Chapter 5 — After Being Kicked Out of the Retirement Party, I Went to Germany for 50 Days

Fifty days later. Beijing Capital International Airport. I pulled my suitcase and walked out of the international arrivals area. An Kha saw me off to the boarding gate. Before saying goodbye, she hugged me and then leaned close to my ear and said:

“Remember well.”

“You came back to fight.”

“Not for reconciliation.”

I nodded. Outside the exit, the crowd was crowded. With just a glance, I saw Phuong Vu Hang. He held his phone and stood in the middle of the crowd. His eyes were swollen and red like two walnuts. The chin is covered with dark green stubble. His whole body looked haggard as if he had aged ten years in the blink of an eye. I walked straight towards him. Just saw me. He was like a drowning man who suddenly grabbed a life-saving stake. Rushing crazy. One hand grabbed my arm tightly.

“I'm finally home!”

“I'm finally home!”

His voice was hoarse. Bringing heavy sobs. He squeezed so hard that it hurt. I frowned, intending to withdraw my hand.

“Mom is gone.”

Those three unexpected words made all my movements stop.

“Half a month ago.”

“She suddenly had a heart attack.”

“If you take it to the hospital... you can't save it anymore.”

I was stunned for three seconds. Tu Phuong Tien's harsh face appeared in his mind. A scene shows her banging her chopsticks on the table. A distorted, angry expression appeared on his face during the video call that day. I opened my mouth to say something. But in the end, only two words came out:

“My condolences.”

My calmness seemed to stimulate him. He squeezed my arm. Almost dragged me out.

“Go home quickly!”

“Quickly follow me home!”

“Something big happened!”

“Mother's will…”

“There's a problem with Mom's will!”

After getting in the car. It was like his strength was drained from him. Lean on the steering wheel. A few seconds later. He suddenly raised his head. Aggressively punched the steering wheel. Then burst into tears in despair.

“9,000,000 yuan!”

“Round 9,000,000 yuan!”

“All assets are in mother's name!”

“Houses, bank deposits, stocks...”

“It was all in her will that she left to Aunt Liu!”

I suddenly turned my head to look at him. I even suspected that I heard wrong.

“That maid?”

Phuong Vu Hang nodded vigorously. Tears and snot streamed all over my face.

“It's her!”

“The maid has only worked at your house for two years!”

“Why?”

“What does she rely on?”

He was crazy. Continuously banging on the steering wheel.

“In the will it is written that…”

He choked up. Sound stuck in throat.

“In the will it is written that…”

“The person who is most filial to her is Aunt Liu.”

“She also said…”

“She also said that we biological children…”

“Not as good as an outsider.”

I slowly leaned back in the chair. Turn your head to look out the window. The scene of Beijing recedes quickly behind. Flashing neon lights. Sketching prosperity. And also the coldness of this city. The corners of my lips curled up uncontrollably. A cold smile. Do you remember me now? Because the inheritance cannot be divided. So as soon as I returned home. Did he act out this act of father and son in front of me? Ridiculous to the extreme. The car stopped in front of the gate of the Phuong family's old house. This house located in the heart of the city was once the home I longed to have. But now look back. It's nothing more than a lipstick cage sumptuously decorated. Phuong Vu Tinh is sitting on the steps in front of the door smoking. Looks extremely bored. As soon as I saw it, I got out of the car. She immediately threw the cigarette in her hand to the ground. Eyes brightened. Then rushed straight towards me.

“You're finally back!”

“You have to help us!”

She grabbed my other arm. The attitude is so close that it makes me nauseous. I pushed her hand away. Then walk straight into the house. The living room is messy and chaotic. The table was filled with copies of wills, lawyer letters and a few red books. On the tea table. The black and white photo frame of Tu Phuong Tien's mother-in-law is tilted to one side. The eyes in the photo look straight at the door. It seems that he still carries the bitterness of his life. My father-in-law, Phuong Kien Quoc. The man who was always quiet. Currently sitting on the sofa absent-mindedly. He clasped the will in his hand. Lips kept trembling.

“Phuong Tien, she…”

“How can you do that…”

“How is it possible…”

I picked up a copy from the table. The content above is clearly printed in bold letters.