Chapter 1 — The Day You Pulled Your Lover On Stage, I Recovered All My Investment

As soon as the listing bell rang, my husband publicly announced that his new secretary was the true love of his life. I withdrew my capital on the spot, causing him to go bankrupt right on stage.

"Next, please give everyone the warmest round of applause to welcome the founder of Minh Chau Technology, General Director of the group, Mr. Co Trach, on stage to ring the listing bell!"

The MC's voice rang out through the microphone, spreading throughout the brightly lit auditorium. Every word seems to be plated with gold. I stood in a hidden corner, holding a glass of champagne that no one had touched, watching my husband Co Trach adjust the cuffs of his expensive vest and then step onto the stage filled with lights. He is very beautiful tonight. So beautiful that it looks exactly like a school success magazine carefully packaged through countless layers of cover. So beautiful that it makes me feel strange. All eyes in the hall turned to him. The big bosses, the media, the company's senior leaders... Everyone's eyes were filled with admiration and flattery. And I, as his legal wife, was like a superfluous shadow, engulfed in the halo everyone gave him. Having been married for five years, I have become accustomed to scenes like this. I am a full-time housewife who does not work. He was the up-and-coming general manager who had just brought the company onto the big stage. In everyone's eyes, our marriage is a beautiful story about how a man, after being successful, still does not forget his ex who shared many hardships.

“Dear distinguished guests, colleagues, hello everyone.”

Co Trach's voice was calm and strong, carrying a smile that had been practiced countless times.

"Thank you everyone for taking the time to witness Minh Chau Technology's most important moment. The past five years have been the company's journey from a small office to today, and are also the most memorable times in my life."

He stopped for a moment. His eyes scanned the entire hall, finally seemingly accidentally stopping in the direction I was standing for half a second. The stem of the glass in my hand gently touched the wedding ring, making a very small sound.

“Today, I have good news to share with everyone.”

The smile on his face deepened. That smile was like a needle, stabbing me until my eye sockets stung.

“The person standing next to me is my secretary, Ms. Lam Man.”

He reached out to pull the woman still standing behind the stage wing closer. Lam Man is young, beautiful, and has a perfect resume. She wore a silver evening dress, with a smile both modest and triumphant on her lips. Standing next to Co Trach, she is like the goddess who built his fortune with him.

"During the most difficult days of starting a business, it was she who stayed up with me night after night. She understood Minh Chau and also understood me."

Co Trach's voice was a little higher, carrying a fierceness as if announcing to the whole world.

“From today, Ms. Lam Man will officially become a co-founder of Minh Chau Technology.”

"At the same time, he is also the person that Co Trach I want to hold hands with for the rest of my life."

The whole hall was silent for exactly one second. The next second, applause and cheers immediately exploded like a tidal wave.

“Congratulations President Co!”

“Mr. Co and Mr. Lam What a talented and beautiful young man!”

"Minh Chau has a wise man like General Lam, why can't it succeed?"

The congratulations engulfed me. I looked at the two people on stage. Lam Man raised his head to look at Co Trach. Co Trach lowered his head to look at her. His eyes were filled with tenderness and care. The two of them look perfect together. That's reasonable. And I was like a completely lost joke. At the listing bell ringing ceremony, my husband blatantly announced that his female secretary was the co-founder and future owner. My legitimate wife is still standing right under the stage. I want to rush up. I want to ask him who gave him his first capital on that rainy night five years ago. Want to ask the company's first office, who paid the deposit? I want to ask who ate white porridge with him during the most difficult days for three months. But my feet felt like they were nailed to the ground. I could only lower my head and look at the stains on the hem of my dress that someone else had stepped on. It's like there's some ridiculous trial hidden there. The phone in my pocket vibrated. I took it out to see. It's a message from Co Trach.

“Be good, for the sake of the company's reputation, please cooperate a little. When I get home, I will make it up to you.”

I don't know how I got away from that applause. In my head I kept repeating the words:

"Someone who wants to hold hands for the rest of their lives."

And even the call "be good" in the text message. A way of addressing. A joke. Constantly torn in my head to the point of numbness. Back at our big riverside apartment, I didn't turn on the lights. I threw myself onto the sofa in the living room, letting the lights from the buildings opposite shine on the floor. This is our wedding house. Every chair in this house was replaced by Co Trach later. He said the gray and white color scheme looks more classy and makes it more presentable to receive guests. I've never argued with him before. I always think that in a family, it doesn't matter who chooses the curtains. Just being there is enough. The clock on the wall ticked every beat. The sound is so clear that it makes people frustrated. I waited a long time. It's been so long that the sound of cars on the street has gradually faded. Finally, the sound of a password lock rang out in the mysterious entrance. Co Trach entered the house. His body still smelled of alcohol and the bustling atmosphere of the ceremony. Seeing me sitting in the dark, he paused a bit.

“Why don't you turn on the lights?”

Like nothing ever happened. I don't answer. He turned on the living room light. Warm yellow light immediately filled the room, also illuminating the stain on the hem of my dress.

“Khuong Le, don't be like that anymore.”

He took off his vest and placed it on the back of the chair. There was fatigue in his voice, but also a bit of impatience. I looked at him.

“Don't be okay?”

He sat down opposite me. Between us is a tea table. Like being separated by a river that he had long ago crossed.

“I've seen it all.”

“Broadcasting live across the city, it's difficult to pretend to be blind.”

My voice was calmer than I imagined. Co Trach reached out and gently rubbed between his eyebrows.

“I know you feel sorry for yourself. But in today's situation, he was forced to create a story for the company. Over the years, Lam Man has really helped me so many. She has an image on the outside, and on the inside she is enough to make everyone admire her."

“So what are you?”

He stopped. I speak for him.

“Can't an old item be brought out publicly?”

Co Trach frowned.

“Khuong Le, don't say such harsh words. During the past years when I was at home, you did not mistreat me. House, car, bank card, I gave it all to you. What do you want to buy, have I ever stopped you?