Chapter 1 — After Divorce, I Take Everything Back

The phone vibrates slightly. I bent down to look at the screen. Industrial and Commercial Bank — Your savings card extension 3867 has spent 8,600.00 yuan (about 30.1 million VND) on December 17, the remaining balance is 327.41 yuan (about 1.14 million VND). I stared at that number, my thumb clenching the screen, my nails turning white. This card is in my name. Password set by me. But it's been eight years... it's not in my hands. Eight years ago, I married Tran Hao. On the third day after the wedding, my mother-in-law - Luu Que Lan - smiled gently and called me in to talk.

"Lam Niem Senh, we young people don't know how to spend, we spend money heavily, without a plan. Give me your salary card to keep, I'll help you manage it. Every month I give you 3,000 yuan (about 10.5 million VND) for living expenses, that's enough, right?"

I looked at Tran Hao. He nodded at me.

“Don't worry, Mom keeping the money for us is better than saving it yourself.”

I said nothing. Just quietly gave her the card. At that time, I thought... wait a while, when she sees that we are "stable", she will automatically return it. Once taken away - eight years. During those eight years, it's not like I never asked. Every time she opened her mouth, Luu Que Lan had a ton of reasons to stop her.

"What's wrong? Not enough money? Mom, can you give me an extra 300 yuan (about 1.05 million VND)?"

"You don't believe me? Can I swallow your money?"

"You see how hard it is for your younger brother - Tieu Vu - to go to work. As an older brother and sister, if you don't help him, who will help him?"

Every sentence, every word. Sounds reasonable. But it's like a soft string — tightening me little by little, suffocating me. The money is mine. But for the past eight years, I've lived like a person... begging for money myself. Isn't it funny? What's even funnier is— Today, I'm getting divorced. And they… are still spending my money. Tran Vu is Tran Hao's younger brother. Six years younger. After graduating from college, he couldn't find a decent job and stayed home for three years. Then I worked as a real estate broker, working three days and two days off, with unstable income. Liu Que Lan loves this youngest child the most. Most of my salary ends up going into Tran Vu's pocket. Initially it was "borrowed".

"Tieu Vu took the certification exam, still missing 4,000 yuan in registration fee."

“Tieu Vu wants to change his laptop to work, he still owes 6,000 yuan.”

"My colleague Tieu Vu got married and had to celebrate money. Now I'm stuck, so I borrowed 2,000 yuan in advance."

Borrowed... never paid back. Later, I was too lazy to even say the word "borrow" and took it directly.

"Tieu Vu has a girlfriend. If you go on a date, why would you split the money? As your sister-in-law, don't you support me a little?"

“For Tieu Vu's girlfriend's birthday, I transferred 2,500 yuan to her to buy a necklace.”

"Tieu Vu is planning to buy a car. Isn't it too much for you to contribute 120,000 yuan as a deposit?"

I once quarreled with Tran Hao. He only has one sentence every time—

"He only has one younger brother. If I don't help, who will?"

“If you want to help, use your own money to help, don't use my money.”

"Is it your money or mine? What's the point of separating it? We're all part of the same family."

One family. I heard these three words for eight years. It sounded so... cold to the bone. But what makes me most unbearable is what happened four years ago. That day I worked overtime until 11pm. When I got home, I didn't see Tran Hao. Call, turn off the phone. I waited until one o'clock in the morning for him to return. The person reeked of alcohol.

“You go where?"

“Eating and drinking with Tieu Vu and his friends.”

Tran Hao collapsed onto the sofa, his eyes closed.

"Tieu Vu... Tieu Vu is about to buy a house..."

My heart sank.

“Buy a house? Where does it get the money?”

“Mom… I gave…”

Having finished speaking, he fell asleep. I stood in the living room, looking at the man snoring like thunder. From head to toe... cold. The next morning, I went to the bank to print a statement. On my salary card, every month as soon as I receive my salary, there is a fixed transfer amount - transferred to Luu Que Lan's account. Then from her account, transfer back to me 3,000 yuan in living expenses. The remaining... each account, one by one, flows to Tran Vu. The most recent account was last week. 250,000 yuan. I stared at that number. My hand clenched the statement, shaking non-stop. When I got home, I threw the statement straight on the coffee table.

“What is this?”

Tran Hao picked it up and looked at it for a while, his face gradually changed.

"Mom said... Tieu Vu is getting married, the bride's family has conditions, they must have a house..."

“So take my money and buy a house for him?”

“It's not taken… it's… borrowed…”

“Borrow?” I looked straight into his eyes. “Tran Hao, look into my eyes and say — will you pay this money?”

He was silent.

"Nien Senh, don't be like that... Tieu Vu is my younger brother..."

“What about me?”

My voice rose.

“I am your wife!”

Speaking of this, tears could no longer be held back. Tran Hao stepped forward and tried to pull me away, but I pushed him away.

“This life, I don't want to continue anymore.”

That day, I proposed a divorce. Tran Hao panicked. Kneel down and promise, say you will definitely change, and definitely ask for your money back. Liu Que Lan also ran over. As soon as I walked in the door I cried.

“Nien Senh, mom was wrong. Mom only loves Tieu Vu and wants to help her first. I guarantee this money will definitely be paid!”

I looked at the mother and daughter. One person knelt, one person wiped away tears. I'm soft-hearted. No divorce. After that, Tran Hao actually asked for his salary card back from Luu Que Lan. But… just took his card back. She didn't pay my card.

“Let me keep Niem Senh's card first. There's a lot of expenses at home, so mom has to agree on arrangements."

I don't argue anymore. Not for forgiveness. But... tired. Time returns to the present. The bus stops at the station. I squeezed down and onto the sidewalk. The phone vibrated again. This time it's not a bank message. Which is a strange number.

“Miss Lam, the matter you entrusted has begun to be processed. Relevant documents will be sent within three working days. If you have any questions, please contact us at any time. Lawyer Chu.”

After reading it, I deleted the message. Then save the number to your contacts. Note: Attorney Chu. Having finished everything, I stood on the side of the road and took a deep breath. The winter wind was cold, hitting my face like a knife. I narrowed my eyes and raised my hand to block it. Then walk away. Each step is very steady. As if wanting to personally correct the path that has gone astray for the past eight years. On the second floor of the shopping center, in front of the jewelry counter, Luu Que Lan was smiling from ear to ear. Next to her is a girl. The face is also pretty, just the chin is raised arrogantly. Phuong Tinh Tinh. Tran Vu's girlfriend.

“Auntie, isn't this necklace a bit too simple?”

Phuong Tinh Tinh pointed to a gold necklace in a glass case, her voice both coy and picky.

“Simple? I think it's also delicate."

Luu Que Lan stopped by to look at the price list. 22 grams. According to the current gold price, it must be more than 13,000 yuan.

“Good is to see the one next to it?”

The salesperson was very observant and immediately took out another thread.

“This model is dense, 36 grams, wearing it will feel more sturdy in your hand.”

Phuong Tinh Tinh received it and held it in front of her neck.

“This is beautiful.”

Liu Guilan glanced at the price. 21,000 yuan. The smile stopped for a moment. But still nodded.

“It's okay to be beautiful, it's okay to be beautiful.”

“Then take this.” Phuong Tinh Tinh returned the necklace. “And the bracelet and earrings, auntie said to buy the whole set.”

“Yes, yes, everything.”

Luu Que Lan took the card out of her pocket and gave it to the employee.

“Swipe the card.”

The employee receives it and swipes it on the POS machine. Then raise your head.

“Auntie, this card… transaction failed.”

"Unsuccessful? How is that possible?