Chapter 39
Propose
The fans let Sam go. Huge takes the opportunity to quickly escape, and Sam stares at the screen on the hotel storey. The camcorder films a close-up of the fashion president shaking JK's hand. The two families shake hands in turn, exchange a few polite words, and the chairman of the $ corporation introduces his wife.
JK kisses the lady's hand politely, while the chairman's son becomes intoxicated watching the princess. The indifferent princess regards him as less than a stranger, and her mother and younger sister ignore him. Mother and daughter feel bored but still pretend to listen attentively. The mother asks JK:
- Is the wound on sir's forehead okay?
JK gently touches the bandage on his head wound, deliberately lowers his head to glance at Ngọc's torn skirt, letting it show off to the world. He smiles gently and contemplates his beloved daughter:
- Thank you, madam, for your concern. My daughter gave me first aid in time, so I didn't die from excessive blood loss!
The chairman's family and guests all burst into laughter. JK's descendants smile at the joke in order to save face for their father, making the world laugh along. Nhu Y waits for this opportunity for a long time, so she doesn't give credit for helping JK bandage his head, but instead tells this story:
- Everyone watched it on TV. The camcorder angles were limited, so they had no idea how dangerous it was — violent extremists threw everything at Mr. JK's family.
She describes the chaotic scene as more horrifying than a horror movie. One feels that if it isn't for God's blessing, the entire JK family will perish outside the hotel gate. Nhu Y proudly shows off her talent for storytelling, captivating the audience with every sentence and every word. She praises JK for protecting his family at all costs, despite the risk of losing his life. Guests and reporters worship JK, admiring and envying the descendants of the great father. Nhu Y praises Ngoc and her two daughters:
- Their father and grandfather were thrown at, causing blood to flow. The granddaughter shielded her relatives, and the daughter immediately tore her skirt to bandage her father. At that moment, I felt she was afraid that if she had been half a second slower, the family would have lost its most beloved figure forever.
Nhu Y uses a touching voice to turn the plot from dramatic, thrilling suspense to something profound. A story that is one part true, two parts false, and seven parts fictional describes a warm father-daughter relationship that touches the hearts of those who want her to tell them what they want to hear.
Guests, radio reporters, and TV viewers applaud this display of family affection. People feel melancholy, everyone sheds tears, and every family expresses amazement and praise. The vulture shows off his literary talent, building a magpie bridge that lets the national family fly to the sky. The chairman's son happily shows off his beloved to his parents:
- I once said Tuyet Lan was the perfect girl. Now I know I am wrong!
Many people do not expect that the young master's tongue is softer than candy, his mouth sweeter than molasses, yet he spits out bitter words. The wrinkles on their faces immediately stretch out as they listen to him express his heart:
- There has never been, is not now, and will never be a second Tuyet Lan in this world. She is the only one!
Everyone praises his romantic, bold tribute to the princess. He has been the legendary son of someone else's family. He has been the man-god in the eyes of daydreaming girls and dreamy fangirls. He has been the ideal son-in-law for parents. To his own parents, he has proven himself worthy of being the son-in-law of the JK royal family. The chairman of the fashion has patted his son on the shoulder:
- This infatuated son, you forget to greet the adults!
Everyone laughs. The chairman's son scratches his head and rubs his ears. His confusion contrasts with the demeanor of a man-god. He hurriedly apologizes and greets each member of the JK family politely. The future grandson-in-law introduces himself:
- Yes, I am Nhan Nghia! - He turns to his relatives - My parents' only son!
He does not say that he is the son of the $ chairman, but implicitly states his noble identity: the only heir to the country's largest fashion corporation. Those who believe in "social etiquette" nod and praise his eloquence. His parents feel proud that their son knows how to treat people well.
JK has met countless people like the white-faced young man. Fathers and grandfathers have thought carefully about it — those flattering words about gowns have once helped the old man conquer beauty, and the first lady has been seduced by sweet words. They have all knelt at JK's feet, letting the old guy enjoy the pleasure at will.
The emperor who flirts with girls is not in a hurry to choose the answer to whether the handsome guy is sincere or fake. Fathers and grandfathers still do not know the feelings of the relatives. His precious granddaughter is not the type whose heart melts every time someone pours honey into her ears in a single note. JK is neither close nor too distant. He half-smiles and raises his hand in front of Nhan Nghia.
The future grandson-in-law cannot wait to bow and gently shakes JK's hand with both hands. After the greetings, the $ Chairman turns to Lan for a few seconds — she is still a misaligned chopstick, but in the eyes of her future father-in-law, the misaligned chopstick is fully inlaid with diamonds. If it is becoming a pair with his son, it is becoming a magic wand that is making the dream of becoming the king of world fashion come true.
$ Chairman excitedly expresses his admiration for the personality of the mother and her two daughters, and his admiration for the dignity of his future daughter-in-law. The father pats his son on the shoulder:
- Sir, my son and Tuyet Lan are classmates. He has secretly loved and missed your granddaughter, day and night like a lost soul because of lovesickness. No one understands children like parents. Today, my wife and I boldly propose!
The big hall is bustling again, the media scrambles to report, and the fans clamor with envy, hatred, and admiration. Sam looks up at his father, Huge looks down at him, and they immediately see the disdain on each other's faces. The two mutter curses:
- When poverty has not had ghosts watching, becoming a princess, the "white horse" has proposed!
