Chapter 3 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

The meeting point is located in a private club on the east side of the city. Pho Thinh Lan is two years older than Luc Can Nien. The facial features are much sharper and colder. High brow bones. Cheekbones are also high. Whenever I don't smile, my whole body is like a knife blade that hasn't yet been removed from its sheath.

"It's rare."

He raised his teacup, half smiling, half not.

"My sister-in-law took the initiative to make an appointment with me."

"Don't call me sister-in-law."

He raised his eyebrows. I took the Certificate of Single Status that the lawyer gave me, placed it on the table and pushed it in front of him. Pho Thinh Lan bent down and glanced over. His facial expression remained almost unchanged. Only the movement of putting down the tea cup is one beat slower. He smiled softly.

"I need your help with something."

"Do you have any weaknesses of Luc Can Nien in your hands?"

Pho Thinh Lan leaned back in her chair and looked at me for a long time.

"Phuong Niem Tri."

This was the first time he called me by name.

"What are you going to do?"

"I want to leave him."

"I will divorce."

"But I don't want to leave empty-handed."

"What he once gave me..."

"I don't need it."

"But what he owes me..."

"I will ask for each item back."

The corner of Pho Thinh Lan's lips slightly raised. Not sure if I find it funny... Or interesting.

"It's been seven years."

"I thought you would be fooled by him for the rest of your life."

I didn't reply. He looked at me a moment longer. Then suddenly leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"Phuong Niem Tri."

"The fortune my grandmother left behind..."

"How are you going to handle it?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

"Of course I do."

He laughed.

"If you want to fight Luc Can Nien, money alone is not enough."

"He has a relationship in his hand."

"There are resources."

"There's a network."

"You can't win against him alone."

"That's why I looked for you."

Pho Thinh Lan looked at me with interest.

"It's a transaction."

I corrected it.

"You help me."

"I'll give you what you want."

"What do I want?"

"Fifteen percent shares of Luc Thi Real Estate Group."

"Something I've always wanted for the past ten years."

Pho Thinh Lan's eyes lit up slightly. But quickly returned to calm.

"Contract established."

"But I have one condition."

He looked straight into my eyes.

"During this process..."

"Absolutely don't be soft-hearted."

"Luc Can Nien is best at making women reluctant to take action."

"If you regret it halfway..."

"Don't blame me for turning my face."

I stood up, grabbed my bag.

"That soft-hearted Phuong Niem Tri... died yesterday."

When I left the club, it was already dark. My phone has seven or eight text messages sent by Luc Can Nien. The next news is more urgent than the previous news.

"Wife, where are you?"

"Why didn't you reply to the message?"

"I'm home, where are you?"

"Phuong Niem Tri, call me back right away."

By the last message, the tone had completely changed. I can almost imagine the look on his face right now. His eyebrows were furrowed tightly, the bottom of his eyes was a controlling desire that he was trying to suppress. Three years ago, there was also a time when I "disappeared" for half a day, not responding to any messages. He locked me in the house for three days. At that time, I thought it was love. Now that I think about it... He was just afraid of me leaving. If I disappear, his play will no longer be able to continue. I called back. As soon as the bell rang, someone picked up.

"Phuong Niem Tri, where are you?!"

Tone he pressed very low, carrying pent-up anger.

"Go shopping."

"Forgot to bring my phone."

He was silent for two seconds.

"I never forget to bring my phone."

"Forgot today."

I replied very calmly.

"Have you eaten?"

The other end of the line was silent for a few more seconds. Then, he took a deep breath and his voice calmed down.

"Don't be gone too long."

"I'll wait for you to come home."

"The anniversary gift hasn't been given to me yet."

I hung up and called a car to go home. When he opened the door and entered, Luc Can Nien was standing in the mysterious entrance. The tall figure stood against the light, making it impossible for me to clearly see the expression on his face. As soon as I bent down to change my shoes, he stepped forward and pulled me firmly into his arms. The hand force is great.

"Don't be like that again."

His voice rang right above my head.

"You'll go crazy."

My face was pressed against his chest. I heard his heartbeat. Also very strong.

"Cen Nien."

"Happy wedding anniversary."

He let me go and looked down at me. Hands lifted my face.

"Nien Tri."

Every time he called my name, his voice was very light.

"The thing I fear most in this life..."

"It's that you're no longer by my side."

Those eyes were so sincere... I almost believed it. Almost.

"Where's the necklace?"

I asked smiling.

"Didn't you say you would wear it for me yourself?"

He also laughed. All the tension disappeared in the blink of an eye. He took out the velvet box from his pocket. Hand-tied the necklace around my neck. The cold diamond gently touched my collarbone. He said softly. Then bent down and gently kissed the corner of my lips. I don't shy away. Just let him kiss. This will be the last time... I let him touch me. The next three days, I still lived as if nothing had happened. Every morning I wake up and cook breakfast. Wait for him to come home from work. Smiling and accepting each gift he brought. He didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I act better than him. On the evening of the third day, lawyer Tran Tung called.

"Miss Phuong, the documents you need are available."

"Tong Dao owns an apartment bought by Luc Can Nien, located on Cam An Street, south of the city. Just one street from Cam An Obstetrics Hospital."

I leaned my back against the bathroom door, quietly listening to him continue.

"In addition, Tong Dao's mother stopped working at the Luc family five years ago."

"For the past five years, every month Luc Can Nien has transferred thirty thousand yuan to her account."

"Tong Dao also owns a mother and baby goods store."

"The legal representative is her, but the registered capital comes from a subsidiary of Luc Thi Group."

Not seven years. In other words... The first two years, he was still hesitant. It wasn't until the third year that we completely arranged things for Tong Dao and raised her outside.

"There's one more thing."

Tran Tung's voice lowered.

"Tong Dao is currently six months pregnant."

"The hospital for prenatal examination is Cam An Obstetrics Hospital."

"The doctor in charge is Luc Can Nien's college classmate."