Chapter 7 — I Returned After 18 Years and Found Mother's Lifelong Secret

I stared at the key. Under the dim light, it glowed with a cold light, like a premonition.

“What transaction did my mother have with you?”

The voice is flat. Lam Dao lifted the cup of tea and blew gently. The steam obscured the cold light in his eyes.

“Your mother is a smart woman.”

“Much smarter than her cowardly husband.”

“She knows money can't solve my problems.”

“What I want is never just money.”

He took a sip. Like testing my patience.

“I want the Giang family to live in fear.”

“Just like the family I lived with.”

“Day and night, not a minute of peace.”

His voice was even. But underneath is a layer of hatred that has accumulated over thirty years.

“Your mother came to see me.”

“After I release your sister.”

“She knows I won't stop.”

“She knows that scoundrel will sooner or later put himself in my hands again.”

“So she gave me a choice.”

My eyes fell on the key again.

"She used what was in the bank safe in exchange for peace for the next half of Jiang Ming's life."

“As long as I don't touch it anymore.”

“What's in the safe, I can do whatever I want.”

“And that… was enough to put your father in jail for the rest of his life.”

My heart stopped for a beat.

“The original investigation report of that year's accident.”

The corners of his lips curled up.

“Your father signed it.”

"Admit negligence. Admit wrongdoing."

“The evidence of bribery to correct the report is also sufficient.”

“Your mother kept it for more than thirty years.”

“I must say, she is very cruel.”

“Not just cruel to you.”

“And the same goes for my husband.”

Keep that evidence. It's like tying a noose around your husband's neck. The end of the wire was in her hand. Thirty years. How did they live? Same bed, different dreams.

“Why didn't she announce it sooner?”

“If she makes your brother's death public…”

“Publicly?”

Lam Dao laughed and interrupted.

“Little girl, you are so naive.”

“That year, your father had someone behind him.”

“Otherwise, do you think he can cover it up so easily?”

“Even if your mother released a report, it would just be like throwing a stone into the sea.”

“You can also drag the whole family down with you.”

“She kept it not for the sake of justice.”

“But for self-protection.”

“To one day be able to bargain with the devil.”

He looked at me.

“Now that card is in your hand.”

“What do you mean?”

“She's dead.”

He said casually.

“The transaction between me and her... is of course void.”

“But I am a man of my word.”

“I promise to personally deliver this key to you.”

“How else to use it…”

“It's your choice.”

He pushed the cooled cup of tea towards me.

“You can take it to the police.”

“Let your father stand trial.”

“Might as well destroy it.”

“Let the secret rot.”

“Or give it to me.”

“I will keep my promise and never touch your younger brother.”

A math problem. Family. Moral. Benefit. Either way you choose, you will lose. I looked at him.

“Why did you do that?”

“Watching us kill each other…isn't it fun?”

He laughed. Smoke-stained teeth were exposed.

“Your mother must have said it in the letter.”

“I am the wolf that is never full.”

“I'm tired of money.”

“Now I like to play with people's hearts.”

I was silent. Turns out this is the ultimate goal. He doesn't just want revenge. He wants us to tear each other apart ourselves. He seemed to suddenly remember.

“Your mother still said.”

“There is more than just a report in the safe.”

“There's something else.”

“That is what she really left for you.”

“She said, when you see it… you'll understand everything.”

I hold the key. Cold in the palm of my hand. Like a piece of hot iron. Burned the whole chest. I left the tea shop. Don't look back. Lam Dao's eyes were like a poisonous snake, stuck behind my back. He was sitting in the dark, enjoying every step I took in the game he had set up. Exit Tra Cu alley. The sunlight outside was so bright that it hurt my eyes. I call a car. Read the address engraved on the key. An old bank. Located on the central road of the city since the last century. All around are colored by time. I walked into the lobby. No people. The smell of old paper money and disinfectant mixed together. I went to the counter. Give key and passport. The employee is a middle-aged woman. She looked at the key, then looked at me. Somewhat surprised.

“This safe… no one has been here for a long time.”

She stood up and led me inside. The thick metal door behind him closed. Cut off from the outside world. We entered a room filled with small boxes lining the walls. She compared the codes. Use two keys to open a compartment.

"Done."

She pulled out a heavy metal box. Place on the table. Then leave. Leave me alone. The room was so silent that only the sound of my heart could be heard. I looked at the box. Like a Pandora's box. Contains enough secrets to turn my life upside down. I took a deep breath. There's not much inside. On top is a brown paper file bag. Turn yellow, tie with hemp rope. You don't need to open it to know. That was an accident report that was enough to put my father in jail. I put it aside. Don't rush to watch. My eyes were drawn to what lay below. A small box wrapped in dark green silk. Color has faded. But still delicate. I opened the silk layer. Inside is a jewelry box made of rosewood.