Chapter 19 — Eighteen People, One Meal, One Divorce

On the way home, I leaned my head against the car window, watching the lights retreat quickly behind me. Remembering the days when I first got married, after work I would run to the market to pick the freshest vegetables, just to surprise him. He worked late and came home late, so I always left a light waiting. My mother-in-law said "women who know how to cook have a future", I obediently nodded. At that time, I believed that as long as I gave enough, one day I would see it. Now I understand, there are people who just take it for granted, and even think you can give more. The car turned into the old house, the tree was full of red lanterns, and children ran under the tree to light fireworks. Clear laughter rang out, making me suddenly laugh. This world is so chaotic, yet it still operates normally. As if nothing ever happened. When I got home, on the table was a pot of steaming hot dumplings.

“Quickly eat one, pray for reunion,” my mother gave me a bowl.

“I'm about to get divorced and can I still eat this?” I teased lightly.

“Why not?” She glared, "Who are you divorcing, not your family?"

“As long as you are here, this family is still united.”

The cake is soft, the sweet sesame filling gradually melts in the mouth, warming to the heart. Only then did I understand that reunion is not a bustling crowd. Just standing next to people who don't see themselves as tools is already a union. The months that followed were both smooth and exhausting. It went smoothly because, after Lam Tinh edited each clause, Trieu Khai finally agreed to delete the line "the balance was used for family expenses". Instead, "the status of card usage will be discussed separately, not within the scope of dispute in the agreement". The difficulty is, he always tries to take advantage, even demanding "moral compensation". He said it like "whoever gets married is the one who will suffer". I did not accept it, listed all the major expenses in marriage, and let him choose which one he paid for himself. He turned it over and over, and finally couldn't say a word, so he let it go. We went to the civil affairs department together. The sun was very beautiful that day, shining on the red sign so dazzlingly. In the hall, there were all kinds of people, some arguing in low voices, some silent as stone. When it was our turn, the staff looked at the documents and asked questions according to the process.

"Do you want to think again? Do you have children?"

“No,” I answered.

Trieu Khai turned away.

“Then sign it.”

I held the pen, stroke by stroke I wrote my name, my hand was very steady. It's like drawing an end to the past. After signing, he threw down the pen.

"Are you satisfied? Do whatever you want from now on, I don't care anymore."

“Good, me too.”

The staff gave us two small red books.

“Wishing you both peace in the future.”

Stepping out of the civil affairs department, the wind blew strongly and my hair was blown messily. I looked at the scroll in my hand, not at all sad, just relieved. Trieu Khai stood not far away, smoking, then suddenly asked.

“I ask one last time, do you really not regret it?”

“I do,” I thought for a moment and then said.

He was stunned.

“I regret not getting divorced sooner.”

He smiled crookedly, half laughing and half not.

“You are truly a hard-hearted person.”

“I was forced to become by you.”

He paused, extinguished his cigarette butt next to the trash can.

“Okay, you go your way, I hope you don't regret it later.”

He turned back, disappearing among the crowd. I didn't turn back. I texted my mom: “Done.” She only answered with one word: "Okay." Spring that year came earlier than usual. The sycamore tree had just sprouted green buds, and I received a link sent by Lam Tinh.

“Have you seen the news?”

City police announcement: successfully busted an "illegal capital mobilization" case. The amount of money involved is up to tens of millions, the victims are mostly middle-aged and elderly people. The company name, that company. In the list of main responsible people, there is one name. Trieu Khai.

“He's been caught…” I said softly.

The phone rang, it was Lam Tinh.