Chapter 3 — New Marriage Annulment Date

Three cracks were just across the faces of all three of us. My father's finger stroked across the crack, silent for two seconds. Then, he raised his head and looked at the relatives in the room. "If the photo is already broken, then when everyone is present, let's take a photo." Tran Muc breathed a sigh of relief and quickly continued: "Yes, right, right. Take a photo again. Broken things bring peace, which is a good omen." He pulled Ly Nhiem Nhiem towards the middle of the living room. "Nim Nhiem, come here, let's take a family photo together." His tone was natural, as if it were obvious. Ly Nhiem Nhiem wiped her tears and obediently stood next to him, an embarrassed blush appeared on her face. "Uncle, where is the appropriate place for me to stand?" Her voice was sweet, carrying a pleasing reserve. My father took a look at her. Then he looked at Tran Muc again. "You two don't need to take pictures." Those four words are neither heavy nor light. The smile on Tran Muc's face stiffened. Ly Nhiem Nhiem's expression froze on her face as if she had just been splashed with a basin of cold water. "Uncle, I mean... me and Tran Muc..." "I told you, no need to take pictures." My father's voice was still calm but carried a determination that did not allow for doubt. "Today is the housewarming party of my daughter, Khuong Nghenh." "Family photos must of course be taken by us Khuong family members together." He stopped, his eyes fell on Tran Muc's face. "Tran Muc Muc, you haven't entered the Khuong family's door yet." "Wait until you enter before speaking." The living room was silent. Tran Muc's face was sometimes red, sometimes white, his lips twitched, but in the end he still couldn't say a word. Ly Nhiem Nhiem stood in place, unable to advance and unable to retreat either. My mother walked to the middle of the living room, fixed her hair and naturally took my father's arm. "Ngh Nghenh, come here, stand in the middle." She waved at me, her voice gentle. I walked over and stood between the two of them. My father gave the phone to her. "If you mind taking a picture for my family, my father said: "Using this wall as a background is fine, it's clean." My aunt quickly reacted. "Okay, the family of three stand a little closer together... That's right, smile..." In the moment the flash lit up, I felt my father's hand gently patting the back of my hand. Warm but strong. The shutter sounded. A brand new family photo captured in the lens. There is no Tran Muc. There is no Ly Infection. There were only three of us. 6 As soon as the photo was taken, there was the urgent sound of high heels tapping on the ground outside the door. "Oh my, I'm late!" A woman's voice echoed through the living room. All relatives turned their heads to look over. Tran Muc's mother carried a red bag, wore a velvet jacket embroidered with gold, and walked in with a cheerful face. "There was a traffic jam on the road, so we were delayed for a while." As she spoke, she looked around. Her eyes scanned the spacious living room, she nodded with satisfaction. "This house is not bad, spacious and bright enough." She went straight to the chair, sat down where my mother had just sat and crossed her legs. "In-laws, pour me a cup of tea." Her tone was casual, as if she was instructing her maid. The atmosphere in the living room immediately changed. The relatives' eyes constantly moved between me and Tran Muc's mother. My mother stood there, saying nothing. My father raised his cup of tea without looking at her. Tran Muc's mother didn't seem to notice the difference. She continued to say on her own: "The location of this house is very good. After having children, it will be convenient to go to school." "But I don't like the decoration style very much, it's too bland. I'll find someone to redesign it someday." "That's right, Nghinh Nghenh, how many houses do you have under your name? Take me to see them all someday." As she said, she took out a bunch of keys from her pocket and placed them on the table. "More bets." give me one

this house key. Later on, I'll come take care of my nephew, so it's convenient to get in and out." I looked at the set of keys and laughed. "Auntie, I'm the only one with the key to this house." Tran Muc's mother was stunned: "What do you mean? You and Tran Muc are about to get married, right? Where's the key?" "He doesn't have it." My voice was calm: "This house was bought outright and is in my name alone." "It's pre-marital property, not related to him." Tran Muc's mother's face changed. "Child, what are you talking about?" She put her foot down: "We're about to become a family, what's the point of dividing yours from hers?" "Tran Muc is your fiance, of course this house must be there. half of it." "Furthermore, in the future when you two get married and have children, don't you also need a guarantee?" She turned her head to look at Tran Muc. "Son, you say something." Tran Muc stood in place, his face unsightly. He opened his mouth, just about to speak. Finally my mother spoke. She took out a file from her bag and placed it on the table. "Mrs. Tran, I just arrived and there is something I need to inform you directly." Tran Muc's mother frowned: "It's the story. What?" "About the two children's marriage." My mother's voice was calm: "We have discussed it, this marriage stops here." "Cancel the engagement." The living room immediately became chaotic.