Chapter 4 — Married 8 days, I bought a house in my own name

Then she spoke again:

"Thieu Hoa, I know you feel resentful. But have you ever thought about how awkward it would be for Chi Vien if you did that?"

“It's stuck between two sides, inside and out, neither human nor human…”

I interrupted her.

“If his awkwardness is the price to pay to keep your rights…”

“So I think it's worth it.”

The phone was silent for three seconds. This time when Phuong Tu Tran opened her mouth again, her voice was a bit colder:

"Thieu Hoa, there are a few words that mom said so don't be unhappy."

“We spent most of the money on this house from the Hua family.”

"People who spend more money naturally have more decision-making power, do you think that's right?"

I smiled softly.

“Mom, if the right to speak up can be bought with money…”

“So how many rights did you buy for 880,000 yuan?”

There was no answer on the other end of the line. I hung up. The wind blew from the balcony. The surface of the Cam River in the distance sparkles with the sunset light. During that week, Tran Chi Vien came to find me twice. The first time, he said he talked to my father-in-law, Mr. Hua Dai Thanh. His original words were:

"If you want to add his name to the house book, unless he returns the apartment and returns that money to the two of you, it proves that he has no feelings of his own."

I only have one correct answer:

“I won't pay.”

The second time, Tran Chi Vien brought a "new plan". He said he looked it up himself online. It could also be Hua Dai Thanh's intention. Anyway, it sounds great: The two of you can sign a post-marital property agreement clearly stating that the apartment belongs to me, and the wedding house is common property, thus "balancing" the interests of both parties. I picked up the agreement he printed out and flipped through a few pages.

"The wedding house is common property, but my name is not on the house book."

I raised my head to look at him.

"This so-called common property is written on the agreement, not on the legal documents of the house."

“Chi Vien, do you think those two things have the same legal value?”

He was silent. I continue.

“Who signed this agreement?”

“You and I sign?”

“Or did your father also sign?”

“Anyway, he is the one who owns the house.”

His face immediately became unsightly.

“Why do you have to think the worst of everything?”

“I don't think in the worst way.”

I calmly replied.

“I was just thinking… if the worst day really happened, what would I still have in my hands?”

He was silent for a long time. Then said something that made me completely understand how deep the gap between us was. He said:

“Thieu Hoa, can't you trust me a little more?”

“Can't there be a little more faith in our marriage?”

“It's not a matter of trust.”

“So what's the problem?”

He suddenly became agitated.

“Every time you talk it's like… like you're comparing the books with me!”

“We are husband and wife, not business partners!”

“At least the business partner's rights are clearly written in the contract.”

I looked at him.

“Where are the rights of husband and wife… written?”

He couldn't answer. I pushed the agreement back in front of him.

“I did not sign this.”

He held the stack of papers and stood still for a long time, then turned and left. The door also doesn't close. I heard his footsteps echoing down the stairs. One step at a time. “ farther and farther away. By the end of that week, I received a phone call from my father-in-law.

“Thieu Hoa.”

His voice was very calm, like he was discussing business.

“Dad, tell me straight.”

"The apartment I bought is commercial, electricity and water are charged at business rates, ownership is only for forty years, it will be difficult to resell later, it is not worth living in."

“Now cancel the contract, I will pay the fine.”

“Your 880,000 yuan, I guarantee there won't be a penny missing.”

"In addition, the wedding ceremony will be raised to the highest standards, and after the wedding, we will also buy a car for the two of us."

“How do you feel about this condition?”

I silently calculated the value of everything he just said. It's really not a little. I replied slowly.

“If these things are our investment for our little family, I would be very grateful.”

“But if this is the price in exchange for giving up your rights to the wedding house…”

“I don't accept it.”