Chapter 13 — 120 Thousand Yuan And A Divorce

To Thanh neatly folded the papers, stuffed them into his bag, leaned back in his chair, and sighed.

“Nam Nhiem, this… seems to be okay.”

“So what?” I looked at her.

“There is still one unfinished business.” She looked at me, "Lam Vy, how do you plan to handle it?"

I thought for a moment.

“I don't intend to touch her.”

To Thanh raised his eyebrows.

"She withdraws money from the project, sooner or later something will happen." I said, "I don't need to do anything."

"What about Chu Minh Khai? He knows about it."

“He knew, but didn't do it directly.” I replied, "until the divorce is over, his matter... has nothing to do with me anymore."

To Thanh looked at me for a few seconds. Then burst out laughing.

“You're more awake than I thought.”

“Not awake.” I looked down at my child, "I just... don't have the energy to think anymore."

To Thanh was silent for a moment, reached out and patted the back of my hand.

"Yes, that's right. Those puppets don't belong to you, don't get involved."

My mother brought out rice, put it on the table, and asked us to eat. The sunlight outside the window is very beautiful, pouring in a warm color. The baby was picked up by my mother, holding her finger tightly, her mouth moving. I picked up chopsticks and picked up a piece of ribs. The broth penetrates every fiber of the meat. Taking a bite... Something in my heart... also let go. To Thanh ate a few bites and suddenly looked up.

“Ah yes, messenger.”

“He texted me more this morning.” She gave me the phone.

There is only one line on the screen.

"The matter is almost over, you guys don't need to intervene anymore. Lam Vy has been denounced by the finance department, this morning the police came to her company."

I returned the phone and took a sip of soup.

“That's good.”

To Thanh put away the phone.

“That person probably won't contact me anymore after that.”

"YES." I nodded.

He got what he wanted. Self-preservation. Whole body retreats. We each have a purpose. Here... it's the end. My mother put more vegetables in my bowl.

“Eat more, you're still in quarantine.”

Divorce proceedings are scheduled for Thursday. To Thanh helped me book the appointment, Chu Minh Khai's side also did not delay. At eight-thirty in the morning, my mother fed the child, changed clothes, and then left it to Aunt Truong to look after.

“Do you need your mother to come with you?”

"No need." I shook my head, "It's okay if To Thanh comes with me."

My mother nodded, adjusted my collar, hesitated a bit before speaking.

"Nhaem Nhiem...don't be sad when you're gone."

“I know.”

She bowed her head and re-buttoned my shirt. Say no more. Her hands are very steady. As for my heart... it wavered slightly. Thirty years ago, these hands first carried me in my old house. Those same hands helped me fix my shirt before stepping out. I didn't let my eyes turn red. Take a deep breath. To Thanh waited downstairs, wearing simple clothes, her hair tied up, looking neat and calm. On the road, we didn't talk much. She drives. I sat in the passenger seat, looking at the stream of people outside the window. The morning sunlight was still a bit cold, shining on the foliage along the roadside, sparkling in small pieces. In front of the door of the civil affairs department, Chu Minh Khai was standing there. He stood on the steps, wearing a dark shirt, his hands in his pockets. Seeing our car stop, he took a few steps forward. To Thanh got off first. I followed. Chu Minh Khai looked at me. Say nothing. His eyes stopped on my face for a second... then moved away.

"Let's go." To Thanh said.

Three people walked in together. The hall was not crowded. Just a few people. An elderly couple sat in the waiting area, each holding a set of documents. No one looked at anyone else, on the other side was a very young man and woman, holding hands, talking close to each other, their faces full of smiles, obviously coming to register their marriage. I withdrew my gaze and walked to the window. The employee was a woman in her forties, wearing glasses, expressionless face, monotonous voice: "ID card, household registration, marriage certificate, divorce agreement, bring them all over here." Chu Minh Khai and I took turns pushing the papers in. She lowered her head to check and compare information, occasionally looking up and then looking down again, her voice still monotonous: "The divorce agreement has been signed by both parties?"

"Already." To Thanh answered for me.

"Custody of the child belongs to the female party, clearly stated in the agreement?"

"Okay." She looked up, looked at us, and asked according to procedure: "Both sides voluntarily divorced, right?"

"Correct." I said.

Chu Minh Khai slowed down a beat, his voice was hoarse.

“Okay, wait a minute.”

She began entering information, the sound of typing on the keyboard echoed clearly in the quiet space. I stood in front of the window, not looking at him. Next to them, a young couple received their marriage certificate, wore them for each other, then smiled and took a photo, with a very soft snap. I suddenly remembered that I had taken a photo like that the other day. That day my mother even cooked a table of food, saying congratulations. The meal is over. People also melted.