Chapter 3 — Three years with the Crown Prince

“Unexpectedly?” He finally raised his head. Looking straight at me. "Your company compensated eight million. You call that an accident?" I remained silent. He studied me for a few seconds. “Newbie?” “Yes.” “How old are you?” “Twenty-two.” “Just graduated?” “Yes.” “Which school?” I said the name of a second-rate university. He laughed. "Even the cleaners at the Chu Group headquarters have to graduate from a first-class university." My face was hot. "But it's okay." He stubbed out his cigar. "You can look at it." I didn't know how to answer. "Let's do this." He stood up. Slowly walked in front of me. "The birthday party is not urgent." "I have something more urgent." "Do you want to do it?" "What job?" "Give me a child." I thought he was joking. But he didn't smile. "Give birth to one child." "I'll give you a hundred million." "Birth two children." "Two hundred million." "Just keep giving birth until you have a son." I stood frozen in place. "You don't agree?" He turned around to leave. "That's it." "I'll find someone else." "Wait." He stopped walking. "Why did you choose me?" "Because you look good." "Not highly educated." "Easy to control." "Still poor." He turned his head to look me. "The most important thing is..." "You won't love me." That sentence... Stabbed straight into my heart. It's not because you said it wrong. But... You're so right. I'm really poor. So poor... I don't even have the right to refuse. "Let me think." I said. "Three days." "After three days, there will be no more chances." That night. I returned to the motel room. Toss and turn, unable to sleep. One hundred million. I've been working all my life... I can't earn anything. Isn't it just giving birth to a child? Isn't it the same as the person who decides to help...? At least I got pregnant myself. There is no need to go through the egg retrieval process. On to the third day. I called Chu Nghien Bach. “I agree.” He sent me an address. “Move in tonight.” I packed a suitcase. Check out. Take the car to the villa. On the go. I always think. So... Does it count as selling your body? Only later did I think clearly. Are not. Not. Bust… Only happens once. And me. Is a long-term rental. First night moving into the villa. Chu Nghien Bach did not come. Monday night. He still didn't come. Tuesday night. I come. There was a faint smell of alcohol on him. Cold eyes. The movements were not gentle at all. Done. He gets dressed. Then leave. From start to finish. Don't say a single word to me. I lie on the bed. Staring at the ceiling. Suddenly... Want to cry. But still held back. Because... Tears are not worth money. One month later. Surrogacy… Isn't it the same? I took a photo of the results and sent them to you. He only answered with one word: "Okay." Then transferred one million to my account. The note is: “Pre-nutrition.” Pregnancy period. It was my most pleasant time in that villa. Although Chu Nghien Bach did not come to visit me. But nanny. Chef. Nutritionist. Fitness trainer. All fully arranged. I eat whatever I want. Go wherever you want. The only requirement is. Do not let outsiders know that the child is yours. I asked: "So what should I say to outsiders?" He replied: "You don't need to talk to outsiders." I understand. I'm just an invisible existence. Live in a villa. But not allowed to appear before the light. Give birth. But you must not have a title. Even prenatal checkups. They are also accompanied by nannies. Chu Nghien Bach never appeared. The day my son was born. He is in Hong Kong discussing business. The old lady surnamed Chu went to the hospital. Take a look at your nephew. Say one sentence: "Like Nghien Bach." Then leave. Lying on a hospital bed. I signed the admission papers myself. Again, I completed the hospital discharge procedure myself. The nurse asked me: "Where is your husband?" Me

replied: "I'm dead." The nurse was startled. And I laugh. Right from that moment. I already know. In this relationship. Even an abandoned wife. I don't count either. At least... The abandoned wife was once loved. And me. Even the status of being loved. Never before. When my son was one year old. Chu Nghien Bach's mother came to urge her to give birth to another child. she said. A grandson is still not reassuring enough. There must be two of them. This time. Chu Nghien Bach did not come to find me directly. But tell the lawyer to draw up a new agreement. Giving birth to a second child. Another two hundred million. But if you give birth to a girl. Only one hundred million. I sign. Because I've thought it through. This is not giving birth. This is KPI completion. Give birth to a son. It's exceeding the target. Give birth to a daughter. Is reaching the target. Reaching targets also gets rewards. Not really. The day my daughter was born. I still signed the discharge papers myself. This time. When I came to ask, I didn't even bother to ask if Chu Nghien Bach was coming or not. Anyway. I won't come either. Indeed. I didn't come. The old lady surnamed Chu glanced at her granddaughter. Said: "Girls are fine." Then tried to leave. But this time. She said two more sentences. "Khuong Van, don't feel sorry for yourself." "Nghien Bach has a wife, it's not like you don't know." "You can live in this villa and not have to worry about what you wear, which is a great blessing." I replied: "I know." She nodded with satisfaction. "Knowing is good." "Being a human being has to know enough." I smiled. Know enough? I'm in my early twenties. Give birth to two children. Not even a title. Live in this villa. It's like being in jail. That's called happiness? But I don't argue. Because… Arguing is useless. After the old lady surnamed Chu left. I hugged my daughter and sat on the balcony. Boy crying in room. The nanny comes in to comfort her. Suddenly. I find this life meaningless. Not because of poverty. But because... Even self-esteem. I'm no longer there either.