Chapter 3 — The Call That Locked My In-Laws Out

A young man’s voice filtered through the speaker: "Brother, your wife is truly petty, isn't she?" It was Meng Shi An. Meng Shi Yuan lowered his voice in response.

"Enough. I will speak to you later tonight."

The call disconnected. I stood in the hospital registration hall, draped in a loose, shapeless postpartum gown. On my feet, one of my fleece slippers remained unfastened. The baby in my arms sniffled, finally breaking into a cry. A young nurse reached out instinctively.

"Ma'am, would you like me to call a car for you?"

I lowered my head to look at my child. Her small, warm face pressed against my chest. Suddenly, I let out a soft laugh. It was not loud, but the nurse froze. The look in her eyes shifted from pity to genuine alarm. I said, "No need." At ten thirty-five, I made my third call. No answer. I called again. Still nothing. I stared at the three characters of Meng Shi Yuan’s name on the screen. They suddenly felt like those of a total stranger. I stopped calling. I opened my contacts and dialed the VIP customer service line for the bank. Before hitting call, I took one last look at the hospital entrance. No one was coming. No car arrived. Only a taxi pulled up, dropped someone off, and drove away. The call connected. The representative’s voice was polished and standard.

"Hello, how may I assist you today?"

I clutched my daughter tighter.

"I wish to block a supplementary card."

The voice on the other end verified my identity.

"May I ask the reason for blocking this card?"

I looked at my reflection in the glass door. My face was deathly pale, my hair a tangled mess, and I held a newborn in my arms. I spoke each word slowly and clearly.

"The cardholder has repeatedly made large, unauthorized purchases."

The representative continued, "I see. May I confirm that you wish to block the supplementary card ending in 6912?"

Before I could answer, a new call flashed on my screen: Meng Shi Yuan. I watched his name glow. This time, I did not answer.

04

As the confirmation sounded on the line, Meng Shi Yuan’s call continued to blink on my screen. I ignored it, speaking only to the representative.

"Confirm the block."

The representative verified my personal details once more.

"Once this is finalized, the supplementary cardholder will no longer be able to use this card for any transactions."

"Understood."

"Would you also like to disable online and international payment privileges?"

I glanced at my daughter, who was sleeping fitfully in my arms.

"Disable everything."

After I hung up, there were seven missed calls. Three from Meng Shi Yuan, two from Feng Li Bing, and two from Meng Shi An. I set my phone to silent and sent my location to my mother. She had already stepped off the high-speed train and replied: "Stay exactly where you are. I am coming."

The nurse helped me move my luggage to a nearby waiting bench. She didn't ask questions; she simply tucked a thin blanket over the baby. Half an hour later, my mother rushed into the hospital. Her expression shifted the moment she saw me sitting in the lobby. She didn't scold anyone; she simply took the baby, her hands trembling slightly.

"Thanh Hoa, let’s go home with me."

I said, "Not to the Meng house." My mother looked at me.

"Let’s go home to your place."

That apartment was truly mine. Before we were married, my parents paid the down payment, and only my name appeared on the deed. Every subsequent mortgage payment had been deducted from my salary account. Meng Shi Yuan had lived there for three years, becoming so comfortable that even his mother acted as if the property belonged to the Meng family. My mother hailed a cab. Just before I climbed in, Meng Shi Yuan called again. My mother took a look at the screen.

"Answer it."

I switched the call to speaker. Meng Shi Yuan’s voice was almost a roar.

"Ha Thanh Hoa, did you block the card?"

I held my baby, my voice very light.

"Yes."

"Are you insane? The hotel bill hasn't been settled yet, and the card was declined right at the counter!"

I replied, "Then don't settle it." The background was chaotic. Feng Li Bing was screeching in the distance.

"Tell her to unblock it right now! The relatives are all here; this is utterly humiliating!"

Meng Shi An joined in, frantic.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing? I need to use the car to pick up the bride tomorrow!"

I waited until they stopped arguing.

"The car must be returned to the residential garage before eight tonight."

Meng Shi Yuan struggled to contain his rage.

"Unblock the card first."

"Return the car first."

"Ha Thanh Hoa, don't force my hand."

I stared out the taxi window. The streetlights flickered to life one by one, like a row of cold, judging eyes.

"Meng Shi Yuan, it is all of you who have forced my hand."

I ended the call. When we arrived at my door, the electronic lock still accepted my code. The apartment smelled stale from lack of ventilation. The drawer in the foyer was ajar; my spare car keys, usually kept there, were gone. On the shoe cabinet, someone had left a box of wedding candies. The red was garish and blinding. My mother carried the baby into the bedroom, cooing to soothe her. I stood in the living room and pulled up the home surveillance footage. At 11:46 last night, Meng Shi Yuan had returned. He hadn't gone to the bedroom. Instead, he went straight to the entryway, snatched my car keys, and pulled a folder of car registration papers from the cabinet. The entire process took less than three minutes. He moved with practiced ease. And with complete confidence. I saved the footage and exported it to my phone. Then, I called a locksmith. As the technician arrived, my mother asked me a single question.