Chapter 1 — 4,200,000 Yuan in Exchange for a Divorce

The husband's parents did not bother to discuss with anyone and quietly donated all 4,200,000 yuan of compensation money. My husband also stood next to us and applauded, praising them as honest people and a shining example for the whole family. I didn't say a word. Just quietly packed my luggage and bought a one-way ticket to Shanghai. One year later. The phone suddenly rang. On the other end of the line was the mother-in-law's voice, choking as if she was about to cry:

"Your father is hospitalized and still owes 50,000 yuan for surgery. Can you help me with some money?"

I calmly replied:

"Excuse me, who are you?"

The other side was silent for a few seconds. Immediately afterwards, a curse rang out like thunder:

"I'm your mother-in-law! What are you pretending to be stupid for?"

I immediately hung up the phone. By the way, drag that phone number to the block list. A few minutes later. My husband called. As soon as he picked up the phone, he questioned:

"What's wrong with you? You don't even recognize your mother's voice anymore?"

I laughed:

"Ah, so it's your mother?"

"I thought some beggar called the wrong number."

"Tran Nhien, hurry up, come sit at the main table!"

The voice of my mother-in-law, Truong Thuy Phan, could not hide her excitement. She tugged on my wrist. Today the Chu family is having a party. Right at the best restaurant in the neighborhood, including the largest lobby. My husband, Chu Minh, and his father-in-law, Chu Kien Quan, were happily handing out cigarettes to customers. The medicine they give out is China Soft. Even Chu Kien Quan's fingers were shaking with excitement.

"Dad, mom, what's so funny?" I asked.

"Great fun!"

Truong Thuy Phan forced me to sit on the chair, looked around and lowered her voice. But with that boastful look, I'm afraid even the next table could hear it.

"My land has been approved."

"4,200,000 yuan."

My heart suddenly skipped a beat. 4,200,000 yuan. Chu Minh and I have been married for three years, and during that time we were still cramped in an old apartment that was only sixty square meters wide. We have long targeted a new house project in the city center. An apartment of one hundred and twenty square meters. Counting and recalculating the deposit, the deposit is still 1,000,000 yuan short. The couple had a very clear plan. Wait for this money to arrive, use half to pay the deposit to buy a house, half to keep as a reserve, and then have a baby. I looked towards Chu Minh. At that moment, he also looked at me, his eyes filled with light. He nodded vigorously at me. My dangling heart was finally released.

"Today I invited everyone here to witness a very important moment."

Chu Kien Quan stepped forward. In his hand he held a microphone. Next to it were a few people carrying cameras. I was stunned.

"Do you even invite reporters?" I asked Chu Minh.

"It was arranged by my parents. They said they had to record this moment."

Chu Minh replied in a low voice, his voice filled with pride. My heart suddenly sank. A bad premonition quietly rose. Zhou Jianjun cleared his throat.

"This amount of money, 4,200,000 yuan, my wife and I have discussed carefully."

"All our lives we have been just ordinary people, never making any great contributions to society."

"Now we want to do something truly meaningful."

His voice began to choke.

"Therefore, we decided to donate the entire 4,200,000 yuan of land compensation money to the Regional Poor Children Fund Western Mountain!"

The words just ended. The whole hall was silent for three seconds. Then, applause rang out like thunder. The reporters' flashes flashed continuously, all pointing towards my parents-in-law. Truong Thuy Phan very cooperatively pulled out a tissue to wipe the corners of her eyes, which didn't have any tears. Zhou Jianjun held up a sign symbolizing a huge donation in front of the camera. I can't hear anything anymore. There was only a ringing sound in my ears. In my sight, there was only Chu Kien Quan's red face with excitement. And the person standing next to him. Equally exciting. The person leading the crowd applauded. The smile on his face was so dazzling that it was unpleasant. It seemed he had forgotten about our dream of a one hundred and twenty square meter apartment. Forget that in the past three years, the couple has never traveled once to save money to buy a house. Forgot that last month I was still calculating where to save money for milk for my child. The applause lasted forever.

"Mr. Chu is truly a great person!"

"Sister-in-law, you are truly an example for us to follow!"

"Chu Minh, having parents like that is truly your blessing!"

The flattery kept coming like a tidal wave. Chu Minh straightened his back. From shaking one person's hand to another person's handshake. The mouth keeps saying:

"Should be done."

"Should be done."

He looks just like the person who donated that money. Just like the hero who just saved the world. The dishes were brought out one by one. But I couldn't swallow even a single mouthful. It felt like there was a cold rock in my stomach.

"Tran Nhien, why don't you eat?"

Truong Thuy Phan sat down next to me, her face still showing the aura of bestowing kindness.

"Are you too emotional?"

I looked at her.

"Mom, about this donation... Did Chu Minh know before?"

"Of course."

She replied as if it were obvious.

"It's such a big thing, how can you not tell him?"

"It's also especially supportive."

"So he..."

I asked softly.

"Have you ever told me?"

My voice is very light. The smile on Truong Thuy Phan's face immediately stiffened.

"Oh, don't you want to give me a surprise?"

"Look, what an honor it is!"

"Tomorrow our whole family will be on TV!"

It's terrifying. I looked towards Chu Minh. He is surrounded by relatives. People offering drinks. The person who congratulates. His face was full of satisfaction. He didn't even realize there was anything wrong with me. I also don't know how that meal ended. Come home. I didn't say a word. Chu Minh drank a lot of wine, his cheeks were red, still immersed in excitement. He took off his coat and smiled and said:

"Wife, do you see?"

"Everyone's eyes today..."

"It's all about admiration and admiration!"

"Your parents are great! It's truly great!"

"If this story spreads out, our Chu family in this area will be very proud!"

He spoke while gesticulating, not looking at me at all. I walked into the bedroom, opened the closet, and pulled out the suitcase.

"What are you doing?"

He finally noticed my actions.

"Pack your things."

"What's the point of packing up? Tomorrow reporters might even come to the house for an interview, don't make a mess of things."