Chapter 69
The family
The sisters run to the scene in panic. A cold aura exudes from Suong in her anger. Hatred washes over the deathly pallor on Lan's face. She picks up a piece of wood on the ground and rushes forward, many times faster than her younger sister.
The two girls quickly move to save their best friend who is being pressed by the green‑bearded monster. The masked man lets go of the victim, tries to dodge but not in time, his arm is hit painfully.
He is amazed at the speed—it is too fast. In an instant, Lan approaches him, the stick flashes like a sword slashing down his shoulder. The masked man snatches at it, his hand immediately goes numb. He wants to let go, but he is a beat too late, staring blankly as Lan withdraws the weapon faster than lightning.
The timid girl completely disappears; she seems to have turned into a sharp sword, stabbing and slashing continuously. He is forced to retreat while resisting Suong's punches to his shoulders and kicks to his hips. The sisters coordinate perfectly, without a single unnecessary move, attacking every fatal point on his body. But he neutralizes every one of their moves.
Lan whirls her weapon around, slashing in a spiraling motion. He jumps far away to avoid the dangerous blow, but his clothes are still torn.
Suong rushes in to attack, but he breaks the familiar fighting style and turns his arm to lock her uppercut. She tries to pull out, but the enemy twists her arms behind her back and strangles her neck, shouting menacingly:
- Throw your weapons away and get down on your knees!
Lan is rushing forward but suddenly stops, afraid that the pervert will harm her sister and her friend. He smiles smugly and forces Lan to take off all her clothes. Suong cries in hatred until her eyes turn red.
The younger sister swears to protect her relatives at all costs. But every time something happens, the oath turns into shame. She panics and watches her elder sister being bullied. Suong is helpless and desperately begs:
- Let them go, you can humiliate me as much as you want, I won't resist!
Everyone is stunned as Lan unbuttons her clothes, resolutely throws her coat on the ground, and rips off her pleated short skirt without hesitation. Almost naked before the man, she calmly accepts the cruel fate that always buries her.
- Please humiliate me alone and let both of them go!
The moment fate has given the sisters to someone, life has been immersed in a painful hell. From that destined moment, sister and younger sister have given their hearts to that man. Fate has become a vow that the heart, soul, and body have belonged to only one person.
The sisters have suffered the same pain, yet they have never opened their hearts to each other. Two people with the same thoughts… have understood the idea of keeping the body pure…
Her younger sister and soulmate are about to be destroyed; the elder sister buries her broken heart at the bottom of pain. The body meant for the person she pines for must accept being defiled so that she can save the person she cherishes.
That night, the silhouette of a hero who has sacrificed himself for strangers has knocked at the door of Suong's heart. She has thought that the feelings she has given to that silhouette have been immeasurable. Now she realizes with shame that she cannot compare with her dearest person. Suong feels deep gratitude toward that silhouette. The gratitude turns into a strong emotion. She reveres the silhouette that lingers in her heart.
She has kept suppressing herself, reminding herself that it has been just gratitude for the hero who has sacrificed for his family… which… is not… and… certainly is not nostalgically on an image that should never have been remembered by a guilty person.
But… but… why… now her heart aches every time… like being stabbed and shattered?
Is she not brave enough to accept the same sacrifice as her sister?
Is it the image of the strong hero who sacrificed himself to save innocent people… and now… that image reappears in the form of the indomitable sister who sacrifices herself for her dearest person?
Is it because the younger sister carries private matters she finds hard to share with her own family?
Because her emotions are not equal to another girl?
That person is her elder sister again?
Emotions torment the heart. Family affection torments the mind.
Sadness… hatred… and… unspoken emotions… are all drowned by shyness, leaving only tears of shame blurring the figures of her dearest person.
At this moment…
The girl…
no longer has the courage…
to face her family…
The soulmate swallows the hatred that stifles her sobs. She regrets because she is reluctant to leave her best friend… while she still remembers and hopes that the old memories will come back. She regrets being cold to her bestie, which causes both of them to suffer, torturing each other and ending in tragedy.
In the past, whenever she has been teased or bullied, her timid friend has always protected her. She has hidden behind her bestie instead of standing up to the bad guys.
Today, her best friend is troubled by all kinds of gossip. She is afraid of bringing more trouble to her friend… so she dares not acknowledge acquaintances.
In fact, she is deceiving herself… denying the shameful truth… because she is used to relying on others, making her so weak that she is miserable.
Because of her weakness, she is afraid that the mouths and tongues of the world will build a grave for her life.
The truth is that she has always sought excuses to deny, gloss over, and justify her weakness. At this moment, that nature smears shame across her face whenever she hides behind her best friend… and she does not dare to look in the mirror for such a long time.
