Chapter 12 — Eating a piece of sea cucumber, I sent my husband's family out the door

She and Dai Long are accomplices. Specializes in finding targets on dating apps. Targeting men who are honest, easily deceived, and have normal economic conditions. To Thien is in charge of emotional attacks. Dai Long is in charge of designing the scams. Tran Hao is not the first victim. Before him. There were three other men who were deceived. The total amount exceeded 800,000 yuan. To Thien was officially arrested. Crime: fraud. The news just appeared online. Creating another shock wave.

“It turns out To Thien is a fraud!”

"Tran Hao was actually sold and even helped people count money."

“The most pitiful is still General Director Lam.”

“Marrying an abusive husband is inevitable.”

“Money was also taken by scammers.”

I read those comments. There is no joy in my heart. Just tired. Fatigue deep in my heart. The official divorce trial took place a month later. Tran Hao has been discharged from the hospital. His spirit is very bad. Lost more than ten kilograms. Deep sunken eye sockets. Shaggy beard. At court. His lawyer — a young lawyer assigned free legal aid — is still trying to make a final defense.

“My client is acutely aware of his mistake.”

“He is willing to make amends.”

“We respectfully hope that the Trial Council will give this marriage another chance to heal.”

Tham Thanh stood up.

“Dear Jury.”

“The plaintiff would like to submit the following evidence.”

She turned on the projector. First plate. Close-up of the handprint on my face. Second plate. Close-up of the bruises on my arms. Third plate. Photo taken from living room camera. The moment Tran Hao swung his hand to hit me. Fourth plate. Photo taken from basement camera. The moment Tran Hao threatened me with a knife. Fifth plate. Bank statement. Record Tran Hao using my supplementary card to transfer 280,000 yuan to To Thien.

“Dear Jury.”

“The defendant committed domestic violence after getting married.”

“Threatening the plaintiff's life with a weapon.”

“At the same time, arbitrarily transfer assets.”

“To be more precise, the personal property of the plaintiff.”

“Pursuant to the provisions of law.”

"If a person commits domestic violence, if reconciliation fails, there are enough grounds to approve the request for divorce."

“We ask the court to grant a divorce.”

"At the same time, force the defendant to compensate the plaintiff for mental damage."

The judge looked both ways.

“Does the defendant have any additional comments?”

Tran Hao's lawyer shook his head. Right at that moment. Tran Hao suddenly stood up.

“Nhuoc Van!”

Judicial police immediately moved to stop it. He looked at me from across the aisle. Tears streamed down my face.

“Nhuoc Van.”

“I really know it's wrong.”

“Can you give me one more chance?”

“Just once.”

“I beg you.”

I looked at him. The man once blushed during a blind date. The person who said he would treat me well all my life. I really have high hopes for him.

“Tran Hao.”

I spoke up. The voice was strangely calm.

“When you hit me.”

“Have you ever thought about giving me a chance?”

Tran Hao stiffened. Couldn't utter any more words. The verdict has just passed. The judge slammed the gavel down hard.

"The court announced that it accepts the request for divorce of plaintiff Lam Nhuoc Van against defendant Tran Hao."

“The house purchased before marriage belongs to the owner private property of the plaintiff.”

“The defendant and his relatives must complete the move within thirty days from the effective date of the judgment.”

“The defendant must compensate the plaintiff 50,000 yuan for mental damages.”

“The 280,000 yuan that the defendant arbitrarily transferred must be returned to the plaintiff.”

The moment the hammer fell. I gently closed my eyes. Finally... It's all over. Walk out of court. The sky is strangely blue. Tham Thanh walked beside me.

“General Manager Lam.”

“Congratulations.”

I shook my head.

“There's nothing to celebrate.”

“Just wasted two months of my life.”

"Not necessarily."

Tham Thanh spoke softly.

“At least you got a clear look at a human being.”

I smiled faintly.

“Lawyer Tham.”

“That 280,000 yuan, can he pay it?”

Tham Thanh pushed up her glasses.

“With his current income.”

“If you pay in regular installments.”

“It will take at least three years.”

I pondered for a few seconds.

“Forget it.”

“I don't need that 280,000 yuan anymore.”

“Consider spending money to buy a lesson.”

Tham Thanh looked at me.

“Are you sure?”

“I don't want any more contact between him and me.”

Tham Thanh nodded.

“I will go through the procedure to withdraw this request.”

