... She said something that made me remember for a long time.

“Before, I thought divorce would mean the sky would fall.”

“Now I understand…”

“Divorce is just losing a piece of tile.”

“The sky is still there.”

“The sun is also still there.”

The activity ended... Everyone gradually dispersed. I was packing up my things in the hall when Co Dien walked over.

“I'm very happy today.”

“You laughed four times.”

I raised my head to look at him.

“Do you even count the number of times I laugh?”

“I'm used to it.”

“Normally I rarely smile.”

“Laughed four times today…”

“Proves that today was really good.”

I put down the things in my hand.

“You have something to say, right?”

“I said before…”

“Relationship is deeper than friendship, more real than intimacy…”

“It's something that is raised after two people go through many things together.”

“How long have we been gone?”

I thought for a moment. From the first time he came to me through the publisher... Until now...

“Almost a year.”

“This one year…”

“We have gone through adultery, divorce, public opinion wars, family lawsuits, criminal cases, foundation establishment…”

“Do you think it's enough?”

I laughed. Fifth time.

“Can I officially ask you a question?”

“Do you want to be with me?”

“What kind?”

“It's the type I wrote about in the book.”

“You two…”

“Be frank with each other.”

“Respect each other.”

“Facing the good and bad things in life together.”

“It doesn't have to be perfect.”

“Just be honest.”

I looked at him.

“Do you know what it means to be with me?”

“What does that mean?”

“That means…”

“Every action of you…”

“They could all appear in my next book.”

He laughed.

“Then you have to perform a little better.”

“You still have to accept one more thing.”

“What?”

“My observation ability is very strong.”

“Do you have any unusual symptoms…”

“Within three minutes I will recognize it.”

“That's even better.”

“I have nothing to hide.”

“You still have to accept one more truth.”

“My ex-boyfriend once said…”

“Being next to me is like being next to a sophisticated machine.”

“No temperature.”

Co Dien took a step closer.

“My ex-boyfriend doesn't understand me.”

“What he saw was ‘no temperature’…”

“Actually, it's just because you always restrain yourself.”

“I'm afraid that if I get too involved…”

“I will lose my reason.”

“So I use observation to replace feeling.”

I said nothing. Because what you said is so right.

“I don't need you to be rational all the time.”

“You can have feelings.”

“Can be weak-minded.”

“You can get angry.”

“I won't be disappointed because you're not perfect.”

“I'm not perfect either.”

He held out his hand.

“Want to try?”

I looked at that hand. Knuckles are clean. There is no trace of the wedding ring left. I put my hand on it. The first month after being together… I moved out of the forty square meter rented room. But did not move to Co Dien's place. I changed to a bigger apartment. Seventy square meters. Two bedrooms and one living room. The sunlight is very beautiful. Co Dien asked me... Why don't you move in with me?

“It's too early.”

“My house has four bedrooms.”

“You can stay in the guest room.”

“Do you normally negotiate deals at this speed?”

He thought for a few seconds.

“Even faster.”

“In love…”

“You have to slow down a bit.”

He doesn't persist any more.