Chapter 2 — I Was Evicted From Home In The Middle Of The Night, I Rebuilt A Home For My Children

After five o'clock in the morning, Niem Niem woke up. The girl sat dumbfounded on the unfamiliar bed for a while, then ran out barefoot.

“Mom, this is not my house.”

“We are staying at my aunt's house as guests.”

“So are you still going to kindergarten today?”

"I won't go for now. I'll stay at my aunt's house for a few days."

Niem Niem thought for a moment then nodded. Four-year-old children don't ask too many questions. What she cares about is what to eat this morning, how many cartoons she can watch, and whether she will bring her new set of crayons with her or not. Color pen set is not included. Niem Niem was a little sad, but didn't cry. To Mang cooked her a bowl of noodles and fried an egg. Niem Niem obediently sat alone at the dining table. She still hasn't mastered using chopsticks, just holds a spoon to scoop up pieces one by one. To Mang pulled me to the balcony.

“Where is my household registration book?”

"ID?"

“Also at home.”

“Marriage certificate?”

“Locked in a drawer by Han Thanh.”

To Mang took a deep breath.

"Today I will take you to get your ID card renewed first. That's fine for now."

"Then go to the real estate management agency to look up the entire real estate transfer history in Han Thanh's name."

“Do you remember when you bought a house, where did the money come from?”

“The total deposit is 600,000 yuan.”

“Han Thanh contributed 300,000 yuan.”

“My mother gave me 200,000 yuan.”

“The remaining 100,000 yuan is money I saved while working.”

“All have transfer documents.”

“What about a mortgage?”

“Pay 4,800 yuan every month, deducted from Han Thanh's salary card.”

“But every month I also transfer 2,000 yuan to that card.”

“Buy it after getting married?”

“Second year after marriage.”

“On the documents, only Han Thanh's name is written.”

“He said if there were two people, the loan procedure would be complicated.”

To Mang did not speak. I added the remaining sentences myself.

“At that time, I saw that what he said made sense.”

To Mang pushed up his glasses.

“Property purchased during marriage, regardless of whose name is in it, is the common property of the husband and wife.”

"He arbitrarily transferred his mother's name without my consent, which is an act of intentional dispersal of assets."

“Legally, that transfer transaction can completely be canceled.”

“But his mother said that Han Thanh volunteered…”

“Is it legal to volunteer?”

"During marriage, arbitrarily transferring common property is a violation of the law."

“I am a co-owner.”

“To transfer the name, he must have my signature.”

“Do you sign?”

“That's enough.”

Nine o'clock in the morning. To Mang took me to her law office. Her partner is lawyer Chu, specializing in marriage and family. A woman in her forties, thin, agile. The desk is filled with judgments. I narrated the whole incident. Lawyer Chu listened and took notes. Occasionally turn to a certain law and then use a red pen to underline it.

“Miss To Van.”

“You said you still keep the recordings and transfer documents, right?”

To Mang passed the USB over. Attorney Chu plugged into the computer. The moment the folder was opened, she stopped. Forty-seven audio files. Sixteen photos of transfer transactions. All are arranged in chronological order. From three years ago until two months ago. Lawyer Chu raised his head and looked at me.

“You stayed for three years?”

“I also didn't think this day would come.”

“Just... scared.”

Lawyer Chu opened the first recording. Korean accent Thanh rang out from the computer speakers.

“...You just keep that money first, don't let To Van know.”

Lawyer Chu pressed pause.

“What account is he talking about?”

“Year-end bonus.”

“A total of 120,000 yuan.”

“He told me he was only given a reward of 60,000 yuan.”

“Later I checked another bank card of his and discovered that the remaining 60,000 yuan had been transferred to Trieu Tieu Man.”

Lawyer Chu looked at To Mang. To Mang says:

"If common property during the marriage is transferred to a third person, you can completely request a refund."

Lawyer Chu continued to watch. Go to the eleventh recording. It's a conversation between Han Thanh and his mother.

“...Mom, I will find a way to transfer the house to your name first, other things will be discussed later.”

“Hurry, don't let it find out.”

That was my mother-in-law's voice. The person for whom I have cooked, washed, cleaned, made tea, and cared for all these years. While I wholeheartedly serve you. She and her son were discussing how to kick me out of the house. Lawyer Chu turned off the recording. Pull out a tissue and give it to me. I don't accept. Don't cry either. Enough to dry my tears.

“Do you want a divorce or do you want to sue?”

Attorney Chu asked.

“First, sue for the act of dispersing common property during the marriage period.”

"Recommend applying asset preservation measures, freezing all assets in the names of Han Thanh and Vuong Tu Lan."

“At the same time, file for divorce.”

The person who said that was not me. It's To Mang. I looked at her. She stood next to lawyer Chu's desk. In hand holding a pen. His eyes stopped on the list of forty-seven recordings displayed on the computer screen.

“I will write a lawsuit today.”

"I'll help you monitor the court."

“Submit your application first thing tomorrow morning.”

Lawyer Chu said:

“If you want to get approval to freeze assets as quickly as possible, you must...”

“Not waiting for a verdict.”

To Mang interrupted.

“Do procedures to preserve assets before filing a lawsuit.”

“I stand as guarantor.”

Lawyer Chu was stunned. Then burst out laughing.

“You stand as guarantor?”

“Using my house?”

“Use my house.”

I turned my head to look at To Mang. She doesn't look at me. Just bow your head and write something on paper. The tip of the pen rubbed so hard that it almost penetrated the paper.

“Don't say thank you.”

She still didn't raise her head.

“You are my sister.”