Chapter 8 — After Divorce, I Take Everything Back

“Mom, I'm telling the truth.”

Tran Hao's voice lowered.

"Going to court, the judge will not listen to my mother's 'one family' arguments. They will only look at the evidence. And the evidence is all in Niem Senh's hands."

"If you lose the lawsuit, the enforcement is enforced, the house is still lost. At that time, you also have to pay court fees and enforcement fees."

“It's better to take the initiative to sell the house, pay the money....”

“You… you're on his side?”

Liu Guilan looked up. His eyes were filled with pain, anger, and incomprehension.

"Mom, I'm not on anyone's side. I just don't want this to continue to rot any further."

Tran Hao stood up.

"House matters, let me tell Tieu Vu."

He knocked on the door. It was dark inside, Tran Vu huddled on the bed scrolling through his phone.

“Had to sell the house.”

“I said no—”

“It's not negotiating.”

Tran Hao's voice was flat.

"You think for yourself. The deposit for that apartment is 420,000, of which 320,000 is Niem Senh's money. You don't pay much in installments, most of it is taken from Niem Senh's card by my mother."

"Now people are suing. The court will look at the evidence and decide. Do you think you can keep that house?"

Tran Vu fell silent.

"If you actively sell, you can still get the market price. To enforce, auction from 80%. Choose for yourself."

"I don't care what you do. But mom can't be on the discredited list. That's the limit."

Having finished speaking, Tran Hao turned away. Tran Vu sat in the dark for a long time. Pick up the phone and call Phuong Tinh Tinh again. Subscriber turns off the phone. He threw the phone on the pillow. Seeing for the first time— Everything… slipped out of my hands. The project kick-off session at the new company went very smoothly. Trieu Thanh — side A — coordinated extremely well throughout my presentation. After the meeting, not many people stayed. I was arranging the minutes when he walked over.

“General Manager Lam.”

“Mr. Trieu.”

"The plan is very solid. I have worked with many project managers, but not many of your type."

He said two words.

"Clear logic, clear presentation, clear boundaries. No ambiguity, no pushing, no beating around the bush."

I closed the book.

"Thank you."

"Be polite. Next meeting next Wednesday, we will discuss further at that time."

He left. I watched for a second, then went back to work. Thirty-five, thirty-six years old. Light gray vest, no tie. Speak briefly and to the point. Two weeks later, my life entered a completely new rhythm. Weekdays put effort into the project. Meet lawyer Chu at the end of the week to update the progress of the lawsuit. Sometimes I eat with Tri Thu. Occasionally go for a walk, buy what you like, eat at the restaurant you want. No need to ask anyone's permission. No need to be wary of anyone. Every penny spent... is refreshing. That afternoon, I was cooking dinner in my motel room. The phone rang. I stopped for two seconds, then listened.

“There is something to be said frankly.”

“Nien Senh, about payment… I want to meet in person.”

"Okay. Lawyer Chu will be present."

"...Okay. Is tomorrow afternoon okay?"

I hung up. Scoop tomato egg noodles into a bowl. Sitting alone at the dining table. The room is quiet. No one snores next to you. No one gossips in the family group. The noodles are still hot. I blew twice, eating slowly. First time seeing— Eating alone… is fine. The next afternoon. At lawyer Chu's office. When I arrived, Tran Hao was there. Across the table. There was only him. There is no Liu Guilan. There is no Tran Vu.

“Only you?” I asked.

“I came to talk.”

He looked at me. Skinnier than last time. Chin sunken and stubbled. Lawyer Chu opened the document.

“Mr. Tran, Phuong Your sentence?”

Tran Hao took a stack of papers and pushed it over.

“Tieu Vu's house, I convinced it to sell. Market price is about 850,000. Minus the remaining loan of 300,000, about 550,000.”

He stopped for a beat.

“550,000 upfront. The remaining 165,300 I pay in installments. 3,000 per month, for five years.”

Lawyer Chu looked over, then looked at me.

“Miss Lam, what is your opinion?”

I looked at the plan.

“How long will it take to sell?”

“It's been listed for sale. If the broker says it quickly, it will take a month.”

“Instalments, how guaranteed?”

“Sign commitment, notarize.”

I was silent for a few seconds.

“Five years is too long. Three years. 5,000 per month.”

Tran Hao's face tightened.

“5,000… is a bit heavy.”

“That's your job.”

I don't give in.

“Your salary is 9,000. If you sell the house and switch to renting it, you no longer have to pay the installments. 5,000 per month, I can handle it.”

Tran Hao did not speak. He knew I was right. Finally he nodded. Lawyer Chu wrote down the terms.