Chapter 11 — The Ring Has Been Removed

“What are you doing?” “Taking my things.” “Who let you in here?” My fingers stiffened. The next second, as if realizing that this statement was not true, he closed his eyes tightly. "I didn't mean that." "The key is on the table." I grabbed the box and went out. Chu Nghien Tu stopped me. "Last night I waited for you for three hours." "You didn't make me wait." "Do you have to talk like that?" He looked down at the box. "Put your things back. We haven't broken up yet." "I told you." "That's just my unilateral decision." I raised my head. "Breaking up doesn't require both people to agree." He froze for a moment. “I was never this cruel before.” It's *before* again. I wouldn't have questioned before. Don't refuse. Don't ignore messages. What Chu Nghien Tu misses is probably not me. But a Lam Van Kieu who always puts his needs above her own. "Next week I go to Florence." His expression immediately changed. "What are you saying?" "The school's eligibility is still there. I have confirmed my admission." Chu Nghien Tu stared at me, as if not understanding what I was saying. "When did you decide?" "Yesterday." "Why didn't you discuss it with me?" I smiled faintly. "This is my life. Why do I have to discuss it with you?" His face turned pale. "Van Kieu, are you taking revenge on me?" "You know very well that my project is going on." at the most important moment. You know I need you.” I looked at him. A year ago, he said the same thing. You need me. So I stayed. Now you still need me. But I don't want to use my own sacrifice to prove my love anymore. "Chu Nghien Tu. Without you, my project will still continue." "But if you don't go, my life will really stop here." I held the box and pushed past him. As he passed through the hall, he reached out and grabbed my wrist tightly. The force wasn't strong, but it was enough that I couldn't continue. "Is it because Hua Tri Dao rejected me, do you feel like your victory wasn't resounding enough?" I turned around. The bottom of Chu Nghien Tu's eyes were filled with suppressed emotions. "Or is it because of Trinh Gia Thuat?" "Who?" "Isn't your mother arranging for the two of you to meet lately?" I just remembered, last night she did mention something. The Trinh family has known my family for many years. Trinh Gia Thuat had just returned from studying abroad, and the adults from both families wanted us to meet. At that time, I was so busy talking about going abroad that I didn't pay attention. Chu Nghien Tu already knew. "It has nothing to do with him." "Then cancel it." He said defiantly. “I will make our relationship public to both families.” I looked at him. That night at the longevity party, because of Hua Tri Dao, he took off his ring. Today, to prevent me from leaving, he finally made it public. It turned out that the recognition I had been waiting for for two years was not as valuable as I thought. It was just another trick that Chu Nghien Tu used to hold me back. "No need." I withdrew my hand. “I no longer want to go public anymore.” For the first time, real panic appeared on his face. "Lin Van Kieu." I held the box and walked out the door. Before the elevator closed, he was still standing on the porch. His silhouette was cut off little by little by the crack in the door. When I got back to the office, I discovered that a toolbox was missing. Inside is the restored da.a.o I use most often. Probably left it in the office of Chu Nghien Tu's apartment. I don't plan on going back to get it. Furniture can be bought back. Not everything left in the past is worth going back and looking for. * Three days later, my mother still arranged for me to meet Trinh Gia Thuat once.