Chapter 4 — A Retreat Called Love

"At that time, my parents transferred money directly from the bank to Chu Nghi. The statement can be looked up."

Chu Nghi's face turned pale. Perhaps he didn't expect that I would find a lawyer so quickly and directly bring out the most core issue. He and his mother looked at each other. A flash of panic appeared in his eyes.

“Even... even if we find out!”

Chu Nghi, strong on the outside, weak on the inside shouted:

"The money was given to my mother, the house belongs to my mother! It has nothing to do with you, To Tinh! Do you want to divide the house? Dream on!"

“I don't need the house.”

I looked at him and said every word clearly:

"I only need my five hundred thousand. Both principal and interest, return it to me."

“You're dreaming!”

Chu Nghi almost screamed.

“Okay, then see you in court.”

I closed my eyes and didn't look at him anymore.

"Lawyer Truong, please excuse me. Lam Man, help me see my guests off. I'm tired and want to rest."

This is an eviction order.

"Did you hear that? Get out!"

Lam Man took a step forward, like a god holding the door in front of my bed.

"Don't stand here and be an eyesore! If you don't get out, I'm really calling the police and accusing you of harassing patients!"

Chu Nghi still wanted to say something. But looking at the cold faces of Lam Man and lawyer Truong, in the end he still did not dare to continue causing trouble. He glared at me fiercely. That look seemed to say: "Just wait there." After that, he dragged his mother who was still unwilling to curse, slammed the door and left. The hospital room was finally quiet. I let out a long breath, feeling like all the strength in my body was drained.

“Love Love…”

Lam Man sat down next to the bed, held my hand, tears falling.

“Why are you so stupid?”

I shook my head, forcing out a smile that was more unsightly than crying.

“Not stupid anymore.”

After breaking a leg, I finally regained my sanity. At this moment, my phone rang. It's a message from Chu Nghi. Just one sentence. But it was enough to make my blood run cold little by little.

"To Tinh, I advise you not to push things to the end. Do you really think that five hundred thousand is used to buy a house?"

That text message was like a poisonous snake slithering into my heart.

“Do you really think that five hundred thousand was used to buy a house?”

That sentence kept echoing in my head. Repeatedly. Every word seemed to laugh at me. Lam Man also saw the message content. She grabbed the phone, so angry that her whole body was shaking.

“What is this bastard referring to?”

“If you can't use the money to buy a house, where else can you go?”

Lawyer Truong gently pushed his glasses. His expression remained calm as usual. But his eyes were much sharper than before.

“Miss To, please try to remember carefully.”

“After your parents transferred money that year, until the two of you signed the house purchase contract, how long was the time in between?”

“Did anything special happen during that time?”

I tried to search for memories amidst the chaos of thoughts. At that time, I was immersed in the joy of having my own home. Chu Nghi and his mother treated me extremely kindly. Every day, draw a vision of the future with me. Those memories are covered with the sweet nectar of happiness. To the point where I could no longer clearly see what was hidden underneath.

“Probably... about a month.”

I replied, not too much sure.

“During that time, Chu Nghi was very busy.”

"He often said that his cousin Chu Khai had a big project and needed his support."

“Chu Khai?”

Lam Man immediately frowned.

“Is he the guy who is only good at bragging, fails at everything he does, and was previously in debt due to gambling?”

I nodded. Chu Khai is the niece of her mother-in-law's family. Since childhood, he has been very close to Chu Nghi. But I have never had sympathy for this person. He always had a feeling of cunning and untrustworthiness.

“He said he was going to help.”

“But I never said what to help.”

“Every time I asked, he told me that women should not interfere in men's matters.”

“And then you say you're trying for our future.”

I laughed. A bitter smile.

“At that time, I thought he really had the will to progress.”

Now think again. The statement “for our future” is like a giant joke.

“Lawyer Truong, what does this say?”

Lam Man asked impatiently.

“There is a possibility.”

Lawyer Truong gently tapped his fingertips on his knee. Every beat is very slow.

“And that's an extremely bad possibility.”

“Chu Nghi may have freely used the other five hundred thousand without telling her.”

“For example, invest in your cousin's project.”

My heart sank straight to the bottom of the abyss.

“What about the house?”

I heard my voice hoarse.

“How is a house bought?”

“We don't have that much money.”

“That is the most important issue.”

Lawyer Truong looked at me.

“Now we have to investigate in two directions.”

“First, trace the cash flow of the five hundred thousand yuan your parents transferred that year and see where it ended up.”

“Second, verify the source of money used to pay for the house.”

“See who actually pays the investor.”

“The first can be done through bank statements.”

“And the second thing will require some other measures.”

Right at that moment. My phone suddenly rang. It's Chu Nghi. Look at the words "Husband" appearing on the screen. My stomach immediately cramped. Lam Man was about to hang up the phone. But I raised my hand to stop it. Take a deep breath. I looked at lawyer Truong. Then click listen and turn on the speakerphone.

“Love Love…”

Chu Nghi's voice rang out from the other end of the line. Unusually gentle. So gentle that it gives me goosebumps.

“Wife, are you still angry?”

“I'm sorry.”

“I'm too excited today, I shouldn't have raised my voice at you.”