Chapter 8 — 4,200,000 Yuan in Exchange for a Divorce

I finally understand. Why doesn't Chu Minh continue to harass me? Because he found a better way. A way to get money. Could just nail me to the pole of shame.

"Nran Nhien."

"Don't be angry."

Lam Lam gently comforted.

"Actually, many people in my hometown also find this not okay."

"When we raise money, we are incredibly generous."

"When it's my turn to sell carpets."

"It's really unsightly."

I slowly let out a breath. I'm not angry anymore. Just disgusting. It's the kind of disgust that comes from the bottom of my heart. Even makes people nauseous.

"Thank you for telling me."

"What politeness."

After hanging up. I sat quietly on the sofa for a long time. Outside the window. Shanghai night is still bright with lights. Prosperous and bustling. Still in my heart. Strangely calm again. I feel lucky. Extremely lucky. Lucky because a year ago. I struggled to escape that rotten mud. Just take it one step slower. Maybe I will be pulled down by them too. Rotten with them. I took out my phone. Remove Chu Minh from the block list. Then send him one last text.

"Chu Minh."

"Congratulations to your family."

"Famous again."

"At first I thought."

"When divorced."

"Because of old friendship."

"I only took the deposit for the old house that belonged to me."

"The same portion of the loan that the two of us paid together."

"That's enough."

"But now..."

"I changed my mind."

"Isn't your family very fond of calculations?"

"Do you really like talking about logic?"

"Then we go to court."

"Account by account."

"Calculate clearly."

"How much did I pay for the pre-marital deposit?"

"How much loan should we pay after marriage?"

"Every banking transaction."

"I keep them all full."

"The things you do defame my reputation in my hometown."

"The times of harassment and slander against me in Shanghai."

"I also saved all the evidence."

"We'll meet in court."

Finished sending the message. I added him to the block list again. Then delete the contact as well. Is permanent. The entanglement between me and that family... It's time to end. The rest. Just leave it to the law to handle. The divorce petition along with all my evidence was submitted to the court on my behalf by a lawyer. I'm not going back to my hometown. I ask for trial in Shanghai. Because Chu Minh has harassed me many times, seriously affecting my life and work here. Fully qualified to apply other local jurisdiction. The court summons was sent to the Chu family faster than I thought. I can almost imagine that scene. When the Chu family saw the envelope bearing the bright red national emblem. How unique their faces will be. Maybe they still think I'm just sulking. Still think that when a woman leaves her family and her husband, she has nothing left. You can only let them manipulate you. This time they miscalculated. The first person to call me was Chu Tu Le. No more harsh, sour lemon voice from before. Instead, there is careful scrutiny.

"Tran Nhien..."

"Why do you do that?"

"Is there something wrong with a family that can't sit down and talk properly?"

"Are we sure we have to take each other to court?"

"If this gets out..."

"I lost face."

After listening, I just found it funny.

"Who brought you here before? crying and rioting in front of your house?"

"Let the whole neighborhood come out to watch the excitement?"

"Who comes to your company?"

"Point it straight in my face and curse."

"Hate to let the whole world know about the Chu family?"

"Then why weren't you afraid of losing face?"

Chu Tu Le immediately choked. Can't even say a single word. After a while, he muttered:

"Is... isn't that because of your brother's illness..."

"So that means you guys are in a hurry?"

"Is it reasonable to have the right to hurt others?"

I asked back.

"And I now use the law to protect my rights..."

"Lost face again?"

"Is that the logic of your Zhou family?"

"If you're calling just to advise me to withdraw my application."

"Then there's no need to say more."

"Court meeting."

I hung up the phone directly. Not long after. Chu Minh called. His voice sounded extremely tired. It's like I've aged ten years.

"Tran Nhien."

"Do I have to be that cruel?"

"Between us..."

"Is there really no more love left?"

Love? I laughed.

"Chu Minh."

"When you guys took advantage of the media to sell carpets."

"Taking advantage of public opinion to make donations."

"Turn me into a cruel, cold-blooded woman."

"Have you ever thought about gratitude?"

"When I took my aunt with me to Shanghai."

"Stand under my company and create chaos."

"Wanted to destroy my work."

"Have you ever thought about gratitude?"

"A year ago."

"When your whole family hid it from me."

"Exchange our future for the name of a great good man."

"Have you ever thought about gratitude?"

The other end of the line was silent again. Every time. Every time I'm asked, it hurts. He chose to stay silent. Because he knows. I have nothing to refute.