Chapter 5 — The Lost Brother

Peel it for An An instead. As for my share, I can handle it myself.

Wu, have you made enough of a scene?

Nhai Thanh suddenly spoke up. I lifted my head in utter astonishment. What did I do wrong this time? Wasn't I doing exactly what he wanted, acting wonderfully sensible and taking care of myself? Nhai Thanh picked up a napkin and slowly wiped his fingers clean.

Ever since we met up today, you have been wearing a sour expression.

This is a private matter between the two of us, so we were not going to say anything.

But An An specifically took time off work to come visit you, and your colleague made things difficult for her. You...

Ah, so he was still holding a grudge over what happened earlier. Knowing precisely what he was about to say next, I cut him off without hesitation.

Then I apologize. Let me apologize to the two of you on behalf of my friend.

The phrase "hurry up and apologize" got stuck in Nhai Thanh's throat. For a moment, he did not know how to proceed. An hastily waved her hands.

It is nothing, it was just Nhai Thanh making a mountain out of a molehill. You know how he always is...

Yes, he has always cared about your feelings more than anyone else's. I know.

I seamlessly took over her sentence, ignoring An's stiffening expression.

The rest of the dishes are about to be served, let us eat.

Neither of them tasted a single bite of this meal. Yet, I ate with genuine relish. Only when I was entirely full did I finally put my chopsticks down. Nhai Thanh stared at me for a long time before he finally spoke:

Wu, we came here this time to take you back to Beijing.

Are you satisfied now, and has your anger finally subsided?

I did not answer whether I would go or not, but instead asked calmly:

Is there a room for me at your place?

No.

Then is there a bed for me to sleep on?

Nhai Thanh paused.

No...

I let out a soft laugh.

Nhai Thanh, I am not going to your place to sleep on the floor.

Because I am not that pathetic.

Nhai Thanh furrowed his brows and anxiously explained:

I can rent an apartment for you. Is that even a major issue?

So I am supposed to continue enduring the fact that you live with your best friend?

Nhai Thanh was momentarily left speechless. At that exact moment, Duat Minh sent me a message saying he had arrived downstairs at the company building. I wiped my mouth, grabbed my bag, and stood up.

There is no need to say any more.

I have to leave now, because my boyfriend is here to pick me up.

Forgive me, Duat Minh, please let me borrow your name for a little while. Otherwise, I truly would not be able to swallow this wave of bitterness. An's immediate reaction was a look of shock toward Nhai Thanh. He was still holding his glass of water, his face devoid of any expression. I, on the other hand, remained entirely serene. As I walked past Nhai Thanh, he reached out and grabbed my wrist. His voice grew tense.

You... have a boyfriend?

Is there a problem with that? We have already broken up.

I tried to pull my hand back, but Nhai Thanh tightened his grip.

You are lying to me, right?

How could you possibly like someone else!

His grip was far too strong. A red mark quickly formed around my wrist.

Nhai Thanh, you are hurting me!

Instinctively, he loosened his grip slightly, but he still refused to let go.

Wu, hurry up and tell me you are just joking.

Nhai Thanh had always been composed and self-controlled; this was the first time he had ever lost control to such a degree. After a moment of disbelief, I reacted and asked incredulously:

Nhai Thanh, why are you getting this angry?

Do not tell me that you do not want me to date anyone else, and that you still have feelings for me?

He instantly withdrew his hand. I let out a self-deprecating laugh and walked outside. From behind me came An's comforting voice directed at Nhai Thanh:

Since Wu has already moved forward, you should let go as well.

The glass door closed behind me. I did not hear Nhai Thanh's reply. Nor did I wish to hear it. The rain had grown lighter, falling in a fine, misty drizzle. Duat Minh drove up. Before I could even put down my umbrella and walk over, he stepped out of the car holding an umbrella of his own.

The rain is heavy, be careful not to get wet and catch a cold.

I smiled at him and then climbed into the passenger seat. Through the lingering sheets of rain, the corner of my eye caught sight of Nhai Thanh's tall, slender figure. He stood motionless in the rain. I pulled my gaze back, focusing entirely on the road ahead. Little Su, knowing her older brother was driving me home, excitedly sent a flurry of messages. [Wu Wu, you must win him over!] [Sob sob, I want to become family with you!] I smiled, shook my head, and turned off the screen. But phone call after phone call began pouring in. Every single one of them was from Nhai Thanh. He acted as though he had gone mad; the moment I hung up, he would call right back. Duat Minh tilted his head and softly asked:

Why are you not answering? Is it a call from your ex-boyfriend?

I was startled by his sharpness, yet I had no desire to conceal the truth.

Yes, he came to look for me today.

The hand Duat Minh had resting on the steering wheel tightened slightly. He suddenly spoke up:

Wu, could you... temporarily not agree to anything with him, and give me a fair chance to compete?

I hurriedly waved my hands.

He is not trying to win me back. He just seems to have lost his mind over something today.

Duat Minh chuckled and shook his head.

Wu, you do not understand men.

You are such a wonderful person. Now that he has lost you, the moment it truly registers with him, he will inevitably come back to fight for you.