Chapter 5 — Wedding Day Without Bride

“Who did you tell me to get out of?”

Khuong Van picked up the phone:

“I called the police.”

Tham Man rushed forward and tried to steal her phone. Khuong Van leaned forward to avoid it. The movement was too precise, Tham Man missed and almost hit his head on the stone table. Everyone in the yard was shocked. Khuong Van lowered her eyes, her fingers caressing the edge of the phone:

“I just didn't see it, so I didn't let you rob me.”

Do Minh Vien stared at her, his face full of doubt:

“What were you avoiding just now?”

Khuong Van did not answer. From outside the door came Pho Thinh Lan's voice:

“What are you guys doing?”

Tham Man immediately expressed self-pity:

“Mr. Deputy, we only came to ask for the painting, but Miss Khuong wanted to report us to the police.”

Deputy Thinh Lan looked at Khuong Van:

"Van Van, if you borrow that painting for just one day, it won't make a dent."

Khuong Van asked him: "Do you agree with them?" Pho Thinh Lan avoided Aunt Trieu's angry eyes:

"I thought you would agree. It's your aunt's legacy, and displaying it on the wedding day is like letting her witness it for us."

Khuong Van looked at him:

"You took my mother's painting to pave the way to save Hua Tri Ha's reputation?"

Pho Thinh Lan's face became unsightly:

“Don't drag Tri Ha into anything.”

Khuong Van's smile is very pale:

“So tell me, on the wedding day, under whose name will that painting be hung?”

Deputy Thinh Lan said nothing. Tham Man said for him:

“Of course, in the name of Miss Hua Tri Ha. She is now the new advisor of the Institute of Fine Arts, the exhibition must be counted as being mobilized by her.”

Aunt Trieu scolded loudly:

“You have no shame.”

Pho Thinh Lan shouted softly: "That's enough." He walked in front of Khuong Van:

"Van Van, don't let outsiders see you as a joke. Give me the painting first, I will return it to you after the wedding."

Khuong Van stuffed the phone into her pocket:

“Don't give it.”

Pho Thinh Lan's patience finally cracked:

"Khuong Van, do you insist on making a fuss with me at this time?"

Khuong Van asked word by word: "My mother's painting, what right do you have to give it as a gift to exchange favors?" Outside the yard door, Hua Tri Ha stood there supporting her waist:

"Based on the fact that he will be your husband in the future. Miss Khuong, don't you even have that little trust in him?"

Khuong Van did not fight. That night Pho Thinh Lan did not come home. The next day, red paper was posted in front of the gallery door announcing the exhibition before the wedding. The four words "Xuan Son Vu Hau" are written right in the middle, next to the signature of the exhibition organizer, Hua Tri Ha. Khuong Van stood outside the crowd, wearing sunglasses and using a cane to navigate. Hua Tri Ha took Pho Thinh Lan's arm to accept the congratulations, wearing a pearl-encrusted glove sent by the wedding dress shop. Someone said: "Miss Hua is so good, even teacher Khuong Van Duong's relics were brought out." Hua Tri Ha smiled gently:

"It was Tinh Lan who helped me. He said that Miss Khuong has a kind heart and will definitely be willing to help to make good things happen."

Khuong Van's hand holding the stick tightened. Aunt Trieu was with her. Hearing this, her blood boiled:

“I'm going to tear up that red paper.”

Khuong Van stopped her aunt:

“Auntie, don't rush.”

"There's no rush like this? Them I even stole your mother's paintings."

Lao Chau - gallery manager - saw Khuong Van and quickly greeted her:

“Miss Khuong, why did you come here?”

Khuong Van asked: "Have the paintings been hung yet?" Lao Chau stammered:

“Mr. Deputy said he would only open the box tonight.”

Khuong Van walked into the gallery. Pho Thinh Lan saw her, his face changed slightly:

“Van Van, why did you come alone?”

Aunt Trieu sarcastically said:

“Am I not human?”

Deputy Thinh Lan suppressed his anger:

"There are so many people here, it's not convenient for Van Van."