Chapter 1 — Final Record

I just returned from death's door, having been in quarantine for only Saturday. My mother-in-law brought all the wild ginseng that my mother bought to save my life... gave it all to my sister-in-law. My husband stood next to me to arrange things:

"It's just a small thing, don't worry about it, it's not good for your health."

I smiled softly and replied softly:

“I listen to everyone.”

He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this was over. Until three o'clock in the morning. He saw the photo I just sent to the lawyer. His pupils constricted, his eyes fixed on my sleeping face... as if he was looking at a demon demanding his life. Because what's in that photo... Enough to drag my husband's entire family to hell. And tomorrow... It's just the beginning. I lay on the bed, feeling like my body was like a torn bag being drained of water. Postpartum hemorrhage, just pulled back from death's door, today is day seven. The pain of the wound, the cold that penetrates into the bones... are not as good as the coldness in the heart. My mother trembled and handed me a wooden box.

"Tinh Tinh, I relied on many connections to buy this. It's wild ginseng. It will keep you alive. During the month, you must nourish it well."

As soon as the box was opened, the strong smell of medicine hit my nose. The bridge of my nose is stinging. Before I could say anything, Vuong Thuc Lan's mother-in-law pushed open the door and walked in, her voice still as loud as ever.

“Oh my, what smells so good?”

She glanced at the box and immediately reached out to take it.

"Wild ginseng? The in-laws are so kind."

The mouth spoke politely, but the eyes were bright, and the hand conveniently closed the lid of the box. My mother's face slightly sank.

“This is to nourish Tinh Tinh, this time she…”

“I know, this time he suffered.” Vuong Thuc Lan interrupted, "But Tinh Tinh is still young, her foundation is good, she can slowly nurture it."

“Her sister-in-law is different.”

The sister-in-law in her words was Ly Mai, the wife of my husband's brother - Chu Van Ban.

"Recently, her sister-in-law has a cold. She hasn't completely recovered yet. She's very weak. Good things like this must be given to the people who need it most to have its value."

Having finished speaking, she took the box, turned and left my room. My mother was so angry that she was shaking all over, intending to chase after her and reason. I pulled her back. Chu Van Ban walked in carrying a bowl of millet porridge, just in time to see his mother happily take the things out. An awkward look flashed across his face, then he walked over to my bed.

“Tinh Tinh, sister-in-law's health is really not good.”

I looked at him, said nothing. He brought the bowl of porridge over and lowered his voice.

"It's just a small thing, don't take it to heart, it's not good for your health."

In his eyes, my life... is just a small thing. I smiled softly.

“I hear you.”

Chu Van Ban clearly breathed a sigh of relief, a smile immediately appeared on his face.

“I know, you are always the most generous and understanding.”

He thought this was the end of the matter. In the evening, my mother could not swallow her anger and packed her things to go home. Chu Van Ban comforted me, saying that when I finished my confinement, he would take me on a trip and make it up to me. I closed my eyes and let it go. He thought I was asleep, so he tiptoed out and carefully closed the door. I opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. The room was so quiet that you could hear the child's soft breathing in the next room. My child. My child risked his life to be born. If I died on the operating table that day... the ginseng my mother brought would probably become an offering. As for my husband, Perhaps you will still find... bringing offerings to your sister-in-law is a more valuable relationship. My heart, at that moment, was completely numb. I didn't cry, nor did I make a fuss. I just waited quietly. Wait until three in the morning. When the whole world is asleep. Next to him, Chu Van Ban let out a steady snoring sound. I gently and slowly sat up, pulled out the infusion needle on the back of my hand, and used a cotton swab to press firmly. Blood... doesn't flow anymore. I held the phone and adjusted the brightness to the lowest. Open an encrypted album, with only one photo inside. After that, I opened the chat box with the lawyer and sent that photo. Sent successfully. I was just about to put down the phone when the person next to me suddenly moved. Chu Van Ban is awake. Perhaps blinded by the light from the screen, he sat up sleepily.

