Chapter 4 — Realizing It's Too Late

Sam Man Thanh ran from the main table: "Canh Chau, the Russian representative is here. Uncle told me to take you out for drinks." “I'll go with you.” I put down the cup of warm water: "I know Russian and understand the ritual process. I just said I would stand next to you." Ha Canh Chau looked at me for a few seconds, then reached out to hold my hand: "Let's go then." We walked up to the Russian representative. After seeing me clearly, the other person's expression immediately changed. “Interpreter Khuong, why are you here?” Before I could answer, Sam Man Thanh smiled and said: "You got it wrong, right? My sister-in-law works as an order tracker at an import-export company." Ha Canh Chau also turned to look at me: "Why does he call you a translator?" “We met before at work.” My work information is not made public, so it's normal for you not to know. But he didn't even ask anymore, just pulled me to the back first. "Thu Y, don't arbitrarily interfere. Today's guests have special statuses. If something goes wrong, I cannot be held responsible." The Russian representative frowned: "Mr. Ha, Ms. Khuong is..." An accompanying employee stepped up to interrupt him, inviting him to the main desk. Sam Man Thanh looked at me with a questioning look: "Your sister-in-law knows quite a few people, right? Canh Chau, you won't go to the extent of not knowing what the person lying next to you is doing, right?" “Her work is very normal, she doesn't need to report every day.” Ha Canh Chau took the glass of wine from my hand and lowered his voice: "Wait for me in the break room. Don't let others laugh at you." “Ha Canh Chau, what you just said about living alone is not angry.” “Don't say things in anger.” “If you still force me to give her my position tonight, we will end here.” He looked at me, his thumb gently rubbing the wrist bone: "Thu Y, you can't bear it." From the main desk came the sound of Ha's father calling. Sam Man Thanh took his arm: "Uncle called us to take family photos. Sister-in-law should come too." The photographer raised his camera, but Ha's mother stopped me outside the lens. "Man Thanh represents the Hua family. It is appropriate to stand here. Thu Y, please help everyone with their coats." Ha Canh Chau gave me his vest: "Just take one photo. After taking the photo, I'll find you." I hugged his shirt, not moving. Before the flash light went on, Sam Man Thanh stood on tiptoe and said a sentence in Ha Canh Chau's ear. He raised his hand to protect her waist, blocking the position that should have been reserved for his wife. The photographer waved his hand at me: "If that staff member please stand aside for a moment, you're in the frame." 4 “She is not an employee.” Ha Canh Chau walked through the crowd in front of me, took my vest back in my hand and openly held my hand. “She is my wife, Khuong Thu Y.” Ha's mother's face was unsightly: "Canh Chau, the main table position has been arranged." “One more chair.” He led me next to him, pulled out a chair for me: "Don't go anywhere tonight. Wait until the party is over, let's go home together. There's not one thing missing from what I promised you." His palm was warm, his fingers squeezing my arms tightly. Ha Canh Chau publicly introduced me in front of everyone, and also took back his watch and pin. He personally placed the leaf-shaped pin on the collar of my dress, bowed his head and asked if he was stabbing me. This is the first time in the past four years that he has clearly chosen me in front of all the Ha family's relatives and friends. I looked at him, the words I wanted to say goodbye stuck in my throat. Maybe it's not that he doesn't love me. It's just that he's so used to me always backing down. If we just draw the line, maybe we still have a chance. “Okay, let's go home and talk.” Sam Man Thanh stood a few steps away, no longer a smile on his face. Ha's mother sat down with a cold face.