Chapter 9 — After Divorce, I Take Everything Back

"Agree: make an agreement, notarize. If more than 30 days late in any period, the entire remaining amount is due immediately."

Tran Hao nodded. After signing, he stood up and hesitated a bit.

“Nien Senh.”

“New job… okay?”

He turned away. At the door, stop for a second. Don't turn around. The door closes. Lawyer Chu began to collect documents.

“He also knows how to reason better than his mother.”

“It's not reasonable.”

"It's fear. Fear of going to court, losing more than just money."

Lawyer Chu looked at me but did not say more. I stood up, picked up my bag.

"Let me know when you're done with the agreement. I'll come over and sign it."

Stepping out of the building, it was already dark. On the side of the road there is a cart selling baked potatoes. I bought one tuber. Standing under the light, eating each bite. Phone vibrates. Trieu Thanh texted.

"General Manager Lam, Wednesday's meeting was moved to Thursday. Party A changed the schedule unexpectedly. Is it convenient?"

“Let's meet that day then.”

I ate potatoes and looked at the chat. Clear boundaries. Not a single sentence is left over. I suddenly realized— This is how normal people communicate with each other. It's not like the Tran family, who always uses the three words "one family" to erase all boundaries. Eat all the potatoes. I wiped my hands and continued walking. A month later, things progressed faster than I thought. Tran Vu's house was on sale for 23 days before someone paid 820,000. Luu Que Lan regretted calling Tran Hao three times crying. But in the end, I still signed. Because she knows, if she doesn't sign then wait for enforcement... she can't even keep that level. The money in the account, minus the remaining loan, is more than 510,000. Tran Hao sent it directly to me. 513,200 yuan. The day the money came in, I looked at the bank notice. There are no special feelings. Not excited. Don't vent your anger. Not sad. There was just one feeling— It was supposed to be that way. This money… should have been here. Should have been here eight years ago. The remaining amount is more than 200,000, according to the agreement Tran Hao pays in three years. 5,000 per month. Notarized signed contract. At this step, legally... it's considered a temporary breather. But I'm not free. Because of work, there are bigger things. Trieu Thanh's project, side A has finalized the plan. Contract signed. Value 12,000,000. I, as project director, get 3%. 360,000 yuan. Biggest revenue since I joined the new company. The day the contract was signed, boss Tham called me into his room to talk for ten minutes.

"Nien Senh, you're holding on to this project very firmly. Next quarter, I'll consider making you a deputy general manager. Get ready."

I nodded.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You deserve it."

Leaving the room, I stood in the hallway. Sunlight poured in from the windows. I squeezed my hand gently. It's been eight years. Finally standing in a position— I found it myself, clean. That night, Trieu Thanh invited the team to celebrate. There weren't many people, three on A's side, four on my side. Comfortable meal. Trieu Thanh sat next to me and said a few words outside of work.

“Where did Mr. Lam work before?”

“A small company. Six years.”

"Six years? With your ability, you should have left sooner."

I picked up the food.

“There are some things… keep.”

He didn't ask further. Just look at me. No probing. No judgment. Just look. Then raise your glass.

"Whatever it was like before. Now, it's taking off."

I clink my glass.

“I hope so.”

After the party, we went down to the parking lot.

"How did you get home? Call a car?"

“By the way, I'll give you a ride.”

“No need, I'll call a faster car.”

"Okay. Be careful."

He didn't try to force it. Go up car, even sticking his head out and saying:

"General Manager Lam. Happy cooperation."

“Happy cooperation.”

The car drives away. I stood there, calling a car. Suddenly burst out laughing. Without me saying anything, they already knew how to take a step back. I spoke hoarsely, but they still pretended to be deaf. The difference... lies there. On the day of court, I wore a dark blue evening gown worth 4,200 yuan. The courtroom is not large. There were a few scattered seats in the audience. Attorney Chu and I sat on the plaintiff's side. Opposite is Liu Que Lan. Tran Hao is not the defendant, sitting below. Tran Vu did not come. The judge is female, over forty, with a serious face.

"The case of dispute of interest between plaintiff Lam Niem Senh and defendant Luu Que Lan. Now the trial opens."

Lawyer Chu presented. Submit evidence: statements, notebooks, messages, audio recordings. The judge looks at each part. It's time to confront. Luu Que Lan's side also has a lawyer. Young, seems a bit stressed.

"The defendant believes that, during the marriage, the plaintiff voluntarily handed over her salary card to Ms. Luu to manage, so all expenses incurred should be considered common family expenses."

Lawyer Chu stood up.