Chapter 2 — Grandma said in a dream that the numbers were lucky, my husband panicked and asked for a divorce

House broken? Those four words hit my heart like a sledgehammer. For a moment, I even doubted I heard wrong.

"What...what did you just say?"

Chu Minh Hien sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his hair with both hands, his whole body trembling slightly.

"Tem Tham, don't ask anymore, I beg you."

His voice was filled with fatigue and pleading.

"There are some things, not knowing is better than knowing."

That avoidance attitude immediately sparked anger in my heart.

"Chu Minh Hien!"

I threw the blanket off the bed and stood straight in front of him.

"You smashed my phone, used words like 'break the house' to threaten me, and now you tell me not to ask anymore?"

"Do you think that's possible?"

"You must explain to me clearly! What is this thing called breaking the bank at once? What does that series of numbers mean?"

He raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, filled with pain.

"That's... the number my father used to buy lottery tickets that year."

I was stunned.

"But didn't dad die in an accident?"

When Chu Minh Hien and I got married, my father-in-law passed away many years ago. Trieu Ngoc Lan's mother-in-law only told me that he had an accident at the construction site.

"It was an accident... but not really an accident."

Chu Minh Hien's voice became more and more hoarse.

"That year, my father won the lottery with that exact number."

"How much?"

I quickly asked.

"5,000,000 yuan."

My heart beats strongly.

"And then what?"

"Then my house... completely collapsed."

After saying that, he closed his mouth tightly. No matter how I asked, he would only repeat one sentence over and over again:

"Don't ask anymore."

"Forget it."

"That's good for all of us."

Looking at his stubborn appearance, I was both angry and impatient. The next morning. Perhaps because he wanted to make up for his out-of-control actions last night, Chu Minh Hien proactively offered to buy me a new phone. I don't bother to pay attention. After he left for work, I sat alone in the living room, my mind a mess. The dead phone was still lying next to the bed. Like a silent taunt. The more I thought about it, the more I realized something was wrong. If it is true as Chu Minh Hien said, that number sequence brings misfortune. So his reaction should have been disgust. It's hatred. But last night... What I saw was fear. A fear like seeing a ghost. A fear that goes deep into the bones. There's definitely something being hidden. At that moment, the house phone rang. It's Chu Minh Hien calling from the office.

"Them Tham, are you no longer angry?"

His voice was incredibly reserved. I snorted coldly.

"Mom said she would come to my house today."

"Remember to cook some of her favorite dishes at noon."

I was immediately alert.

"What are you doing, Mom?"

"I... didn't sleep well last night so I told my mom a little."

"Mom doesn't feel secure so she wants to come and see."

In a blink of an eye, I understood immediately. Not insecure. It's about asking for guilt. This man who only knew how to listen to his mother certainly added salt to his story about last night. On the other end of the line, Chu Minh Hien hesitantly added:

"Also, Absorbent..."

"About last night's dream, about that number sequence..."

"Absolutely don't mention it in front of mom."

"There's no reason!"

"Just listen to me!"

His voice became grumpy again. After speaking, he quickly hung up the phone. I tightened my grip on the stethoscope. The whole person get cold. Not prompted? In the end, what are the Chu family members hiding? I suddenly felt like there was an invisible net in this house. Its center... Is that mysterious number sequence. And I, an outsider, accidentally walked in. They don't want to help me find the truth. But just wanted to quickly push me out, then continue to bury that secret. But I don't accept it. Right at noon. The doorbell rang right on time. Trieu Ngoc Lan's mother-in-law arrived. As soon as she entered the house, she pulled my hand and asked me many questions.

"Them Tham, why is your face so poor?"

"Did Minh Hien make you angry again?"

"Tell mom, she'll teach him."

I just reluctantly curled my lips and smiled. No response. During meals, she continuously served me food. More enthusiastic than ever before.

"Tem Tham, eat more."

"It's not easy for women to manage a family."

"Stop thinking so hard."

"Having fun is the most important thing."

The words sounded like concern. But it carries another meaning. I put down my chopsticks and looked straight at her.

"Last night I dreamed about my grandmother."

Her movement of picking up food suddenly stopped. The smile on his face also stiffened for a moment. Under the table. Chu Minh Hien used the tip of his foot to kick my leg hard. I pretended not to feel it and continued to say:

"She gave me a series of numbers."

"Tell me to buy lottery tickets."

Trieu Ngoc Lan's face immediately changed. She slowly put down her chopsticks. Cold eyes stared at me.

"Which number sequence?"