Chapter 3 — Let go at the right time, life will bloom

After hanging up. I took a deep breath. It was the last time I allowed myself to soften. Since that moment. Every step I take. It's all a move. The days that followed. I still go to work as usual. Still accepting projects as usual. Still calling to ask Ha's mother how her health is. Whether the medicine is taken on time or not? Still regularly transferring 40,000 yuan of medicine money into the Ha family's account every month. Even... Still listening to Ha Canh Tham's rare calls as if nothing had ever happened. But his phone calls became less and less frequent. At first it was once a day. Then every three days. Only call once a week. Always in a hurry.

"Wife, I'm very busy. The training is so intense, I still have to write a report tonight."

"Well, remember to rest."

"Be good at home. When I get home, I'll buy you a gift."

After hanging up. I opened the latest tracking report that Mr. Phuong sent. Ha Canh Tham wears a colorful floral shirt. One arm hugged Dinh Vy's waist. Two people stood in front of a seafood restaurant. Smile brightly. On Dinh Vy's wrist. Got a new bracelet. According to spending invoice. That bracelet costs 12,000 yuan. Paid by Ha Canh Tham's bank card. And the money on that card... Comes from the "living allowance" I regularly transfer to him every month. I turned off the report. Continue drawing the design. Strangely steady. The thirty-seventh day after Ha Canh Tham left. I went to the Ha family's house once. Mother Ha's spirit is quite good. She was sitting on the sofa watching TV series. Saw me walking in carrying fruits and nutritious foods. She just glanced. I didn't even bother to lift my eyelids.

"Already here."

"The medicine is about to run out."

"Remember to get more."

"Yes, mom."

I put things in the refrigerator. Then check the remaining amount of medicine. Ha's father slowly walked in from the balcony. Still holding a cup of tea in hand.

"Nien So."

"How is Canh Tham's training outside?"

"Did he contact you?"

"Yes, Dad."

"He said everything was fine."

"I also told you two not to worry."

Ha's father nodded with satisfaction.

"This kid finally knows how to strive."

"Waiting for him to become Director."

"Life will be much better for both of you."

I just smiled slightly. Say nothing. Right at that moment. Ha's mother suddenly spoke up.

"If you come this time, please transfer next month's medicine money too."

"Lately everything has increased in price."

"Your father's joints also hurt."

"Planning to buy a massage chair."

"I see if I can..."

I smiled and interrupted.

"The thing about massage chairs..."

"Wait until Canh Tham comes back and then figure it out."

Ha's mother's face suddenly changed. But in the end, nothing more was said. When I was about to leave. She suddenly called out.

"I and Canh Tham..."

"Are you okay?"

I turned my head to look at her. The expression on her face... It's a bit unpredictable.

"Still very good, Mom."

"Is something wrong?"

"Go home."

I got in the car. Start the engine. Through the rearview mirror. I saw Ha's mother still standing behind the window. But her face... I couldn't see clearly. A thought suddenly appeared in my head. Did you know? Did you know... Your son has never been to training? The answer... Ten days later, I knew. Day forty-seven since Ha Canh Tham left. Mr. Phuong sent me a recording. It was a phone call between Ha Canh Tham and his mother. Call content as follows.

"Mom, I have something to say."

"But mom, don't tell Niem So."

"What's going on?"

"This time I won't go to training."

"I went out to rest with a friend."

"Well... a female colleague who is quite close."

"Mom, don't think too much."

The other end of the line fell silent for a long time. Then Ha's mother's voice rang out. Unexpectedly calm.

"Canh Tham."

"I don't care how you want to play outside."

"But you must remember carefully."

"Niem Chu absolutely must not lose it."

"My mother's life depends on her money."

"If you make him angry..."

"Who will pay for mom's medicine?"

"I know, Mom."

"Mom, don't worry."

"Nien So is the type of person who is as diligent as an old buffalo."

"Just working all day."

"She won't find out."

"I'm tired of waiting for you to play."

"Just a few words of coaxing and that's it."

Ha's mother remained silent for a few more seconds.

"That girl..."

"Is it trustworthy?"

"Credible."

"She likes you because you're a good person."

"But not for money."

"Know your own moderation."

"Don't let your father know."

The recording ends. I sit in front of my desk. Wear headphones. Quietly listen to every last word. Manh Tuyet gave me a glass of water.

"Are you okay?"

I took off my headphones. Backup the recording into three different copies. Manh Tuyet looked at me.

"Tham Niem Sister."

"Are you really not heartbroken?"

I smiled softly.

"What's the use of being heartbroken?"

"But you're human."

"It's not a machine."

I don't answer. I am very hurt. But it's not because Ha Canh Tham had an affair. But because of Ha's mother's words.

"Niem Chu must not lose it. Mom's life still depends on her money."

In the eyes of the entire Ha family. I have never been a family member. An ATM that breathes. There is temperature. Easy to use. Will never protest. The last bit of hesitation in me. Also completely disappeared after that recording. For the next two months. I do three things. The first thing. Continue to coordinate with Mr. Phuong to collect evidence. His team is extremely professional. They followed Ha Canh Tham and Dinh Vy all the way to Tam A. Filmed the entire process of the two entering and exiting the hotel together. There are high-resolution photos of the two kissing by the pool. There is a video of them walking around the duty-free shopping center together. Ha Canh Tham even personally tried on the necklace for Dinh Vy. There are also photos taken with a telephoto lens. Dinh Vy stood outside the hotel balcony wearing a bathrobe. Ha Canh Tham hugged her from behind. Every photo. Every video. All clear. Full time. Indisputable. The day Mr. Phuong sent all documents. He also sent a message.

"The chain of evidence is complete."

"Legal."

"Can be used directly in proceedings."

I immediately transferred the remaining amount. The second thing. I started rearranging my personal assets. Savings money. Investment funds. Along with royalties from designs I own. All are transferred to a personal account opened before marriage. Chu Nghien Bach helped me review all assets. Clear division. Where is private property? What is the common property of husband and wife?

"The money I accumulated before marriage."

"The same income from intellectual property rights in the individual's name after marriage."

"It's all private property."

"Common assets are not much."

"Mainly the salary after marriage and the house."

"The house was purchased with assets before my marriage."

"Plus the money my parents support for the down payment."

"The loan from the beginning until now has been paid by myself."

"Even though his name is on the book."

"But the actual contribution rate is almost negligible."

Chu Nghien Bach closed the file.

"In other words..."

"Even though he left empty-handed."

"It's not unfair at all."

I shook my head.

"I don't need him to leave empty-handed."