Chapter 4 — Seven Years, Letting Go Once

Wen Chieu Tuyet bowed her head and gently sniffed the scent still lingering on her shirt. Then looked up at me. With provocative eyes. Bui Nghien Tu did not see it. Or if he saw it... He didn't care at all. The host awkwardly reminded everyone that the ceremony was not over yet. Bui Nghien Tu returned to the stage. Standing under the light, his voice quickly returned to calm.

"It's just a small incident just now, making everyone laugh."

Sparse laughter rang out. After finishing talking about the company's development plan, he raised his glass to thank those who have always accompanied him.

"Especially... my family."

The big screen immediately switched to a new series of photos. Tong Lan Anh. Bui Kien An. Wen Chieu Tuyet. Without me. That photo of me sleeping on a folding bed in the company to start a business with him... Has been replaced with a photo of Wen Chieu Tuyet standing in front of the company gate. I stared at the screen. Just one click delete. It's like it never existed. The phone in my bag suddenly vibrated. It's a text message from an unknown number.

"Miss So, the old shares your father held that year are still valid. If you agree, we can meet at nine tomorrow morning to discuss."

Signed by the sender: I clasped the broken pieces of jade in my palm. Blood dripped onto the carpet from between his fingers. From the stage, Bui Nghien Tu looked at me from afar. There was a warning in his eyes. Wen Zhaoxue stood next to him. Put on his vest. Smiling obediently at the camera. The host raised the microphone.

"General Manager Bui, today is such an important day, do you want to say a few words to your most important person?"

Bui Nghien Tu tilted his head. His eyes slowly looked at On Chieu Tuyet. The spotlight also focused on the two of them at the same time. Quietly bow your head. Use a tissue to wrap the last piece of jade in your palm. Amid resounding applause, I turned and left the banquet hall. Behind him, Bui Nghien Tu's voice echoed from the speakers.

"Chieu Tuyet, welcome home."

Return home. I suddenly burst out laughing. The place I dedicated myself to preserving for seven years was just a stopping place for others to return to. Outside the hotel, it is raining. Ta Hanh Xuyen chased after me and gave me an umbrella.

"The wound on your hand needs to be treated."

I looked down at my palm. Blood mixed with rainwater. The white jade pieces were dyed red.

"No need."

He still stuffed the umbrella into my hand.

"Suffering pain does not mean being strong."

That sentence made me pause for a few seconds. In the past, Bui Nghien Tu often told me:

"Van Duong, you are the most understanding person. Don't accept them."

I opened the umbrella. In the emergency room. The doctor carefully picked up each remaining piece of jade in my palm. By the time I took out the last piece... I was in so much pain that my shoulder blades trembled slightly. The phone's screen lit up seventeen times. Bui Nghien Tu. Tong Lan Anh. Wen Chieu Tuyet. Not a single call I picked up. By the last call, the doctor had just finished bandaging. Ta Hanh Xuyen looked at the phone screen.

"Do you want to hear it?"

I turned on the speakerphone. Bui Nghien Tu's voice was cold to the bone.

"So Van Duong, where are you?"

I was silent. He tried to suppress his anger.

"Everyone is looking for you. You are Do you know what occasion today is?"

On the other end of the phone, On Chieu Tuyet softly advised:

"Mr. Nghien Tu, stop scolding Ms. Van Duong. It's all my fault."

Bui Nghien Tu's voice calmed down a bit.

"She's just being spoiled."

The doctor's bandaging movements suddenly stopped. I looked at the white bandage on my hand.

"Is there anything else?"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"What kind of attitude is that?"

Right after that, Tong Lan Anh grabbed the phone.

"Quickly go back and apologize to Chieu Tuyet. She was scared by you until her blood sugar dropped, and she's still resting in the break room."

I calmly asked again:

"What does it have to do with me if she has low blood sugar?"

Tong Lan Anh immediately screamed:

"If it weren't for you causing trouble, would Chieu Tuyet have become like this?"

Bui Nghien Tu picked up the phone again.

"Van Duong, go back."

"This story stops here."

It's that saying again. Stop here. I looked at the rain outside the window. The raindrops continuously hit the glass, both intense and cold.