Chapter 8 — One Key, Turns the Whole Family Over

The sound of the key turning was like a death scythe passing through the neck. My whole body stiffened. There was no time to close the safe, nor was there time to re-hang the painting. There was only one thought left in my mind. The office is not large, the only thing that can cover it is the large red wooden table. I almost crawled forward, crouched in the darkest corner under the table, holding my breath. I hugged the album tightly in my heart. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it wanted to break my chest. The sound of leather shoes stepping on the floor echoed loudly. The person who walked in was Chu Hao. He pushed the door and muttered as he saw the door was locked, his voice full of doubt. My heart immediately rose to my throat, this mistake of locking the door was a fatal flaw. He entered the office, the sound of leather shoes hitting the floor was clear. Through the gap in the table, I saw his shiny shoes moving step by step towards me. He walked back and forth, each step stepping on my heart, almost choking me. One step, two steps, the distance between us becomes shorter and shorter. Suddenly he stopped right in front of the wall of paintings that had been taken down. I bit my lip, not daring to make any sound, not even a breath. He must have seen the painting removed and the safe open. The space fell into such dead silence that I could clearly hear the sound of blood flowing in my ears.

“Hello, Dad.” His voice was low but full of panic when he called.

"She's here, the safe at the old house was opened."

The person on the other end of the line didn't know what to say, but his expression became more and more urgent.

“How do I know how she got in? When I arrived, the door was locked, the safe was open, the items inside…”

He stopped, seemingly checking inside the safe.

“…the album is nowhere to be found, it's the one you said had hidden items.”

Cold sweat drenched my palms, my heart pounded until it hurt.

"She probably hasn't gone far, I'll try to find her, maybe she's still hiding in the house."

He hung up the phone, started rummaging through everything, opening cabinets, pulling curtains, the noise became louder and louder. His footsteps gradually approached the table where I was hiding. I curled up, hugged my knees tightly, my whole body tensed like a guitar string. As long as he bends down, everything will be over. At that moment, his phone rang again.

"Hello dad... I haven't found it yet, what's wrong, homeroom Vuong's office is done, the results are there, I'll be right back."

He hurriedly left, his steps hurried out of the office. I heard the door open and then close firmly. I didn't dare to move and continued to lie still under the table for another five minutes. Only when I was sure he had left did I exhaustedly crawl out. My legs were as soft as noodles, and the back of my shirt was drenched in cold sweat. I don't dare go to the main door. I ran to the balcony, luckily it was only the second floor, below was the grass. I stuffed the album into my body, gritted my teeth, climbed over the railing and jumped down. My ankle hurt when it hit the ground, but I didn't stop. I hobbled out of the building and hailed a taxi. When I got home, I tried to keep my expression as if nothing had happened. The living room was engulfed in a heavy atmosphere. Director Vuong has left. Chu Duc Minh sat on the sofa, his face gloomy, slowly smoking. Chu Hao stood next to me, his eyes sharp as knives, continuously glancing at me. Sister Luu helped her mother-in-law stand there, she still looked stupid.

“You're back.” Chu Duc Minh spoke up, his voice hoarse.

“Yes, the hospital is too crowded.” I bow my head, avoid his eyes.

He extinguished his cigarette and threw a piece of paper on the table.

“This is the result of the doctor's assessment.”

He looked at me, the corner of his lips curved into a cold smile.

"Severe stage Alzheimer's, with mental disorders and violent tendencies, requires immediate hospitalization for treatment."

Each word fell like a verdict.

"I have finished contacting her, I will take her away tomorrow morning."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with undisguised menace.

"From now until tomorrow morning, no one is allowed to leave the house. Sister Liu will watch over me."

He's keeping us under house arrest. I am locked in this very house. Sister Luu stood guard like a prison guard in the middle of the living room, never taking a step away. I went into the bathroom, she stood right in front of the door. When I went back to my room, she pulled the sofa to block the door. All paths are blocked.