Chapter 4 — Behind the 50cm Wall Is a Secret

The police arrived very quickly. When two people in uniform appeared in the hallway, Vuong Chan's movements immediately stopped.

“Comrade police officer, it's him!” I opened the door just in time and pointed at Vuong Chan, "He kicked my door for no reason and even threatened to break it down."

On my face was an expression of both fear and self-pity. The police looked at the still shaking door, then looked at the sweaty, agitated man, his expression darkened.

“Who reported the crime?”

“Me.” I raised my hand.

“What happened?” The police turned to ask Vuong Chan.

When Vuong Chan saw the police, his momentum immediately dropped by half. He pointed at me, then pointed towards his house, speaking jumbled, trying to explain.

"It's her! She put something in my wall! It made my house hot like an oven!"

The police frowned, clearly unable to understand his logic.

“Stuffing things into your wall?” A policeman turned to look at me. “Miss, is that the case?”

I shook my head, looking innocent.

"Dear policeman, I don't understand what he is saying. I am just a normal resident. Previously, because his house's air conditioner made too much noise, seriously affecting my life and work, I complained to the management board and the city's hotline."

I took out my phone and showed them the complaint and call history.

“After many fruitless discussions, in order to have a quiet environment, I simply installed more soundproofing materials in my bedroom.”

I leaned over, so they could see the huge gray wall in the bedroom.

“This is a legal renovation in my private space, the purpose is soundproofing.”

The police, Tieu Truong, and a few neighbors - everyone looked at that unusually thick wall and couldn't hide their surprise. Vuong Chan was also stunned. Perhaps he never thought that my so-called "trick"... would be so simple, direct, and legal. The police turned to him, his voice serious:

"It's legal for people to make soundproofing in their house. If your house is hot, you should find an air conditioning company or an inspection unit. On what basis do you kick in someone's door?"

“I…” Vuong Chan was speechless.

His scoundrel logic, before the law and the truth—cannot withstand a blow.

"Your behavior shows signs of disturbing the peace. Follow us to the work station."

That sentence was the final blow that knocked him down. Vuong Chan's face turned pale. He looked at the police, then at me. The madness and stubbornness in his eyes were completely replaced by fear. He knows. I lost. Losing has no way to turn back. Vuong Chan was taken away by the police. The hallway quickly became quiet again. Tieu Truong and a few people who were listening also dispersed one by one. It's just that the way they look at me... is different. A little more respect, and even disbelief. I close the door. The world became quiet again. I know—this is just an appetizer. The real negotiations are still behind. Sure enough, that afternoon, Vuong Chan was released. After being educated and writing a commitment, because he had not caused any actual damage, he was not detained. But he paid the price. The price of face. Seven o'clock in the evening. My doorbell rang again. This time, it was not a frantic clicking sound, nor was it an aggressive banging on the door. Just a short, reserved sound. I look through cat eyes. Outside the door were Vuong Chan and his wife. He had changed into clean clothes, but still could not hide his haggard and degraded appearance. His wife's eyes were red and she was holding a basket of fruit. The posture of both of them... low to the bottom. I didn't open the door right away. Let them stand there for exactly five minutes. When I almost wanted to give up, I opened the door a crack.

“What's the matter?” My voice is cold.

"Miss... Miss Chu..." Vuong Chan's lips trembled, trying to force a smile that was more ugly than crying.

"What happened this morning... I was impatient. I'm sorry."

After speaking, he bowed deeply. The wife next to him also quickly bowed.

“Miss Chu, it was our fault that we bothered you.”

I leaned against the doorframe, crossed my arms, and quietly looked at them.

“There's no need to apologize, I've already reported it to the police.”

"Yes, yes, we deserve it..." Vuong Chan bowed his head repeatedly.

"Miss Chu, we came today... to discuss something with you."

“Negotiate?” I raised my eyebrows. “You and I, what is there to negotiate?”

“Yes! Yes!” His wife quickly brought the fruit basket over.

"Miss Chu, please have some mercy... remove that thing from your wall for us."

Her voice trembled as if she was about to cry.

"Our house is really uninhabitable anymore. The walls are hotter than fifty degrees, the electric appliances have burned out twice. My child has heat rashes and can't sleep."

“Please, we will accept whatever compensation you want.”

I looked at them, my heart cold as water. Knowing so early, why did it happen in the first place?

“Compensation?” I smiled softly.

“Mr. Vuong, didn't you say before—this wall doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the investor?”

Vuong Chan's face immediately turned red like a pig's liver.

“Didn't you say that the outside wall is a common area, you can install it wherever you like?”

Every sentence I said was like a slap to his face.

“You also told me—if you see noise, go buy earplugs and use them yourself?”

"So now your house is hot, and you want me to remove the wall to help you... cool down?"

Vuong Chan's head bowed even lower.

“Miss Chu, I was wrong... really wrong.” His voice was hoarse.

"I'm a bastard, not a human being. Be generous, don't accept people like me."

“Please give us a way to live.”

I looked at his lowly appearance, not feeling gloating at all. Just a feeling of calmness, like completing a task.

“If you want me to remove this wall… okay.”

The couple immediately raised their heads and their eyes lit up.

“I have a few conditions.”

"Just say it! Don't say a few conditions, we'll agree to dozens of them!" Vuong Chan quickly responded.

I raised a finger.

“First, today, remove all four of your air conditioner heaters from my wall. Immediately. At the same time, you must hire a professional to restore the wall surface to its original state, all drilled holes must be sealed and smoothed. The cost must be borne by you.”

"No problem! I'll contact the technician right away!" Vuong Chan nodded without hesitation.

I raised a second finger.

“Second, the mental damage you caused me, along with the time and money I spent to handle this, you must compensate.”

Vuong Chan swallowed his saliva.

“T… that's right. How much did you say…?”

I took my phone, opened the computer, and clicked on the prepared number. Then turn the screen towards him. On it was a six-digit number.

“This is money for soundproofing materials, money for lost work, and my mental expenses.”

Vuong Chan saw it, his eyes widened, and he took a deep breath.

“So much… that much?”

His wife also turned pale. I took the phone back and looked at him coldly.

"A lot? I think in exchange for a peaceful living environment... this price is worth it."

"You can't accept it. Then this wall will always be here. You can continue to enjoy the 'blessing' of your home in warm winters and hot summers."

I pretended to close the door.

“Don't! Don't!” Vuong Chan quickly held the door, sweat flowing, his face distorted between pain and struggle.

He knows full well—I have no right to bargain. I raised a third finger.

"Third, and lastly. Write a handwritten apology, clearly stating the entire incident, admitting your mistake, and pledging not to repeat the mistake. Make two copies. Give me one, and post it on the notice board of the apartment complex for a week."

This condition—is more cruel than money. This is trampling his entire face. Vuong Chan's body trembled violently. He raised his head to look at me, his eyes filled with humiliation and pleading. I looked straight, without any emotion.

“Three conditions. Missing even one is not enough.”

"If you can't do it, please go home. Don't bother me anymore."

Having said that, I didn't give him another chance. The door closes. I leaned my back against the door, hearing his wife's muffled cries outside, along with Vuong Chan's heavy breathing. He will agree. Because he has no other choice.