Chapter 4 — Scary Neighbors

"That's right. Your act of reporting to the police has caused serious mental and social harm to my client." “If her mother's death is truly a natural death, her behavior shows signs of false news.” My hand holding the phone tightened. “So?” “So I ask you to proactively reconcile with my client.” “How to reconcile?” “First, you must publicly apologize to the resident group, making it clear that you misunderstood Ms. Truong.” “Second, compensate Ms. Zhang fifty thousand yuan for her mental losses.” "Third, sign an agreement, committing to not continue spreading false information related to the case in the future." I was silent for three seconds. “What if I don't agree?” “We will consider filing a lawsuit against you.” I took a deep breath. “Lawyer Phuong, I have a few questions to ask you.” “Please just ask.” "Truong Tu Lan went on a business trip for a week, did not hire a nanny, did not arrange a caregiver, and left an eighty-year-old woman at home alone. Is that considered abandonment of the elderly?" The other end of the line was silent for a bit. "She left her mother at home alone. After her mother passed away, she did not report to the police, did not take action, and wanted me to come take care of her every day, blaming the murder on me." “What is that called?” “That's called intentional slander.” “Miss Luc, please pay attention to what you say.” “What does it matter what I say?” “Do you want to sue me?” “So can I sue her for neglect of the elderly, invasion of privacy, slander and defamation?” “Did you know yesterday she posted my ID to a group of five hundred people?” “Do you know how many people have called to scold me?” “Is that breaking the law?” Lawyer Phuong said nothing. “Tell her to think of a way to explain these things clearly first, then come and talk to me about reconciliation.” I hung up the phone. Fingers still shaking. But I recorded the entire call. On the afternoon of the fourth day, Aunt Vuong knocked on my door. She carried a bowl of braised meat. “Tieu Yeu, you are definitely not eating properly.” I hesitated a bit but still opened the door. Aunt Vuong walked in, put the bowl on the dining table, sat down, and sighed. “You've been scared these past few days, haven't you?” “I'm fine.” “I'll tell you, don't be afraid.” She lowered her voice. “Tu Lan's sister-in-law came to look for aunty yesterday.” “What did she say?” "She told me to advise you not to continue investigating." "She said the old lady just had a heart attack and suddenly passed away. Tu Lan suddenly panicked so she didn't call the police." I put down my chopsticks. “Momentary panic?” "She's panicking but she still has the mind to go on a business trip?" "She was so panicked that she could still carefully make up a story and ask me to come take care of her?" Aunt Vuong's expression changed. “I mean…” “Aunt Vuong, I asked you something.” “Ask me.” “If the old lady suddenly died of a heart attack, when did she die?” “This…” “If she passed away before Truong Tu Lan went on a business trip, why didn't she report to the police?” Aunt Vuong was stunned. She opened her mouth but couldn't say a word. “Auntie said she's known her for five or six years.” “What kind of person was she before?” Aunt Vuong bowed her head and thought for a long time. “Before she…” “I don't know what to say.” “Five years ago, she moved her mother here.” "At that time, the old woman's health was good, she could buy food and cook by herself." "Later, in recent years, her health gradually weakened, her limbs were no longer convenient, and her mind also began to become confused." “Taking care of Tu Lan alone is really difficult.” "Her ex-husband got into a car accident and was paralyzed. She took care of him for two years, and then he really couldn't take care of him anymore so he took him to a rehabilitation center." “We all felt she was a good woman.” “Filial, talented, kind and meaningful.” Aunt Vuong raised her head and looked at me. “But Tieu Yeu, what you said is right.” "The old lady passed away without reporting it to the police or taking action. Either way, it's inexplicable." “Unless…” She didn't continue. But I know what she means. Unless she's guilty. Unless she doesn't dare let others know that the old lady died in the house. Unless she's scared

Once you report to the police, other matters will also be investigated. Thursday. Someone posted an article online. The title is: 【Murder at apartment 601, building 6, Cam Hoa apartment: Neighbor reported to the police, exposing the truth of the elderly being neglected】 I clicked to see. The article describes the entire incident in detail, from Truong Tu Lan finding someone to take care of her mother, to me reporting to the police and the police discovering her body. The content is written in great detail. The comments section has more than a thousand views. "What kind of cruel woman is that? She's dead and still wants to blame her neighbors?" “The girl next door was so cruel, she almost got hurt to death.” “This kind of person deserves to be arrested!” "Wait, have you investigated clearly? What if it was a natural death?" "If you die naturally, why don't you dare report it to the police? Obviously there's a problem." I read the article from beginning to end. The posting account is a new account.