Chapter 2 — After I Escaped the Trap of 4.8 Million Yuan

In the blink of an eye, the world was completely quiet. I threw the phone on the sofa. Then take a shower. When I walked out, the screen showed seven or eight missed calls. My uncle's. From my aunt. By Chu Hao. I didn't call anyone back. I poured myself a glass of red wine and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass door. Look at the bright traffic below. My heart felt strangely calm. Even a little relieved. For many years, I have risked my life to work, carefully maintaining the so-called relationship. Lucky money on holidays. Gifts for both old and young. Never missing anyone. I thought that would change some sincerity. As a result, before 4,800,000 yuan... So fragile that he couldn't withstand a single blow. This kind of love, it's okay if you don't need it anymore. The red liquid in the wine glass shook slightly. The phone screen lit up again. This time it's a strange number. I hesitated for a few seconds then picked up the phone.

“I… it's you, Chu Dong.”

She is the daughter of her third uncle's family, still in college, and normally rarely participates in family matters. Her voice was very small, like she was hiding somewhere to call.

“Are… are you okay?”

“I'm okay.” I replied.

"Don't blame uncle, he's just angry." The girl hesitated for a few seconds then continued: "Just now... he got angry again in the group."

“He said…”

“Says they've found a new guarantor.”

“It's all resolved.”

Listening to Chu Dong, everything has been resolved. There was no emotion in my heart.

“That's good.”

“Sister, do you know... who the new guarantor is?” Chu Dong's voice was full of curiosity.

“I don't know, I don't want to know either.”

Anyway, it has nothing to do with me anymore.

“Yes… then remember to take care of your health.”

The girl hung up the phone. I blocked all phone numbers at my uncle's house. One year later. My world is peaceful like never before. No more petty family matters that drag on endlessly. No more forced back and forth relationships. I got a promotion and a raise. Use the bonus to buy yourself a new car. On weekends, I often drive myself to the suburbs. Climb mountains, watch the ocean, or just sit in a daze in a small homestay in the middle of the countryside. I started learning oil painting. Turn the extra bedroom in your apartment into your own gallery. The paint on the board was patchy like a knocked down rainbow. The first picture I drew was the sea at sunset. Dark green, golden yellow, mixed with a bit of burning red orange. I hung it in the living room. Friends who came to visit all complimented me on how beautiful it was.

“Tinh Tinh, your life is truly like poetry.”

I just laughed. Only I know. To write the first line of that poem, I had to be so determined. Towards my uncle's house. Occasionally I still hear my parents tell some trivial stories. I heard that Chu Hao's project is really doing well. He changed his car. Every day I brag on my friends circle. My aunt went everywhere bragging to relatives.

“My Hao Hao really has the ability.”

“Not like some stingy, ungrateful people.”

I know who those “few people” are. Every time my mother recounts it, she is very careful.

“Girl, don't take it to heart.”

“I know.”

Of course I won't mind. Even found it a bit funny. Spring next year. I took on an important project. Busy to the point of darkness. For a month straight, working overtime every day until late at night. Project date Successfully, my boss specially gave me a week off. I booked a plane ticket to Yunnan. Plan to reward yourself with a nice rest. The night before departure. I was packing my luggage when the phone rang. It was a call from a close childhood friend who had not been in touch for a long time. Her house is located right next to my uncle's apartment complex.

“Tinh Tinh, have you heard the story?” Her voice was full of excitement.

“What?”

“His cousin, Chu Hao.”

“How is he?”

My heart suddenly moved.

“It seems like something happened.”

"The person disappeared, he hasn't been seen for several days."

“His parents are frantic, looking everywhere.”

"I heard there's a problem with money for the project, and there's a lot of debt."

I held the phone, dumbfounded for a few seconds.

“Is it real or fake?”

"One hundred percent true! The whole area is buzzing!"

“I heard someone from the bank came to my house two days ago.”

My heart immediately sank.

"Jing Jing? Are you still listening?"

“Tell me… did he borrow heavily and then run away?”

I don't answer. There was only one thought left in my head. The guarantee that I refused to sign a year ago. The guarantee that my uncle once talked about... has been resolved. The next day. I won't go to Yunnan anymore. I drove back to the apartment complex I hadn't been to in a year. I didn't go upstairs. Just park under my building. Sitting in the car for a long time. About three o'clock in the afternoon. A black sedan stopped in front of the apartment door. A few people got out of the car. Dressed in suit and shoes, carrying a briefcase. Not like a good person. Not like a bad person. They went straight into the building. I looked at his back, my heart beating wildly and uncontrollably. Among them was a person... I felt very familiar. A year ago, when learning about guarantee risks, I saw a photo of the head of the credit department of the city's largest bank. It's him.