Chapter 8 — A Retreat Called Love

I didn't reply. Just quietly listening as he continued to act. Next to her, Lam Man moved her lips. Just say two words. I know well what kind of person he is. Chu Khai and Chu Nghi are originally of the same type. Someone who plays the evil role. A good role player. Just show me.

“I know you won't believe anything I say right now.”

“But please give me a little more time.”

“I will definitely collect enough money to pay you back.”

“You two have been husband and wife for many years.”

“It would be a pity to divorce just because of this.”

“My brother really has feelings for you.”

“It's just that he's too filial to his mother.”

A gentle word. I have washed away my responsibilities. At the same time, push everything to the so-called filial piety.

“Zhu Kai.”

Finally I spoke up. The voice was so calm that even I was surprised.

“I must take it back.”

“I also definitely have to divorce.”

“These two things are not contradictory.”

The other end of the line was silent. Maybe he didn't expect me to answer so bluntly.

“Sister-in-law…”

“What do you need to be so cruel?”

“My leg is still injured.”

“Divorced and then alone.”

“No matter how bad my brother is, he can still take care of you.”

“Maybe you should calm down first.”

"Wait until you're discharged from the hospital so everyone can sit down and talk properly."

“We are all one family.”

I laughed coldly.

“I don't dare accept it.”

“Your family, I can't reach it.”

“Zhu Kai.”

“I don't have time to listen to your nonsense.”

“If you really want to pay.”

“Then transfer the money to my account.”

“If you only intend to be a guest speaker for Chu Nghi.”

“Then there's no need to say more.”

I hung up the phone directly.

“The acting isn't bad either.”

Lam Man pouted.

“But unfortunately this whole house is rotten from the ground up.”

I put down the phone. But my heart still couldn't calm down. Chu Nghi and Chu Khai's reactions were all within my expectations. But the unusual silence of my mother-in-law, Ly Tu Lan, made me feel uneasy. Since leaving the hospital yesterday, she has not appeared at all. That's so unusual. With her personality, she should have been standing in front of the hospital room door right now, crying and cursing, scolding me for being an ungrateful daughter-in-law. But she remained silent. A feeling of insecurity gradually appeared in my heart. Something's not right.

“Man Man, do me a favor.”

I turned to talk to Lam Man.

“You go home and help me get the jewelry box in the bottom drawer of the bedside table.”

Lam Man was stunned.

“Why take the jewelry box?”

“That's the dowry my mother left me.”

“In there is also my grandmother's bracelet.”

“They are all very valuable items.”

I gently tightened my fingers.

“Now I don't trust them anymore.”

“I'm afraid they will touch my things.”

That's only part of the reason. More importantly, inside that box there is a secret compartment. In the secret compartment are all my important papers. Along with a bank card. There are thirty thousand yuan in the card. It's money I've been quietly saving for many years. It's the last retreat that I keep for myself. Lam Man nodded.

“Okay, I'll go now.”

“Remember to be careful at the hospital.”

“If anything happens, call me immediately.”

After she left. I was the only one left in the hospital room. I lie down quiet in bed. For the first time, I clearly felt fear. Not because of Chu Nghi's threatening words. But because I cannot guess where the limits of cruelty in that family lie. I don't know how to keep the house. So as not to have to pay back the other five hundred thousand yuan. How crazy things can they do? About an hour later. The phone suddenly rang. It's a strange phone number. I hesitated for a few seconds then pressed to listen.

“Hello, is it To Tinh?”

The voice of an old and weak woman was heard on the other end of the line. It's Ly Tu Lan. My mother-in-law. Completely different from yesterday's sour tone. Now she sounded like someone who was dying. So weak that even a gust of wind can blow it away.

“I... I'm at Central Hospital... Cardiology department... room 302...”

“Can...can you come see me once?”

“I... I can't stand it anymore...”

My heart sank slightly. Misery and humiliation. Really fast.

“I broke my leg.”

“I can't go.”

I replied in a cold voice.

“Please... Tinh Tinh...”

She began to choke.

“I know I was wrong.”

“It's all my fault.”

“I was blinded by the devil.”

“I'm sorry to you.”

“You just came to see me once.”

"Consider it... consider it as a face to Chu Nghi's father... okay?"

“I... before I die... there's something I want to tell you..."

“Regarding those five hundred thousand yuan…”

"There's also... there's also the matter of Chu Nghi's father's death..."

I immediately tightened my grip on the phone. Whole body tense. That last sentence is like a hook. Tugging at my every thought. Father-in-law's death? He died in a traffic accident many years ago. The person who caused the accident fled. Until now I still haven't found it. Is there anything wrong with that? Reason kept warning me. This is the trap. A trap has been prepared. Perhaps she and Chu Nghi had discussed it before.