Chapter 12 — My House is Not a Living House

The trial opening date is set for the fifteenth of next month. Two weeks before going to court, Tran Trac Vien's side continuously made moves. First, his lawyer contacted lawyer Chu, suggesting an out-of-court settlement. The condition was that the house belonged to Tran Trac Vien, in exchange he would compensate me nine hundred thousand in cash. When he passed the plan to me, lawyer Chu just smiled.

"Nine hundred thousand? Just my capital contribution and installment payment alone is seven hundred thousand. The house currently has a market value of three million five hundred thousand, my share should be about two million one hundred thousand. Is he going to take nine hundred thousand to chase away beggars?"

"Disagree."

“Okay, I will refuse.”

The next day, Tran Trac Vien's lawyer came back with a new price. One million two hundred thousand.

"Disagree."

On to the third day. One and a half million.

"Still don't agree. I'll take as much as the law stipulates."

The other side was silent for two days. After that, Tran Trac Vien himself called me.

"Nien So, one and a half million is already very reasonable. Do you absolutely have to let the court decide?"

“Do you know how annoying litigation is?”

"I have a lawyer. Don't mind."

“Lam Niem So.”

His voice suddenly changed, carrying pent-up anger.

“Do I have to be this cruel?”

“The person who is in love is not me.”

My voice is still as calm as water.

"When you hid the house from me and wanted to split the difference between your mother and sister, you broke up first."

There was silence on the other end of the line for a long time.

“How do you know that?”

“Is it important?”

“Phuong Cam Than tell you?”

I don't answer.

“You ungrateful thing!”

He let out a vulgar curse.

“Tran Trac Vien, I have no interest in arguing with you over the phone.”

“The fifteenth, see you in court.”

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. One week before the trial, something happened that was beyond my expectations. The "One Room" account suddenly exploded with visits. The reason is that the conference organizers posted a video cut from my share to the official account, with the title:

"9X generation female designer wins largest commercial interior project in the city."

Right below the video, someone commented:

"Isn't this the 'One Room' blogger? I recognize her!"

After that comment... Everything immediately exploded. Those who have always followed the "One Room" account suddenly discovered that the blogger who specializes in sharing small apartment renovation plans is actually the key designer of the one hundred and twenty thousand square meter Lang Dinh commercial center complex project. Just for one day. The account grew by thirty thousand followers. In just two days, the account increased by eighty thousand followers. The private message box is full, almost all of which are invitations to cooperate. By the end of the week, the "One Room" account officially surpassed five hundred thousand followers. Three brands are waiting to cooperate with me. A magazine specializing in interior design wants to conduct an exclusive interview. Even the home decoration section of the local TV station invited me to participate in the recording. I sat at my desk in my apartment, watching the backstage notifications constantly pop up and still seeing everything as it was unreal. A year ago, when I started drawing again, all I wanted was to find a way out. Unexpectedly... That escape route eventually became a road. A path that belongs only to me. The opening date of the trial falls on a Wednesday. I wore a white shirt with black pants, my hair tied into a low ponytail. Lawyer Chu arrived earlier than me and waited in front of the court gate.

“Are you all ready?”

"Today, the lawyer on the other side will most likely play on emotions, talking about how husband and wife have built a life together for many years, and should not compare little by little. Just ignore it and let me handle it."

When entering the courtroom, Tran Trac Vien was already sitting in the defendant's position. He became noticeably thinner. The dark gray shirt on his body was no longer as smooth as before, and his hair was a bit messy. Seeing me enter, his eyes stopped for a few seconds and then quietly moved away. Sitting next to him was his lawyer, a middle-aged man in his forties. The trial begins. Our side was the one to present first. Lawyer Chu presented all the evidence one by one. House purchase contract. Bank statement. Capital contribution documents. Monthly loan payment history. Next is a screenshot of Tran Trac Vien voluntarily selling the house and the entire conversation history between my mother-in-law and Phuong Cam Than.

"These documents are enough to prove that the defendant has intentionally transferred the common property of husband and wife, and at the same time has the intention to violate the plaintiff's legitimate rights and interests."

Lawyer Chu ended his presentation. The opposing lawyer immediately objected.