Chapter 4 — I Don't Need This Family Anymore

The police arrived very quickly. A shrill siren sounded from afar, stopping right in front of the brokerage company's door. Two policemen entered. As soon as he saw the scene of a confrontation with a knife, his eyes immediately became alert.

"It's the police! Put the knife down!"

As soon as Luu Ngoc Tran saw the police, he panicked. All her life, she was most afraid of people wearing uniforms. His hand trembled, the knife fell to the floor with a "ding" sound. Tu Duong quickly kicked the knife aside.

"Comrade police, it's a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding..." Tu Ve Quoc quickly stepped forward to explain.

"My wife was suddenly thinking, just joking."

An older policeman frowned and pointed to the blood stain on Luu Ngoc Tran's neck.

“If you take a knife and slit your throat, you call it a joke?”

He turned to look at me.

“You called the police?”

I nodded and passed the phone over.

“Comrade, this is the video I just recorded.”

The police took it and looked it over. His face gradually became serious.

“Follow us back to the station.”

He told Luu Ngoc Tran and Tu Duong.

“No… comrade, we…”

Luu Ngoc Tran stammered, so frightened that he couldn't speak.

"Let's talk about something about the station."

The police did not give them a chance to explain and led them away directly. When passing by me, Luu Ngoc Tran looked at me with extremely resentful eyes. As if saying: Hua Tham, you just wait. I looked straight back. Not expressive. Inside... it was strangely calm. The world is finally at peace. After the police left, the owner of the brokerage company personally came out. While apologizing while pouring water, his attitude was extremely polite.

“Miss Hua, I'm really sorry, I scared you.”

"No problem." I said.

“Can the contract… still be signed?”

He stopped and looked at Tu Ve Quoc who was sitting as if he had lost his soul.

“This… Mr. Tu?”

Tu Ve Quoc seemed to have his soul drained out. Sitting there stunned, not saying a word. I walked in front of him.

“No one can stop you now.”

“The house… are you still selling?”

He raised his head. His cloudy eyes looked at me, full of confusion and pain. After a long time, he forced out a word. Subsequent procedures took place very quickly. The guest was a rather determined middle-aged man. Satisfied with the price, immediately signed the contract and paid a deposit of ten thousand. The remaining ninety thousand will be transferred directly to Tu Ve Quoc's account after transferring the name tomorrow. Holding the signed contract, walked out of the brokerage company. It was almost dark. Tu Ve Quoc walked behind me, like a shadow.

“Tieu Tham…” he called.

“Your mother… will she be okay?”

“At best, detain for a few days, educate and then release.” I replied.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Then fell deeper into silence.

“Do we… really have to come to this…”

He muttered.

“It's your choice.” I said.

I hailed a taxi, preparing to get in.

“Tieu Tham!” he called again.

“That money… I will receive it tomorrow, dad…”

“It's your money, used to treat your mother's illness, of course.”

I interrupted.

“Dad didn't say that…” he shook his head.

“Dad wants… the rest, give me half…”

I looked at him. The afternoon light covered that old face. It looks both funny and pitiful.

"No need."

“I feel dirty.”

Liu Ngoc Tran and Tu Duong were detained for twenty-four hours. When he was released, it was said that Luu Ngoc Tran seemed to have lost all his strength and no longer dared to mention threatening with a knife. Tu Ve Quoc successfully completed the procedures to transfer the house's name. Ninety thousand dollars sold the house very quickly transfer to your account. He immediately went to the hospital and paid thirty thousand as an advance payment for surgery. Grandma's surgery was scheduled for the next day. All of these things were because Tu Ve Quoc called and told me. His voice on the other end of the line carried a feeling of relief, but also fatigue, as if a burden had just been lifted.

“Tieu Tham, grandmother's surgery has been arranged.”

“The doctor said the success rate is very high.”

My reaction was cold. He seemed to be used to it, silent for a moment then continued.

"Your mother... came home yesterday and withdrew the divorce petition."

I wasn't surprised. A "tour" at the police station was enough for her to understand reality. Before the law, crying and rioting has no effect.

“She also said,” Tu Ve Quoc's voice lowered, “that six million… she agreed to take out one hundred thousand for dad.”

I raised my eyebrows. Luu Ngoc Tran still willing to release money?

“But there are conditions.” he added.

I knew right away.