Chapter 14 — Marriage Costs 600,000 Yuan

I am no longer the Wen Duong of before. No longer is he the person who blames himself just by saying a few words. Finally, Phuong Nhu Y submitted an asset structure diagram from an anonymous email, and asked the court to continue investigating the accounts of Tham Quyet, his mother and related companies. Tham Quyet immediately raised his head. The eyes looking at me were both angry and panicked. After the trial ended, he stopped me in the hallway.

“Wen Tang.”

I stopped walking. His voice was hoarse.

“Do you have to destroy me?”

I looked at him. Sounds really familiar. It seems that every hurtful person will eventually ask the victim— Why won't they let them go?

“Shen Quyet, it's not me who ruined you.”

“When you do those things…”

“I never thought this day would come.”

He stared at me, his eyes filled with blood.

“We can talk again.”

I laughed.

"It's late."

Phuong Nhu Y walked next to me. I didn't look at Tham Quyet again. When I walked out of the court, sunlight fell on me. Suddenly I feel... Spring is really coming. The day the verdict came out, I was at the studio. It's been a long time since this place has been this bustling. Tan Tran helped me contact some old customers. The two craftsmen who had collaborated before also returned. The table was filled with design drawings, sample gemstones, and price quotes. Everything is messy... But very real. When Phuong Nhu Y called, I was still holding a blue sapphire in my hand. She said:

“Miss On, the results are out.”

I stood up. Everyone around also fell silent. Phuong Nhu Y's voice is still as calm as ever.

"The court determined that Judge Quyet committed serious errors in the marriage, at the same time the act of paying large sums to a third person and suspected transfer of common property."

“Part of the verified assets need to be returned and included in redistribution.”

I closed my eyes.

“What about the house in the south of the city?”

"The real estate in Chu Kieu's name in Phi Thuy Loan area has serious problems with money sources, and has now been included in the scope of investigation of another case."

“What about Thinh Hoa?”

"The cash flow of Thinh Hoa company will continue to be investigated, the company named after Tham Quyet's mother has also been implicated."

I heard myself let out a small breath. Like someone who has been submerged in water for too long... Finally able to rise to the surface. Phuong Nhu Y continued to say:

"In addition, Tham Quyet must pay the difference in assets to her, refund part of the transferred money and pay corresponding compensation due to marital fault."

Much larger than the original 3,000,000 yuan. Big enough to buy back the sense of security that had been taken away over the past few years. But the thing I want most right now... is no longer money. What I really want... Is a result that proves that I'm not crazy, not greedy, nor an unreasonable person causing trouble. After hanging up the phone, Tan Tran hugged me.

“We won.”

I leaned on her shoulder, my eye sockets heating up. But it's not a complete victory. My child cannot come back. Four years of youth cannot be returned. Even the Wen Duong of the past... The one who believed with all his heart in love and marriage... Can't go back anymore. But at least— I pulled myself out of that rubble. Later, I sold the house Go to the marital home. Tham Quyet did not agree. He even wanted to buy it back. But I refused. Every inch of air in that house... Smells of betrayal. Working room. Lock the secret door. I don't want to keep anything anymore. The day the house transaction was completed, I returned there for the last time. The inside was empty. Before handing over the door lock, the system lights up one last time.

“Current user: Wen Tang.”

I looked at that text. Then raise your hand to erase your own rights. From now on... This place no longer has anything to do with me. After that, Tham Quyet called me several times. I don't answer the phone. He also sent a very long message. He said he regretted it. It's not that he doesn't love me, it's just that the pressure of those years was too great. Saying Chu Kieu was unexpected. The baby was also unexpected. He said if he could do it again… He wouldn't treat me like that. I finished reading. Answer only one question correctly.

“No need to do it again.”

Then pull black. Listening to Tan Tran, Chu Kieu gave birth to a baby boy. But she and Tham Quyet still did not get married in the end. After Thinh Hoa was investigated, part of the real estate and accounts under her name were frozen. The Tham family also did not accept her as she thought. Her mother-in-law even criticized her for her bad luck, saying she was the one who dragged the entire Tham family into the water. But Tham Quyet... can't continue to coax her like before. A relationship begins with benefits... Of course it will eventually die because of benefits. I don't continue to care about them anymore. My new studio opened in an old street. On the second floor. Outside the window there is a very large sycamore tree. On beautiful sunny days, leaf shadows will fall on the design table. On opening day, there was no grand ceremony. Only have a few friends. A bouquet of flowers. A pot of soup. Soup cooked by myself. Pork rib soup stewed with yam. Very normal. There are no bird's nests. No flowers delivered. There are also no expensive ingredients. But the taste is very clean. Tan Tran took a sip and laughed.

"Not bad, Mrs. On, do you still plan to get married in the future?"

I laughed softly.

“See the mood.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“This answer is fine.”

I bowed my head and looked at the bowl of soup in my hand. The heat slowly rose, stinging the eyes. Before, I always thought... Home is something someone else gives you. Is marriage for. It's the husband who gives it. Later I understood— A house was never a porch that someone gave you alms from. No matter what you go through, you can still put yourself down again. My first collection is called:

“Clean Up.”

On the launch day, many old customers came. Someone asked me:

“Miss Wen, what is the inspiration for this collection?”

I thought for a moment then replied:

“It's behind the ruins.”

The other party did not understand very well. I smiled and added:

“Also before reincarnation.”

That evening, after seeing the last customer leave, I turned off the gallery lights. Sitting at my desk, I drew a new ring. It's not a wedding ring. There is no closed circle. It also does not mean "belonging to someone forever". It is an open curve. I want it to remind every woman that— Before loving someone else… Don't lose yourself. Marriage is not the destination. Men are also not the way out. The real way out... is to have the money, the choice, and the ability to leave at any time. I used to think… Being loved by someone is called victory. Only later did I understand— It is possible to leave the wrong person. Can support yourself. Can start again from scratch. That's the real victory. I named that ring— It's not like someone finally let me go. I finally let myself go.