Chapter 1 — Passion

01The first time I met Giang Manh was on my 26th birthday. I was still smiling and chatting with the guests at the party. "The company has some work to do so Pho Sam will be home late, but the gifts have already arrived -" Before I could finish my sentence, Pho Sam brought her in front of me. Giang Manh wore a striking red dress, took Pho Sam's arm, and looked around curiously. Her voice was like a lively little sparrow, chirping: "You said you would take me to an interesting place, is this place?" She looked around, her eyes stopped on my face for two seconds, then looked away. "Wow, that cake looks so delicious, I want to eat it!" Pho Sam smiled at her, allowing her to ruin my birthday party. Around, the guests whispered: "How dare you be so arrogant, in front of Le Da, you still dare to act so brashly?" "Probably someone pampered you. It is said that he is married, but Le Da is not the one who brings suffering on himself, right?" "It's embarrassing, being humiliated like that on your birthday, and not being able to say a single word. If it were me, I would be miserable to death." I tried to hide myself in an expensive evening gown, pretending not to hear what was said. that taunt. I just walked up to Pho Sam and gently said: "We agreed that you wouldn't bring anyone in front of me." "Anyway, at least save face..." Before I could finish my sentence, he rudely interrupted me. Because he had had a few drinks with Giang Manh, his eyes clearly showed that he was drunk. When looking down at me from above, the contempt and disgust in his eyes became even clearer. "Le Da, it seems like I have pampered you too much before." He smiled lightly and continued sarcastically: "What status do you have that you want to talk to me face to face?" I stood frozen on the spot. The light above shined brightly. The tough shell I had worked so hard to create melted like ice under his mocking gaze. Born into a small, famous family like the Le family, I was married to Pho Sam. Everyone thinks I'm a high climber, and even I'm not an official descendant of the Le family. "It's despicable, but the kind of women who come from that place are inherently..." Behind, someone accidentally spoke a little louder, those words reached our ears. Pho Sam coldly handed me a check: "The project you said you wanted to invest in last time, go do it yourself." "Le Da, don't think I treated you too badly." He raised his eyebrows: "Learn how to please me a little more, you can sell yourself for a better price."02 The birthday party that turned into a farce has ended. Pho Sam hugged Giang Manh who was drunk and left. Before they could leave my sight, the two of them kissed under the lights in the flower garden. I looked at them for a moment through the glass covered in traces of falling raindrops, then turned back inside. Bowing my head, I carefully put the check in my pocket, took out my phone, and opened the conversation pinned to the top of the chat box. Before the party started, I sent a text message: "I miss you a little!" and received a total of six responses. Five hours ago: “1.” Four hours ago: “I have to practice.” Three hours ago: “Actually, when I practice, I don't mind if someone bothers me.” Two hours ago: “They say today is my birthday.” An hour ago: “Happy birthday.” And just now a new message appeared: "I came to see you." I smiled, slightly curling my lips. Answered him: "No need, next week I will come see you play." On the screen, the words "Entering..." flashed for a long time. Then he texted back two messages: "Okay." "Don't let me climb the tree."03 During the next month, Pho Sam publicly took Giang Manh to many events. Two

Their bodies clung to each other, like a young couple passionately in love. Pho Sam, with hundreds of billions of assets, was dragged by Giang Manh to eat at a sidewalk restaurant, take commemorative photos, and kiss under the sea breeze in Bali. He also followed her to watch Ky Kien Bach's match live. Nineteen-year-old Ky Kien Bach is very famous in the eSports world. Just last year, he brought home the world championship for his team. Giang Manh wore Ky Kien Bach's cheerleading headband, linked arms with Pho Sam, and radiantly took check-in photos at the stadium gate. Pho Sam was a little jealous, hugged her waist: "The kid isn't old enough yet, what's so interesting about that?" "I just like watching him play." Giang Manh smiled brightly, gently kissing his cheek: "Of course I love you the most!" My car was parked right on the side of the road, witnessing the whole scene. Just after suppressing the feeling of nausea in my chest, I received a phone call from Pho Sam: "About the project you talked about yesterday, let's discuss it another day." His voice was cold and impatient, "I have something to do tonight, I won't be going home." I smiled lightly, deliberately asking: "What's the matter?" "Watching Ky Kien Bach's match—" Before he could finish, Giang Manh sneered from the side: "Does that tasteless old woman know who Ky Kien Bach is?" through the car window, I saw her snatch the phone from Pho Sam's hand and talk to me: "Sister, don't ask about unnecessary things, hang up the phone." Her tone was arrogant and arrogant. But she was young and beautiful like a bright flower blooming at the right time, so Pho Sam just smiled, gently squeezed her cheek and walked with her into the VIP seating area. Who doesn't like younger and more beautiful things? Of course I am no exception. My phone lit up again, it was a call from Ky Kien Bach. His voice was not too pleasant: "Are you coming?" "Last time I said I would come to watch you play, in the end you said you were busy. This time it's not like that anymore?" "Coming." I gently tapped my hand on the car window. "But... you're so famous, I can only buy tickets for the stands, I'll come see you after the match." Ky Kien Bach chuckled softly: "Tsk, come to watch me play but do I have to buy a ticket myself?" "I told the club to reserve one for you." There's a place in the VIP room, just go there." He paused for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Have you thought about it? Last time you missed the appointment, you promised to make it up to me, this time if I win, what will you reward?" "What do you want?" "Whatever you want... is okay?" The last few words, his voice was a bit hoarse. Even though the phone signal was far away, I could still imagine his smirk, and his sharp and attractive eyes looking at me, along with the secret desires that gradually emerged. I smiled indulgently. "All right." The other end was silent for a second. He said: "Le Da, if you win the championship, tonight you belong to me." The match started. Through the glass, I saw Ky Kien Bach put on his headphones and his fingers quickly scrolling across the keyboard. His face was serious and cold, his eyes never wavering. Until the screen flashed the bright red words “3:0.” “Champion!!——” He stood up amid the cheers that echoed throughout the stands, through the crowd and the interwoven light, his eyes met mine. I moved my lips: "Congratulations." He also smiled, imitating me, saying without a sound: "Now, you are mine." Tonight, is the night that belongs to Ky Kien Bach.