Chapter 5 — Wife Is Your Destiny

13 The person who had always been silent - Kieu Xuyen Dich - now looked at me, his voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible irritation: "Kieu Hue, it's not that necessary, is it? At home..." He stopped, as if he was carefully choosing his words. I proactively interrupted, my voice polite but distant: "I have decided, this is very good, I will also feel more secure to study for the exam." His throat moved slightly, and in the end he just silently held the glass of wine next to him, tilted his head back and drank it all, without saying another word. Kieu's mother saw that scene and exchanged glances with Kieu's father, her eyes full of helplessness. She sighed and sighed softly: "This girl, her personality is so stubborn, just like her father." Having said that, she took out a black bank card from her bag and signaled the housekeeper to bring it to me: "In that case, I won't force you anymore, I respect your decision." This was originally intended to be given to you, but now it's convenient." Her voice was gentle, but... there was a faint layer of distance that could not be erased: "If you go out to live, don't let yourself be at a disadvantage. Rent a decent apartment, don't mistreat me." Ba Kieu didn't say much, took out his phone and dialed a few times. The voice carried the decisiveness of someone familiar with running the whole family: "Dad gave me some pocket money. Remember to put safety first.” Almost as soon as he finished speaking, my phone vibrated. Open it— the message from the bank appears clearly: [Your account with the extension number ×××× has received a transfer：￥1,000,000 yuan] One million yuan. No one said "come home to play when you're free", and no one said "I'll visit you if I have time". On the contrary, their facial expressions... were more relieved than ever. It was like I was moving out or solving an awkward problem that they didn't know how to handle. After a subtle moment of silence at the dinner table, Kieu Nguyet Tam immediately excitedly changed the subject and began telling all kinds of interesting stories from her trip around the world to Hoa Chau Can. My parents sometimes smiled and added a few words, the atmosphere quickly returned to a happy, warm atmosphere... without me in it. Only Hoa Chau Can... His eyes were always staring at me, calm, as if considering something. Maybe... a bit of sadness and heartache? I lowered my eyes, hid my gaze, and deliberately did not respond. At that moment, the last bit of warmth I had for the so-called "friendship"... was also completely cold. I curled my lips slightly, forced a faint smile, reached out and put the bank card in my pocket: "Thank you dad, thank you mom." Then I stood up, my voice was calm, polite but distant: "I'm done eating, I'll go to my room first." 14 The apartment was quickly closed. It was introduced to me by Kieu Xuyen Dich. Right before the first semester, I was able to move in. He took care of the entire move for me, as if the previous unpleasant events had never happened. As he opened the door, he enthusiastically introduced: "Is this place good?" A friend's house. The design and interior costs alone cost tens of millions of yuan. Large apartment, entire floor, super wide view. Security is managed by people's own homes, extremely safe. One floor has two households, the elevator must be swiped to use the elevator. “The most important thing is – just completed, no one has lived there yet!” I nodded and gently replied: "Thank you." Dark That day, I invited Kieu Xuyen Dich to dinner. It's... ordering food out. After eating, I tidied up the trash and handed the plastic bag over: "Brother, can you help me take the trash down? Thank you very much." Kieu Xuyen Dich glared at me, looking like she wanted to say something... then stopped. In the end, he just snorted coldly and threw back the sentence: "Go rest, I'll come back in a few days to see if you've thrown me out of the house yet." Then... took the trash bag, angrily left. It wasn't until the next day that I found out— The "friend" in Kieu Xuyen Dich's mouth was Hoa Chau Can. After self-study in the evening, I went to the supermarket to buy a bunch of household items. Holding several bulky shopping bags, I staggered home in the night. Coincidentally, at that moment, the door of the apartment opposite was also open. It seems... new neighbors have just moved in. A familiar figure walked out of the room— Hoa Chau Can, wearing light gray casual clothes, with a calm