She is afraid her best friend will be humiliated.
She is afraid that she will lose the qualification to see her best friend in the future.
She is afraid that today's tragic ending will bury the memories of the past…
She is worried that her best friend will be violated. She does not need to know that kind of fear directly slaps her cowardly nature… and makes her think only of herself. But she deceives herself and others, claiming it is out of worry for her friends.
"A slap" shatters the fear—and the selfishness. The soulmate cries silently, rushing forward without hesitation to stop her friend from taking off underwear.
It is just a gentle touch on the shoulder, the body shivering in the cold wind feels warmer than ever before.
It is just a familiar gentle smile… but it brings joy after days and nights of tired anticipation.
A tearful smile contains many emotions… no need to speak to understand each other's heart.
The smile rekindles the hope of igniting the fire of friendship. Lan cannot be happy. She is afraid that after the happy smile will come tears of humiliation and pain. She sobs and stops Mai from taking off her skirt and top.
Suong has just suffered a psychological shock, and her spirit is hit again. The younger sister feels guilty about her elder sister. Ashamed and admiring the shy little friend who has always hidden behind the silhouette of her best friend. Now sacrifices herself for the person who has always protected her.
The girls cry bitterly and compete with each other to beg the guy who wants to humiliate them. Lan pushes her friend who is kneeling at the feet of the pervert.
- Please only humiliate me… let go of Suong and Mai!
The soulmate collapses and cries, pulling at his feet:
- No… you two have protected me since childhood. Let me protect you today. I no longer want to be a coward forever… deceiving myself and others!
Every plea is like a mockery to Suong. The girl who is always proud and strong cries crimson tears… screaming:
- Stop competing with each other, you two!
Whenever she is determined, Suong screams until she loses her voice. Once she makes up her mind, no one can change it. She deliberately feigns lewdness... to lure the beast into her trap.
The pain tears hearts… the resentment crushes tearful faces… the humiliation soaks bitter tears and drowns all the pain. But no one is willing to let the others save them. The family and soulmate are still willing to sacrifice for each other.
The pain is beyond tolerance, the lecherous guy suddenly lets Suong go. The girls are confused and look at him as he suddenly lowers his head… with a very solemn and respectful posture:
- I'm sorry… please, young ladies, show generosity and forgive me!
They are surprised to hear a familiar voice. That voice, originally super high, is now deep and warm. Whether normal or in danger… that voice is always composed, in line with the status of a subordinate.
Lan and Suong watch him transform his initial courtesy into admiration for their family affection, respect for steadfast friendship, and willingness to sacrifice for each other. He removes his mask so that his master knows he is… smiling.
The smile briefly appears on his expressionless face before fading away. No one knows he is smiling, except… Anh Dao – his first master. The blonde is the only one who perceives him opening his heart.
In the past — and ever since — she has been officially recognized as his true master, and he still feels the same joy as he does today.
His mind wandered back to the past. Back then, he had been nothing more than a timid teenager, bullied relentlessly. Each day, he endured the cruel life that struck him with merciless blows. His relatives had never defended or protected him. Instead, they had poured scorn upon his fragile spirit, displaying sheer disgust whenever he ate alone in silence. Every member of his family had regarded him as a disgrace that could never be washed away.
His bleak life had flickered with a faint glimmer of hope when he befriended his classmate—Anh Dao—and a girl who had been a complete stranger. Though not related by blood, she treated him equally, saw him as a younger brother, and risked her own safety to protect him.
The degenerates had tried to assault her. He had stood frozen, powerless, his fear shackling his mind, mocking him as he bore in silence the humiliation of watching the only person who cared for him being dishonored. Fortunately, fate had granted him a second savior—Anh Dao had appeared. At that time, she had been only a fifteen‑year‑old schoolgirl, yet she had bravely driven away the villains. The ending was no words of comfort, but a thunderous slap and furious reproach:
"You are a man—why do you let women protect you time and again? Are you not ashamed that a fragile girl must suffer and taste bitterness in your place? Do you feel no disgrace before yourself? It is because you are weak, cowardly, hiding behind women… that your family has reason to despise you, and society tramples you."
That slap had struck straight into his male pride; those merciless words had awakened him from his stupor. He began to train with a frenzy, pushing himself to the limit in the gym, forging his body from a willow branch trembling in the wind into walls of iron and ramparts of bronze, tempering his feeble spirit into an impregnable fortress. The weak boy swore to become strong—to protect himself and those he cherished.
Yet heaven had continued to test him. The sister-figure who had once defended him was later attacked in revenge by men driven by lust. Anh Dao covered all her medical expenses.
