Chapter 2 — Lottery Ticket

3

From a young age, I knew my parents favored my younger brother, so since entering college, I have consciously saved money on my own. After getting married, I realized it was all just a joke. When I got married, my parents didn't give me a dowry, and even forced me to pay for the wedding party. Tran Minh's family gave 150 million in bride price, and I also contributed more than 100 million—the amount of money I saved during college to make a dowry. My parents intended to take that money, but I called all my relatives to testify, saying that it was not good for me to get married far away and not having money on hand. For the sake of appearance in front of relatives, my parents had to let me keep the money, but also considered cutting off the relationship, declaring that if I was bullied by my husband in the future, I would not come back to look for them. After the wedding, Tran Minh suggested combining both amounts of money to save as the family's capital. Who would have thought that in less than three years, that money would become his only hope to repay his debt. As for that girl "Thanh Thanh", he probably met her during a few days of sitting at the lottery shop. For the past few months, I've been waking up early and staying up late, working overtime, trying to earn more money to make up for my debt. Yet not only does he not care about business, he also has a child!

"Tran Minh, I thought your dismissal was just a temporary decline, who would have thought you had already become trash."

“We've only known each other for a few days in a lottery shop and dare say it's 'true love', so if one day you meet a sow on the street and you find it compatible, will you consider it true love?"

Tran Minh's face darkened, looking like he wanted to argue with me. But just a few seconds later, his face changed and he smiled sarcastically:

“Didn't I meet you on the street a while ago?”

"You're not even as good as a sow, at least she can give birth. And you? You can't even drop an egg!"

I'm mad! Did he just say I'm not as good as a sow?! I grabbed the pillow on the bed and rushed to beat him.

"Tran Minh! You bastard! I have to divorce you today! Must divorce!"

Tran Minh grabbed the pillow, threw it on the ground, and glared at me.

"You sour woman! Marrying you is truly eight lifetimes of bad luck!"

“Go, go register for divorce now!”

I was about to follow him, but suddenly remembered something.

“Divorce is okay, but you have to return my money.”

This house and car are both in his name, I don't need them. But the money I brought with me when I got married, I must get it back! That's the money I worked hard to save during college.

“No way!”

Tran Minh immediately objected.

"You eat at my house, drink my water, don't you need to pay?"

I smiled coldly:

"Do you have a conscience? These years I have worked to make money, and all household expenses have come from my salary!"

I'm stupid for trying to keep this marriage. For what? For a home of my own? But is this the home I want?

“Send me the money. Otherwise, I won't get a divorce.”

Tran Minh couldn't wait to marry his little girlfriend. Hearing me say that, he immediately pushed me away.

“Do you think I won't get a divorce if you don't sign?”

“Tell you, today we must get a divorce!”

He grabbed me, dragged me out of the bedroom, and shouted to his mother:

"Mom, take all of Han Tinh's things and throw them out! From today, don't give them to her come into the house again!”

“Okay, son!”

My mother-in-law happily dragged Thanh Thanh along to pack up my things. I struggled, but my strength was no longer that of Tran Minh. I could only watch as the two of them threw all my belongings out of the house. Finally, I was pushed out the door, standing alone among a pile of clothes and personal belongings. I knocked on the door and called, but they didn't open.

5

I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm. Holding his pocket, he said to himself:

“Han Tinh, you have to calm down. It's not worth being angry with these ungrateful people. You're about to become a rich man!”

A few minutes later, I took a deep breath and bent down to collect my things. As soon as I finished packing up, Tran Minh dressed up, opened the door and walked out.

“Go, go get a divorce.”

I carried my canvas bag. It's so light, even lighter than when I arrived in this city. I picked up my bag, turned to look at the house I had lived in for three years, and then quietly followed Tran Minh. Divorce is also good. Once divorced, that 10 million will be mine alone. Can't let him take advantage. Downstairs, Tran Minh said:

“You take a taxi to the civil affairs department yourself. Thanh Thanh doesn't want you to sit in the car with us."