expression, as if nothing was unusual. He nodded to greet me, his low voice carrying a familiar gentleness: "Good evening, Kieu Kieu." I stood frozen in place, unable to react for a long time. Instinctively asked: "Hoa Chau Can... why are you here?" The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he calmly approached and grabbed the heavy bag in my hand: "I just moved in today. This place is close to the company, it's more convenient to go to work." But... I clearly remember very clearly, Hoa Thi Group's headquarters is located right in the heart of the city. This apartment complex... is located on the western outskirts, quite a distance from the center. My heart suddenly skipped a beat. A feeling of confusion mixed with a bit of secret, unexpected joy arose. However, I forced myself to quickly suppress that feeling. Can't think much. No hope. Should not vibrate. 15 Since Hoa Chau Can moved in, I have deliberately avoided the hours he goes to work and after shift, just hoping to have as little contact as possible. But for some reason— she always "accidentally" bumped into him. —— Half a month later. One early morning it rained heavily, the rain was so heavy that it showed no signs of stopping. I rolled up my pants legs, held an umbrella, and prepared to rush into the rain to go to school. At that moment, Hoa Chau Can's car quietly stopped right in front of me. He lowered the window and his low voice said: "Kieu Kieu, get in the car. I'll take you to school on the way." I stood hesitant for a few seconds, looking at the misty rain in front of me... finally opened the car door and got in. "Actually... it's not that convenient? I'm bothering you..." - I said in a low voice. Hoa Chau Can held the steering wheel in his left hand, eyes still looking straight ahead, then from the glove compartment took out a glass of warm soy milk and a sandwich, and gave it to me. "Don't bother. Besides, it's only one kilometer away, it takes exactly one minute." I just quietly bowed my head and peeled the eggs, not saying anything. He glanced over slightly, his voice softer: "Drink a few sips of bean milk to warm your stomach." As if by reflex, I unconsciously picked up the glass of milk and took a few small sips. The warm liquid slid down my throat, the warmth spread from my stomach to my fingertips, all the way to my chest. Hoa Chau Can's eyes softened, as if unintentionally asking: "Kieu Kieu, lately... you've been deliberately avoiding me, right?" His voice was deeper than usual, like a light statement but straight to the heart. My heart skipped a beat, I was both guilty and afraid that maybe I was going crazy very doubtful. I hesitated for a moment, but finally said honestly: "Um... Hoa Chau Can, I think we should keep a little distance." I made up a half-true, half-false excuse: "I have to focus on studying for university exams, I don't have the time or mind to think about other things." Hoa Chau Can did not answer immediately. When the car stopped completely, he did not rush to unlock it, but leaned over and looked at me intently, his low voice said: "It's because... Kieu Nguyet Tam, right?" I was silent. But that silence... was the answer. His expression was still gentle, his voice was calm and clear: "Kieu Hue, from childhood to adulthood, I and Xuyen Dich have always only considered Kieu Nguyet Tam as my sister. I have never, and will never give her any hints or promises that go beyond the boundaries of brothers. What she thinks is her business, but my stance has never been ambiguous. Not before, not in the future." His eyes were sincere and focused, looking straight at me, as if wanting to penetrate my heart: "Kieu Kieu, you must have felt it too - I like you. It's a feeling slowly born over time, a real vibration. While you're studying for the exam again, I won't bother you, nor will I force you to give an answer right away. Whatever the future holds, let time tell. I just want to be with you, I don't want to see you alone anymore." My mind was confused, but there was a strange feeling - relief, and warmth, creeping into my heart, like a sweet, sweet stream silently flowing through my heart. I stammered and opened my mouth: "Hoa Chau Can, brother, your 'like'... is it... just pity for me?" He laughed helplessly, his eyes seemed to soften even more: "Kieu Kieu, pity is the starting point for me to care for you, this I do not deny." My face suddenly became hot, and I quickly said: "You... please open the car door! I still have to go to school... I'm late!"