Chapter 2 — Seven Years, Letting Go Once

Wedding room. This two-bedroom apartment is rented by me. In the early days when Bui Nghien Tu started his business, he had no money. I gave the main bedroom to him as a temporary office, and I slept on the sofa for half a year. After that, he said the company was stable. He wants to make this place a home for both of us with me. I chose the wall clock. I bought the vase on the dining table. Even the slippers placed at the door are double slippers. Wen Chieu Tuyet bent down to change her shoes. She slipped her feet into my cream sandals.

"Don't worry, Van Duong, I won't do anything dirty."

Bui Nghien Tu put down her bag.

"Van Duong, I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."

No need to ask for advice. It's about making a decision. I looked at him.

"This house is rented by me."

His expression immediately darkened.

"Do we have to calculate at this time?"

Tears from On Chieu Tuyet immediately fell.

"Mr. Nghien Tu, maybe I should go. Ms. Van Duong doesn't welcome me."

Bui Nghien Tu pulled her back.

"No one is chasing me."

He turned to look at me, his voice cold as ice.

"So Van Duong, don't make me lose face."

Seven years ago. The first time he took me home. Tong Lan Anh criticized my parents for being divorced, saying my family was not well-educated. At that time, Bui Nghien Tu stood in front of me.

"Mom, in this life I will only marry Van Duong."

That night, he held my hand and stood downstairs in the cold wind. The palm of my hand is so hot it burns. He once said:

"If anyone dares to make you feel uncomfortable in the future, I will turn against that person."

And now... The person making me feel awkward is him. Wen Chieu Tuyet walked into the master bedroom. The door does not close completely. I heard her say in a low voice:

"Mr. Nghien Tu, I'm scared to sleep alone."

Bui Nghien Tu stood in front of the door, hesitated for a moment. Tong Lan Anh immediately pushed him.

"Hurry up and stay with Chieu Tuyet. She's scared out of her wits today."

I tightened my grip on the sofa armrest.

"Bui Nghien Tu."

His steps stopped.

"Don't make trouble."

The bedroom door is closed. Through the wooden door, On Chieu Tuyet's crying gradually became smaller. Soon... She laughed softly. As light as a needle dropped on the water. I sat on the sofa until morning. Six o'clock in the morning. Bui Nghien Tu walked out of the master bedroom. Shirt wrinkled. There was still a faint red mark on his neck. As soon as he saw me, his expression suddenly stiffened.

"Chieu Tuyet had a nightmare, when she was scared she scratched me."

Tong Lan Anh carried a bowl of porridge out of the kitchen.

"What do I need to explain? Van Duong is not someone who doesn't understand things."

Wen Chieu Tuyet wore my nightgown and leaned against the doorframe.

"Miss Van Duong... you won't misunderstand, right?"

That nightgown was a birthday gift Bui Nghien Tu gave me last year. Even the tag has never been removed. He once said he would wait until the night we registered our marriage before letting me wear it. I stepped forward. Took the thin outer jacket off her shoulders.

"This is mine."

Wen Chieu Tuyet's eyes immediately turned red. Bui Nghien Tu held my wrist tightly.

"It's just a set of clothes."

Wrist hurts from being squeezed too hard. I looked straight at him.

"So... you can give her anything?"

He let go and rubbed his eyebrows angrily.

"Wait until Chieu Tuyet is better, I will make it up to you."

At that moment, the phone rang. On Chieu Tuyet glanced at the screen, her face immediately pale. Bui Nghien Tu quickly took her phone. On the other end of the line came the aggressive shouting of a man.

"Wen Zhaoxue! If you don't pay today, I'll drag your mother out!"

Wen Chieu Tuyet immediately rushed into Bui Nghien Tu's arms.

"Mr. Nghien Tu... I really have no other choice..."

Bui Nghien Tu turned to look at me.

"Read card password."

I stood still. His voice lowered.

"Van Duong... don't force me."

At that moment, I suddenly remembered my mother's last words before she passed away. She held my hand tightly and said:

"Money is not life. But when there is no money, life will also be taken by others."

I read the password. Bui Nghien Tu immediately turned around and went to the balcony to make a call. Just before the glass door closed, I heard his voice clearly.

"Transfer 2,000,000 yuan in advance. I will think of a way to spend the remaining 1,000,000 yuan."

Tong Lan Anh breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wouldn't it have been better to do that from the beginning?"

On Chieu Tuyet stood next to the dining table, bowed her head and wiped away her tears. But the corners of her lips curled slightly. My phone vibrated once. A message from the bank appears. 2,000,000 yuan was transferred. The recipient... Not the creditor. It's Wen Chieu Tuyet. The day Bui Nghien Tu proposed to me, the company's year-end party was held at the hotel. On the big screen were photos of our seven years together. From the photo taken in front of the university gate... On the first day he started his business, I and he carried each set of tables and chairs. Then, during the nights when he had a high fever, I stayed awake at the hospital bed to take care of him. The entire auditorium applauded. Bui Nghien Tu knelt down on one knee and raised the ring in front of me.

"Van Duong, please marry me."

That ring is very small. The diamond is also so small that it is almost invisible. But I cried until I couldn't speak. At that time, he once said:

"Now I have to let you suffer a little. Later, I will give you the best things."

One year later. Still the same hotel. It's still the same banquet hall. But the person he arranged to stand next to was Wen Chieu Tuyet. That day was the company's founding anniversary. Relatives of the entire leadership team were present. I wore an old evening dress from last year and was pulled into a corner by Tong Lan Anh.