Chapter 2 — From the day I reported losing my card, I started a new life

The phone vibrates. Message from Chu Minh Hien:

“An Nhien, don't be angry anymore, go home soon.”

"Mom is old, don't accept it."

Still the same saying. Over the past ten years, every time his mother and I had a conflict, he used it to cover up all my hurts. Before, I would have been soft-hearted. Because of the so-called "comfort", I swallowed my anger inside. But today — no more. Looking at that text, I just felt nauseous. I don't answer. Quietly switch your phone to silent mode. I need quiet. We need to seriously chart a path for the remaining half of our life. Divorce — is certain. In the past ten years, what I spent was only 8.4 million yuan. There's also youth, career, and even the exhausting days of this family. I can't let them take it all and leave empty-handed. I found a quiet cafe, ordered an Americano — no sugar, no milk. But enough to clear my mind. I opened my laptop and started listing. First things first: assets. This house - the deposit is my pre-marital property, with clear transfer documents. The loan amount is deducted from my salary card every month. That house must definitely belong to me. Second thing: other assets are in my name. Stocks, investment funds, and the small apartment I bought for my parents. All must be preserved at once. Third job: Chu Minh Hien. During marriage, did he betray me? Is it possible to quietly transfer common property? I need proof. I had never thought about these things before. I believe that as husband and wife, we should be frank with each other. Now that I think about it... it was so ridiculously naive. Fourth thing: children. We don't have children. This is perhaps the only thing to be happy about in a decade-long marriage. I don't need to continue to mess with that family for the sake of a child. After I finished writing, my mind was completely clear. I need a good lawyer. Opening the directory, I found a college student who was now a famous divorce lawyer. I texted:

"Sister, are you sleeping yet? I have something urgent to ask."

Message responses are almost immediate.

"I'm not sleeping yet, I'm a night owl. What's wrong, An Nhien?"

"I can't say it all in one sentence. Can I see you tomorrow?"

"Okay. At ten o'clock in the morning, come to my office."

An address is included.

“Thank you.”

Having sorted this out, my heart feels a little lighter. The coffee has cooled. I finished my drink, stood up and left. When I returned "home", it was already midnight. The living room light is still on. Chu Minh Hien sat on the sofa, looking impatient. Seeing me, he jumped up immediately.

"Where did you go? Why are you only coming back now?"

“Calls are not answered, messages are not answered.”

I passed him and went straight to the bedroom.

"I'm tired. I want to rest."

He followed, blocking the door.

“An Nhien, what exactly are you doing?”

"I just took a card. Do you need to make such a big deal out of something so small?"

I stopped walking and looked straight at him for the first time.

“Chu Minh Hien.”

“In your eyes… is that just a card?”

“But what else?” he asked back.

I laughed. With this type of person, saying one more word would be redundant. The road is different — we can't go together. I pushed him away, entered the room, and locked the door. Suddenly there was an angry banging sound outside.

“Hua An Nhien, open the door!”

“What do you mean you locked the door?”

I don't care. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. One white night. But my heart is at peace like never before. The storm is about to come. And I — was ready. The next morning, I woke up on time and went to work as usual. Before leaving the house, Chu Minh Hien still gave me a cold face. Luu Ngoc Mai looked at me with the eyes of a winner. I don't bother. Three o'clock in the afternoon. The phone started vibrating violently. I'm in a meeting. The machine on the turntable was as light as a spinning top and out of control. The screen continuously flashed two words: This call followed another call, more intense, more urgent. I looked at it, smiled slightly — then pressed silence. Then continue the meeting, as if nothing had happened. The big show... has officially opened. The meeting ended, it was five o'clock in the afternoon. I picked up my phone and glanced at it — the screen was filled with notifications. Ninety-nine missed calls. They all come from a familiar name: Mother-in-law. There are also dozens of unread messages. Chu Minh Hien, Chu Kha Han, and even relatives who are eight generations distant rarely communicate. I opened the relative group first. Inside was as chaotic as a broken market. A distant aunt sent a short video. The scene is the sales lobby of a luxury apartment complex, the lights are so bright it's blinding. The main characters — none other than — are my mother-in-law, Luu Ngoc Mai, and my brother-in-law Chu Kha Han. The two were surrounded by a crowd, surrounded by curious eyes and pointing fingers. Luu Ngoc Mai's face was as red as pig liver. Chu Kha Han held the phone and called continuously like a lost soul. The video is very short, but the caption is long:

“Oh my god, what is going on?”

"The Chu family's sister-in-law took her daughter to buy a house, and it's also the most beautiful area in the center."

“I heard that I plan to pay one time to get a big apartment.”

"Being a salesperson, I can turn around like a pinwheel and pour several pots of tea at a time."

"Who would have thought that when I swiped my card - I couldn't pay."

“Said the card was frozen.”

“The manager also had to come forward, thinking someone was coming to cause trouble.”

"Now if you sit still and refuse to leave, saying the card belongs to the daughter-in-law, the daughter-in-law is probably playing tricks."

“It's really a loss of face.”

Below, relatives compete to comment.

“It can't be… is it that big of a deal?”

“There must be a lot of money on the card to dare to buy like that.”

“It's An Nhien's money, that's the only one that's good at that family.”

“Being a mother-in-law is so carefree — holding a daughter-in-law card to buy a house for her daughter?”

I read it all, my face still calm. Everything is within the forecast.