The savior transformed into a matchmaker, helping the disabled sister overcome her inferiority complex and push back her fear of becoming a burden to the man who had loved her devotedly since before the accident.
This matchmaker built a legendary magpie bridge to bring the sister to her faithful partner. To this day, he still loves and cares for his unfortunate wife, who must live her entire life in a wheelchair.
From that fateful day onward, Zero had regarded Anh Dao as his confidante, and later as his only true companion within the JK corporation… when he had been accepted as a bodyguard.
It had not been JK, nor Hero, but Anh Dao—the girl who had changed his life, the light that had led him out of darkness—who had been his true master.
That inspiring figure he had admired now reappeared in the indomitable spirit, resilient will, and heartfelt devotion of Lan, Suong, and Mai—broken souls who still sacrifice themselves to shield their loved ones. And once again, the man who had lost faith in life felt that, even in this cruel world, humanity still remained.
A rare joy replaces the words he wants to say: that Lan and Suong are not merely obligations and responsibilities, but from now on… his true masters.
She rejoices on behalf of her loved ones, walking leisurely from a distance. The girl smiles slightly as she watches him turn his face away. Though the bodyguard belongs to the world of the third gender, he maintains his distance due to the difference between men and women, avoiding them temporarily.
- Zero?
The girls scream in shock, unable to believe their eyes, because the man who wants to humiliate them is Zero – JK Corporation's most dedicated bodyguard. Since formally embracing the offspring, JK has assigned Zero the task of protecting the young lady's mother and daughters 24/7. Anytime, anywhere, day or night, he has always had to be the shadow following the three princesses.
During the protection, Zero has only said what is necessary. He has spoken to the mother and daughters even less than they have spoken to JK. They have never seen him behave so differently from usual. The sisters also vaguely felt that a moment ago he smiled. All the unbelievable things turn out to be true.
The three girls stare at him with their mouths wide open. Surprise follows surprise when Anh Dao and Rose appear together. Anh Dao picks up the pleated short skirt and the shirt from the ground and puts them on Lan. Rose helps Mai and Suong adjust their neat clothes. The two girls smile and say to Zero:
- Turn around!
Lan, Suong, and Mai are all surprised by his habitually cold and indifferent face. His eyes have always been empty, just like his name. His cold image has frozen his emotions and has chilled the goodwill of all who have encountered him. Now, everything melts in the vague feeling, just like an emotionless machine revealing its emotions to its owner.
Anh Dao and Rose's sudden appearance is even more incredible. The girls are experiencing a severe mental shock, and before their confusion is over, they are teased by strange things, causing them to become angry and ask him why he dares to violate them. Mai is the first to ask:
- What the hell is this? I don't understand!
Suong is still angry that he dares to touch her body. Lan hates it even more because her sister and best friend are almost violated. The two girls don't need to know the reason; they vent their anger by slapping Zero in the face.
A few minutes earlier, he wrestled with Mai, then fought and subdued Suong. Now Zero fears he has accidentally touched the young ladies' sensitive places during the struggle. Though it was never his intention, such clashes cannot help but lead to contact. So now he does not evade her slap, taking it as his apology. Suong punches Zero in the stomach, and he frowns a little because pain twists in his gut. The words "It hurts, my young mistress" echo in his mind.
Lan shouts directly at his face:
- What does it mean when you do dirty things and then show such a weird expression? Tell me!
Zero exhales, takes out a handkerchief, and wipes his sweat:
- This is the second time I am beaten by a girl, and it's not bad at all!
He doesn't explain and keeps talking nonsense, so Suong and Lan kick the bodyguard's foot in anger. Zero sits down to ease the pain and looks at the fiery-tempered little mistress who is turning to Anh Dao and Rose.
- I don't believe two people appear by chance!
- Explain everything quickly!
Rose smiles softly at the girls, fierce as tigresses. Everyone is stunned, angry, and embarrassed because they have become the butt of a joke.
Anh Dao sees that her niece is about to lose her temper, Mai's patience is exhausted. The three girls are overwhelmed by a headache, their minds so tangled they verge on madness, causing their aunt to smile softly:
- Zero is the actor. Your aunt is the audience. - Anh Dao glances at Rose - She is the director!
Rose has always loved playing naughty jokes at school, teasing everyone until her victims go crazy, even angering and driving the "victim" crazy before she stops. Lan, Suong, and Mai are still staring at Rose in shock, their eyelids stiff, not blinking once.
