Chapter 2 — There Are Positions You Can Only Hold For Yourself

I need him, as a man, to stand up and protect my dignity. Tran Nhien met my eyes, his eyebrows slightly furrowed to the point of being hard to see. It seemed like he felt I was doing too much, too childish, too ignorant. He gently gestured with his eyes, telling me not to accept it. Then he lowered his voice, just enough for the two of us to hear.

"Since childhood, he has lacked a sense of security and likes to sit next to you."

"Give it up for a bit, don't make a fuss on an occasion like this, okay?"

There was some coaxing in his tone, but more of an imposition that didn't allow for refusal. As if my determination was just causing trouble for no reason. Lacking a sense of security since childhood? What is the reason? Did her sense of security have to be built on my humiliation? Today is our engagement ceremony, not her private stage. Looking at his face that took everything for granted, my heart sank little by little to the bottom. It turns out that in his heart, my feelings are not as important as Manh Dinh's unreasonable "habit". I didn't say anything, nor did I go over and sit on the other side of him. I just stood there quietly, looking at him. My silence seemed to make him begin to lose patience.

"Giang Nguyet, stop being stubborn, everyone is watching."

There was a hint of warning in his voice. Everyone is looking. Looking at the future bride, I was blatantly taking my place by a "sworn sister". Watching my fiance wholeheartedly defend another woman. Looking at my future mother-in-law accepting all of this. They were all waiting to see me become a laughing stock. Seeing me refusing to move, Ms. Vuong Le's expression became even more uncomfortable.

"Nguyet Nguyet, why don't you understand things like that? Tieu Dinh is your younger sister, what's the point of letting her sit in the middle?"

"We're all one family, do we have to make such clear distinctions?"

"If you're like that, how will you ever step foot in the Tran family in the future?"

One big hat after another was put on my head, forcing me to the point where I could barely breathe. It turns out that in their eyes, from beginning to end, I was still just an outsider. As for Manh Dinh, even though he is just a "sworn sister", he is still closer than me, who is about to marry into their family. Seeing such a situation, Manh Dinh immediately stood up, looked miserable and hugged Ms. Vuong Le's arm.

"Aunt Vuong, don't blame your sister-in-law. It's all my fault, I shouldn't be sitting here."

As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes were red, as if she had just suffered a great injustice.

"How about you go sit at another table, or else your sister-in-law will be unhappy."

Her performance of retreating to advance was truly ecstatic. Sure enough, as soon as he heard her say that, Tran Nhien's face immediately darkened. He reached out to hold Manh Dinh, then coldly shouted at me:

"Giang Nguyet, what do you want? Do you have to make everyone unhappy to agree?"

Mrs. Vuong Le also heartbrokenly hugged Manh Dinh, patting her back and gently comforting her.

"Be good, don't cry. Who dares to send you away? This is also your home, sit wherever you want."

After speaking, she turned and glared at me harshly. Look at the ridiculous scene Before my eyes, I just felt cold all over my body. One person plays the strict role, the other plays the gentle role, working together as if they had been rehearsed in advance. The three of them are truly like a harmonious, warm family. And I stand here, like a ridiculous clown. I picked up the glass of champagne that was prepared in front of me and took a sip. The cool wine flowed down his throat, but still could not quench the anger burning in his heart. I looked at Manh Dinh. Under the coaxing of both Tran Nhien and Mrs. Vuong Le, she calmly sat back in the position that belonged to me. After sitting down, she picked up the food with chopsticks and intimately gave Tran Nhien a piece of ribs that he liked the most.

"Brother Nhien, please try it. You must be very tired today."

Her voice was soft, filled with concern. Tran Nhien also very naturally accepted the ribs she picked up, even smiling at her. That moment... The last remaining hope in my heart completely disappeared. Dozens of banquet tables were filled with friends and relatives, everyone raised their glasses in congratulations, and laughter and chatter were bustling everywhere. No one felt that there was anything wrong with the seating arrangement at the main table. Perhaps in their eyes, it is just another proof of their "deep brotherly" love. Perhaps they are too familiar with Manh Dinh's special presence next to Tran Nhien. It's just me, like a misfit who can't fit in. I stared blankly at Manh Dinh sitting between me and Tran Nhien, separating the two of us into two worlds. Sometimes she tilted her head and leaned close to Tran Nhien, whispering and smiling, other times she thoughtfully served food to Mrs. Vuong Le. She behaved skillfully, taking care of all aspects, as if she were the hostess of this party. As for me, the righteous future bride, I was left aside, no one cared. My fingers tightened on the stem of the glass. Because I used too much force, my knuckles turned white. The anger and self-pity in my chest were intertwined, like a fierce fire burning. Patience? Tran Nhien told me to be patient. Ms. Vuong Le told me to think about the big picture. But based on what? On what basis do I have to swallow all my self-pity in exchange for peace for them? Based on what, in a moment that should belong to me, I have to become someone else's backdrop? For this engagement party, I prepared for three months. From the venue decoration to the guest list, from the style of the tuxedo to the wine and cake, every detail is filled with my passion. I used to expect to start a new chapter of life with everyone's blessings. But reality gave me a painful slap. I slowly exhaled a heavy breath, the fire in my chest seemed to have finally found a way out. I don't want to be patient anymore. Even for just a second, I don't want to. I placed the wine glass firmly on the table, making a soft "click" sound. The sound wasn't loud, but it still successfully attracted the attention of the people at the main table. Tran Nhien looked at me uncomfortably: "What did you do again?" Ms. Vuong Le also frowned: "Eating a meal doesn't leave people alone." Manh Dinh blinked with an innocent expression, as if saying, see, again I made her unhappy. I don't pay attention to them. I stood up and adjusted my slightly wrinkled dress. Then, under their surprised eyes, I turned around and walked step by step towards the host's stage in the middle of the banquet hall. The sound of high heels clicking on the shiny marble floor rang out clearly and steadfastly.

“Cop, tap, tap.”