In just a few short hours, I got used to his brazenness. I picked up my bag, hailed a taxi, showed the driver the direction, then leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes to rest. Being kicked out, I had no place to live and had to find a place to rent immediately. Near Tran Minh's house there is an old dormitory, the rent is quite cheap, so let's stay temporarily for a month. I checked the lottery ticket again, the deadline to redeem the prize is within 60 days and I have to go to the provincial lottery headquarters to claim it. Now Tran Minh wants to divorce me. If I don't want him to split half, I can't exchange the reward right away. The divorce consideration period is 30 days, I have to wait until that period ends before receiving the money. During this time, I still have to find a way to get my dowry back. Thinking of Tran Minh's hateful face, I sighed. That money is definitely not easy to get back. He still owes more than 300–400 million, so why would he let it go! As soon as I arrived at the dormitory, my phone rang. Seeing the name Tran Minh on the screen, I immediately hung up. Renting a house here is very simple, I quickly found a small room and discussed it with the landlord. During that time, my phone kept ringing. I waited until I was properly arranged and put my things down before I picked up the phone.

“Han Tinh! Damn it! Where are you?! I've been waiting for you at the civil affairs department for three hours!”

I calmly replied:

“Then just keep waiting.”

“Miss…” Tran Minh on the other end of the phone got mad.

“When will you finally arrive?!”

“You return my dowry, I will come.”

“Dream on! The money is in my hands, do you still want it back? Don't even think!”

He's really the type to speak profanity when he opens his mouth. If he doesn't swear, he can't talk, right?

“Oh, then there will be no divorce.”

After finishing speaking, I calmly hung up the phone and continued to pack my things. Tran Minh called again, I still hung up. He called again, I still hung up. After several times like that, in the end he stopped calling and texted threateningly:

“Just wait, I'll give you a pretty face!”

I began to worry about my safety, afraid he would act violently. After making arrangements, I went to a floating law office known in the city to inquire about the dowry issue. After listening to my situation, the lawyer advised:

“You should divorce as soon as possible.”

First, dowry is considered a gift, and when divorced, it is difficult to get it back. Second, Tran Minh's debt is too large, exceeding the amount of my dowry. If I prolong the divorce, that debt will be considered a joint debt of the couple. In other words, if Tran Minh sues for divorce, not only will I not be able to get my money back, but I may even have to bear the debt with him! After listening, my heart felt cold. I tried to maintain this marriage for three years, but in the end, what I got back was a total loss of more than 100 million. When Tran Minh called back, I originally intended to agree to a divorce immediately. Unexpectedly, he said:

“I can give you 50 million, go back and sign the form immediately.”

I was immediately alert. Incorrect! With Tran Minh's lack of money, why did he easily give me 50 million? I immediately told this story to the lawyer, and his answer left me speechless. It turns out that winning the lottery, regardless of whether you have received the prize or not, as long as you buy it during marriage, it is still common property. Your partner has the right to know. If you intentionally hide it, it is considered an act of hiding assets. If Tran Minh sues in court, he will likely receive more than half of the money! Returning to the rented room, I touched the winning lottery ticket in my pocket, filled with indignation. Do I really have to give Tran Minh so much money? Wouldn't that mean he would be arrogant to the heavens?! I tossed and turned all night, and the next morning I went to the civil affairs department with dark circles under my eyes like a panda. Tran Minh had already arrived, bringing Thanh Thanh with him, looking like he was very anxious to get a divorce. I stood on the steps and opened the QR code:

“Transfer the money, then I'll come in.”

Tran Minh snorted, but in the end he still transferred the money to me. As soon as he arrived, he quickly hugged Thanh Thanh's waist, deliberately showing off his feelings. I remembered the lawyer's words and tried to probe:

"Tran Minh, you won 1 million, should you also give me half?"

He and Thanh Thanh looked at each other, from those eyes, I clearly saw contempt.

"Thanh Thanh is still smart, he guessed that she would ask to split the money."

“So we have already found a lawyer.”