Chapter 16 — The Beggar Husband Turns Out to Be a Dragon

In just three days, rumors about the "husband with unusual powers" of the young lady of the Giang family spread throughout the city, from small neighborhood chat groups to large social networking forums. Even a few entertainment news sites began to pay attention and write speculative articles, although there was no specific evidence other than the accounts of a few witnesses.

Some articles also made up thrilling theories, some said that Bach Tranh was a specially trained secret agent, others speculated that he was the subject of some secret scientific experiment, and there were even half-joking, half-serious comments likening him to superhero characters in foreign movies. None of them, no matter how rich their imagination, dared to think of the possibility closest to the truth.

Mrs. Lam Bich Van was the first person in the family to hear this rumor, when a friend from the afternoon tea club called, her voice full of excitement and curiosity, asking about the "strange story" that was spreading, detailing each additional detail that she herself did not know was true. She immediately summoned Tuyet Nhi to the Anh Duong villa to ask clearly, her voice no less harsh than previous interrogations.

"Tell me, what exactly happened that night?" Ms. Bich Van asked, her voice both worried and a little scared. "It's rumored that my husband and I defeated five assassins in just a few seconds, and their eyes glowed like some kind of monster, is that true?"

Tuyet Nhi stood still for a moment, considering what to say. She had discussed with Bach Tranh in advance about how much to reveal if her family asked, and they both agreed that they should not tell the whole truth about the dragon clan's identity while everything was still so unstable, but they could not completely deny what had happened.

"That night, a bad guy broke in and tried to kidnap me." Tuyet Nhi replied, her voice cautious. "Bach Tranh protected me and defeated them. Perhaps because of the dire situation, everyone exaggerated his strength."

"Exaggerated?" Giang Bao Son, who was sitting nearby and overheard the story, interjected, his voice skeptical. "Kieu Bao Long, his bodyguard, told the company's security team that he saw his brother-in-law block an iron stick with his bare hands and the stick bent like a steel wire. That is not something that can be exaggerated."

Tuyet Nhi remained silent, not knowing how to explain properly without blatantly lying. At that moment, Giang Chan Hung walked into the room, his expression pensive, as if he had heard part of the story from outside the door.

"Tuyet Nhi." He called, his voice unusually serious. "Dad wants to talk to you and Bach Tranh privately. Can you call him here?"

Half an hour later, Bach Tranh was at the Anh Duong villa, standing opposite Giang Chan Hung in his private office, while Tuyet Nhi sat next to her, holding her husband's hand tightly as if to give him more courage.

"You don't have to explain in detail what you don't want to say." Giang Chan Hung opened his mouth, his voice calm but full of weight. "But I am an experienced person, I know how to distinguish between what is normal and what cannot be explained by common sense. During the past few months, I have witnessed so many strange things surrounding you: the way you swam to save people in the river, the fact that my company was mysteriously saved at the right time, and now this."

Bach Tranh was silent, his eyes looked at Giang Chan Hung, considering carefully before responding. "You're right, there are many things I can't explain to you at this time. But I can confirm one thing: everything I do, no matter how strange, comes from the desire to protect Tuyet Nhi and this family."

"I believe that." Giang Chan Hung nodded, his eyes softened. "Actually, at first I accepted you just because I didn't want to stop my daughter's decision. I still had many doubts in my heart. But through each incident, I realized that no matter what secret you have, your nature is a trustworthy person, willing to sacrifice for your loved ones. That is the most important thing to me."

Tuyet Nhi looked at her father, unable to hide her emotions. She knows that for someone like her father who always values reason and concrete evidence to say these words, he must have gone through a process of careful thinking and observation that is not simple.

She remembered the nights her father stayed up late in his office, not just because of business, but perhaps also because he silently observed and recorded every unusual event surrounding his son-in-law, trying to piece them together into a reasonable picture before drawing conclusions. That is the nature of an experienced businessman like him, never rushing to judgment without enough basis, but once you trust, that trust will be stronger than any empty promise.

"Thank you, father." She said, her voice choked up.

"But you also have to speak frankly." Giang Chan Hung continued, looking solemnly at both of them. "If there is any danger lurking that threatens my daughter's safety, I need to know, even if only in part, so I can better prepare to protect my family."

Bach Tranh looked at Tuyet Nhi and saw her nod slightly, as if they both understood that the time had come when they couldn't hide it completely anymore. "Alright." He said, taking a deep breath. "I will tell you part of the truth, the part you need to know to keep your family safe."

He recounted, with carefully chosen words, how he came from a clan with special abilities, how there had been an enemy in the clan who wanted to harm him, and that enemy had now discovered his whereabouts, threatening the safety of the entire family. He deliberately did not mention the words "dragon" or "Long Uyen" directly, only using more vague expressions so that Giang Chan Hung could imagine the severity of the situation without being too shocked by the full truth.

Giang Chan Hung listened, his face darkened, not because of doubt, but because of genuine concern for his family's safety. "So what do we need to do to deal with this threat?" He asked, his tone turning to practical discussion instead of questioning.

"I'll handle most of the problem myself." Bach Tranh replied. "But I need you to increase security for the family, especially around areas Tuyet Nhi often visits, and avoid letting her go alone at night during this time."

"Okay, I will arrange it right away." Giang Chan Hung nodded, then looked at Bach Tranh, his eyes showed true trust and respect for the first time. "Mr. Bach Tranh, no matter who you are or where you come from, I believe that you are a good husband and a trustworthy son-in-law of the Giang family."

Those words made Bach Tranh emotional. During six years of wandering, he never dared to dream of having a family that accepted and trusted him so much, especially when he could not yet reveal the whole truth about his identity.

"Thank you." He said, his voice sincere. "I will not disappoint your trust."

When the couple left the Anh Duong villa, Tuyet Nhi leaned her head on Bach Tranh's shoulder in the car, her voice relieved. "I didn't expect dad to react so calmly. I thought he would panic or be angry because he was kept in the dark for so long."

"My father is a smart and brave man." Bach Tranh replied, his eyes looked out the glass window, his face still had a thoughtful look. "But you know, this is just the beginning. Our real enemy is still ahead, and he won't give up easily just because of one failure."

Tuyet Nhi held his hand tightly, her eyes firmly looking forward. "Whoever that enemy is, we will face it together. I'm not afraid, as long as you're by my side." She spoke, her voice not shaking at all, as if that very calmness had become the strongest fulcrum for both of them in the stormy days ahead.

The car rolled in the sunset, dyeing the sky red. Bach Tranh looked out the glass window, his heart heavy thinking about the next steps that needed to be prepared, while Tuyet Nhi leaned her head on his shoulder, enjoying the rare moment of peace before the real storm hit. Both of them were unaware that, somewhere far away, in Long Uyen, Diep Thua Uy had just received a full report from Ngao Viet Phong, and he had decided that it was time to act more decisively, unable to hesitate any longer.