Chapter 14 — 120 Thousand Yuan And A Divorce

"Done."

The employee pushed out a stack of papers.

"Both sides sign again, get fingerprints, divorce papers will be issued immediately."

Chu Minh Khai took the pen first, signed, fingerprinted, then pushed it to me. I took it and signed my name. The ink quickly penetrates the paper. I rolled my hand and put down my pen. The employee took back the documents, and a few minutes later, from the next window brought out two small notebooks. Pink cover, gold lettering. Divorce papers. I received my book, without opening it, put it straight in my pocket. To Thanh gently patted the back of my hand. We turned around and left. Almost to the door, Chu Minh Khai called.

“Tu Nhiem.”

I stopped, turned around. He stood there, holding the divorce papers in his hand, there was something in his eyes... very strange, I had never seen it before, I couldn't say it clearly, I just knew it was very heavy.

“The baby… I'll come visit next month.”

I looked at him and nodded slightly. He stood there, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. I turned around. Step out of the civil service department. The sunlight poured down, a bit dazzling. To Thanh walked beside me, saying nothing. I stood on the steps for a few seconds, taking a deep breath. We walked towards the parking lot, the sound of footsteps falling on the tile floor was steady and clear. I don't turn around. Getting into the car, To Thanh opened the door and I sat in. The car was silent for a few seconds. She started the engine, then said a very light sentence.

“Nam Nhiem, if you want to cry then cry, it's just the two of us here.”

I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. Tears kept sliding down. No hiccups, no sounds, just quietly flowing. After a while, I wiped it away and took a deep breath.

"Done."

I opened my eyes.

“Let's go, my mother is still waiting.”

To Thanh looked at me and drove out of the parking lot. On the way home, I took out the divorce papers and opened it once. The photo is still the same as the registration date of that year. I'm smiling. I close it. Pocket. There are things... It's closed, it's really closed. The next day, To Thanh helped me contact me to transfer the house's title. Chu Minh Khai coordinated very quickly, without delay, signed the papers, notarized, transferred names, completed step by step. The house is officially in my name. But I have no intention of going back there. Every wall, every door frame, was once where I lived. But now that I think about it... There are only unmemorable memories left. I asked To Thanh to post the ad and hand it over to the rental broker.

“Where are you going to stay later?” To Thanh asked.

“Stay with mom for now.” I said, "Wait until your child is a little older and then think about it again."

To Thanh nodded and did not ask further. The bank's apology notice was posted on the newspaper's financial page, exactly a quarter of a page, with standard wording and a sincere attitude, confirming the employee's violation of looking up customer information, pledging to rectify the entire internal management system, and apologizing to all depositors. My mother held the newspaper, looked at it for a long time, and said nothing. Aunt Truong came to visit, holding the newspaper and flipping it back and forth, her voice booming: "Oh my God, this time the whole city knows everything, that bank will lose face." I didn't say anything, just changed my baby's diaper, looked up and smiled at her. Chu Minh Hao's case has officially entered the legal process. To Thanh said that according to the level, it is most likely a crime of infringing on personal information, the sentence will not be too severe, but his career will be considered over. As for Chu Kien Quan, the bank's report was sent to the disciplinary department where he worked, and it was said that he was called to work that day. What happens next… No It's my business. No need for me to care. I gradually put everything out of my mind and spend more time with my children. In the past few days, the boy has grown a bit, his face is no longer as wrinkled as when he was born, and his eyes are more spirited. Every day my mother bathes it, dries it softly, wraps it in a small towel and puts it in my hands. Seeing everything out there, it seems like I'm very far away.