Chapter 2 — After Divorce, I Take Everything Back

Liu Que Lan bent down to look. On the POS screen a line appears: Card has been reported lost. She froze for two seconds. Then immediately took out the phone and called me. Three bells. I picked up the phone.

"Lam Niem Senh, what are you doing? Why can't the card be used anymore?"

Over here, I'm on my way back to the motel room. Listen to her voice. Sharp, irritable. Still the same as the past eight years. I waited for her to finish speaking before speaking.

"Aunt Liu, that card is my salary card. I'm divorced, of course I have to get it back."

"What divorce? Who gave you a divorce?"

Luu Que Lan's voice was high-pitched. I can imagine her standing in the middle of the counter, the staff and customers around her all watching.

"This morning, Tran Hao and I went to the civil affairs department to complete the procedures."

My voice was very calm.

"I have already reported the loss of my card. The balance will be transferred to my new card. Over the past eight years, I have recorded every single expense from this card. As for the parts that are not my responsibility, I will recalculate them one by one."

“What… what do you mean?”

“It means from today onwards, my money, it's up to me to decide.”

I stopped for a moment.

"Ah yes, Aunt Luu, right now you are probably buying a bride price for Phuong Tinh Tinh, right? Swipe my card. I will also record this amount."

"Lam Niem Senh! You betrayed, right?"

“Why can't I protest?”

"The card is in my name, the money is earned by me. Who I spend it on, I don't spend it on anyone, it's not someone else's turn to decide."

On the other end of the line, Luu Que Lan gasped.

"You ungrateful thing! The Tran family raised you for eight years, are you now stubborn?"

“Raised me for eight years?”

I laughed. I also found that laugh to be cold and scary.

"Aunt Luu, for eight years... I've been raising the Tran family."

"Tran Vu's house deposit, his car, necklaces, makeup, travel for his girlfriend... all are my salary."

“If you don't believe me, I can print out the entire statement, item by item, and compare it with you.”

The other end of the line was silent.

"Is there anything else? If not, I'll hang up."

Luu Que Lan panicked.

"So... what about Tinh Tinh's three pieces of gold as a bride price? I already promised him!"

“That's aunt's business.”

I hung up. Tut tut tut tut. The busy tone sounds for three seconds. I stuffed the phone into my pocket. Hands don't shake. The heart is not chaotic. There was only one feeling— As if the thing that had been weighing on my shoulders for eight years… had been lifted in an instant. At the jewelry counter. Liu Que Lan tightened her grip on the phone, the expression on her face changing continuously. Red, white, then blue. Phuong Tinh Tinh understood everything. She took off the bracelet she was trying on, threw it back on the counter with a click.

"Auntie, it seems your family hasn't resolved the matter yet. Let's stop here for today. We'll move on when we're done."

Having finished speaking, he picked up his bag and left. Don't look back. The salesperson cautiously asked: "Auntie, this jewelry set... is it still available?" Luu Que Lan looked at the trio of sparkling gold dishes on the counter. Look again at the invalid card in your hand. Her legs were weak, she held onto the edge of the counter.

“No… no more.”

Almost… ran away from the store. Tran Hao received his mother's phone call while sitting numbly in the living room. On the tea table are divorce papers. Dark red cover. He had been looking at it all afternoon. The phone rang for a long time before he picked up.

“Tieu Hao— something big has happened!”

Luu Que Lan's voice was high-pitched and distorted.

“Lam Niem Senh reported missing card! Mom was buying three gold items for Tinh Tinh but the POS machine couldn't scan them! Tinh Tinh left on the spot!”

Tran Hao's head buzzed.

“The report is gone?”

"Today! It said that after the divorce, you have to get your card back! And he said he would settle accounts with mom!”

Liu Guilan's words were confusing.

“You quickly go find it! Get your card back! If Tinh Tinh leaves Tieu Vu because of this, then you'll be fine!"

Tran Hao hung up the phone. Sitting on the sofa, not moving for a long time. He remembered the morning at the civil affairs department. When I signed my name, my hand was very steady. The tip of the pen touched the paper without hesitation for a second. After signing, I pushed a divorce paper to him, kept one for myself, then stood up and left. Throughout the whole process, I didn't look at him once. That calmness... is not patience. But wholeheartedly. He picked up the phone and called me. The bell rang six times. No one listens. Still don't listen. Third time. Connect.

“What's the matter?”

My voice was light as if I was talking to a delivery staff.

“Nien Senh, mom said you reported your card lost?”

“Tran Hao, we are divorced. I handle my money myself. Is there a problem?

“But… Tinh Tinh's three golden items…”

“That's my brother's story. It has nothing to do with me.”

I cut him off.

“Tran Hao, it's been eight years. I raised his family for eight years. Enough."

“From today onwards, about the Tran family, don't look for me anymore.”

I hung up. Tran Hao held the phone, his palms wet with sweat. He suddenly stood up, rushed into the bedroom, and pulled open the wardrobe. My side only had a few old t-shirts left. Jackets, evening gowns... all disappeared. The dressing table is empty. The bookshelf is also empty. I really left. Not sulking. It's not about making fun of yourself. But... gone. Tran Hao sat down on the edge of the bed. For the first time, I felt that this 120 square meter house... was scary large. In the motel room, I was packing things. One bedroom and one living room. More than 40 square meters. Contract signed last week, rent 2,300 yuan a month. But clean. Sunlight shines from the balcony, spreading a warm golden layer on the floor. I didn't ask for that house from Tran Hao. The Tran family paid most of the deposit, and he shouldered the installment payments. I only take back what belongs to me. Clothing. Cosmetics. Papers. The notebook kept records for eight years. And… my money. Halfway through cleaning, the phone rang again. Caller: Tran Vu. I looked for two seconds. Don't listen. Then continue folding clothes. By the time we finished cleaning up, it was dark outside. I ordered a portion of food, sat on the living room floor, leaned my back against the wall, and ate each bite. WeChat flooded with dozens of messages. By Tran Hao. Liu Guilan. Tran Vu. Someone questioned. Someone cursed. There are people who "preach morality". Some people attack emotions. It's still the same sentences over and over again.

“Are you worthy of the Tran family?”

"You're married, why are you causing trouble now?"

“Did sister-in-law misunderstand? Mom still recorded that amount.”

I don't reply to any messages. Open the chat box of your close friend — Diep Tri Thu.

“Divorced.”

She answered immediately.

“Congratulations. Want to come out for a drink tonight?”

“Let's go tomorrow. I'm tired today.”

"Okay. Tell me if there's anything missing."

"YES. I have worked with the lawyer."

“So neat? Not like you at all.”

“I lasted eight years. Don't want to drag it out another second."

After sending, I put down the phone. Lean your head against the wall, look the room is empty. My heart is also empty. But that drum… is not a loss. It's a relief after letting go. I am like a donkey tied to a mill. Blindfolded, go around one circle after another. The ground powder… all goes into other people's mouths. Now the wire has broken. The blindfold has been removed. Legs are still tired. But I know... the way, I can choose it myself.