Chapter 6 — One Card, Exposing the Whole Family

My brother Tu Lang's face darkened like a storm was about to come. He didn't say anything, just quietly carried the two suitcases in my hands. The suitcases were so heavy that normal people would wince, but he lifted them up as easily as if they were nothing. He placed his luggage in the trunk of the Range Rover, a neat movement that conveyed suppressed anger.

“Is there anything else?” His voice was low.

I shook my head, trying to stay calm.

“It's over, the important things are here.”

He closed the trunk, looked at me and then spoke briefly. I sat in the passenger seat and the car slowly rolled away from the apartment complex. I turned my head and looked back at the building with the lights still on behind me. Seven days ago I entered there with so many expectations, and seven days later I left like a fugitive. The space in the car was silent, Tu Lang focused on driving, his jaw clenched. I know he is angry, both angry because I was bullied and blaming himself for not being able to stop this marriage from the beginning. He had objected before, saying that Ly Hao's eyes were not pure, but I was blinded by something called love and ignored it.

“You…” I spoke first, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

“Sorry, I didn't listen to you then.”

He reached out to pat my head, a familiar gesture like when he was a child. His hand is wide and warm, like a strong support.

“It's not your fault.”

"It's because I'm not good enough, I don't help you see people clearly."

His voice carried a bit of self-blame, light but deep.

“Our family protects you so well, it makes you think that everyone in this world is that kind.”

Tears welled up in my eyes again, I couldn't hold it back anymore.

“Don't cry.”

He pulled out a tissue and gave it to me.

“It's not worth crying because of that kind of person.”

“I remember well, I was not wrong.”

"What's wrong is that family's greed is bottomless, they can't be satisfied even if they feed it forever."

"Dare to calculate above your own family, it is truly boring to live."

There was a coldness in his voice that made people feel secure, as if this matter would definitely not end simply. The car quickly drove into the familiar villa area, the scene before my eyes made me feel like I had just passed through another life. The car stopped in front of the house gate. The lights in the living room were bright. Before I could get out of the car, the door opened and mom and dad walked out together. Mom's eyes were red, clearly she had been crying, while dad was still calm as usual but his eyes were filled with pain and anger. I got out of the car, couldn't hold back anymore, and rushed to hug my mother.

“It's good to come back, it's good to come back.”

My mother hugged me tightly, patting my back and choking. Dad walked over and put his hand on my shoulder.

“Nhuoc Nhien, go inside first, it's cold out here.”

Just one sentence is enough to make me feel secure. My brother carried his luggage and the whole family walked inside together. The warm lights, the familiar decoration, the faint smell of lilies in the air. This is home. A place where even if the world collapses, someone will still stand in front of me. There was hot rice on the dining table, all my favorite dishes.

“Quickly wash your hands and eat.”

Mom pulled me to the table, wiping my tears.

“It's been all day, you must be hungry.”

I'm really hungry, I've only had one cup of coffee since noon. I sat down, my mother continuously put food into my bowl. Dad and brother sat opposite, didn't ask anything, just looked at me quietly. They don't need an answer, they just want me to eat well first, so that this cold heart can warm up a bit. After eating a few bites, tears fell again, drop by drop falls into the bowl of rice. Dad sighed softly.

"After eating this meal, today's matter will be over."

“You are still the Tu family's treasure.”

“Even if the sky falls, my father and brother will protect me.”