Chapter 8 — I Was Evicted From Home In The Middle Of The Night, I Rebuilt A Home For My Children

Lawyer Phuong that Han Thanh hired met To Mang once to negotiate. To Mang said I didn't need to appear. Everything is represented by her. That evening, she recounted the entire conversation to me. The conditions given by Han Thanh are: First, the house can be renamed again, but the ownership must belong to Han Thanh alone. Second, pay me 300,000 yuan as compensation during the marriage. Third, the right to raise Niem Niem belongs to Han Thanh. Right to raise Niem Niem. Belongs to Han Thanh.

“He wants to win Niem Niem?”

I clearly heard my voice change.

“Not that he wants to.”

To Mang shook his head.

“It's what his mother wants.”

"Lawyer Phuong said verbatim: A child living with the father's family will have better material conditions, beneficial for his or her development."

“To put it bluntly, they call me poor.”

I am living in a temporary room in a working-class area. Work as a supermarket cashier. The money on the card plus the amount loaned by To Mang was less than 5,000 yuan. What they said was not wrong.

“But the court won't say that.”

To Mang continued.

“Nien Niem is not yet eight years old.”

“In this case, the court prioritizes consideration of the mother who directly raised the child.”

"Furthermore, Han Thanh committed adultery and intentionally dispersed common assets."

“These ethical and legal violations all affect child custody considerations.”

“What if they find someone to prove that I don't have economic ability?”

“I'm all prepared.”

To Mang looked at me.

“I have a stable income.”

“Have a permanent residence.”

“Even though it's just a motel room.”

“Able to take care of Niem Niem.”

“And I have a sister.”

“You can stand up for financial guarantees.”

I was silent. To Mang looked at me for a moment then asked:

“Do you know what my conditions are?”

“Restoring the right to co-ownership of the house.”

“After dividing according to the law, the house belongs to me and Niem Niem.”

“The 194,000 yuan Han Thanh transferred to Trieu Tieu Man must be fully returned.”

“The right to raise Niem Niem belongs to me.”

“Han Thanh has to pay 3,000 yuan in alimony every month.”

“As for forging signatures…”

“If he doesn't cooperate, we'll report it to the police.”

“He won't agree.”

“He did not agree.”

To Mang closed the computer.

“Then the court will agree on his behalf.”

A preliminary hearing date has been set. Fourteen months later. Lawyer Phuong wanted to extend the time so he filed an application to postpone the trial. But the court did not accept. That period of time waiting for trial. One thing after another happened. First the supermarket owner told me. Someone called the supermarket to ask about me.

“A man.”

“He said he was your old neighbor.”

“I want to stop by to buy things and then see you later.”

“But I didn't tell you your schedule.”

The boss looked at me.

“You should be careful.”

I know that person is Han Thanh. Then the innkeeper came.

“An old woman came to me the other day and asked me which room you were in.”

Vuong Tu Lan.

“She paid to ask?”

The homeowner shook his head.

“Just asking.”

“I said I don't know.”

“Then she went away.”

She's looking for me. Find my place. Find where I work. Not for reconciliation. It's to put pressure. But the most serious thing happened next. Niem Niem was pushed down by a classmate at school kindergarten. The chin is scratched and the skin is torn. When the teacher calls to inform. I immediately took the electric car to school. Niem Niem is sitting on the teacher's lap. On the chin, put a band-aid. No more crying. The boy pushing her is named Uong Nhat Pham. The boy's mother was also present.

“Sorry, sister.”

“Children are just playing around.”

The boy's mother said shyly.

"Do you push someone down when you're joking?"

“It really wasn't intentional.”

“Nhat Pham quarreled with Niem Niem because…”

The woman hesitated.

“Because the boy said Niem Niem doesn't have a father…”

My hand stopped.

“Who taught the boy to talk like that?”

The woman was confused.

“Probably... the kids probably just spread the word.”

“There were a few parents talking at school.”

“Said Niem Niem's parents were separated…”

It's not passed down by children. It's Vuong Tu Lan. It was she who stood in front of the school gate talking to others.

“The Han family doesn't need this girl anymore.”

“To Van was kicked out of the house.”

“Han Thanh has a new person.”

Those words passed from the mouths of adults to the ears of children. Then from the children's mouth it entered Niem Niem's ears. I squatted down.

“Nem Niem.”

“Does it hurt?”

She touched the bandage on her chin. Gently shook his head.

“Does it mean you don't need me anymore?”

My heart felt like someone was choking me. I held the baby in my arms. Hug tightly.

"Not."

“Dad is just on a business trip.”

“Then why didn't you call me?”

“Adults are too busy and sometimes forget.”

“But it doesn't mean I don't need you.”

Niem Niem did not ask further. The baby lies on my shoulder. Both hands hugged my neck. Small fingers wrapped around my hair. I picked up my child and left the kindergarten. I just dared to put my child down. Return to the motel room. Niem Niem washed her hands and sat down to draw. And I stood at the end of the hallway calling To Mang.

“Another lawsuit request.”

To Mang's voice rang out from the other end of the line. I looked at the door of the small room where Niem Niem was sitting. Then slowly say:

“Compensation for mental damage.”