Chapter 15 — Trong Was Born At Eighteen Years Old: This Time I Didn't Marry Truc Ma

"You two, each take a step..."

"This will pass."

I did not accept the box.

"I won't come back."

Tham Man Nhu put the dress box on the table.

"The formal dress has been resized."

"The ring also changed to another size."

"This time it won't be so tight anymore."

I looked at her. She realized that the ring that day was too tight. But she still thinks... Just change to a ring that fits better... Then all problems will be solved.

"It's not the ring that's the problem."

Her eyes were red.

"It was Nghien Xuyen who disappointed me."

"But he knows he's wrong."

"He hasn't been able to eat these past few days."

"You two grew up together for 18 years."

"You can't deny everything just because of one mistake."

Not once. She only saw it once. The long days of my previous life. Times of being cold. Times of being deceived. Times of sacrifice. Only I remember.

"I don't deny everything."

"Love since childhood..."

"I still remember."

"The care I gave you before..."

"I remember too."

"But remember..."

"That doesn't mean you have to marry him."

Tham Man Nhu held my hand.

"You can still go to Nam Dinh."

"But first let's get engaged."

"After the holidays, Nghien Xuyen will come to visit you."

"Waiting for college graduation..."

"You two came back here to have the wedding."

That was the last limit she could accept. Still not what I want.

"I won't get engaged."

Tham Man Nhu's hand slowly dropped.

"You really..."

"Aren't you going to give it another chance?"

"What about our two families?"

"The married person..."

"Not two families."

Finally... She didn't say another word. When she left... She didn't bring her formal dress with her. I put the box outside the door. Then text her to remind her to come pick it up. That night... Chau Nghien Xuyen came again. He did not go to the drawing room. Just stand downstairs and call me.

"Get down here."

"Your easel is at my place."

I walked to the window. Under the streetlight... Chau Nghien Xuyen stood next to the motorbike. Next to him... Is a brand new professional easel. More expensive than the one I sold.

"I bought it back for you."

"Take it away."

"Aren't you missing an easel?"

"Yes at school."

"What about the watercolor set?"

"The school also has subsidies."

Chau Nghien Xuyen was silent for a few seconds.

"Now... you don't need me anymore?"

Downstairs there was silence for a long time. A moment later, he spoke up:

"When will you leave?"

I don't answer.

"Before the engagement..."

"Or after the engagement?"

"Is there any difference?"

"Of course it's different."

"If you want to go to Nam Dinh to see first..."

"You can come with me."

"The engagement can be postponed for a few days."

"Wait until you get used to the environment..."

"I will come back with you."

I leaned against the window frame. Suddenly I saw myself as pitiful in my previous life. I have waited so many years. Waiting for him to come with me to the South once. Waiting for him to seriously look at the school I always dreamed of. Waiting for him to really enter my life. Finally he acquiesced. But I... No longer need it.

"Chau Nghien Xuyen."

"I won't go with you."

"I won't come back with you either."

The people standing downstairs were dumbfounded. I hung up. Close the curtains. The next day... It was the night before the ceremony betrothed. The final version of 《Going South》 has also been completed. I uploaded the official version to the system. A message appears on the screen. 【The work has been sent successfully.】 I stared at that line of text. Just like the night I changed my wish. Ms. Trinh Thanh Lam helped me print the early admission confirmation. I folded it carefully and placed it in the ring box. Inside there is also an annulment notice, train ticket information and a certificate of winning the New Student Creative Award. The ring is on top. Still the first ring. Never been replaced. The new ring that Tham Man Nhu brought later... I never received it. 10 p.m. I checked all my luggage again. An old suitcase. A picture container. A backpack containing a computer and hard drive. We will depart at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. Ms. Trinh Thanh Lam will take me to the station. Before going to sleep, the phone received a text message from Duong An. 【Tomorrow Mr. Nghien Xuyen will get engaged to you.】 【Are you satisfied this time?】 I did not answer. A few minutes later... She sent another photo. Chau Nghien Xuyen is standing in the hotel lobby. Behind him is the engagement backdrop bearing our names. He was wearing a black suit. Cold face. Just like every time he reluctantly took a photo with me in his previous life.