Chapter 8 — My House is Not a Living House

"I'll send you my phone number later."

The door slammed shut in his face. Just an inch away from his face. Outside, the sound of her mother-in-law crying was immediately heard. With the sound of Tran Trac Vien banging on the door. I leaned my back against the door. Pick up your phone and text lawyer Chu.

"Ms. Chu, he's trying to hide the house from me. What should I do now?"

A minute later, she answered.

"Don't panic."

"The red book has your name on it. Without your signature, it cannot be transferred."

"But just to be sure, I'll come to your office tomorrow."

"We filed a request to preserve the property."

I replied with one word. After that, I texted Co Thanh Van.

"Thank you."

"Luckily you found out in time."

She immediately sent a voice message. Voice full of anger.

"Damn it, they really dare to do it."

"Nien So, now quickly hire a lawyer."

"This absolutely cannot last."

"I'm in contact."

"Also, have you saved the statement from the previous house purchase contract?"

"You try your best."

"If you need anything, call me anytime."

I hung up. Then go to the desk and sit down. Outside the window, it was almost dark. Downstairs, the sound of children running and laughing was heard. I looked at the perspective of the Lang Dinh project on the computer screen. Suddenly I feel very lucky. Luckily, a year ago... I started preparing a way out. Luckily I have this small apartment. Got a new job. Have your own money. There is also the lawyer's phone number. If I were still Lam Niem So I would have nothing in my hands. Can only rely on Tran Trac Vien to live. So today, when they came to "apologize"... Maybe I really came back. Go back and sign. Go back and continue to be a transparent person. But now... That won't happen anymore. The next morning, I went to lawyer Chu's office. She helped me prepare a request to preserve my assets. At the same time, prepare a divorce petition.

"Are you sure you want to go in the direction of divorce litigation?"

she asked.

"He said he wouldn't agree to a divorce."

"But I don't want to wait any longer."

"So let's go in parallel directions."

"First, require asset preservation."

"Prevent him from transferring at a low price or mortgaging the real estate."

"Second, officially file a divorce lawsuit."

"Request for division of common property."

"How long will it take?"

"If it goes well, about three to six months."

"If it's not favorable and the court doesn't grant a divorce the first time, you have to wait another six months and then sue again."

"The worst case scenario is a year?"

"Almost."

"But with the current evidence I have..."

"Clear capital contribution ratio."

"In addition, he arbitrarily listed the house for sale."

"It's all very beneficial for me."

I sign the authorization form. Leaving the lawyer's office, I turned on my phone. More than ten unread messages appeared. From Tran Trac Vien.

"Don't make a fuss. We can talk."

"I just posted it to see the market reaction, I don't really want to sell."

"You leave the lawyer thing behind, we'll handle it ourselves."

There is also a message from the mother-in-law.

"Niem So, what do you want to do? Do we have to go to this level for one family?"

She also sent voice messages. I click open. There was only crying inside. I do not respond to any messages. Just set your phone to silent mode. Then came Hoa Truc. Two o'clock in the afternoon. While I was in a meeting to promote the Lang Dinh project, the phone screen suddenly lit up. It's an unknown number sending a text message.

"Lam Niem So, hello, I'm Phuong Cam Than."

"Can we meet and talk?"

"I have something to tell you."

Phuong Cam Than proactively sought me out. This was truly unexpected. I thought for a few seconds. Then answer.

"Seven o'clock on Thursday night."

"Starbucks west of the city."

He immediately texted back. Thursday night, I arrived on time. Phuong Cam Than sat at the table in the corner. In front of me is a glass of Americano. Compared to the last time we met, he was noticeably thinner. Dark circles under the eyes are also much darker. As soon as he saw me, he immediately stood up. I sat down. No intention of beating around the bush.

"What is up?"

He rubbed his hands together. As if trying to rearrange words. After a while, he opened his mouth.

"Sister-in-law..."

"Selling the house is not my intention."

I looked at him.

"My mother... no, it must be your mother-in-law."

Phuong Cam Than paused for a moment and then corrected her words.

"She discussed with Trac Vien and told me to sell the house first to help me turn around my capital."

"How much do you owe?"

"One million six hundred thousand. Not two million like your mother-in-law said."

He smiled bitterly.

"During the project, the customers below ran away. The last three payments were not collected, so the cash flow stopped."

"So why did you find me today? Do you want me to sign your name?"

He shook his head.

"I came to tell you that I will find a way to resolve this debt myself. I am working with the bank to borrow money, using the store in my name as collateral. There is no need to sell your house."

I just quietly took a sip of coffee, not saying a word.

"Sister-in-law, there's one more thing."

His voice lowered.

"Vu Dong did not know that my business was having problems. Her mother-in-law also hid it from her. They told her that they were selling the house to pay off my debt, but the truth..."

He paused for a few seconds.

"Actually, my mother-in-law also wants to keep part of the money."

"What do you mean?"

"If you sell the house for three million two hundred thousand, just give me one million six hundred thousand and that's enough. The remaining one million six hundred thousand, your mother-in-law plans to keep six hundred thousand for Vu Dong, saying it's 'child support money'. The remaining one million..."

He looked straight at me.

"She wants to buy another small apartment for Trac Vien, leaving only Trac Vien's name alone."

I put the coffee cup on the table, my hand still steady.

"Can you prove what you said?"

"Yes. I still keep the WeChat chat history with your mother-in-law. She asked me to coordinate the play, telling you that I owe two million so you will be willing to sign."

Having said that, he took out his phone, opened the chat box and gave it to me. I watched three screens in a row. The mother-in-law's message was written very clearly.