Chapter 1 — Pretending to be Fired Once, Enough to See Eight Years of Marriage Clearly

After I Was Fired From The Company, My Husband Immediately Cut Off The Monthly Support Payment Of 3,800 Yuan To My Mother-in-Law. I hid it from my husband, lying that I had just been laid off from the company and that from this month I would no longer have a salary. As soon as he finished listening, he didn't bother to ask me a single question: "Are you okay?" Instead, he immediately dialed his mother's number.

"Mom, from next month you can manage on your own. We can't bear the 3,800 yuan living expenses each month."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. When her mother-in-law spoke, her voice trembled:

"Son... my pension is only 2,300 yuan..."

His face remained as calm as ever.

"So mom eat a little less, save enough to live."

I stood right next to him, quietly looking at the man who had been sleeping next to me for eight years. That was the first time I realized... It turns out I never really understood him. Hanging up, he turned to smile at me, a relieved look on his face.

"It's done. From now on, the pressure on both of us will be a little less."

I didn't reply. Just quietly open the notes app on your phone, write down today's date. Because I know... From this moment, my plan officially begins. I stuffed the resignation notice to the bottom of the drawer, not showing it to Han Tuan. That is not a resignation letter issued by the company. It was printed by myself. At seven o'clock in the evening, Han Tuan returned home and conveniently threw his bag down into the shoe cabinet in the mysterious gate. The first thing he said was: I stood in front of the kitchen door, watching him bend down to change his shoes.

"I'm fired."

His movements stopped. I thought he was going to ask what happened. Or at least ask if I'm okay. But he doesn't. He stood up straight, frowning at me.

"Since when?"

"This afternoon."

"Where is the compensation money?"

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Still not negotiated."

Han Tuan's face immediately darkened.

"Why haven't we negotiated yet?"

"The company said it still needs to go through all the procedures."

He didn't say anything more, nor did he bother to look at me anymore. Pull out your phone and go straight to the balcony. I followed a few steps. The glass door is not completely closed. His voice entered my ears clearly.

"Mom, from next month you can take care of your own living expenses of 3,800 yuan. Our family really can't make ends meet."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. When my mother-in-law, Mrs. Ma Lan Anh, spoke, her voice was shaking.

"Son... My pension is only 2,300 yuan. Your father passed away early, so I have to take care of electricity, water and medicine alone..."

Han Tuan's voice was still calm as before.

"Then mom, eat a little less. Saving is enough."

I put my hand on the door frame. Fingertips get cold little by little. During the eight years of marriage, every month he said his mother was in poor health and could not bear suffering. Every time I get paid, I immediately transfer 3,800 yuan to him. He said it was filial piety. He said that since I married into the Han family, I had to consider his mother as my own mother. Yet today... I just said I lost my job. He did not hesitate to immediately cut that amount of money. On the other end of the line, Ms. Ma Lan Anh continued to ask:

"Isn't your daughter-in-law very good at making money?"

Han Tuan lowered his voice.

"She's been fired."

Ms. Ma's voice immediately became harsh.

"So in the future, if it eats your food, it will be all yours?"

Han Tuan glanced towards the living room. I still stood under the light, not dodging at all. Just regret... He was completely unaware I was listening.

"Okay, that's it."

He hung up the phone and pushed the glass door open. I quietly returned to the dining table. What surprised me was... There was a smile on his face.

"Done."

I looked up at him.

"Done what?"

"My mother's story."

He sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

"From now on, we don't have to send 3,800 yuan every month anymore. The pressure on my husband and I is much lighter."

I looked at him.

"Aren't you worried about your mother?"

His movements of picking up food stopped.

"How much money can an old woman spend?"

"You never said that before."

"Didn't you still have your salary before?"

He replied very naturally. So natural that... As if that sentence had been prepared for a long time. I don't argue. Just open the note on your phone, write down today's date. March 12. Seeing me bow my head, his voice softened a bit.

"Don't be too pressured."

I raised my head to look at him. He continued:

"But from now on we have to tighten our spending."

"How tight?"

"Give me your salary card to keep."

I put down the phone.

"Now that you have no income, I'm afraid you'll spend it on random things."

He looked at me, as if he was just arranging something completely normal.

"Also, your father's medical expenses... stop temporarily."

My fingers tightened. Two years ago, my father underwent surgery. Every month the medicine costs more than 1,000 yuan. That money from start to finish is my responsibility. Han Tuan never asked once.

"That's my dad."

"I know."

He frowned impatiently.

"But our family's situation is different now. Priority must be given to whatever should be prioritized."

I looked straight at him.

"Your mother's living expenses may be cut."

"Your father's medical expenses can also be cut."

"What about your car payment?"

Han Tuan's face immediately darkened.

"The car is for me to go to work."

"And dad is my dad."

He stared at me.

"Diep Trung, your emotions are not normal today."

I smiled softly.

"It's really not normal."

He didn't understand what I said. The meal was in silence. The ticking sound of the clock on the wall rang out clearly. 20:06. Han Tuan's phone screen suddenly lit up. He is in the restroom. Phone is not locked. A WeChat message popped up. The sender is saved as Mom. There was only one sentence: Son, I almost said something wrong just now. Absolutely do not let Diep Trung know about that card. I just quietly looked at the message. Don't touch the phone at all. Just then... Another message appeared. If he really loses his job, then you have to take advantage of the situation to settle the house.