Chapter 2 — My Children Suffer, You All Pay the Price

Because it's good for the child? Because it's good for my children, I let the whole family of six sit down to eat a seafood feast bought with my hard-earned money. And my three-year-old daughter has to sit outside in the cold wind, chewing cold mantau cake? Is that what is called "for the good of the child"? I looked at the three people in front of me. The people I once called family. Looking at their calm faces as if everything was natural to them. Like a basin of ice water poured straight from head to toe. Completely extinguished the last bit of emotion left in me. I laughed. A smile because of being so angry. Holding my trembling daughter tightly in my arms, I slowly said each word clearly: Under their surprised eyes, I stopped for a moment. The smile at the corner of his lips became even colder.

"If you like suffering like that..."

"So from tomorrow onwards, everyone of you can start tasting it too."

Having said that, I didn't look at anyone else. Hugged Noan Noan, turned around and left. Never looked back. The sound of high heels tapping on the floor rang out crisply and decisively. Every sound, every sound. It's like the last dirge for this ridiculous marriage. The car quietly rolled towards the most luxurious five-star hotel in the city center. Noan Noan lay in my arms, seemingly sensing her mother's emotions so she remained silent, her small hands holding my collar tightly and not letting go. After checking in, I took my child into the spacious and bright suite. The soft carpet and warm yellow light completely block out the cold and noise outside. The first thing I did was fill a tub full of hot water for my baby. Looking at Noan Noan's small body gradually warming up in the steam, my frozen heart felt some heat again. After bathing, I called room service and ordered a nutritious children's meal for my child. In the cute cartoon food tray are soft mashed salmon, golden corn cakes and steamed eggs shaped like adorable bunny. Noan Noan looked at the dishes in front of her, her big round eyes filled with desire. But he still cautiously raised his head to look at me.

"Mom... these... can I really eat them?"

That cautious question was like the smallest but sharpest needle, piercing straight into my heart. The bridge of my nose is stinging. Tears almost came out. I tried to hold back, squatted down, and gently stroked my child's soft hair. The voice was so shaky that I didn't even recognize it.

"Of course, baby."

"These are all for you."

"In the future, I will buy you many more delicious dishes."

Receiving my affirmative answer, Noan Noan picked up the small spoon. I eat each small piece. Eat well. Eat with satisfaction. Looking at my child like that, my heart hurts like a knife. Every month I give Vuong Que Phuong 20,000 yuan so she can "help" take care of her daughter. So this is how she takes care of herself? I, a marketing director, am decisive and strong in the marketplace. Yet when he returned home, he could not protect his own daughter. I'm really useless. After comforting Noan Noan to sleep, I gently took off her clothes to check to see if there were any other injuries on her body. Just don't look. As soon as I saw it, my blood almost froze. On Noan's arms and behind her knees The ovum appears with many different large and small bruises. Some spots have turned pale yellow, clearly old wounds. There are stains that are dark purple and green in color, which is startling to look at. These injuries absolutely could not have been caused by a three-year-old child hitting himself. My hands started shaking. Mind is empty. Only endless regret and anger remain. Why am I so stupid? Why do I trust that bloodsucking family? At that moment, the phone suddenly rang continuously. The caller was: As soon as I pressed listen, Trieu Loi's angry questioning voice came.

"Luu Thong, what do you want to do?"

"Without a word, I picked up my child and left. Tell me, where is my face in front of my parents?"

"The whole family can't eat in peace because of you!"

There was not a single question in his voice. Just anger and blame. I laughed coldly.

"Zhao Lei."

"Your reputation is more important than your daughter's health, right?"

"When your daughter was covered in wounds, sitting on the balcony, munching mantu cake in the cold wind..."

"And the six of you sit inside eating lobster."

"Why didn't you think about losing face at that time?"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Immediately afterwards, Vuong Que Phuong's shrill cursing voice rang out. Apparently she grabbed the phone.

"Luu Thong, you comet!"

"You scoundrel!"

"I worked so hard to help you take care of your child, but you still don't know enough?"

"What about eating a mantau cake?"

"In our family, Trieu Loi also grew up in hardship, didn't he still become talented?"

"You're such a white-eyed wolf, you're not even grateful to the owner!"

Unpleasant curses rushed in like a tidal wave. If it were before... For the so-called family harmony, I would have held back. But now. I don't want to hear even one more word. I hung up the phone directly. Then open contacts. Vuong Que Phuong. Trieu Thien.