Chapter 10 — After Seeing Through It, I No Longer Love You

The moment the call was cut off, my heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. But I still kept it. Immediately after that, messages continuously appeared.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you still dare to say that if you peek at someone else's phone?”

"It's just a business exchange, don't assume."

“What you and your mother say is my family's business, why should I interfere?”

The messages became more and more frequent, the tone became more and more harsh. I looked at those words, my fingers stopped on the keyboard, and suddenly felt... I didn't need to explain anymore. No need to argue, no need to justify. I logged out and opened the chat box with his mother.

"Auntie, I have something to do tonight and I can't come out to eat."

In less than a minute, she answered.

"What's more important than this? You're about to enter our house, we have to put things here first."

I looked at that line, the corners of my lips curved up into a smile that was unclear whether it was cold or ironic. I typed again.

“Auntie, I have thought carefully about the house.”

“I will not add names, nor will I cancel the transaction.”

"That is the dowry my father gave me, it is my personal property before marriage. This point will not change."

I edit and revise, weighing every word, making sure there aren't any ambiguities, then press send. The other side was silent for a few seconds. Then reply.

“Are you planning to turn against our family?”

“You don't want to continue this life anymore?”

Two sentences in a row, no longer hiding emotions. I looked and felt calmer. I replied.

"Auntie, whether to continue or not is between me and Tu Ngang."

“But no matter what, that house is in my name alone.”

“This, I will not change.”

The other side was silent for a long time. I thought she would send a longer paragraph. But in the end, only one sentence appeared.

“Okay, very good.”

Just two short words, chilling to the bone. I put my phone in my pocket, leaned my back against the train car door, closed my eyes, let the train sway gently, and my heart calmed down little by little, like after a big wave finally found flat water. Arriving at the company, not long after sitting down, there was a head sticking out next to me.

“Ninh Ninh, your face has been so bad lately, are you being abused by customers?” Han Tinh put the coffee cup on my table, lowered her voice and said softly, "Looking at you, it's like all the life has been drained from you."

I looked at the steaming cup of coffee and couldn't help but laugh. The smile was faint but much more real than the past few days.

"I haven't paid for the milk tea you bought me yet, and now I owe you more coffee."

“You owe me ten drinks and I'll accept it.” Han Tinh sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs, her eyes full of questioning, "Tell me, what happened last night?"

I recounted everything I saw last night, from the text messages between him and my mother, to the chat with Chau Lam, detail by detail. This time my voice was calmer, even though there were a few choking spots and my eyes were stinging, I still tried to swallow. After listening, Han Tinh's face became more and more ugly, and finally he laughed coldly.

"That's great, even during the cold war you had to plan. You even promised to buy a car for your mother first. All that was missing was the project schedule."

“And that lady Chau Lam.” She clicked, "I'll be honest, these types of strong women at work are not the right type, but saying that is considered 'internal fighting over women'. But look at that attitude." There, it's obvious that he's trying to get in the way, but still acting like it's obvious."

I lifted the coffee cup, took a sip, the heat slid down my throat, making the cold in my heart melt a little.

“Tinh Tinh, I already texted his mother.”

“You said no more names?” Han Tinh's eyes immediately brightened.

“Yes.” I nodded, "I won't cancel the transaction either."

I reread every sentence I sent, word by word, as if repeating my own decision. After hearing this, Han Tinh couldn't help but pat me on the shoulder.

“What about Tu Ngang?” She continued asking, "How did that side react?"

“He called, I didn't listen.” I showed her the phone, "Then I sent a bunch of messages, saying I was looking at my phone, and saying I was overdoing it."

Han Tinh glanced over and smirked.

"That's the type of person, still only focusing on you looking at your phone, but you and your mother are as if they don't exist."

“Someone like that, what else are you going to talk about with him?”

I was silent for a moment, then spoke softly.

“Right now… I don't know.”

“But there's one thing I'm sure of.”

I clenched the red book in my hand, my fingertips turned slightly white.

“This time, I won't back down.”

“This house is the only thing I completely own right now.”

“No one can get it.”

Han Tinh looked at me, clearly wanting to scold me a few more words to relieve his anger, but was afraid of confusing me further, so in the end he just nodded vigorously.

“So what do you plan to do next?”

“Let's keep it that way for now.” I took a deep breath, "Work is still done, the house is still repaired."

“If he wants to be cold, just be cold.”

“I want to see… how long he can last.”

Han Tinh nodded, then leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“Ninh Ninh, how about calling your father up here?”

"This matter has to be told to me no matter what. Prolonging it won't solve anything. It's better to say it sooner."

“With uncle here, at least you won't be led by them.”

“I know.” I tightened my grip on the coffee cup, my voice lowered, "I'll tell dad in a few days."

I understand very well. It's not that I'm stupid. I just don't want to put these ugly things... in front of my family.