Chapter 8 — One Card, Exposing the Whole Family

The next day, Ly Hao really came. He also brought along his mother, Liu Mai. The two of them were carrying a bunch of gifts, but at first glance they thought they were going to celebrate the New Year. Blocked right at the gate of the villa, the security guard wouldn't let me in. Ly Hao immediately called my father, his voice on the phone lowered to the point of almost begging.

“Dad, let me meet Nhuoc Nhien just once.”

“I know it's wrong, I'm really wrong.”

"Dad, if not for your children, then for your daughter, give us a chance."

He is very smart, absolutely does not mention money, only plays on emotions. My father responded very coldly.

“Dad is in a meeting, doesn't have time.”

After speaking, he hung up the phone. But they did not leave, just stood outside the gate from morning until afternoon. Meanwhile, Luu Mai was still planning to cause trouble and was harshly warned by the security guard. This story quickly spread among acquaintances. Neighbors called to inquire, and my mother gently replied that the young couple was angry. But everyone understands that if it wasn't a big deal, it wouldn't be so noisy. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, my father felt it was time. He asked the guard to open the gate. My mother and I sat on the sofa, my brother stood next to me like a wall blocking the wind. The door opened, Ly Hao and Luu Mai walked in. Seeing this scene, they both stopped. Especially Luu Mai, when she saw the three-story villa with a private garden and swimming pool, her greedy eyes flashed and she quickly hid it. The next second, she made a "thud" sound and knelt down in front of me.

“Nhuoc Nhien, my good daughter-in-law!”

“It's my fault, I'm confused!”

"Hometown mother doesn't understand things, don't accept her!"

She slapped herself in the face as she spoke, the movement seemed strong but the sound was light. The acting... is truly impeccable. Ly Hao also knelt down, grabbed my pant leg, his voice trembling.

“Wife, hit me, scold me.”

“It's all my fault, I'm stupid, I listened to my mother and sister.”

“I swear I will never do that again.”

“Come back to me, let's live again.”

The tears he shed were so real that if I didn't know their true nature, I would probably be soft-hearted. But right now, I just feel disgusted. I pulled my foot out and took a step back. My brother stepped forward and stood in front of me.

“Mr. Ly, Mrs. Ly.”

His voice was cold as ice.

“Our floors are expensive, don't kneel dirty.”

“If you have something, stand up and say it.”

The words are not harsh, but enough to humiliate people. The two of them blushed white and finally had to stand up. Luu Mai immediately changed her tone and turned to my mother, her face pitiful.

"It's normal for young couples to quarrel."

“The head of the bed argues, the end of the bed is a draw.”

"She advised Nhuoc Nhien to come back with us."

“We promise to treat him like our own child in the future.”

My mother took a sip of tea, blew gently, not even bothering to look at her.

“My daughter, my family knows how to love themselves.”

“No need for you to worry.”

The smile on Luu Mai's face stiffened. Seeing that he could not be shaken, Ly Hao turned to me and began to change direction.

“Nhuoc Nhien, I know you're still angry.”

“I was wrong that day at 4S, I shouldn't have taken your card.”

“But I did it because of Tieu Manh, she is my only sister.”

"You're my sister-in-law, can't you be a little more generous?"

Up to this point, he was still justifying himself, still wanting to use morality to bind me. I finally spoke up. My voice was very light, but each word cut like a knife.

“You stole the card mine to satisfy my sister's vanity, I call it for her good.”

“So have you ever thought about it?”

“What if the card is not tens of thousands, but 10,000,000 yuan?”

“What you just swiped… could be the price you have to pay in the next half of your life in prison.”

“One thousand thousand.”

Those three words were like three invisible mountains, pressing down directly on Ly Hao and Luu Mai. Ly Hao's face was as white as paper, his lips trembled but he could not utter a single sentence. He's not stupid. He clearly understood what the concept of stealing one thousand yuan... was. That's enough to bury the rest of your life behind bars. Luu Mai's body staggered, almost sitting down on the ground. Her eyes that were once full of calculation now only had fear that penetrated deep into her bones. She finally realized that the person they poked was not a soft persimmon, but something their whole family could never touch. My brother took a step forward, standing high and looking down at Ly Hao who was shaking like a leaf.

“Ly Hao, my brother is right.”

“According to Article 264 of the Penal Code, theft of property in an especially large amount will be punished with a penalty of ten years to life imprisonment.”

“The level of 'exceptionally large' may vary from place to place, but one thousand thousand, anywhere is more than enough to reach that threshold.”

His voice was not loud, but each word was as clear as a hammer.