Chapter 1 — After Divorce, I Made Tra Nam Bankrupt

At my best friend's wedding party, right in front of everyone, my husband was pulled straight into the private room next door by his "white moon light". Surrounded by the meaningful teasing of relatives and friends, as if there was nothing inherently wrong with it. Half an hour later he came back. Seeing my cold face, he frowned uncomfortably, his voice full of frustration:

"Just kidding, why are you making such a funeral expression? Is it necessary to be so extreme?"

I didn't respond, just calmly held the glass of wine in front of me and splashed it straight into his face.

"Let's meet tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Department. My lawyer will contact you. Prepare to leave empty-handed."

Chu Ky's wedding party was held at the most luxurious hotel in the city, the crystal lights on the ceiling sparkled like the Milky Way, the guests were splendidly dressed, and there was bustling laughter. I sat at the main table, next to my husband, Co Trinh. Today he was dressed exceptionally well, with a tightly tailored dark gray suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and neat waist, causing quite a few young girls at the next table to sneak glances. However, he seemed distracted, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the door. I sighed softly in my heart, because I knew clearly who he was waiting for. Sure enough, a slender figure appeared at the door of the hall, Hua Vi had arrived. She wore a light blue two-strap long dress, her hair was lightly curled, and her makeup was delicate, looking like a dust-free lily. Co Trinh's eyes immediately lit up, a light that I had never seen in him during the three years of marriage. Hua Vi is the "white moon light" in his heart, a secret that everyone knows among their friends, and also a thorn in my heart that cannot be removed. She walked straight towards our table, while Co Trinh instinctively adjusted his tie and even tried to stand up. My hand under the table tightened. Hua Vi's eyes glanced at me as if I were just an invisible decoration, then looked at Co Trinh, smiling weakly and pitifully:

"Co Trinh, it seems I went to the wrong room. Can you come with me to look for it?"

Her voice is so soft that people can't refuse. The surroundings immediately quieted down, all eyes turned to us, carrying confusion, curiosity and even a bit of joy in watching the show. As for me, I became the most lost person in this farce. Co Trinh looked at me, his eyes were both pleading and a little impatient, as if he was saying that I should understand a little more. Before I could open my mouth, his best friend, Trieu Khai, loudly teased:

“Oh my god, sister-in-law, Vi Vi is just blind, let Co Trinh take her for a bit, you won't be jealous, will you?”

“That's right, that's right, we just met old friends!”

"Mr. Trinh, go quickly, don't let the beauty wait too long!"

The cheers continued one after another, each sentence was like a slap to my face. I looked at Co Trinh, but he had no intention of relieving me, and even felt that this was natural. Hua Vi weakly reached out and gently pulled his sleeve:

“Co Trinh…”

Co Trinh immediately stood up:

“It's okay, I'll take you there.”

He didn't even look at me again, just followed Hua Vi, leaving the hall in the eyes of everyone. Next room next door, in fact I knew very well, it was a private room that a group of their close friends had booked in advance, there was no one inside. Time passed bit by bit, the empty seat next to me felt like a giant mockery. The atmosphere at the main table gradually became awkward. Bride Chu Ky tried to comfort me several times, but was stopped by her husband's signals. I picked up my chopsticks, expressionless, and picked up a piece of food, but it didn't taste anything. Ten minutes, twenty minutes, then half an hour passed. Co Trinh finally turned around, his face was unnaturally red, his shirt collar was slightly open, and when he sat down he smelled of a woman's perfume that I was not familiar with. Seeing my cold face and not saying anything, he immediately frowned in discomfort, leaned closer, lowered his voice but was full of blame:

“Just kidding, what are you doing with that funeral expression?”

“In front of so many people, can't you give me some dignity?”

“Is that necessary?”

Those three words "do you need it?" were like a trigger, instantly igniting all the resentment and anger I had pent up for three years. I burst out laughing, laughing so hard that tears almost fell. I picked up the glass of wine in front of me, the dark red liquid glistening in the light. Co Trinh was still looking at me with an annoyed look:

"What are you laughing at? Are you crazy?"

I raised my hand and splashed the entire glass of red wine into his handsome face. The wine flowed down his hair, along his cheekbones, dripping down painfully, staining his white shirt collar red. The whole hall immediately buzzed, everyone was stunned. Co Trinh also stood dumbfounded, looking at me in disbelief, as if this was the first time he knew me. I stood up, looked down at him from above, my voice was not loud but clear enough for the whole table to hear:

“Let's meet tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

“My lawyer will contact you, prepare to leave empty-handed.”

Having finished speaking, I did not look at Co Trinh again, nor did I pay attention to the surprised inhales behind me. I picked up my bag, turned around and left. The sound of high heels tapping on the smooth marble floor echoed clearly, each step seemed to step on fragments of the three stupid years I had lived. From behind came the panicked calls of Trieu Khai and others:

"Mr. Trinh! Are you okay?"

"Sister-in-law! Tu Nhien! Stop!"

I don't turn around. Stepping out of the hotel, the night wind blew into my face, bringing a bit of cold, but I felt my mind had never been so alert and relieved. I hailed a taxi, read the address. The driver looked at me in the rearview mirror, perhaps intimidated by my cold expression, and didn't say a word the whole way. Returning to the house that I once considered my home, as soon as I walked in the door, I immediately started packing my things. My things are not many, a few regular clothes, some cosmetics, identification documents and a laptop. I don't touch anything of Co Trinh's things, including all the furniture and appliances in this house. All were purchased by him before marriage, in his name alone. I never thought I would take anything from him. Not before, not now. After packing a suitcase, I sat down on the sofa and waited quietly. I'm waiting for Co Trinh to return, because there are a few things, especially must speak clearly and directly. Sure enough, in less than half an hour, the sound of keys clashing was heard from the door. The door was pushed open with a "bang". Co Trinh brought the smell of alcohol and anger into the house. His hair was still wet, clearly just done in the hotel bathroom, but the wine stains on his tailored suit and white shirt were still stained, making him look extremely struggling.

“Tu Nhien!”

He screamed, the blue veins on his forehead clearly showing:

“Are you crazy today?”

I calmly looked at him:

“I'm very alert.”

"Conscious?" He laughed angrily. “You splashed wine in my face in front of so many people, and even asked for a divorce, do you call that sober?”

He quickly walked in front of me, one hand grabbed my wrist, the force was so strong that it seemed like he wanted to crush the bones:

"Just what are you causing trouble? Just because of Hua Vi?"

"There's nothing between me and her, we're just old friends meeting to talk for a bit. Do you need to make such a big deal of it?"

I jerked my hand away from him:

"Co Trinh, between us, it has never been just about Hua Vi."

“Then what for?” He stared at me. “You say it!”

"Because for the past three years, I've been at your house as a buffalo and a horse, and your mother always said I wasn't worthy of you."

"Because every time I get sick, you say I'm overdoing it and it only affects your work."

“Because you casually gave my design to your cousin, just to please her.”

“Because today, right in front of everyone, you threw my face to the ground and stomped on it.”

As I said each sentence, Co Trinh's face became more and more ugly. Towards the end, his eyes began to avoid, clearly no longer confident enough.

"Those... those things are all small things. As a husband and wife, how can we avoid collisions?"

“Yes, it's all small things.” I nodded. “So, I decided not to hold back anymore.”

I pointed towards the suitcase placed at the door:

"The divorce agreement, my lawyer will send it to your email tomorrow. If you read it, if there are any problems, sign it and we will quickly complete the procedure."