Chapter 5 — Once I don't hold back, your whole family has to pay the price

The streetlights cast a long shadow on the ground, lonely but also steadfast. A black off-road vehicle slowly stopped in front of me, the window rolled down, revealing Giang Dao's angular, cold but warm face. He didn't ask much, just pointed his chin toward the passenger seat. I opened the door, tried to fit my suitcase into the backseat, then sat in the passenger seat, fastened my seat belt, and the warmth in the car immediately enveloped me. Inside the car, soft, slow music sounded, as if soothing the corners of my heart.

"Where to go?" he asked.

“Anywhere is fine.”

The car quietly merged into the traffic, the city lights receded behind, and each piece of memory gradually faded away. We didn't say anything more, but this silence... made me gradually relax, each tense nerve slowly letting go. He took me to a Hong Kong-style tea shop open all night. The space was quiet, the lights were warm, like a small corner separate from the world outside. We ordered a bowl of wonton noodles and a few snacks. The heat rose up, making our hearts warm. When the first noodle slid down my stomach, I realized how cold my body was... and now it was truly thawing.

“All done?” Giang Dao poured me a cup of hot tea.

"YES." I nodded. “Divorced.”

“If you want to cry, just cry.”

His eyes looked at me... carrying sadness. I shook my head, giving a very light smile.

“Don't want to cry.”

“I just feel like… the last three years have been like a very long nightmare.”

“Now… finally awake.”

Giang Dao looked at me and sighed.

"Before, I didn't agree with you marrying him."

“I know best what kind of person you are, soft on the outside but hard on the inside, with principles, with pride.”

"Chu Minh is such a foolish and filial person, plus that bottomless family... which is not worthy of you."

“I chose it myself.” I lowered my eyes. “Can't blame anyone.”

That day, I was blind because of love, regardless of advice, regardless of objections, just rushed in. I used to think... as long as I was good enough, patient enough, I could change him. Maybe make his family accept him. But it turns out… I was wrong. There are things that are deeply ingrained and cannot be changed. There are people… and whole families… who are inherently selfish and greedy to the core.

"As for Mr. Bao, you don't need to worry." Giang Dao spoke up, as if he could see through my thoughts.

“That kind of person, you just need to say a word to handle it.”

“I just didn't expect… you would dare to confront him directly.”

In his voice… there was a hint of approval. I took a sip of hot tea, the warmth spreading from my throat to my stomach, gentle but real.

“Actually, I investigated him before.”

"From the moment you said Chu Dong could borrow money from outside, I started to pay attention."

"I looked up her half-year consumption history, followed every bit... and finally tracked down Mr. Bao."

“His shady dealings… are no secret in that world.”

“I'm just betting, betting that he doesn't dare to make a big deal out of it, betting that he's afraid of the police.”

Giang Dao listened quietly, his eyes became brighter and brighter, as if he saw another version of me that he had never seen clearly before.

“Lam Thu, I was born to pursue a career in law.”

“I think closely, have clear logic, and am both brave and careful.”

“In the past, I gave up the opportunity to join the company law in the capital, working in a small company as an office... it's really a waste."

His words... gently touched a very deep corner of my heart. That was my greatest passion, the thing that made me most proud. Yet because of Chu Minh, because of the so-called family... I let go for three years.

“Let's go back now… is there still time?”

I asked softly, as if asking him, as well as asking myself. Giang Dao laughed, his eyes brighter than the light outside the glass window.

“As long as you want, it's never too late.”

"I have a senior brother who opened his own law firm and is very famous in his profession. I'll take you to meet him tomorrow."

“Starting again from the beginning… are you scared?”

I looked at him, then smiled. The confusion in my heart... seemed to be blown away by one of his words. I'm only twenty-eight years old. My life… has just begun. There's nothing to be afraid of.

“Not afraid.”

I picked up chopsticks, picked up a shrimp dumpling, and put it in my mouth. Sweet, crispy, fresh. This was the best meal… I've had in the past three years. After eating, Giang Dao took me to a pre-booked hotel.

"You just stay here for a few days, I'll take care of the house."

He gave me the room card.

“Thank you, cousin.”

This is the first time tonight… I truly say thank you from the bottom of my heart. He patted my head like he did when I was a child.

“Idiot, why are you so polite to me?”

“Get a good night's sleep, tomorrow is a new beginning.”

I nodded, took my room card and walked into the lobby. Behind is the deep night. In front... is light. I know, from this moment, my life... will be completely different.