Rose shudders at the girls' cold faces, as their astonishment quickly turns into anger, poised to fall on her. She does not blame them, because the 'victims' are suffering a psychological crisis and mental agitation, too angry to retain their reason, so all their intelligence has vanished.
She is afraid that if she does not explain in time, the dam will break over a small crack, so she smiles warmly and looks deeply at her best friend's family. Rose imitates Hanna's expression, but no one can deny that the emotion is genuine and not a deliberate act to resolve the awkward situation.
The anger subsides, allowing the three to calm down. The girls ponder Anh Dao's words carefully. Auntie is just a spectator, Zero is an actor. Rose is the director.
If the humiliation was real, with the fight and shouting a moment ago, Kai and Sam had to run immediately to save them. The two ignored it, and only now does Sam appear from a distance. The uncle smiles with his teeth showing, waves, and calls his niece:
- Hey, don't worry about what the loathsome idle crowd says. When the mouth curses, the ears listen. Why care and make yourself tired? Whoever dares to be insolent right to your face, then get angry—uncle will smash their mouths and throw them into the dental hospital to celebrate the New Year all year round!
Everyone laughs at Sam's booming, tiger-like voice. He exhales and wipes the sweat from his forehead, tired of a group of sentimental girls, each of whom likes to sulk:
- You all care about each other and love each other, so uncle won't be tired! Damn, sulking—girls just like to act spoiled and force people to coax them sweetly before they stop. That's to keep it short!
Rose shakes her shoulders and laughs until tears come out of her eyes. Suong, Lan, and Mai are upset, but they cannot help laughing. Uncle happily says loudly:
- Hehehe… she looks beautiful immediately when she smiles, so lovely, so cute! Truly Sam's niece!
Rose is helpless with this fool in matters of love between men and women, but whenever it concerns family and friends, he never fails and always manages everything flawlessly.
What if… he…
Rose quickly drives away the wish at the wrong time and in the wrong place, causing her to blush. She hugs each girl, pats them gently, and admits:
- If you had not suffered the mental shock and overcome the storm, my willful and sentimental girls would torture each other for the rest of their lives. I was forced to lie and say that the three of you agreed to meet here.
Rose wipes everyone's tears and says:
- Okay, don't cry!
But Rose Her eyes are red from the hot tears:
- It is in times of trouble that the three of you sympathize with each other, and you can restart your friendship like you did in the beginning!
Mai is still confused because Lan does not arrange to meet her. Rose smacks her lips and pats the shoulder of the girl who is always worried and feels inferior:
- Please stop. You all are willing to sacrifice for each other, but now, because of such a small matter, you are as depressed as before. It's scary!
Lan and Suong do not want to miss this opportunity, and the sisters hug their friends in their arms. Lan tells all her thoughts:
- I had everything the world could dream of, but in reality… I… I… lost almost everything! Family affection, human affection, affection…
Rose and Mai think Lan speaks of friendship. Only those privy to the truth know that behind the word "affection" lies not friendship, but an unforgettable feeling that will last a lifetime.This feeling is happiness for ordinary girls. But for those who give their hearts to people who should not be moved, it is painful.
She tortures herself because she misses someone. The girl has to release a part of the feeling that is hard to say… which she cannot talk about with anyone. If she continues to dig deeper and bury the pain, she is afraid that she will go crazy. The flower is no longer strong; she sobs, speaking as if she is begging her best friend not to abandon her:
- If I lose you, every day is hell with no way out!
Mai's shoulders are wet with her best friend's tears. Suong and Lan feel their friends' tears warm their hearts. Mai raises her hands but hesitates… half wanting to hug, half seeking to deny the feelings. Suong and Lan tighten their hands, afraid that if those hands fall, they will lose their friends forever. Lan sobs and says:
- No matter how the past, present, and future change, you will always be my soulmate! We are still sisters for life!
Suong says softly:
- Countless people want us to live according to their wishes. You must live your own life, not someone else's. If you are afraid of being laughed at and dare not live a real life, you will live the life of a puppet and let people pull the strings!
Mai always hopes to return to the way things were before, but she needs a better reason than that staged play. Now Mai is no longer afraid; this advice becomes a bright path for people like her who are lost. Her soulmates are always devoted to her, and this is the reason for her waiting. Mai hugs her besties, lowers her head, and cries:
- I'm sorry... I'm sorry... you two!
The tears stopped flowing not long ago, but now they are red again. Rose claps her hands to congratulate the successful restart of friendship.
Zero silently shares the joy with the girls he protects. He glances at Anh Dao and finds that the blonde girl is mentally unstable. She lets the tears flow from the corners of her eyes as she contemplates her niece with a smile.
