Chapter 2 — The day my boyfriend got engaged, I revealed my identity as Thien Kim

He smiled, took a trash bag and cleaned it up with me. But soon, he discovered that the last items I removed were memorabilia containing so many memories of the two of us. The fountain pen he gave me on our first date. The ceramic cup the two of them made together on the occasion of their three-year anniversary. The card asked for love at the gate of the temple that year. I threw them all into the trash bag without hesitation. The smile on Luc Canh Hoai's face gradually disappeared. Until the couple ring he gave me a week ago was also thrown into the trash bag, and he finally held my hand.

"Nam Chi, have you heard any rumors?"

"What rumors? Are you hiding something from me?"

I looked straight into his eyes. In that moment, I thought, if only Luc Canh Hoai would tell the truth, I would reveal my identity and give him another chance. But he didn't. Luc Canh Hoai avoided my eyes and gently rubbed between my eyebrows. It was silent for a long time, and in the end he just took my hand.

"Nam Chi, no matter what happens, you just need to remember that the person I love is you."

I slightly curled my lips, leaving only a piece of ruin in my heart. The next day, I took my friends out to say goodbye. While eating, two familiar figures entered the restaurant. It's Luc Canh Hoai and his fiancee, Chu Vu Vi. As soon as he saw me, Luc Canh Hoai immediately let go of his hand that was placed on Chu Vu Vi's waist. I calmly asked:

"Why are you here?"

Luc Canh Hoai glanced at Chu Vu Vi and lowered his voice.

"Recently, the Luc family and the Chu family cooperated, so we met to discuss business."

The meal ended, and my side was just about ready to leave. But just as I was passing by, Chu Vu Vi deliberately raised his hand to stop me.

"Doctor Tham, since we've met, how about having a cup of tea together?"

She was wearing a white dress, with a necklace around her neck made from a tie clip that Luc Canh Hoai said he had lost a few days ago. I just glanced and said nothing. Tieu Duong, the nurse accompanying me, couldn't help but speak up first.

"Miss Chu, our sister Nam Chi still has something to do."

Chu Vu Vi smiled.

"What are you in a hurry? I just want to talk to Dr. Tham. After all, we'll see each other often in the hospital."

Tieu Duong was about to continue talking when I stopped him.

"What do you want to say?"

Chu Vu Vi put her bag on the table, her tone as if she was granting a favor.

"I heard that Dr. Tham is about to quit? That's good. Not everyone in Nhan An's Department of Surgery can survive. As a human being, you should know how to accept your fate, don't always think about relying on men to climb up."

Her voice wasn't loud, but the surrounding tables could hear it clearly. Before I could open my mouth, Luc Canh Hoai frowned. Chu Vu Vi turned to look at him.

"Am I wrong? She followed you for five years, and everyone in the hospital knows that she was able to join the surgery team because of you. Now that you're about to get engaged to me, she knows that leaving will still save some dignity for both sides."

Tieu Duong was so angry that he hit the table.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Ms. Nam Chi joined the surgery team based on her ability."

"Capacity?"

Chu Vu Vi laughed softly.

"What ability does an intern at a district hospital have?"

She pushed a card Please come before me. The red card cover is so bright that it hurts the eyes.

"Next Saturday, Canh Hoai and I will hold our engagement ceremony. If Dr. Tham is free, please come and see. It's like seeing with your own eyes what kind of person is qualified to step into the Luc family."

Luc Canh Hoai's face became unsightly.

"Vu Vi, that's enough."

"How is it? Is that already painful?"

Chu Vu Vi pushed the card another half inch towards me.

"Canh Hoai, don't forget, this morning Uncle Luc told me to quickly move into your apartment, lest some worthless people keep stubbornly clinging and refusing to leave."

I bowed my head and looked at the card. Groom: Luc Canh Hoai. Bride: Chu Vu Vi. The day of the event... The day before I left Nam Thanh. It turned out that even in the last week, he did not want to leave me alone. I picked up the card and tore it in half right in front of them. The smile on Chu Vu Vi's face stiffened. Luc Canh Hoai was also stunned. I placed the two pieces of paper back on the table.

"Miss Zhou, I won't be coming to your engagement party. If you want to show off, find someone else."

Chu Vu Vi's face immediately darkened.

"Tham Nam Chi, what qualifications do you have to dare to show that attitude in front of me?"

"Just by not wanting to look at trash."

Tieu Duong burst out laughing, then quickly covered his mouth. Chu Vu Vi picked up the glass of water and threw it straight at me. Luc Canh Hoai raised his hand to block it, half a cup of water poured onto his sleeve. He finally lowered his voice.

"Vu Vi, have you done enough?"

Chu Vu Vi's eyes immediately turned red.

"Canh Hoai, are you yelling at me because of her? I'm your fiancee."

As soon as the words ended, even the people who were watching the conversation around them all stopped chopsticks. Luc Canh Hoai reflexively looked at me. I didn't question him. Don't make a fuss either. Just quietly carried the bag, turned to tell Tieu Duong: As soon as he walked to the restaurant door, Luc Canh Hoai chased after him. I stopped walking. He stood on the steps, his sleeves still wet, his voice filled with a rare tiredness.

"Things aren't what you think."

"So what is it?"

"You and Vu Vi were just arranged by both families. The engagement ceremony is only temporary." He spoke in a low voice. "Once the Luc family passes this stage, I will handle it well."

I laughed.

"What if it's handled well?"

Luc Canh Hoai was silent for a few seconds.

"I'll give you an explanation."

"Are you telling me to wait for you to annul the marriage? Or wait for me to get married and then get a divorce?"

His face immediately turned pale.

"Nam Chi, don't say that."

"Luc Canh Hoai, you never thought you would marry me, right?"

He looked at me, his throat tight. The answer is too clear. I turned around and walked down the steps. Behind me, he grabbed my wrist.

"I love you."

I stopped, turned my head to look at him.

"I love you, so I can't let you be my girlfriend publicly."

"I love you, so let my fiancee humiliate you in front of everyone."

"I love you, so I personally brought the engagement card to you."

The hand holding my wrist gradually loosened. I withdrew my hand.

"Luc Canh Hoai, your love... is really dirty."

That evening, I returned home, packed all my belongings into two suitcases. More than half of the clothes in the closet were bought by Luc Canh Hoai. I didn't bring anything with me. In the drawer there is also a photo album. The first page is my year Just entered Nhan An Hospital.