Chapter 2 — Tham Nuong Does Not Marry Ta Family

3

She stood on the shore, I walked quickly, wanting to shake her hand: "Give it back to me! This is mine!" But thanks to her wearing skates, she easily avoided my hand and replied:

"I know it's yours. After all, it's something to give to your cousin. As your uncle said, you can give it to us!"

What nonsense is she talking about? I stepped on the ice, but the ice was too slippery, I almost fell down, I had to force myself to stand still: "This is not a gift for your cousin, give it back to me quickly!" Seeing me deny it, Lam Tieu Van didn't believe it and glanced with disdain: "You still refuse to admit it!" Having said that, she conveniently threw the jade block to another young lady standing on the other side: "Catch it!" The young lady quickly reached out her hand to receive it. But unexpectedly, the ice was too slippery, she was not used to sliding, so her arms and legs were flustered, and the jade block fell from the air. Touching the ice, shattering. Everyone was stunned. In the blink of an eye, my head was blank, the next, my blood rushed up, without thinking I grabbed Lam Tieu Van and slapped him. This slap was very strong, before she could react, she fell to the ground, her hand leaning on the broken piece of jade, fresh blood spilling everywhere. She regained consciousness and let out a shrill scream: "Ah!" Such a big movement here quickly attracted Ta Nam Tu's attention. He slid forward and saw her falling on the ground, her hands covered in blood, and me standing next to her, my face full of anger. He didn't say a word, immediately slapped me in the face: "Tham Can, are you crazy?!" My face was tilted to the side, the taste of blood rose in my mouth, I looked at him in disbelief. He supported Lam Tieu Van, not even glancing at the broken jade on the ice, coldly said: "For a low-class item that is not worth it, is it worth making such a big deal for you?"

"What's more, it was originally something that was intended to be given to me. I already said, give it to them to play with, why do you need to make such petty calculations?"

“Who said he was going to give it to you——”

Before I could finish my words, he grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back. The young ladies next to me all looked at me with disdain:

"Young master Ta loves green bamboo the most. You say this bamboo isn't a gift to someone, who would believe it?"

"But keep it down, watch out if she rushes to hit you. Like a crazy person, it's scary."

“Let's go, let's go.”

I don't know whether it was intentional or not. A young lady passing by intentionally gave me a push. I staggered a few steps, only to see Ta Nam Tu help Lam Tieu Van and leave quickly. I stood there for a long time, my eyes slowly looking down, landing on the broken jade pendant. All the emotions in my heart suddenly surged up and then subsided, even the little attachment in my heart seemed to be broken. I suddenly want to return to Duong Chau.

4

Without the jade pendant, I suddenly didn't know what to use to meet sister A Man, and was in a very bad mood. Not wanting to worry my sister, I asked someone to text me that I was busy today and would arrive in two days. Sister A Man is a very understanding person, so she quickly sent someone to respond, saying that it's okay, she's always at home, wait until I'm free to come. I let out a small sigh. Before coming to Ta family, I was actually full of expectations. Remember that year in Duong Chau, Ta Nam Tu was very good to me. In April, he rowed a boat around the lake with me and played a lute for me. In October, the crabs were so fat, he peeled the crabs himself, peeling a whole bowl. just for us. In December, when it snowed, he pressed his hand warmer into my hand, his ears turning red and said:

“Don't get cold.”

At that time, we were all young, our youth accompanied us, our feelings silently arose. But people like him now despise me for being rude and blame me for being calculating. I don't change, the one who changes is him. I absolutely do not feel sad because of him. But for some reason, tears kept falling uncontrollably. I wiped it over and over again, silently blaming myself for not having courage.

5

Waiting for my emotions to gradually calm down, suddenly a maid came to call outside, saying that Mrs. Ta had invited me to meet her. I changed into new clothes, adjusted myself, and then went to the main courtyard. Beyond my expectations, there were many people in the main courtyard. My mother was also there. As soon as she saw me, she waved and called, her face carrying a smile. I didn't understand the meaning, but I still walked to the side and called out: "Mother." Ta Nam Tu stood on the opposite side, his face expressionless. On the contrary, his younger sister secretly glared at me with resentment and malice. I pretended not to see and bowed to pay my respects to Mrs. Ta. Mrs. Ta just calmly nodded in response. Seeing me looking towards Ta Nam Tu, my mother curled her lips slightly, patted my hand, and said gently:

"Thank you, lady, I've been bothering you for so many days, now I don't want to hide it anymore. This time I'm in town, it's because of my daughter's marriage."

That year, when Ta Nam Tu's father was still a mandarin in Duong Chau, because of his integrity and poor family background, Ta Nam Tu fell seriously ill. Our family did not know how much money it cost to cure him. It was originally just a small favor, but seeing that both sides meant it, the two families immediately decided to get along, which was considered a reward. I pursed my lips tightly and reflexively raised my head to look at Ta Nam Tu. That man still kept an indifferent expression. Hearing that, he smiled faintly, his sharp eyes swept over me, mocking:

“I heard that a wealthy merchant can enter the Ta family's door at ten thousand taels, you choose.”

As soon as the words came out, the whole room was surprised. Taking money tied to marriage is clearly intentionally humiliating. Perhaps to vent his anger on Lam Tieu Van's behalf. My pupils slightly constricted, my heart throbbed with a dull pain, my fingertips unconsciously pressed deep into my palm. Mrs. Ta was briefly surprised, but then just bowed her head and took a sip of tea, without saying a word. The smile on my mother's face immediately disappeared, and the mocking and mocking eyes around us seemed to want to engulf us. My mother's face turned pale, and she instinctively squeezed my hand. Lam Tieu Van pouted again and said:

“She will definitely choose to marry her cousin, I can tell with my toes.”

This statement awakened others. It's just a sarcasm, who would give up the opportunity to enter the prestigious Ta family? Under everyone's gaze, I looked intently at Ta Nam Tu. In his cold eyes, I blinked a few times, and finally slowly spoke:

“I choose —— ten thousand taels.”

Ten thousand taels is enough for me to return to Duong Chau to find a husband. As soon as the words ended, the man's eyes in front of him suddenly changed.