Chapter 9 — Electricity Bill 380 Numbers, Revealing a Marriage

I don't answer. Unnecessary. After that, the next stories were heard from Chu Nam and a few acquaintances. Tran Vi moved back to live with his mother. Thirty-four years old, divorced, no house, no car, no money, back to the starting point. At first his mother blamed me. Then knowing that he had given Lam Duyet 380,000 yuan, of which 200,000 yuan was my money, she began to scold her son. I heard he scolded me all night long. At the company, the situation is no better. The divorce story spread. Everyone knows he let someone else live in the 5,000,000 yuan wedding house his wife bought. No one said it directly. But the eyes were different. Someone behind his back called him "Mr. Five Million". The performance is not good, it's getting worse and worse. I heard he was laid off last month. On Lam Duyet's side - the milk tea shop was already at a loss. She looked for a transferee but no one accepted. After losing about 5,000 yuan each month, the cash flow broke down. In less than two months, the shop closed. As for Vuong Kiet - the driver of a BMW 3 Series - it was said that after Lam Duyet ran out of money, he disappeared for about three weeks. Can't call. Messaging blocked. Photos appeared online with another woman.

“New beginning.”

Lam Duyet couldn't find anyone. Then call. Raucous.

“I know I was wrong… maybe—”

I hung up. No hesitation. Not out of hatred. But because it's not worth it. It's not worth wasting another second. The first month after the divorce, I worked four jobs. The first thing is to transfer apartment 1402 from my mother's name back to my name. Not planning to stay. But it's my property. Purchase price 5,080,000 yuan, market price 5,800,000 yuan. After deducting the remaining loan, you receive 3,200,000 yuan. Plus savings— total assets of more than four million. Second thing, return 500,000 yuan to your parents. Mom didn't accept it.

“I gave it to you, no need to pay back.”

“This money should be kept by the two of you.”

Transfer directly to your account. On the other end of the phone, mother cried.

“Van Van… you have suffered.”

I looked out the window.

“There won't be anymore.”

Third, rent a new house. Seventy square meters. But there is a separate office. There is a large balcony. The sunlight is very beautiful. Place a chair on the balcony. On weekends, sit and read books and bask in the sun. No need to rush home to warm up cold rice. No need to listen to unpleasant words. No need to lie in a cramped bed and listen to snoring. Very quiet. So quiet that it's... soothing. The fourth thing. Promote. Not related to divorce. Life is finally empty enough to move on. That was something that had been discussed before. But after the divorce, I turned all the time and energy I had put into the so-called "family" into work. The effect comes immediately. Just one quarter later, I was promoted to the position of senior director, my annual income increased to 800,000 yuan, and the company also granted additional stock options. Fifth thing— Life is inherently like that. Once compacted, everything becomes lighter. One time when I went out to dinner with friends on the weekend, someone asked me.

“Have you ever regretted it?”

“Regret what?”

“Marry him.”

I thought a bit.

“But I don't regret leaving.”

My friend poured me a glass of wine.

“Exhausted for what?”

“Because you're awake.”

I smiled slightly.

“Not sober.”

I raise my glass.

“It was from the moment I saw that electricity bill—I decided to stop pretending to sleep.”

Half next year. A Saturday afternoon. I sit on the balcony of my new house, laptop on my lap, writing a plan for next week's project. The sunlight shines through the glass, warm but not dazzling. On the tea table is a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The phone rang. I hesitated for a second then answered the phone. Tran Vi's voice. He changed his number. I was silent for two seconds.

"What is up?"

“I… want to say a few words.”

“I know I was wrong.”

His voice was low, a bit tired.

"At that time... I was confused. I shouldn't have treated you like that."

I didn't reply.

"I know how much you spent on that house. I shouldn't have let her move in."

“To Van… can you give me another chance?”

Outside on the balcony, the wind blew gently. The leaves shake gently.

“Do you know why I didn't argue with you that day?”

“Because it's not worth it.”

“You are not worth my crying out loud.”

“It's not worth getting a second chance.”

“Are you done talking yet?”

He was silent.

“Then I will say something.”

My voice is still very calm.

“The house is 5,000,000 yuan, I have never paid for a brick.”

“The money I spent, the loan I paid, every brick, every cabinet, every lamp—”

“You gave it all to another woman.”

“Now you're back to saying 'give me one more chance'?”

I looked outside. The sky is still very blue.

“I gave you four years.”

“This is the last time I will hear your phone call.”

I hung up. Drag that number to the block list. Put the phone down. Take a sip of coffee. Reopen the laptop and continue writing the plan. Outside the window, the sun is still beautiful. Life is still very long. But from now on— it has nothing to do with him anymore.