Chapter 2 — After You Locked Me In The Villa, I Left You Empty

It's been three years. During the three years I was married to Tham Diec Chu, I always pretended to be a housewife with no job, no income, and every day I just waited for my husband to come home. He did not know that "Giang Van" was the founder of the WAN brand. Didn't know there were six companies under my name. Not knowing that the customer he was always proud of - the party in charge of the southern citadel renovation project - the purchasing director was my college classmate, and the order was signed out of respect for me. He doesn't know anything. Because until now... He never asked. When I returned to the company, the receptionist was chatting with her colleagues.

"Did everyone see the wedding video last night? It was the wedding in S city. The bride was exposed for having an affair with her ex-boyfriend, and the groom was so angry that he broke the glass on the spot—"

Seeing me, she immediately jumped up.

“Jiang… President Giang!”

I entered the office, secretary Tieu Ninh quickly followed behind.

“General Giang, there are three things today.”

“First, the final list of the WAV design competition has been announced, your work is in the final round.”

“Second, Phong Thuong magazine wants to make an appointment with you to do a cover interview with the topic of independent female designers.”

She stopped slightly.

"Lam Mien Mien's studio just posted an article saying they have been certified by the International Design Association. The portfolio they use is..."

Tieu Ninh nodded. I put my bag on the table.

"Screenshot and save the evidence. Send it to lawyer Ha."

“It's been sent.”

Tieu Ninh is a very smart person.

"Also," she continued, "the capital contributor of Lam Mien Mien studio is Tham Vu Dong — Tham Diec Chu's cousin. This morning she posted a post to her friends circle, saying..."

She passed the phone to me. The post reads:

"Congratulations to sister-in-law Mien Mien for finally achieving justice with her brother. Some people should know better and get out of the way, quickly sign the divorce papers."

Below is a long line of likes. The Tham family's relatives were almost fully present. I finished looking at it and then returned the phone to Tieu Ninh.

“Book me a plane ticket to Beijing tonight.”

“Yes. Business seats?”

“First class.”

By the time I arrived, it was very late. In the lobby of the Beijing hotel, someone was waiting for me. Hoac Canh Diem wore a dark gray shirt and sat on a sofa in a hidden corner. The cup of coffee in front of me has long since cooled. Seeing me, he stood up.

“You've gotten thinner.”

“Just too busy.”

He didn't say anything else, just gave me a bag of documents.

"The brand purchase contract, I've already shown it to the legal team, there's no problem. But there's a clause you need to pay attention to - the other side requires that after the purchase, the design team must be kept the same for three years."

He looked at me.

"What do you plan to do about Tham Diec Chu's matter?"

“Deal with it no matter how you handle it.”

“Do you need my help?”

"No need."

He nodded and didn't ask any more questions. That is the point that makes me most comfortable in Hoac Canh Diem. He always knows the limit. We've known each other for seven years. When he was in college, he studied at the trade school, and I studied at the design academy. After graduating, each person started their own business, only occasionally collaborating at work. You know all my secrets. As for Tham Diec Chu... He doesn't even know the name of my company. That evening, I signed the contract right at the hotel. After Once the acquisition is completed, the brand ecosystem in my hands will cover three segments: high-end fashion, designer wedding dresses and accessories. Annual revenue: 800,000,000 yuan. The next morning, I flew back to S city. As soon as I landed, I received a text message from lawyer Ha: Tham Diec Chu refused to sign the divorce agreement. The reason was "wanting to meet face to face to talk to my wife". I only replied with two words: Lawyer Ha immediately texted back: When I got home - more precisely, Tham Diec Chu's apartment - there was someone waiting at the door. Lam Mien Mien. She was wearing a white dress, exquisite makeup, clearly prepared carefully. Seeing me, she smiled.

“Sister-in-law… oh that's not right, we should call her Ms. Giang now, right?”

I passed her, took the key and opened the door.

“What are you doing here?”

"Come and get my things. Diec Chu said this apartment will be where we live in the future—"

“This apartment is in my name on the documents.”

The smile on her face stiffened.

"If you don't believe me, you can check it out yourself. In March 2021, I paid in full and registered it under my name. Tham Diec Chu never spent a dime."

Lam Mien Mien's smile completely disappeared. She stared at me for three seconds, then coldly said:

“Do you think keeping a house means you can keep Diec Chu?”

“I don't need to keep him.”

I pushed the door and walked in.

“On the contrary, it's you.”

“Marrying a married man, do you know what it's called?”

The door slammed shut. Outside, she heard her banging on the door repeatedly, her voice high-pitched:

"Giang Van! Don't be proud! Diec Chu has chosen me! You're just a housewife with no job!"

I stood inside, saying nothing. A housewife without a job. She said that with confidence. Because in everyone's eyes, "Giang Van" is just a housewife raised by Tham Diec Chu. No income. No career. No social relationships. The only value is sitting and laughing and pouring wine at the Tham family's parties. But they don't know... This year's designer income ranking by Phong Thuong magazine, "WAN" ranked third. It's me.