Chapter 8 — A Diary, A Fallen City

"As for the 'people' you mentioned," I paused for a moment, "if they want to find... they should find me first."

“Anyway, for the past five years, the person who has been quietly investigating this matter… is you.”

Chu Minh Khai's laughter immediately died down. The smugness on his face froze.

“What… what do you mean?”

“I mean,” I walked in front of him, holding the signed divorce agreement, “legally, we are no longer in a relationship.”

“You and your family's problems… handle them yourself.”

"As for the 'bomb' you said," I looked straight at him, my voice calm, "whoever lights the fuse... lets it explode on that person."

I stopped looking at him and turned to Trieu Xuan Mai and Chu Hieu Hieu.

"You can go away now. Remember what I said, don't show up at my door again in the future."

Having finished speaking, I opened the door, leaned over, and signaled with my hand. Trieu Xuan Mai seemed to have just woken up from a dream, looking at her son who was absent-minded, then looked at me with cold eyes, and finally pulled Chu Hieu Hieu away in a staggered state. Chu Minh Khai still stood frozen in place. It seemed he still couldn't digest what I just said. I just said one word. He trembled, looked at me one last time, his eyes were extremely complicated, filled with both hatred and regret, but more of a fear of being pulled down the cliff. Finally, he staggered out. I closed the door and locked the latch. The whole world... immediately fell silent. I leaned my back against the door, my body slowly sliding down. Only then did I realize how cold my back had been. Chu Minh Khai's words... were like a curse, repeating over and over in my head. Books... big characters... pursuit... I always thought, I'm just an ordinary person, with bad luck, I lost my parents early. Never thought that behind my identity... there was such a fierce underground wave hidden. With shaking hands, I took out my phone and called lawyer Phuong.

“Lawyer Phuong, it's me.”

"I want to ask you to re-investigate my parents' car accident that year. All the records, all the details... I want to know."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"Miss Hua, are you sure? That case has been over for more than ten years, if re-investigated it would be very difficult, moreover..."

“I'm sure.” I interrupted him, my voice not allowing for hesitation. “Cost is not an issue.”

Hanging up the phone, I sat down on the cold floor, an unprecedented feeling of confusion and fear rising in my heart. What Chu Minh Khai said... is it true? If it's not a lie, then the so-called "heritage"... is it really hush money? As for the "book"... where is it? I try to remember everything related to my parents. They are so normal, so gentle. Dad worked as an accountant in a factory, mother was a salesperson in a shopping center. Their life is simple and peaceful. How can you be involved with "big people" ... in "undercover transactions"? Just when my mind was confused, my phone vibrated again. Show… call from abroad. My heart beat loudly. A feeling of insecurity slowly spread. I hesitated for a long time... finally pressed listen. On the other end of the line... there was no voice. There was only the sound of very light breathing, mixed with electronic noise.

"Hello?" I tried asking.

No response. Just as I was about to hang up, a processed voice rang out from the receiver, indistinguishable from male or female.

“Miss Hua Tinh… the game, begins Already."

“Two million… is just an appetizer.”

“We… are more interested in your father's 'diary'.”