The annoyed father and son are still waiting calmly for JK's reaction. In the name of father and grandfather, the old guy only needs to nod his head to agree to the marriage, and the whole country will hold a party with the national family. But the devil wants to return to being a father and grandfather, living for his children and grandchildren, and dying for his relatives. The old guy must seize every opportunity to show his sincerity. The opportunity with the highest success rate is coming to him. JK smiles silently and thanks God for not abandoning him:
- Thank you for the affection of the chairman's family for my granddaughter! My granddaughter and your son are a good match, the two families are symmetrical, but regrettably, the feudal era of parents' orders and matchmakers' words has long passed. Now men and women are equal, free to love. Marriage is a lifelong matter — can press oil, can press fat — but who would be heartless enough to press a marriage? Everyone here witnesses Nhan Nghia's love for Tuyet Lan!
JK admires the pearl in his hand affectionately:
- But we don't know Tuyet Lan's true intention. Love must come from two half hearts — only then will the marriage be happy! I am the one who gives birth to descendants, but I can't and don't want to force my offspring. Let the children decide their own lives.
The one who longs for family affection takes the opportunity to hug his granddaughter, and the old guy gently puts his hand on Tuyet Lan's shoulder:
- I respect Lan.
Everyone warmly praises the grandfather of the year. The $ chairman's family is somewhat disappointed by the unexpected situation. They think that although it is difficult to compare with JK, the fashion family is still one of the most prestigious families in the country. Their noble status is the most beautiful betrothal gift for the wedding. But unexpectedly, things do not go as planned.
Nhan Nghia has lived a life of debauchery and pleasure, but has never said he loves anyone... except Lan. He has planted a ficus benjamina when she was still in poverty, and that love has remained intact in his infatuated heart.
This woman has been more fortunate than another woman because she has married a good, rich man and has not had to worry about food, clothing, or money. It is better to marry the one who loves you, not the one you love.
The husband and wife, parents, and son of the family all believe that God will not let down kind-hearted people, and that true love will knock on Lan's heart. She has no reason to refuse this perfect marriage.
Everyone holds their breath, anxiously waiting for Lan to nod her head in agreement. Huge and Sam see that the mother and daughter are bored with the world and tired of the hypocritical father, but they hide their dissatisfaction behind a friendly smile. Father and son leave the scene slowly. They don't need to watch to know the result of the proposal. The husband-watching stone never accepts marrying someone she doesn't love.
Thinking of the "husband-watching stone," the image of the "statues" that endured pain and torment immediately emerged. The two couldn't forget the silent crying of their relatives, silently visited those who suffered together, and quietly returned to make friends with the darkness.
The Silk Old Man and the Matchmaker Goddess made a mistake in tying the red thread. The dotard Matchmaker brings a bunch of seeking fame people to go propose. The red thread will not be untied and is about to be cut into pieces.
Tuyet Lan is agreeing to become Nhan Nghia's wife. She and her relatives will end the debt of fated love. The snow-colored flowers continue to wither, and the lovesickness of her mother and younger sister continues to torment them for the rest of their lives.
Although nostalgic, feelings are becoming calloused as time goes by.
Flowers are fading — snow is melting — love is ending, allowing the family to escape the cruel fate.
Sam never wants his relatives to bury bitterness with bitter. He refuses to let the tears of pain drown the "family affection." This fate must always end with a happy smile. Sam curses angrily:
- Damn it, God is making fun of Dad again!
Sam hurries back to the hotel. Huge is worried that Lan will agree, so he doesn't stop his impetuous son in time and chases after him in panic.
- Sam, calm down!
Sam is angry and irritable:
- Don't try to stop me in vain!
He goes crazy, scaring the crowd away. Sam rushes into the big hall, ignoring all the whispers, his muddy eyes vortexing directly toward the $ family. The entire Nhan Nghia family startles and takes a step back. Everything is going well — until the young buffalo guy comes to disturb it again. JK is angry, but still smiles at him:
- Oh, what have you and your son forgotten?
Huge and Sam ignore the subtle reminder of "don't be reckless". Huge turns to Lan in silence. A man who has experienced much but has never known how to express his feelings, not good at showing affection — he has just stood there silently, indignant with himself for being unable to do anything about the adversity that has torn his loved ones' hearts apart. Sam, not as dry as his father, looks deeply into his niece's eyes and gently advises:
- Emotions always listen to your heart.
The father and son do not care about the loud whispers and the flashing cameras. Everything and everyone are invisible in their worried eyes as they look at their relatives who are not related by blood.
JK has been worried, toiling to find ways to please his offspring. A drop of peach blood has always wanted the blood to flow into the heart. Every time he has shown sincerity, his heart has bled. Now, the peach blood has not even been as good as the "raw water pond". A few minutes ago, JK was jealous of the father and son for winning the affection of his offspring. The mother and her two daughters felt out of place in that cold space. The water was thinner than blood, yet it warmed their hearts.
Rough and simple, dry but emotionally honest — that is JK's enduring wish. He tries day and night to realize it, but he always fails. Now, the person JK holds dearest is crying sadly because of the one he hates. JK doesn't notice the surprised crowd; everyone is stunned to see JK's eyes blurred by tears.