Chapter 2 — The Last Word Is Myself

I placed the bracelet on the tea table. Before, I couldn't bear it. So every time he's cold, I'm the one who goes to comfort him first. Even Trieu Man once asked me what value Co Dinh Phong had. Which makes me live such a humble life.

“You don't need to worry about my business.”

Co Dinh Phong did not hear clearly.

“What did you say?”

I looked straight into his eyes, saying each word clearly:

"I said, I'm serious about divorce."

Co Dinh Phong did not speak. Look at me for two seconds. Then burst into laughter.

"Okay. Do whatever you want."

I know he doesn't believe it. He thinks that if I leave him, I won't be able to live. Three years ago, he told his mother the same thing.

"Her small restaurant, if she doesn't have children, who will help manage it?"

Tong Thanh Man and Co Dinh Phong were university classmates. One is the president of the student union, the other is the head of the arts department, a talented and beautiful couple famous throughout the school. Everyone thought they would get married. After graduating, Tong Thanh Man went to work elsewhere, and the two gradually lost contact. Co Dinh Phong said it was a peaceful separation. There's no reason at all, it's just that the long distance relationship can't continue. The day I married into this house, he still had photos of Tong Thanh Man on his phone. I asked once. He said he forgot to delete it. Last year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Tong Thanh Man suddenly returned to this city. The day Co Dinh Phong went to pick her up, I was busy until midnight at the store. When I got home, there were two tall glasses on the living room sofa. One still has a red lipstick print on it. Don't use lipstick. After packing my suitcase, I prepared to leave. As soon as I pulled the door open, a soft, gentle female voice rang out from behind.

“Dinh Phong, who is coming?”

The voice came from the direction of the bedroom. I turned my head. Co Dinh Phong's face immediately changed. A woman walked out from the end of the hallway. Wearing my silk nightgown. It's Tong Thanh Man. Tong Thanh Man's hair was still wet, hanging long on her shoulders. Seeing me, her steps stopped a bit. Then smiled properly and gently.

"You are Niem Chan, right? Dinh Phong often mentions you."

She called my name. It's like calling a child. Co Dinh Phong immediately stood up from the sofa and stood between the two of us.

“Why are you back at this hour?”

The person he asked was me. No need to ask why Tong Thanh Man wore my clothes and appeared in my house. But ask me... Why did you appear in your own house? I looked at the dress on Tong Thanh Man's body. That's the dress I bought for myself for my birthday last year. I hesitated for three days before daring to order.

“You let her wear my clothes?”

Co Dinh Phong frowned.

"She just got out of the shower and didn't bring a change of clothes. Do you have to be so stingy?"

Again, stingy. Tong Thanh Man spoke at the right time:

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I'll change right away."

Her tone was gentle and full of guilt, as if the wrongdoer was really her. Co Dinh Phong immediately turned towards her.

“Don't pay attention to her, just wear it.”

Then he looked towards me.

"Didn't you say you would stay at the store? Why go back?"

I pulled the suitcase. Look at the two people standing in my living room. One person is arrogant and full of reason. One person is gentle and dignified. What a pair talented boy and beautiful girl.

“I'll go get my things.”

I didn't say anything more, pulled my suitcase into the bedroom. The blanket on the bed was rolled up, and there were two clear dents on the pillow. I grabbed my winter clothes from the closet and stuffed them all into my suitcase. When she walked out of the bedroom, Tong Thanh Man was no longer there. Co Dinh Phong stood next to the kitchen door, arms crossed, looking at me.

“To Niem Chan, what is that look in your eyes?”

"Thanh Man came here on business, the hotel was overbooked so there was no place to stay. I let her stay temporarily for one night."

“Don't think so wrongly about everything.”

I pulled my suitcase towards the door. As I passed him, I stopped for a moment.

"Co Dinh Phong, she came back here three months ago. It's not a business trip."

The expression on his face stiffened for a moment.

“Who told you?”

I don't answer. Pull the door and go straight out. In the elevator, I took out my phone and opened the chat box with Trieu Man. She sent four consecutive text messages urging me.

“How's it going?”

“What did he say?”

"To Niem Chan, don't be alone, call me if anything happens."

I called her back. The first question Trieu Man asked after picking up the phone was:

“He admitted it?”

"His first love is at my house. Wearing my nightgown."

The other end of the line was silent for three seconds. Then let out a curse.

“To Niem Chan, if you continue to live with this type of man, I will completely break ties with you.”

I stood in the elevator, staring at the floor number jumping on the screen.

“I don't live with him anymore.”

“But not now.”

Trieu Man's voice lowered.

“What do you mean?”

I tightened my grip on the phone, my knuckles turning white.

"2,000,000 yuan, Trieu Man. It's the money I saved for three years, intending to use it to open a flagship store on the commercial street. He used it all to buy a house for Tong Thanh Man."

"If I get a divorce now, I won't get a penny back. The house is in Tong Thanh Man's name, he just needs to say it's loan money, he won't be able to explain clearly."

Trieu Man gritted his teeth.

“So what are you going to do?”

The elevator goes down to the first floor. The door opened, cold wind rushed in.

“Isn't he really interested in having my restaurant chain?”

I walked into the night.

“Then let him see for himself…”

“Without my restaurant, what the hell is he?”