Chapter 3 — Realizing It's Too Late

Ha Canh Chau walked past me and opened the door: "Let her keep the watch for now. Tomorrow's family party, I will publicly say that I let her borrow it." Ha's mother behind her smiled coldly: "Do you still have the face to ask for your watch back? If Man Thanh's marriage is really annulled, can you pay for it?" Before the door closed, I heard Sam Man Thanh on the other end of the phone call out: "Mr. Canh Chau." Ha Canh Chau's footsteps stopped, then he pressed the elevator button. He didn't turn around. 3 "This suit is for Man Thanh, you wear the gray one." Ha's mother gave the dark blue tuxedo I had chosen to Sam Man Thanh, then asked the staff to take out an old model for me. The next day is a celebration of life party, needing to welcome foreign guests. Ha Canh Chau specially brought us to try on formal dresses. He said he would return the pin and watch so I went with him. Sam Man Thanh hugged the tuxedo and shook his head: "My sister-in-law's skin is white, she will look better in it. My engagement has been canceled, there is no need to compete with her." "The Hua family is just talking in anger. Don't say unlucky things to yourself." Ha's mother patted her hand, then turned to look at me: "You work in order tracking, sit in the office every day, no matter what you wear? Man Thanh has to go with Canh Chau to receive guests, you can't be rude." "I am Ha Canh Chau's wife. The position next to him at the main table should also be mine." Sam Man Thanh bit her lip: "Auntie, maybe I won't go anymore." Ha Canh Chau pulled open the fitting room door, holding another bag of clothes in her hand: "Thu Y, come here." Inside is a long white dress, the size is just right, even the cuffs are adjusted according to my habits. "I've already booked it for you, no need to fight with her. Tonight dad will officially introduce you to some important friends. You'll stand next to me." He adjusted my collar and gently placed his hand on my shoulder. This is the dress model I once mentioned casually. At that time, he was only attentively reading the email, I thought he didn't hear it. “Where are the watches and pins?” "After the party ends, I will return it to you. Man Thanh and the Hua family are still negotiating. She cannot make any more mistakes today." I looked at the image of the two of us in the mirror, almost believing in the words "standing next to you". Before the longevity party started, Ha Canh Chau indeed held my hand and walked into the main hall. Three years ago, also in this banquet hall, he used to shield me from all prying eyes. Tonight he held my hand tighter, so I advised myself to trust him one more time. When foreign guests arrived, Ha's father asked us to welcome them. The other party uses French to ask about translation arrangements in the project. Sam Man Thanh tried to answer first, but kept mispronunciating. The other person frowned and repeated in English again. I was just about to speak when Ha's mother pressed the back of my hand: "Don't try to show off. The foreign language proficiency of an order tracking employee is not enough in this case." Sam Man Thanh looked at Ha Canh Chau: "Please explain to me. I haven't been sleeping well lately." Ha Canh Chau explained for her, then turned around and gave me a glass of warm water: "Don't drink cold wine, your stomach will hurt. I'll eat with you later." Another piece of candy that just fell right into the softest place in my heart. I accepted the glass of water: "Canh Chau, I have something to tell you. After tonight ends, we will temporarily live separately for a while." His hand stopped on the rim of the cup: "Just for two pieces of jewelry?" "No. I don't accept that you and Sam Man Thanh have no boundaries, nor do I accept that every time something happens, it's me who has to step back." "She's about to get married. Don't cause any more trouble today. After the party, I'll go home with you. We can talk about anything."