Chapter 12 — Behind the 50cm Wall Is a Secret

But in my head— The buzzing sound of four hot lumps appeared. Showing up are sweaty nights, dark circles around eyes, and layers of soundproofing cotton. Aunt Ly's pitiful and greedy eyes appeared. I suddenly saw— That amount of money…

“Wang Lei, you still don't understand.”

I walked forward. Look down at him.

“I think everything has a price.”

“Dignity, tranquility, truth—all can be bought.”

“But to me—there are things that are priceless.”

“That wall—I closed it for twenty days.”

“Ten thousands of nails.”

“Each one—is one time I saved myself.”

“You think I'm targeting you.”

“Actually—I was just protecting myself.”

Vuong Loi smiled bitterly.

“Protect you… by sending me to jail?”

I shook my head.

“Put you in jail—not me.”

“They're my fake notebooks.”

“It's your arrogance.”

I walked past him. Go towards the elevator.

“Where are you going?”

He called.

“Go submit documents.”

I don't turn around. He rushed forward to stop— But was immediately controlled by two plainclothes policemen. They have been watching for a long time. When he was pinned down in front of the elevator door— I saw Vuong Chan crack open the door and look out. Just a second— He pulled back. The door slammed shut. The sound of the lock rang out—sharp. He's scared. Don't be afraid of the police. My biggest support— I stepped into the elevator. Click first floor. As the elevator descended— The feeling of losing gravity made me feel strangely relieved. All the noise. Every calculation. Every threat— Left behind. Two o'clock in the afternoon— The news that Hang Loi Thuc Nghiep was blocked flooded the financial news. The company once "assassinated" me— Tone— Condescending to the point of nausea.

"Miss Chu... what happened before was a big misunderstanding..."

“We want to restart the project… double the compensation…”

“Please give us a chance…”

I held the phone. Look at the sunlight outside the door. I said to myself—

“Chu Vu, see... the world is like that.”

I didn't answer right away.

“Can cooperate.”

“But I'm busy.”

“Let's talk when you're free.”

I hung up the phone. Return to the bedroom. Touch the thick gray wall. Absolute silence. This silence— Exchanged for half a month of sweat. And a heart that refuses to give in. But at that moment— I suddenly saw— In the crack in the wall— Something… leaked. Dark red. I frowned. Lean closer. A liquid— But it smells fishy. My heart stopped. This wall— Is Vuong Chan's bedroom. Unusual silence the whole time. Remember the desperate look in his eyes as he knelt in front of the door. A scary premonition— I took out a paper knife. Cut hard into the soundproofing layer. When the tenth layer was sliced open— A truth that sent chills down one's spine— The sharp blade of a paper cutter— Like a scalpel in an operating room. Layer by layer, I dissected the fortress I built. First class. Each sheet of soundproofing cotton was sliced open, revealing the dark gray fiber layer inside. By the fifth layer— The feeling from the tip of the knife changes. No longer a solid resistance— But something soft, sticky, slimy. A fishy smell like rusty metal— Mixed with the smell of rot— Suddenly came out. My stomach rolled. I tried to suppress it. Sixth grade. My hands are shaking. A premonition— Breathtakingly terrifying. I'm about to open— A Pandora's box. The ninth layer is slit. The last layer— I used trembling hands— Little by little, I tore it off. Not a cold, hard wall. A layer of black, tightly stretched industrial nylon. Dark red liquid— Main It's from a small tear in the nylon layer— But it's clear— Like a human figure. My mind— Blank. My heart felt like it was being squeezed. Can't breathe. I put the tip of the knife— Slightly slit the plastic layer. A watch— I've seen it before. Vuong Chan— Used to wear it. In the elevator. Brag. As if showing off what it took all my life to buy. My whole body— Drained of strength. Falling to the floor. The knife fell— I gasped. Can't leave the wall. It's no longer a wall. A grave. A tomb— Perfectly built— Right in my bedroom. Vuong Chan— Right behind my bed. Less than a meter. The silence I enjoy— Is the silence of death. A horrifying thought— Creeped into my head. Why put him here? This wall— I built it. The whole world knows— Vuong Chan and I have a fierce conflict. His brother— Just got arrested for harming me. If a body is discovered here— It will be the number one suspect. There are no exceptions. Is a perfect trap. More toxic than a water leak— Ten thousand times more toxic. Just makes me lose my reputation. And this one— Is sending me to hell. I jumped up. Run out the door. Lock everything. Lean back against the door. The whole body was cold. He's been arrested. There is no time to commit a crime. Did he arrange it in advance? Incorrect. Not like him. There's only one person left. The woman— Since Vuong Chan was taken away— Has never appeared. His wife. My whole body got goosebumps. I suddenly remembered— After Vuong Loi was detained— The house opposite— Unusually silent. No arguments. No crying. No children's voices. Silent as death. Just when my mind was confused— I didn't know what to do— The phone rang. Pounding like it's about to burst my chest. But still clicked to listen. On the other end of the line— A female voice. Chillingly calm.

“The ‘gift’ I prepared for you…”

“Did you receive it?”