Chapter 7 — Reclaiming the Future

Phung Van retreated behind Mr. Do. His brother instinctively stopped Ha Man. Ha Man struggled, her eyes filled with panic. Phung Van held up the phone, his voice was very clear. “Ha Man, don't force me.” “If this part comes out, the person you fear the most will no longer be your mother-in-law.” She pressed the play button. Loud music was heard on the first phone. Then Ha Man's voice lowered. "Don't worry about the child." “As long as Ly Khai accepts, his mother will have to pay.” 08 As soon as those words rang out, everyone in the living room seemed to be nailed to the spot. My brother's hand is still holding Ha Man's arm. The next second, he slowly let go. “What did you say?” There was no blood left on Ha Man's face. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. Phung Van looked at her. “Do you need me to continue broadcasting?” Ha Man shouted. “You dare!” Phung Van smiled coldly. "You borrowed money from me and didn't pay it back, and kept going over and over again, making me look like a fool." “Now I know I'm afraid?” Ha Man's mother rushed forward to block the phone. “You are slandering.” “My daughter is clean.” "If you use an unclear recording like that to harm him, you will face retribution." Phung Van looked at my brother. “Whether it's slander or not, you ask her.” “I just came to ask for money.” “But because she didn't want to pay, she tricked me over and over again.” "Today I heard her say she wanted to take this girl's money to fill her debt hole, so I came here." She pointed at me. "They ranked third in the whole province, not to pay off debt for your family." This sentence makes my eyes warm. The morality that even outsiders understand, my father and brother pretend not to understand. The older brother looked at Ha Man, his voice trembling violently. “Man Man.” “What does ‘as long as you accept’ mean?” Ha Man suddenly hugged her stomach and squatted down. “I hurt.” “I'm really hurt.” This time, Ly Khai did not immediately kneel down to comfort him. Ha Man couldn't believe it and looked up at him. “Ly Khai, do you keep looking at me in pain like that?” Ly Khai's face turned white. “I'll answer you first.” Ha Man's tears fell. “Are you forcing me now?” “I'm pregnant with your child, why would you force me in front of so many people? your child, and you force me in front of so many people?” Phung Van stood next to him and added another sentence. “Aren't you guys tired of seeing this trick yet?” Mother Ha Man roared. “You shut up!” My mother sat on the sofa, finally speaking. “Ha Man.” “If you want to go to the hospital, we won't stop you.” "If you want to check, we won't stop you." “But from now on, don't use your belly to threaten anyone.” She turned her head to look at Ly Khai. “You also listen carefully.” "The matter of the child, you and your wife will handle it yourselves." “Don't drag Nam Chi into it anymore.” Ly Khai felt like his bones had been pulled out. He looked at Ha Man, then at my mother. “Mom, so the house…” Mom's eyes became even colder. “Are you still thinking about the house at this point?” That question made Ly Khai's throat choke. Ha Man's father could not sit still either. He stood up, his voice stiff. “Master, you can't say that.” "Now the child is still there, Ly Khai hasn't said no." "If you take back the house, you won't give Man Man a way to live." My mother said calmly. “I gave sugar.” "It's you guys who say the road isn't wide enough and are determined to take the road from others." Teacher Do gently reminded. “Nam Chi's registration period cannot be extended any longer.” My mother nodded. “Let's do it.” But dad still held the exam paper in his hand. He seemed to be holding the last piece of cloth covering his face. “I have not agreed.” Mom looked at him. "Whether you agree or not doesn't affect whether it goes." Dad gritted his teeth. “Without a household registration book, without documents, how does it go?” My heart sank. Mother's face also turned cold. “The household registration book is in your hand?” Dad was silent. Silence is the answer. I suddenly remembered a few days ago, my mother said she wanted to get a bank card for me, but I couldn't find the household registration book. Dad then said maybe put it at the bottom of the cupboard. Turns out it's not impossible to find. But he took it away a long time ago. Mom held out her hand. “Take it out.” Dad took a half step back. “As long as he agrees not to register temporarily, I will give it to him.” “I didn't have to stop him from studying.” “I just told him to postpone it for a while.” I laughed. “Delay until when?” “Delay until my sister-in-law gives birth?” “Delay until my brother pays off all his debt?” “Postponed until you guys

milking the value of your grades?” Dad's face was pale. “Why did you become like this?” “Before, I was very understanding.” I looked at him. "Before, I understood things because I thought understanding things would exchange for love." “Now I know.” “The more I understand things, the easier it is for people to bully me.” My mother suddenly stood up. She went into the bedroom and not long after took out a small red-covered notebook. Dad's face immediately changed. “Why do you still have a copy?” Mom gave the notebook to Mr. Do. “This is a copy of old documents kept from the separation of household registration in the past.” “There is also a copy of Nam Chi's birth certificate and identification card.” “Is it enough for preliminary registration?” Teacher Do received it and looked carefully. “You can register your wishes in advance.” “When officially submitting, add the original.” Dad suddenly rushed forward. “Not registered!” Mother stood directly in front of him. “Ly Hoai Nhan.” “Try pulling it one more time.” Dad's eyes were fiery.