On the train heading to Giang Thanh, Lam Chinh gazes out the window, lost in thought.
During his mother's funeral, he couldn't arrive in time. This time, going to tend her grave, he considers it closure.
His mother forbade him from returning home, citing it as protection. Yet, deep down, reclaiming his family's status remains his unfulfilled desire.
However, confronting the Lam family is not an immediate option.
To completely crush this giant monster in the land of flowers, meticulous planning is essential.
Determination gleams in Lam Chinh's eyes.
Buzz, buzz, buzz...
His phone vibrates.
He answers.
On the other end, a voice both icy and piercing demands, "Where are you dead? Why haven't you returned?"
"My pre-purchased ticket got lost, had to buy another. Will be on the high-speed train by eleven."
"After getting off, immediately take a car to Giang Thanh Eastern Medicine Hospital. Before noon, I must see you standing at the hospital entrance!" The voice, cold and uncompromising, allows no argument.
"Giang Thanh Eastern Medicine Hospital? Why go there when everything's calm?"
"What else? Grandma is admitted there, everyone has to visit."
"Isn't grandma healthy? Why hospitalize her..."
Click...
Before Lam Chinh could finish, the call is cut.
He furrows his brow, slipping the phone into his pocket.
From the high-speed train station to Giang Thanh Eastern Medicine Hospital is just a twenty-minute ride.
In front of Giang Thanh Eastern Medicine Hospital.
"Haven't arrived yet?"
Lam Chinh glances around, then retrieves a seven-yuan pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He lights up, exhaling smoke as footsteps hurriedly approach, accompanied by a familiar fragrance.
Snuffing out the cigarette, he turns around.
A young, graceful woman stands behind him.
She wears office attire, long hair cascading down her shoulders, fair skin, red lips, and white teeth—a striking beauty.
Her name is To Nhu.
Lam Chinh's officially nonexistent wife.
Beautiful and renowned in Giang Thanh, many expected her to marry Ma—a prominent figure in Giang Thanh, becoming the Ma family's daughter-in-law. Unexpectedly, before her passing, To family's patriarch compelled her to marry the poor and useless Lam Chinh.
Lam Chinh's background is a mystery, even to those aware of his discarded young master status. Rumors abound that Lam Chinh's father owed a debt of gratitude to To family's patriarch, prompting the enforced marriage.
Ignoring the potential consequences with the powerful Ma family for the sake of repaying a debt seemed absurd to many.
Thus, the To family despises Lam Chinh, including To Nhu.
To Nhu cares little about Lam Chinh's status; she's only concerned if her man is truly a man!
Undeniably handsome, Lam Chunh has a fatal flaw—he's utterly useless.
Aside from basic household chores and cooking barely edible meals, Lam Chinh lacks skills, and securing a simple job is beyond him.
He rarely ventures outside, seldom engages in conversation. Despite insults from the To family, he remains indifferent, unresponsive.
Thus, half of Giang Thanh knows To family's son-in-law as a worthless individual.
To Nhu desires a divorce, but before her grandfather's death, she vowed not to divorce Lam Chinh for five years.
Five years!
A long, drawn-out period!
Fortunately, three years have passed already!
Only two more years!
In two years, she'll have no ties to this useless man!
To Nhu eagerly anticipates it.
"Take it!" To Nhu hands him a bag of fruit, coldly instructing, "Once up there, don't speak. Stand behind me like a mute. Understand?"
"Got it," Lam Chinh nods out of habit.
Physical therapy room, third floor.
Mrs.T9, lying on the bed, smiles kindly.
A group of people surrounds the bed—old and young, men and women.
Next to Mrs. T9 is a middle-aged man in a white blouse.
Focused on acupuncture, he carefully inserts needles into Mrs. To's feeble arm.
This doctor is To Coi, Mrs. To's second son and head of the physical therapy department at Giang Thanh Eastern Medicine Hospital. He practices acupuncture, attending to his grandmother whenever she's about to be discharged, as is the case this time.
"Uncle two! Uncle two's wife! Uncle three! Uncle three's wife..."
To Nhu leads Lam Chinh in, placing the fruit on the bedside table, smilingly greeting acquaintances.
Some respond warmly, others grunt indifferently.
To Nhu, almost indifferent to their reactions, turns to greet the person lying on the hospital bed. "Grandma, feeling better? Nhu Nhu is here to visit."
"Um," Mrs.To responds casually, her eyes still fixed on the needles in To Coi's hand.
To Nhu knows the drill and steps aside.