Chapter 235: The Big Family
 
Kieu Ly took the birthday cake, placed it on the table, and thanked her parents:
“Thank you, Mom and Dad. Next year I’ll be 27 already. If I’m still at home, maybe you’ll get tired of seeing me and hang a ‘Sale Off’ sign outside.”
Hoang Binh An lit the small candles that Toan Phuong had just placed on the cake and calmly said:
“Age doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve found someone worthy for us to give you away to. If you’re 27 and still not ready, it’s perfectly fine to stay home with us.”
Even though the wedding hadn't happened yet, his in-laws were already getting sentimental. Toan Phuong worried that when the big day came, they might want to delay it. He quickly made a promise to ease their reluctance:
“Our house isn’t far from here. We’ll come back to visit often. Or if you miss your daughter and future grandchildren, you’re always welcome to stay with us. We still have a few spare rooms — it’s no problem at all.”
That being said, Kim Chi and Binh An had no intention of staying long at their son-in-law’s home. Even though they’d be in-laws, they’d still be guests — outsiders. Visiting was fine, but living there would feel inconvenient. Hoang Binh An nodded in polite agreement:
“We’ll keep your room just the way it is. Come home whenever you like.”
While the men discussed the future, Kieu Ly focused on her birthday cake. She closed her eyes, made a wish in her mind, and blew out the candles. She wished for both sets of parents to live long and healthy lives, surrounded by the little angels she and her husband would bring into the world.
In the afternoon,
Toan Phuong and Kieu Ly arrived at the office on time. Huong Tra had come in earlier and was sitting in the director’s office, busy with her laptop. When Toan Phuong entered the room and saw Huong Tra’s grim expression, he sensed a storm was brewing. He placed the two cups of bubble tea—picked up earlier on the way with Kieu Ly—on the table, hoping to cool down Huong Tra’s temper with a bit of teasing:
“Tra, do you think my friend is gay?”
He set a cup of coffee on his desk and returned to his seat.
Looking at the guy in front of her, Huong Tra grew increasingly irritated. She really wanted to curse, “You sly jerk.” But this sly jerk happened to be the one paying her salary, so she bit her tongue and kept it in. With a calm face, she replied:
“He’s not gay. Just a one-night stand—I didn’t lose anything.”
Toan Phuong frowned at her response and asked:
“One-night stand? My friend is a handsome idol with style—millions of fans adore him—and you’re comparing him to some cheap guy waving 500,000 VND on Vong Street?”
“If it wasn’t a one-night stand, then what was it? There won’t be a second time.”
After a moment’s thought, Huong Tra started to dig back at him:
“Ly, you know, I keep hearing your husband singing Minh Nhat’s praises. Maybe he only married you as a cover to hide his true orientation?”
Of course, this wasn’t really directed at Kieu Ly—it was a jab at Toan Phuong. But he remained unfazed:
“That kind of thing is hard to explain with words. Honey, want to test me again?”
After a rough night, Kieu Ly was still sore all over. She didn’t dare go down that road again and quickly shook her head:
“No thanks. No need for another test.”
Unable to get the upper hand over this sly guy, Huong Tra felt even more annoyed. And she didn’t want to think about last night anymore. Just remembering it gave her a headache.
Kieu Ly sat down next to Huong Tra and turned her attention to the laptop screen. It turned out Huong Tra was rewatching clips from the concert. Maybe she really still had feelings for Minh Nhat. So Kieu Ly chimed in with Toan Phuong:
“I think my husband has a point. Minh Nhat is successful now and has a high commercial value. He could actually be a good support for you.”
Just one night, and Kieu Ly’s stance had done a complete 180—she was now encouraging Huong Tra to get back with Minh Nhat. That left Huong Tra stunned. She couldn’t figure out what kind of brainwashing had happened overnight.