Chapter 16 — The Ring Has Been Removed

“What he said, is it a relationship that you recognize?” I turned to look at him. He didn't show any anger on my behalf, nor did he urge me to accept or refuse. Just return the question to me. The restlessness in my heart suddenly subsided. "In the past, yes." I handed over my speech card to the staff and walked towards the stage. The tension in Chu Nghien Tu's eyes gradually disappeared. He thought I was ready to walk towards him. Applause rang out again. I stand next to him. The MC smiled and handed me another microphone: "I didn't expect there would be such unexpected joy tonight. Ms. Lam, Mr. Chu has prepared such a romantic public display, do you have anything to say?" I took the microphone. Chu Nghien Tu reached out to me. I didn't take it. "We actually dated for two years." Happy laughter erupted from the audience again. A smile also appeared on Chu Nghien Tu's lips. I continued: "But we broke up." All the sounds in the banquet hall suddenly stopped. Chu Nghien Tu's hand stiffened in mid-air. MC was stunned, not knowing how to respond. "Van Kieu." Chu Nghien Tu gritted his teeth and said softly. “Don't cause trouble here.” I looked at him. Until now, he still thinks that I'm "making a mess." "I'm the one who made it public here first. I'm just making our relationship clear." "Then make it clear too." I looked down at the stands. Below were our parents, our friends, and even the elders we had known for more than ten years. Before, I was most afraid of letting them know. Afraid they will ask. I'm afraid the two families will lose face. Even more afraid of others finding out, I secretly loved Chu Nghien for so long, but in the end he didn't choose me. But when I actually stood here, it didn't seem as scary as I thought. "Two years ago, Chu Nghien Tu told me, the Chu family would not accept me." Chu's mother suddenly raised her head. Chu Nghien Tu's expression changed. "Van Kieu, let's talk about these things in private." I didn't stop: "You told me to keep my relationship a secret for now, promising to quell my family's objections later." "A year ago, I received an admission notice from the Florence Restoration Academy." "You said you had just accepted the project and needed me to stay by your side. He said, your uncle hopes you choose someone who can help your family's career." "So I postponed my studies for a year." five.” Chu's father frowned. “When did I say that?” Chu Nghien Tu grabbed my wrist tightly. “That's enough.” I pulled away: "It's still not enough." "A few days ago, Aunt Chu told me, she knew about our story a year ago." I looked towards Chu's mother. She had an ugly face and slowly nodded. "At that time, Nghien Tu told her aunt and uncle that Van Kieu did not want to make it public." The whole banquet hall was in an uproar. The smile on Tan Hoai's face completely disappeared. Chu Nghien Tu lowered his voice: "I already explained, it was just to avoid family intervention." "You told me that the Chu family did not agree. You told the Chu family that I did not want to make it public." I looked at him. “So what did you say to Hua Tri Dao?” Hua Tri Dao was sitting near the aisle. She was silent for a moment then stood up. "He told me he hasn't had a girlfriend in these years." Chu Nghien Tu's face turned pale immediately. Hua Tri Dao pulled out his phone. "A week before I returned home, he asked me if he still had a chance. At that time, I didn't know that he and Van Kieu had been dating for two years."