"What's wrong? Are you unwell?"

Instinctively, he glanced at my phone screen. Just one glance. His breathing immediately stopped. In the darkness, I couldn't see his face clearly, but I could clearly feel his body shaking violently. The light from the screen shone into his pupils…reflecting extreme fear. He looked at me, like he was looking at a devil who had just crawled out of hell. His voice trembled to the point of distortion. I turned off the screen, lay down again, pulled the blanket over me, as if nothing had ever happened. But Chu Van Ban... couldn't sleep again. He sat stiffly next to me all night. I know what he is afraid of. Because what was in that photo... Enough to make his entire family... fall into the abyss with no way out. And tomorrow— is the day the Chu family company pays its annual dividend. The next morning, at dawn, Chu Van Ban woke up. The dark circles under his eyes were thick, his whiskers were stubbled, his gaze towards me was bloodshot and searching. As usual, I waited for Vuong Thuc Lan's mother-in-law to bring in a meal. She quickly appeared, placing a bowl of bland white porridge and a plate of pickles on the nightstand.

"Eat. Women in confinement are not allowed to eat greasy foods."

Having finished speaking, she turned around to leave, then as if remembering something, turned back and said one more sentence.

"Ah yes, my sister-in-law drank ginseng soup and her face is much better today. She said thank you."

I looked at the bowl of white porridge, motionless.

“I don't eat this.” I said.

Vuong Thuc Lan paused and frowned.

"If you don't eat this, then what will you eat? When you're sedentary, you have to eat frugally."

"Attorney Truong hired a postpartum care team and professional nutritionists for me. Their food will be delivered in eight hours." I looked at her, my voice calm. “From now on, you don't need to worry about my food anymore.”

Vuong Thuc Lan's eyes widened.

"Lawyer Truong? Which lawyer? Did you hire someone to take care of you? How come I didn't know! Where did the money come from?"

A series of questions exploded like fireworks. Chu Van Ban immediately rushed in and pulled his mother back.

"Mom, please stop saying a few words. Tinh Tinh just gave birth and her body is still weak."

He turned to me, his voice carrying a pleading tone.

"Tinh Tinh, if there's something wrong, just say it slowly, don't be like that."

“I'm just letting you know.”

I lifted the blanket, slowly got out of bed, and walked to the window. The morning light shines on me... I still don't feel warm. Vuong Thuc Lan was so angry that he was panting.

"You've betrayed me, haven't you? I work hard to take care of you, but you're still picky! We in the Chu family don't have enough food or water to drink." huh?”

“It's true that she doesn't want me to eat or drink.” I turned back to look at her. “The only thing missing is the one thing that keeps me alive… wild ginseng.”

That sentence was like a slap, hitting Vuong Thuc Lan and Chu Van Ban straight in the face. Her face immediately turned as red as pig liver.

“You… what are you talking about! Just because of a torn ginseng, are you making a fuss?”

“Make a fuss?” I laughed. “Don't worry mom, I won't make a fuss.”

My smile made Chu Van Ban even more frightened. He almost pushed his mother out of the room, closed the door, and locked it.

“Tinh Tinh, what do you want to do?” He lowered his voice, like a cornered animal.

“Take back what belongs to me.”

“What? I bought that ginseng for you! Buy ten tubers! Okay?” He spoke rapidly.

I shook my head.

“Chu Van Ban, do you think what I care about… is just a root of ginseng?”

His throat moved up and down, cold sweat trickled from his temples.

“That photo… when did you take it…”

“Is it important?” I interrupted.

“What do you mean by sending it to a lawyer? You want to sue us? Are you planning on destroying this whole house?” He gradually pressed closer, his eyes began to go crazy.

I don't back down.

“This house… hasn't it been rotten for a long time?”

“Ding Dong—”

The doorbell rang. Chu Van Ban was startled.