Chapter 14 — Three Years After Divorce, He Found Out He Had Two Children

As soon as I put it on, I rushed out. Just got dressed. Just called Khuong Tri Y. No one answered the phone. He called back. Still no one listens. Tham Nghien Thanh was impatient. Immediately call Phuong Huc. Phuong Huc picked up the phone. The voice was extremely urgent.

“Tham Nghien Thanh.”

“Your mother is here.”

“Causing chaos in front of the apartment complex gate.”

"I know."

“I'll be right there.”

“Hurry up.”

“The words your mother said were too harsh to hear.”

“Tri Y is about to not be able to bear it anymore.”

Tham Nghien Thanh hung up the phone. Rushed straight out of the hotel. Stop a taxi.

“Go to the high-speed train station.”

"Hurry up!"

The car runs very fast. But he still felt too slow. In my head, words that my mother might say kept appearing.

“Khuong Tri Y, on what basis did you hide the descendants of the Tham family?”

“Can someone like you who only knows how to draw, raise two children?”

“Give me the children back.”

“I will give you money.”

Every single sentence. All are like sharp blades. Stabbed straight into Khuong Tri Y's body. Tham Nghien Thanh clenched his fist. Nails dug deep into palms. You can't let history repeat itself. Three years ago. He couldn't protect Khuong Tri Y. Let her bear it all alone. He absolutely couldn't let her face it alone anymore. Go to the high-speed train station. He ran like crazy. The moment the train started moving. He sent Khuong Tri Y a message.

“I'm coming.”

“This time I won't leave you alone anymore.”

Message sent. But there was no response. Tham Nghien Thanh leaned back in his chair. Palms are sweaty. The scenery outside the window receded dramatically. But his heart hung in mid-air. When arriving in Xi'an. He must make a choice. Choose your mother. Or choose Khuong Tri Y and her children. Three years ago. He chose his mother. Standing silently watching it all happen. You can't be wrong again. The train rushed away. Three and a half hour journey. As long as three years. He also reached Xi'an. Go straight to Khuong Tri Y's apartment complex. He called Phuong Huc.

“How is the situation?”

“My mother is gone.”

“But Tri Y is very depressed.”

“She locked herself in her room.”

“Refuses to go out.”

“What about Tieu Niem and Tieu Du?”

“At my place.”

“I quit work.”

“Let's take the kids to the hospital.”

"Thank you."

“No need to thank me.”

Phuong Huc was silent for a moment then said:

“Tham Nghien Thanh.”

“You have to settle your mother's matter properly.”

“If not, Tri Y will really lead you guys out of Xi'an.”

Tham Nghien Thanh paused.

“Leaving Xi'an?”

“She hasn't said yet.”

“But recently her paintings were noticed by a gallery in Beijing.”

“That party wants to invite her to Beijing to develop her career.”

“She was hesitant before.”

“But now…”

Phuong Huc did not finish his sentence. But Tham Nghien Thanh understood. If your mother causes trouble again. Khuong Tri Y will really leave. Bring Tieu Niem. Bring Tieu Du. Disappeared from my life again. Go to Beijing. Go to a place you can't find. Bring your children. Disappeared forever. The taxi just stopped in front of the apartment complex gate. Tham Nghien Thanh threw down the fare and rushed inside. The elevator is too slow. He ran the stairs. Eighteen floors. Running to the point of being out of breath. Legs trembling. When he arrived in front of apartment 1802, he rang the bell. No one Open. Click again. Still no one opened.

“Tri Y, it's you.”

“It's Tham Nghien Thanh.”

“Open the door.”

There wasn't any sound inside. He took out his phone. Send her a message.

“I know you're inside.”

“Open the door.”

“Let's talk.”

The message just showed read status. The door opened. Khuong Tri Y stood in front of the door. His eyes were red and swollen from crying. Hair is messy. See you. She said nothing. Just turned around and went straight into the living room. Tham Nghien Thanh followed in. Close the door. The living room is extremely messy. A teacup shattered on the floor. On the tea table is a business card of a lawyer's office. Tham Nghien Thanh bent down to pick it up. On it is written: Law on Marriage, Family and Property Inheritance.

“My mother said…”

Khuong Tri Y's voice was hoarse.

“She wants to sue me.”

“Say I stole the descendants of the Tham family.”

“She wouldn't do that.”

“She will.”

Khuong Tri Y looked at him.

“Do you still not understand your mother?”

“What she said.”

“Everything can be done.”

Tham Nghien Thanh was silent.

“She also said…”