It is too soon to say that those warm feelings and tight, lingering hugs are the sweet reward after such hardship. At least the relatives are comforted and regain belief and hope.
But why is the smile on Anh Dao's lips so sad?
Zero cannot explain until Suong and Lan are startled and turn to the aunt making a heart shape with her hands. The two sisters sadly realize that this is an appearance that hides the inner heart. Unfortunately, the sad eyes do not know how to lie. The pain turns into an inner disease that strips off the cover of happiness.
Suong and Lan bow their heads to apologize to their aunt and blame themselves. Those gloomy words blame cruel fate, curse the devil's torment, and themselves for sinking in the emotions of karma. Unexpectedly, they accidentally touch the wounds of a person's heart… they have long regarded as family.
Without blaming or complaining, the aunt feels ashamed for the crime of pushing the mother and two daughters into the quagmire. The sisters sob, a wish heavy in their deep red eyes.
For a long time, Anh Dao also longs for this simple wish. She cries as if she has never cried before, stretches out her arms, and hugs everyone.
Aunt wants to speak many times, but always falls silent; guilt prevents her from expressing her private feelings. She is always waiting for a suitable moment to express her feelings. Now she can only say three words:
- I'm sorry.
For the dearest person…
Those three words mean more than a thousand words.
Witnessing the girls expressing their feelings…
Zero realizes he is too careless to the one he cares about.
The bodyguard quietly leaves as usual… because this place filled with love no longer needs a person who is not good at expressing emotions.
Because he is a machine that only obeys orders.
But from now on, that machine is no longer insensitive.
The four girls are fully warmed by the warm feelings. Rose and Sam are as happy as if it is a festival. Rose smiles slightly, contemplating her lover grinning. His face is swollen, but brighter than spring flowers. Too much joy affects the wound, the bone muscles protrude on his cheek, making him grimace and lament in pain:
- Damn, hurts—splatter… cage… wrong… bullet…
Vulgar words make everyone laugh; they wipe each other's tears. Everything ends beautifully. Sam is relieved, mouth wide open, yawning:
- OK, there's nothing to worry about. I'm so tired that I need a good night's sleep to feel refreshed!
Sam does not need to know that there are girls all around him. He scratches his head, makes rustling sounds by scratching his butt, yawns shortly, yawns long, and walks back to the car leisurely. The girls laugh until their bodies vibrate, and shake their heads, speechless at their unique uncle.
The girls get into the car with Sam. He gives Kai a thumbs up and winks at his sister-in-law. Hanna is overjoyed and chatters busily, asking one person after another. Sam puts the Halo in her hand.
- Here, it's for you!
Hanna curiously opens the video and immediately exclaims with interest, watching this touching, suspenseful, and dramatic story until the last moment. Tears blur the Halo, and the pure flower chokes with sobs to thank Sam.
Kai cannot concentrate on driving, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror while smiling happily as the girls take turns hugging Hanna. His sister cuddles one for a long time before hugging the others.
One by one, it is Mai's turn. Hanna and finally Lan's soulmate are all stunned into silence. Astonishment washes over everyone. Sam rubs his eyes repeatedly to ensure he is not seeing things; he still cannot believe that Mai and his future sister-in-law look as alike as two drops of water. The two girls stand frozen, unable to utter a word, as if looking into a mirror.
From the moment Mai stepped into the classroom, Anh Dao had noticed this strange coincidence. Now, seeing the two girls standing side by side, she is still shocked by the sight… Hanna and Mai… truly resemble each other in every way: a slender figure, short, soft hair framing an oval face, beautiful and pure.
And…
A natural fragrance, both passionate and gentle, wafts softly from their bodies…
As if the two girls are twin sisters.
Sam marvels at this natural resemblance:
- Damn… it's like the two sisters copy each other. Could it be…
Everyone stares intently at Sam. Rarely is he subtle, but when depth is required, he is more careful than anyone. People quietly understand that he fears he has misspoken, but at this moment no one can realize that inside him… suddenly… arises a vague fear:
"Could it be... in the future... my brother mistakes one for the other?"
Sam sees everyone staring at him, so he rudely teases to deflect. Each person senses that he is hiding something. But all want to fully enjoy happiness, so they play together cheerfully.
This time there is no distance; the sisterhood chatters excitedly. Sam puts his hands behind his head, and contemplates the family gathered together. Kai teases to stir the air:
- Tsk, lost all dignity, Sam, pick it up, bro!
The girls giggle as Sam bursts out with a hoh-hoh laugh:
- Hey, I'm just listening openly, not interfering in girl things, brother!
Family and friends laugh and joke, feeling refreshed.
It is the happiest day of everyone's life.