Chapter 4 — My Neighbor Cheated On Me For 10 Years

At that moment, Tu Tu was like an octopus, his arms and legs wrapped around Co Uyen, his mouth constantly repeating:

"Teacher Co... teacher Co..."

Everyone gasped when they saw that, everyone's eyes were like "I understand":

"There's nothing to be shy about, everyone is an adult. Both sides are volunteers, the company doesn't prohibit dating the contracted artist."

"That's right, I think Tu Tu and Mr. Co are a good match. Talented boy and beautiful girl."

Co Uyen stood frozen in place, but his hand supporting Tu Tu still did not let go.

“We're just colleagues.”

Everyone saw that he still refused to admit it, so they were even more excited to tease him:

"Teacher Co, you are a great artist, don't do irresponsible things. I think Tu Tu is a good girl, you have to respect her."

"That's right! Ms. Linh has been your colleague for many years, and we have never seen you take her anywhere."

“It's perfect, it's perfect!”

Co Uyen glanced at me, then her eyes began to avoid.

"It's late, I have to go home. Everyone, let's play."

I said goodbye to my colleagues and then called the car to leave. My colleagues saw me leaving and also made an excuse to go home. When the car turned around, I saw Co Uyen leave the remaining people behind and help Tu Tu enter the hotel. Right after that, I received a text message from Co Uyen:

"Today is Tu Tu's birthday, she drank a bit too much. I'll take her home and I'll be right back."

I turned off the phone screen and did not answer. The next morning when I woke up, he still hadn't come home. As for me, I had finished packing my luggage and was ready to board the train back home. I sent him a photo of the pregnancy test I found in the car, along with three words:

“Let's break up.”

Then I changed to a new phone number, blocking all contact from Co Uyen. New life, here I come.

7

As soon as I got off the train, I saw my father waiting at the exit gate. As soon as I opened the car door, I saw a bunch of... grilled skewers in the passenger seat.

“Dad, don't you always hate me eating barbecue in the car?”

"We young people like it. Dad was wrong before, he was too strict. In the future, if you want to eat, just eat."

“Thank you, dad.”

"Oh right, dad has reopened all the cards for you. Buy whatever you like."

That year, because I chose Co Uyen, my father was so angry that he locked all his cards and announced that he wanted to sever the father-son relationship. But I know, all these years, he has secretly asked my mother to inquire about me, and has always secretly given me money through her. My nose is stinging.

“Dad, don't you blame me for not understanding things before?”

"It's because Dad is hot-tempered. After just a few words of talking to me, they started arguing. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to suffer these past few years."

My eyes sting even more, I pick up a grilled skewer and eat it right away. Coming home is really happy. Every day there is delicious rice ready, the house is clean and tidy. That day, I was eating watermelon while watching a movie at home. New melons are in season, sweet, and I'm in an extremely good mood. Ting tong – someone rings the bell. Dad must have forgotten to bring the key. I opened the door, unexpectedly it was Co Uyen. My mood plummeted. How did he find his way here? I only told him my home address once. When I first fell in love, I wanted to take him home to meet him, but he refused because he thought my dad didn't like him. Over the years, I was the only one who occasionally visited home. I was about to close the door, but he put his foot to block it:

“Linh Nhu Like, why do you want to break up? That pregnancy test was just Tu Tu's April Fool's joke."

“I don't care about what happens between you two. Please leave here, otherwise I will report to the police.”

“Like Like…”

“Do you still have the face to come here and bother my daughter?!”

I don't know when my father will return. It's not good - my father is hot-tempered, he didn't like Co Uyen before, and now he's even more upset. I pulled Dad's hand:

“Dad, let me figure it out myself. I will tell him clearly.”

Dad looked at me, more reassured, but still advised:

“Let's go to my restaurant. Everyone knows you, so if anything happens, there will be someone by your side."

Seeing me nod, my dad even called the restaurant to give me detailed instructions before letting me go.

8

“Nhu Nhu, why did you block all my contacts? I've been looking for you for a long time.”

“Didn't I text you already? We broke up.”

Co Uyen panicked and grabbed my hand tightly:

“Nhu Nhu, I don't agree!”

I immediately withdrew my hand in disgust. Just him touching me makes me feel nauseous. I crossed my arms over my chest, deliberately keeping my distance:

"Whether you agree or not is irrelevant, Co Uyen."

“Nhu Nhu, that was really just Tu Tu's April Fool's joke, believe me.”

Seeing that I didn't waver at all, he continued to explain:

“That day I really just took her to the hotel and left immediately. Look, this is the location history on my phone that day."