Chapter 4 — Marriage Book

The photo frame fell face down on the floor, the tempered glass immediately shattered into small pieces, and the smiles of the two people in the photo were torn apart by cracks. I expressionlessly looked at the pile of debris on the ground and turned to Chu Nhiem. Chu Nhiem placed the envelope containing the divorce petition and wedding ring neatly in the most visible position on the dining table, and also placed the ashtray on a corner to avoid being blown away by the wind. After finishing, she looked around the house that no longer had any "family smell", then followed me and left. The anti-theft door closed behind him, a "click" sounded, locked, trapping everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours. The next half day, with Chu Nhiem's help, I arranged each item to move into the new house. Clothes are hung in the closet, books fill the shelves, small electrical appliances are neatly placed in the kitchen, and green plants are brought to the balcony. The small, cold, empty apartment was gradually filled with my belongings, adding a breath of life, a feeling of quiet and safety that belonged only to me. In the evening, Chu Nhiem had urgent work at the law office so he had to leave first.

“Are you okay alone?” She was still uneasy and asked again.

“It's okay, go ahead, you've helped me a lot today.” I walked her out the door.

“If you have any problem, call me anytime, I'm open 24 hours.” Chu Nhiem hugged me tightly before going downstairs.

The house was completely quiet. I made myself a cup of hot tea, curled up on the old sofa with just the cushions, watching the sky outside gradually darken and the lights in the city light up one after another. I didn't turn on the light, letting the darkness cover me, my fingertips unconsciously brushing the edge of the warm tea cup. At this time, Chu Khai Hang should have already returned home from work. I thought, when he opened the door and walked in, seeing the empty room and the envelope on the table, what expression would be on his face. Surprised, angry, panicked, or completely unaware of what's going on. I tried to piece together that image in my head, but found that my heart was so calm that there were no waves. His feelings, his reactions, from this moment on, have nothing to do with me anymore. The phone screen suddenly lit up in the dark, it was a text message from my mother.

“Ninh Ninh, is it okay to move over there? Remember to lock the door tonight. Have you eaten anything yet?”

My chest warmed slightly and I quickly typed an answer.

“It's okay mom, everything went well, I just finished eating, don't worry, I'll come visit you in a few days.”

“Yes, mom packed me dumplings filled with shrimp and meat that you like.”

Putting down the phone, I stood up and walked to the window, looking at the city at night, bright with lights. From here I can't see Tinh Ha Loan area, but I know that place is probably in chaos right now, it's just no longer relevant to me. And this place, the sixth floor apartment without an elevator, is my new starting point, clean, quiet, belonging only to me. That whole day, Chu Khai Hang was in a state of indescribable excitement. In the morning meeting, he was personally praised by the department head for the previous quarter's achievements. At noon, when he went to receive guests, he signed a pretty good contract. In the afternoon, seeing the temporary bonus amount in the email also made him satisfied. What makes him most comfortable is that big things in the house are finally going according to his calculations. During lunch break, colleague Vuong Sam gave it to him I have a cigarette to tease.

“Your face looks really good these days, is something funny?”

Chu Khai Hang took the cigarette, lit it, exhaled a ring of smoke, the smile on his face could not be hidden.

"It's nothing, it's just that the housework has been sorted out, so you don't have to worry about it in the future."

“Oh, my sister-in-law agrees with your ‘family finance AA plan’.” Vuong Sam raised his eyebrows, he had heard him mention it before.

“Yes, signed, there is black and white paper.” Chu Khai Hang plucked the cigarette butt and said in a relieved voice, "This is so good, money is clear, no one owes anyone else, modern husband and wife have to live like that to last long."

Vuong Sam smiled awkwardly twice and did not answer. He was a bit nervous, but he was not comfortable talking about other people's family matters. Before leaving work, Chu Khai Hang specially went to a famous cake shop, bought a chestnut cake that I liked, then stopped by a flower shop to choose a small bouquet of flowers, intending to bring it back to comfort my mood after last night's incident. In his mind, he saw my appearance when he saw the cake and flowers, his mood got better, and he even thought that the agreement could be adjusted a little more, for example, the holiday spending could let him shoulder more of the burden. The drive to Tinh Ha Loan area was a bit congested, but he was not impatient at all. Soft jazz music played in the car, his fingers tapping along on the steering wheel. The car drove into the basement of Cam Than Loan area, stopped steadily, he carried the cake and flowers and walked into the elevator, a face full of spirit was reflected in the mirror. Getting out of the elevator, standing in front of the house, he even adjusted his collar, then took the key to open the door.

“To Ninh, I'm home, look what I brought you…”

As soon as the door opened, his laughing voice suddenly stopped. The smile froze on his face, then quickly disappeared, leaving only a stiff stupor. The exquisite cake box and bouquet of fresh flowers in his hand fell to the tile floor of the mysterious entrance, making two consecutive "thump" sounds. The cake box tilted to the side, the chestnut cream cake inside was forced open, the white cream and brown chestnut filling were mushy, all over the ground, messy and messy. The bouquet opened, a few red rose branches were scattered, the petals were covered with cream. But Chu Khai Hang no longer had the mind to pay attention to those things. He opened his eyes wide, looking at the living room in front of him in disbelief. The TV is still there, the sofa is still there, the tea table is still there, but the things that make this house feel like a "home" are all gone. The colorful pillows on the sofa are gone, the potted green plants on the tea table have disappeared, the decorative objects and photo frames on the TV shelf are nowhere to be seen, even the curtains have become more empty. The whole space seemed to have lost its soul, leaving only an expensive but cold shell. His heart tightened, his voice distorted due to panic. He kicked off his shoes, stepped barefoot on the cold floor, and rushed straight into the master bedroom. The closet door was wide open, a large area was empty inside, my clothes, bags and jewelry were all gone, leaving only a few of his monotonous shirts and vests hanging alone. The dressing table was empty, the table surface was clean, except for a used lipstick lying alone in the corner. On the nightstand are two things. A diamond ring emitting cold light under the lamp, and a thick paper envelope. Under the envelope were several neatly closed documents. His hand trembled uncontrollably, he quickly grabbed the envelope, his fingers turned white from clenching, and when he tore it, he tore a corner. Inside fell a folded piece of paper and the ring was cold. He opened the paper, each line of my writing appeared clearly before his eyes.

"Chu Khai Hang, the agreement has been signed, as you wished. From today, your rent, car payment, living expenses, and family obligations are no longer related to me. The divorce petition is on the table. Once signed, please contact my lawyer Chu Nhiem, don't bother."

Just a few short sentences, like a needle dipped in ice water, stabbed straight into his eyes, causing him sharp pain, even choking his breathing. He immediately grabbed a few files on the nightstand. The top volume clearly prints five bold letters.

“Divorce petition.”

He turned to the last page with shaking hands. In the wife's signature box, the three words "To Ninh" were already written, the fingerprints were a blinding red. Next to it, the husband's signature box is still empty, waiting for him to fill it out. As long as he signs down, this two-day marriage will officially end.

“To Ninh, are you kidding me?”