Chapter 7 — Thien Kim Half Wonton

He had never talked to me like that before. Young master of the Tham family, even if he makes a mistake, he must wait for others to bow first. I entered the basement. After the safe was opened, there was no gold, silver or jewels inside, only a few books, a few letters and a box of old photos. Tham Hoai Xuyen stood behind me. When he saw the names in the books, his expression became more and more ugly.

“Has the To family taken so much money from the Tham family over the years?”

Uncle Luong said:

"Before he passed away, the old man realized something was wrong and wanted the young lady to take over the investigation. But before arrangements could be made, he passed away."

I opened the letter. Dad's handwriting, stroke by stroke, is very steady.

“Tri Duong, if you read this letter, it means I failed to protect you.

Don't be afraid. Don't trust the person who cries the most pitifully. Don't trust the person at the top either. Let's go find Uncle Luong. He will help you get back what belongs to you.” I looked at the last line for a long time. Tham Hoai Xuyen's voice was bitter.

“Why didn't dad tell you?”

Uncle Luong sighed.

“The old man said you trusted To Van Tinh too much.”

Tham Hoai Xuyen seemed to be nailed to the spot by that sentence. I folded the letter and put it in my pocket.

“I'll bring the books.”

He immediately said:

“I'll let a lawyer help you.”

I asked:

“Help me with what?”

“Sue the To family, sue the sanatorium, sue everyone who has harmed me.”

I smiled.

“Including you?”

Tham Hoai Xuyen's face was terrifyingly white. Uncle Luong called softly:

“Miss.”

I said:

"You sent me to the sanatorium, it's true. You ordered someone to monitor me taking medicine, it's true. You took the watch my father left behind and gave it to To Van Tinh, it's also true."

Tham Hoai Xuyen does not justify. He suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard in the face. The sound echoed in the basement. I don't stop. Luc Dinh Nghien stood outside the door, still holding a cooler in his hand. He looked at Tham Hoai Xuyen, as if he saw himself three years ago. I grabbed my books and went out. Tham Hoai Xuyen chased after him.

“Tri Duong, where do you want to go?”

“Go back to Nam Thanh.”

“Do you still want to sell wontons?”

I stopped on the steps.

“What if not?”

"I am the young lady of the Tham family."

I turned my head to look at him.

“Miss Tham died on the terrace three years ago.”

“The person who is alive now is A Hoanh.”

He couldn't say a word. As soon as he reached the door, a maid ran in in panic.

“Master, Miss To is here.”

To Van Tinh stood in the yard. She wasn't wearing a wedding dress, her hair was messy, and she looked both struggling and pitiful. But she still wore a watch on her wrist. Seeing me, the first thing she said was:

"Zhi Duong, I'll give you your watch back. Can you spare the To family?"

I walked in front of her.

“Take it down.”

She obediently took it off and gave it to me. The watch cover is still cracked, the clock hands stop at three years ago. I grabbed the watch. To Van Tinh lowered her voice:

“You won, is that enough?”

I looked at her.

“Not enough.”

She raised her head. There were finally no more tears in my eyes. Only hatred remains.

“Tham Tri Duong, don't force me.”

I burst out laughing.

“What other tricks do you have?”

She suddenly turned around and rushed towards the stone steps in the yard. No one had time to react. Before falling, she turned her head to look at me. Those eyes were too familiar. Three years ago at the top of the stairs, she looked at me the same way. I don't chase. Don't even raise your hand. She rolled down three stone steps, her forehead was broken, blood running down her face. The yard became chaotic. To Van Tinh lay on the ground, crying and shouting:

“Tri Duong, why did you push me?”

This time, Tham Hoai Xuyen stood right behind her. Luc Dinh Nghien also stood behind her. Uncle Luong stood under the surveillance camera. Uncle Liu squatted outside the door eating dumplings, almost choking. He scolded him:

"Is this girl mentally challenged? In front of so many people, she still dares to act?"

Tham Hoai Xuyen looked at To Van Tinh. The last bit of gentleness in his eyes shattered completely.

“Van Tinh.”

To Van Tinh raised her head, her crying immediately stopped. Tham Hoai Xuyen says:

“New cameras have just been installed in the yard.”

The blood on her face was still flowing. This time no one came to help her. To Van Tinh was taken to the hospital. It wasn't Tham Hoai Xuyen who sent it. It was her own assistant who helped her along. Before leaving, she still refused to give up and grabbed the hem of Chu Nghien Le's shirt.

“Nghia Le, I'm just too scared. Can you trust me one last time?”

The hem of Chu Nghien Le's shirt was wrinkled by her grasp. He looked at the blood on her forehead, reached out and then withdrew his hand.

“Three years ago, I begged you to believe me like that.”

To Van Tinh cried even more fiercely.

“Because I love you.”

Chu Nghien Le closed his eyes.

“What I love is Tham Tri Duong's position.”

This statement is even more cruel than an annulment of marriage. To Van Tinh's hand dropped. I stood by the door, watching Chu Nghien Le walk towards me step by step. Before, wherever he went, someone gave way. Today, someone also gave in. It's just that those eyes are no longer admiring, but waiting to see a joke.

“Tri Duong.”

I raised my hand to interrupt.

“Don't call.”

He stopped.

“I owe you an apology.”

I said:

“Not just one word.”

His expression was bitter.

“I know. I will make it up to you.”

I asked:

“How to compensate?”

It seemed he had prepared his answer in advance.

"The Chu family will publicly clarify what happened three years ago and will also cancel cooperation with the Su family. If you want anything, I can only give it to you."

I looked at him. Three years ago, he said the same thing. He said:

“Tri Duong, as long as you apologize to Van Tinh, we can still go back to the way we were before.”

What was it like before? I ran after him, he called me annoying. To Van Tinh shed a tear, he immediately said I was cruel. I asked:

"I want you to publicly admit that you were stupid, blind, and forced your fiancee to death because of a fraudster. Can you give me that?"

The blood on Chu Nghien Le's face disappeared. Uncle Luu stood next to interject:

"This request is not high? I also don't ask you for money."

Luc Dinh Nghien looked at Uncle Luu and couldn't help but laugh. Chu Nghien Le stiffened for a long time. Finally, he reached the courtyard door.