Chapter 9 — 19 Lakhs 2, Buying Out a Family

“This girl looks gentle but works decisively…”

"That's right, we're all one family, what's the need?"

"Young people today, only know money, don't know love..."

Truong Tu Mai also cooperated, holding her chest, as if she was about to faint. Ly Mai hugged Chu Hao's hand and cried. In the blink of an eye, I became a target of criticism. The most heartless person in this area. I watched them perform, not angry... just disgusted. I raised my head and looked around at the crowd of people pointing. My voice is not loud, but it resonates clearly.

“My name is Chu Tinh.”

“I am the girl… whose blood was sucked by this family for more than twenty years.”

“For the past two years, I have sent back 7,000 yuan every month, a total of 19 thousand 2.”

“They used my money to buy this car.”

“After that, in front of all my relatives, I falsely accused me of not sending a penny, so they had to eat white noodles all day.”

"I came back from another place at night, they didn't admit their mistake, they continued to lie and coerce me."

“I just want my money back.”

“Am I wrong?”

My words fell, each word clear. The whole small area... was silent. Those initial looks full of judgment... gradually turned into surprise and sympathy. The look towards the Chu family... also changed. Chu Hao and Ly Mai bowed their heads, not daring to raise their heads. Truong Tu Mai also forgot about the "heart attack" and stood frozen. Truong Quoc Cuong's face turned red. His last weapon… was also useless. He looked at me, his eyes filled with only resentment and madness. Suddenly rushed forward and grabbed my wrist. The force was so strong that it seemed to crush bones.

"Bitch! You've ruined my family's face!"

“Today I have to teach you!”

He raised his hand, preparing to slap. This time… I didn't dodge. I just looked at him, coldly. Right before that hand fell, I spoke softly.

“Guess what… that recording was mine…”

“Apart from the fact that you received 50,000…”

“Did you mention… your in-laws are the head of your construction department?”

My voice is very quiet. So quiet that only me and Truong Quoc Cuong, standing next to each other, could hear it. But that sentence... was like a bolt of lightning falling from the sky, hitting him straight in the head. The hand raised in mid-air... stopped. The distance from my face… was less than a centimeter. The wind from the swing of my hand made the hair on my forehead sway slightly. His whole body... was as stiff as a statue. The ferocity on his face quickly disappeared, replaced by fear that was a hundred times more intense than before. His cloudy eyes opened wide, bloodshot red, staring at me. Like seeing something crawling out of hell.

“What…what did you say…”

His voice was hoarse, shaking to the point of distortion. I don't answer. Just looking at him, the corner of his lips curled up into a cold smile, carrying a bit of pity. He understands. In that moment… he understood it all. I don't have any recordings. I'm just… threatening. But why was my threat so successful? Because last night, when my friend helped inquire about Chu Hao, he accidentally mentioned a detail. Lately, Truong Quoc Cuong, Chu Hao, and a strange man have often been seen together. That man… drives an Audi A6. And that person... was my cousin's father-in-law, a department-level officer in the city's construction department. An unemployed person, a playboy, and a person in power. Those three types of people gathering together... If you think about it, you know it's not a good thing. So… I bet. Bet that behind their backs... there is definitely something that cannot be revealed. And obviously… me win. Truong Quoc Cuong's hand that was squeezing my wrist began to tremble violently. The tightening force... gradually weakened. Sweat was pouring down his forehead, his lips were trembling, he wanted to say something but couldn't. He... is scared. Family matters, no matter how noisy, are just a loss of face. But when it comes to power relationships and shady money... It's not just about losing face. Which is... going to jail. He didn't dare bet. I don't dare bet on it... in the end, is there any so-called "proof"? I slowly, finger by finger, removed his hand. Then I withdrew my hand. Take a step back. Keep your distance. I looked at him, my voice calm.

“This is my family's story.”

“It has nothing to do with you anymore.”

“Please… come back.”

Truong Quoc Cuong's whole body seemed to be drained of strength. He looked at me, his eyes so complicated that it was impossible to describe. And… beg. But he said nothing. Just turned around, as if fleeing from something scary, dragged his wife along, and left in a struggling state. The last support... collapsed. And collapsed in the most humiliating way. Chu Hao, Ly Mai, and Truong Tu Mai stood there, watching his running back. Hope finally… died. Chu Hao's whole body was limp. He knelt down in front of me. This time... it's a real collapse. The pen in his hand fell to the ground.

“Sister… I was wrong…”

He sobbed, almost losing control.

“I... I'm sorry..."

“Money… money isn't just used to buy cars…”

He was crying and talking hysterically. The truth… is dirtier and stupider than I thought. The so-called rich "Sister Hoa" is actually just a scammer. She drew up an "urban greenery project", saying that by investing 200,000, it could be doubled in half a year. Chu Hao believes. He took my money. 180,000 VND to buy a car... to act as a "cover", to please her, to prove that he "has money". The remaining amount, plus the "kickback" money from the second son... was thrown into the so-called "project". And last week… That woman disappeared. Bring all your money. Not only did Chu Hao not earn anything... He also lost everything. He bought the car... because of a scam. He acts... to fill the gap. He gave money to the second boy... to have an accomplice. Just because of a stupid and greedy dream of getting rich. As for my 190,000... My mother's old age pension... The whole family's future... All were buried under that dream. After listening, I felt strangely calm. Not angry. Not sad. Just empty… and ridiculous. I looked at Chu Hao kneeling on the ground, crying like a child. Looking at Truong Tu Mai standing there, her eyes were empty. I got it.