Chapter 1 — Three Years of Patience, One Day of Flipping the Cards

In the revolving restaurant on the top floor of The Mau building, everyone was watching the simply dressed old man being kicked to the ground by the future fiancee of the General Director of Co Group.

"Damn old man! You dirty my custom-made dress, can you make it up to me? Kneel down and lick it clean for me!"

The arrogant woman pointed her finger and cursed. And the man standing next to her, his eyes full of affection, and even thoughtfully giving her a handkerchief to dry her hands, was the husband who had shared the bed with me for three years. Marriage anniversary. Co Canh Tham did not return home. He just texted me one message:

“A customer suddenly made an appointment for dinner, you don't need to wait for me.”

I looked at the two sets of bowls and chopsticks already placed on the dining table and the bottle of red wine that had been opened but no one was drinking, then turned the phone screen face down. I know very well who he calls "customer" is. To Uyen Ninh. A new female assistant vice president was recruited into the company. The type of woman who is sophisticated and flashy, posting photos of her luxurious life every day to her circle of friends. Last month, Co Canh Tham's shirt collar had a lipstick stain on it. He said it was while receiving customers that he was accidentally brushed by a female customer. I'm not exposing it. Three years of marriage taught me one thing. In this house, my identity has never been that of a wife. Just a poor relative receiving alms. At that moment, the phone suddenly rang. Not Co Canh Tham. It's a strange number. As soon as I picked up the phone, what came through was not the sound of people talking, but a bunch of chaotic sounds. Screaming. The sound of dishes breaking. Then an urgent male voice rang out:

"May I ask, are you Ms. Tham? Your father was beaten by someone at The Mau revolving restaurant, please come here quickly!"

My mind felt like someone had poured a pot of boiling water straight into it. I didn't even have time to properly put on my shoes before rushing out the door, flagging down a taxi on the side of the road and giving the address. The Mau Building. The restaurant rotates on the forty-seventh floor. The most expensive place in the city. Why did my father appear there? The moment the elevator door opened, the scene before my eyes made my whole body freeze in place. My father was lying face down on the marble floor. The old gray coat that had been worn for five years was dirty with soup and food. The corner of his mouth was bleeding. The glasses flew out not far away. One side of the lens was broken. The woman standing in front of him was wearing a short white dress. The tip of her high heel shoe was stepping hard on the back of my father's hand. To Uyen Ninh. But at a position half a step away from her. My husband, Co Canh Tham, was pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and gently handed it over.

“Uyen Ninh, don't get your hands dirty.”

That voice was so gentle that it seemed like it was comforting a child who had just been upset. I clenched my fist and walked forward. I squatted down, supporting his arm. My father raised his head to look at me. His cloudy eyes were filled with red blood. He moved his lips slightly, his voice hoarse:

"Tieu Khanh, dad is fine. Don't get into conflict with them."

Only then did To Uyen Ninh pay attention to me. An exaggerated smile immediately appeared on her face.

“Oh my, isn't this Mrs. Co?”

She flipped her hair and held her chin high.

"It's just the right time. Hurry and take care of your father. You dare to bump into me in broad daylight and dirty this dress."

“Do you know how much this dress costs? How much?”

“If you sell your whole house, you won't be able to pay it back.”

I looked at the back of my father's bruised hand under the heel of her shoe. The voice was extremely cold.

“Let go.”

To Uyen Ninh was stunned. Immediately burst into laughter. She turned her head to look at Co Canh Tham.

“Canh Tham, my wife is talking to you.”

Co Canh Tham glanced at me. There was no guilt in those eyes. No stress. There was only faint impatience.

“Nien Khanh, it was your father who encountered Uyen Ninh first.”

“Just say sorry and that's it.”

“Don't make a big deal out of it.”

My father propped himself up and sat up. He slowly adjusted the collar of his old coat. Each movement is very gentle. Each button is carefully buttoned. Then he spoke up. Volume is not loud. But every word is clear.

“I just came out of the bathroom.”

“It was this girl who crashed into me.”

“I already apologized.”

"But she still refused to let go, and as soon as she opened her mouth, she hit someone."

To Uyen Ninh's face immediately changed. She raised her hand. Another slap landed directly on my father's face. The crisp sound echoed throughout the restaurant. The whole space seemed silent for a second.

“Damn old man!”

“Do you still dare to argue?”

My father's face tilted to one side. The hand that had just been stepped on and pressed against the floor trembled slightly. But he didn't make a sound. Just quietly raised my hand to adjust the collar that was askew. Co Canh Tham stood still in place. Didn't move at all. He even lowered his head to look at the clock. As if he was calculating how much time this comedy would take up. I slowly stood up. Step by step walked towards To Uyen Ninh. I don't scream. No cursing. Just calmly look at her.

“You just hit my dad.”

To Uyen Ninh was so looked at that I unconsciously took half a step back. But very quickly after that, she regained her composure. Because Co Canh Tham stepped up and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Nien Khanh, that's enough.”

“My father was not seriously injured. Don't lose face in a place like this.”

When he said the words "losing face", his eyes never looked at me. He was looking at the curious eyes around him. I suddenly found it funny. Three years of marriage. When I was sick, he wasn't around. On my birthday, he didn't show up either. Now my father was beaten right in front of him, he was still standing there watching. What he cares about is just the word "loss of face". I bent down to pick up my father's broken glasses. Carefully put it in your pocket.

“Dad, let's go home.”

My father nodded. He slowly stood up. I helped him step by step toward the elevator. Behind him, To Uyen Ninh's high-pitched laughter rang out.

“Going away like that?”

“Who will pay for my dress?”

“Mrs. Co, don't forget your identity.”

“The Tham family has been poor for a long time.”

“If it weren't for Canh Tham's kindness, do you think you would have the right to step foot in this building?”

My steps stopped for a second. Just one second. Then I continued walking forward. Help dad step into the elevator. The moment the door slowly closed. The last image I saw was Co Canh Tham bowing his head and saying something close to To Uyen Ninh's ear. To Uyen Ninh immediately covered her mouth and burst out laughing. It was like I had just heard a very interesting story.