Chapter 4 — On my wedding night, I kicked my husband's entire family away

He took me to get the evidence notarized, then backed up all the audio recordings and photos on the phone into three copies. It was after nine o'clock when I finished work. The two of us sat at a roadside noodle shop, with a bowl of steaming hot noodles in front of us.

"Thank." I said.

Luc Dinh looked up at me:

“Lam Van, you don't need to say thank you all the time.”

I bowed my head, gently stirred the noodles, without saying anything. Actually I know... Why did you help me to this extent? In 12th grade, he sat behind me, lectured me, and stood in the stands waiting for me to finish school. I didn't receive the confession letter that year... but I read it. It's just that at that time, I was so convinced that I liked the type of person who was gentle, stable, and didn't cause trouble. I used to think Chu Tu Bach was that kind of person. But it turns out... that "gentleness" is the most perfect disguise.

“How long will this last?” I asked.

“Not fast enough.” Luc Dinh replied. "You two just registered your marriage. If the other party refuses to divorce by agreement, you will have to file a lawsuit. If you file a lawsuit, you will have to go through the process. You should be mentally prepared for it to take a few months."

“I'm not afraid.”

"I know." He looked at me, his voice low. “But this time… don't carry it on your own.”

My heart trembled slightly. I looked up at him. The neon roadside lights fell into his eyes, cold but bright, like a smoldering fire. I suddenly remembered the last days of my previous life, I called many people... only you didn't dare to call. Because at that time I was so pathetic. So pathetic that I don't want anyone I know to see it. And now... You sit in front of me, don't ask, don't judge, just quietly show me a path. I bowed my head and took a mouthful of noodles, so spicy that my eyes turned red.

“Luc Dinh.” I asked softly. “If I win… what are the attorney fees?”

He smiled, very lightly.

"Waiting for you to win, invite me to a hot pot meal."

Chu Tu Bach quickly made an appointment with me. This time, he no longer said the words "family members are in difficulty", but chose a coffee shop and tried to appear dignified. I still go. Not because there was hope, but because he wanted to hear… what worse could he say. He was noticeably thinner, his beard was unshaven, and his eye circles were dark. As soon as he saw me, he lowered his voice:

“Van Van, do you have to go to this extent?”

“Did I do it, or did you force me?”

"I admit, you shouldn't talk about money on your wedding night." He rubbed his forehead, looking tired. "But I also know that your mother is like that. She worked hard all her life for you two, what can you do?"

I lifted my cup of coffee and took a sip.

"Then I'll give you some dignity, don't mention divorce for now." Chu Tu Bach leaned slightly towards me. "Let's get through this stage, then slowly continue to discuss. If you don't want to give money to Minh Khai, that's fine... but we have a loan to repair a house, the interest is not high, you sign to confirm and pay in advance, wait until it's stable..."

I almost burst out laughing. At this point… He still wants to get something out of me.

“Chu Tu Bach.” I put down my cup and looked straight at him. "You still don't understand why I must divorce?"

He was stunned.

"It's not because my mother speaks harshly. It's not because my brother is in debt." I looked into his eyes, every word clear. "It's because of who you are... your bones are rotten. Your mother reached out, you gave your knife. Your brother dug a hole, you pulled me down to fill it. You I knew it was wrong, but I didn't dare refuse them, so I turned to advise me to hold back."

I smiled softly.

“You are not filial.”

“You are just using me… to be filial to your mother.”

Chu Tu Bach's face turned pale.

“Do I have to say such absolute love?”

"Right." I stood up. “Because I finally understand… when it comes to bad people, you have to be a little more affectionate.”

I turned around and left. Chu Tu Bach panicked and reached out to pull me back. I yanked it out, and there were people around me looking over.

“Don't touch me.” I looked at him coldly. “Next time I move my hand, I'll call the police.”

He stood frozen in place. Can only watch me walk out of the cafe. The glass door reflects my image. That face... is no longer the woman who once endured until exhaustion. But the current me. And… no longer belongs to anyone but yourself. Cold, hard, strange... but somehow strangely comfortable. This time, I didn't run away. I came out on my own. Leaving the cafe, I didn't go home, but went straight to the hospital. In my previous life, also this month, my father suddenly fell ill in the workshop, and when he was taken to the hospital, it was too late. In this life, I can change everything, only your life... I don't dare to bet. Therefore, the very next day after the wedding night, I forced him to go for a comprehensive examination. Today, the results are out. Cerebral blood vessels appear deformed in the form of aneurysms. It's not at the most dangerous level, but the doctor said it must be treated as soon as possible. Mom held the results sheet, her hands shaking non-stop. Father laughed again:

"Dad told me, he's in good health, he's overdoing it."

“Dad, shut up.”

My eyes turned red, my voice trembled.

"If you tell me to check, just check, why are you stubborn?"

Dad was stunned when I yelled at him. The next second, seeing me shed tears, he immediately panicked:

“Van Van, dad is fine, really, didn't the doctor say it was detected early?”

I squeezed the results sheet tightly, my knuckles turned white. Yes, early detection. This time… it was finally time. I turned around, walked to the end of the hallway, leaned my back against the wall and stood for a long time. What I couldn't keep in my previous life, I don't want to lose anything else in this life. The surgery schedule was arranged very quickly.