Chapter 19 — Forty Billion And People Only Ask For A Kitchen

On Sunday, we invited Mrs. Huong and Ngoc Han to our house.

Minh Khang cooked a pot of sour soup, I made braised fish. No one talks about money while eating. After the meal, he cleaned the bowl and sat across from his mother and sister.

“I want to say something.”

Ngoc Han crossed her arms. Mrs. Huong sat up straight.

Minh Khang opened the phone, but did not immediately hand it over.

"Nhuan won the lottery on the day he was laid off. The amount received after tax was more than 38 billion VND."

Mrs. Huong dropped the spoon. Ngoc Han stood up.

"How much?"

“More than 38 billion.”

“You hide it from your husband?”

“I told him.”

“But hide it from your mother, hide it from your sister.”

Minh Khang looked at her.

"That's my wife's money. No one has the right to know just because they're relatives."

Ngoc Han smiled as if she had just heard something absurd.

"You are her husband. You have the right."

"I signed the property agreement. I know where the money is and how to use it, but I don't manage it for her."

I gave copies of reward records, investment documents and Moc Bep documents. Not to brag, but to stop the lies.

Mrs. Huong looked at the money, then looked at her two children.

“What did you use the money for?”

“Buy an apartment, open Moc Bep Kitchen, invest safely and open a restaurant for Khang.”

Ngoc Han clasped her hands.

“I need 3 billion. Just 3 billion.”

“What do you need 3 billion for?”

“Repay your debt and start over.”

“What is the payment plan?”

Duc Tai was not present, but Ngoc Han spoke as if he had prepared. I asked each item, each deadline. There is no clear answer.

"If you give it, I will use the money to fill the old account. In six months, you will have to give it again."

“Do you think I am that kind of person?”

“I think you don't have a plan yet.”

Minh Khang placed an envelope on the table.

"Sister, I'll pay back all the money you gave me to learn the trade. From today on, I don't owe you anything."

Ngoc Han did not take it right away. Mrs. Huong started to cry, but Minh Khang kept his voice calm.

"I didn't break up with my sister. I just didn't give my wife money to settle my brother-in-law's debt."

Ngoc Han looked at me, her eyes filled with anger, shame, and a little fear.

I won't say more. There are explanations that are more like asking for permission.