I walked to the car. The driver opened the door for me.

“General Manager Lam.”

“Where are we going?”

I thought a bit.

“To the supermarket.”

“Which supermarket?”

“Anything is fine.”

“Choose the closest seat.”

The driver was slightly surprised. But don't ask more. Ten minutes later. The car stopped in front of a small supermarket in a residential area. I got off the car. Step inside. The supermarket is not big. The shelves are filled with all kinds of products. Warm yellow light. Behind the cashier counter. A middle-aged woman is sitting and biting melon seeds. Seeing me enter, she smiled.

“What are you buying?”

“I'll just take a look.”

I walked along the rows of goods. Take a packet of instant noodles. A bottle of mineral water. A box of chocolates. Go to the payment counter. The cashier scanned the code.

“Total 18.5 yuan.”

I pay. Carry your bags and step outside. Sunlight shines on your face. Extremely warm. I suddenly realized. It's been a long time... I've never felt so relieved. That evening. I called my aunt. Her name is Lam Tu Anh. My father's biological sister. He is also the only adult in the world who truly loves me. The phone just rang two times and was picked up.

“Nhuoc Van?”

Hear her voice. My nose suddenly stings.

“It's me.”

"What's up?"

“Your voice doesn't sound very good.”

"Nothing."

“It's just... I miss you.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

“Divorced?”

I was stunned.

“You already know?”

“It's been spread everywhere on the internet.”

“You thought I didn't know how to go online?”

I smiled bitterly.

“Then why didn't you call me?”

“I'm afraid I'll bother you.”

“Since childhood, I have been a person with opinions.”

“My problems, I can always solve them myself.”

I leaned against the sofa. The corners of my eyes heated up.

“Are you very stupid?”

“It clearly has everything.”

“But still trying to find a man.”

“Not stupid.”

Her voice was extremely gentle.

“Wanting someone to keep you company is very normal.”

“I'm not a machine.”

“But I chose the wrong person.”

“If you choose wrong, change it.”

“There is not only one man in this world.”

I laughed.

"In a few days, I'll come stay with you for a few days."

“At home alone, I see It's so empty.”

“You'll come over tomorrow.”

“By the way, cook me some delicious food.”

“You must have gotten thinner again.”

After hanging up. I hugged the pillow. Sitting for a long time on the sofa. Outside the window. The city is still brightly lit. I suddenly remembered my childhood days. Every time my stepfather drank alcohol and beat me. I ran to her house. She hugged me. Use your rough hands to wipe my tears.

“Nhuoc Van doesn't cry.”

“You're here.”

“No one can bully you.”

Since that day. I don't cry anymore. It's not that I don't want to cry. But I don't dare cry. Because I understand very well. In this world. Someone who can protect me. In the end it's still just me. The very next day. In his hands he carried two large bags of food. As soon as I entered the house, I went straight to the kitchen.

“This refrigerator is better empty than an abandoned house.”

“What do you usually eat?”

“Order food out.”

“Outside food again!”

“If you eat too much, your stomach will break down one day.”

She just grumbled. Just tied the apron. The sound of pots and pans clanging throughout the kitchen. The whole table was full of dishes. Braised meat. Fish with sweet and sour sauce. Egg seaweed soup. These are all my favorite dishes since childhood. I sat down. Pick up a piece of braised meat. The familiar taste spreads to the tip of the tongue. Still the same flavor as last year.

“Is it delicious?”

She looked at me. Suddenly sighed.

“Nhuoc Van.”

“There is one thing.”

“You still haven't told me.”

I raised my head.

“What's going on?”

“My dad…”

“I was looking for you a while ago.”

The chopsticks in my hand stopped. Lam Kien Quoc. The man remarried when I was ten years old. He watched my stepfather beat me without protecting me. He has never fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.

“What is he looking for you for?”

“He said…”

“Want to see you.”

I laughed.

“See you?”

“What did he see you for?”

“Are you planning on waiting for me to take care of you in your old age?”

“Nhuoc Van…”

“I don't want to talk about him.”

She looked at me. Say nothing more. Just quietly bowed my head. Put a piece of fish in my bowl. After meals. She went into the kitchen to clean up. And I stood outside on the balcony. Light a cigarette. I rarely smoke. But today I want to smoke a cigarette. Right at that moment. The phone rang. I picked up the phone.

“Nhuoc Van…”