Chapter 12 — The Day I Locked the Villa Door

I lowered my head to look at the phone screen. No expression whatsoever.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

I finished speaking. Then turned around and went into the villa. I go to work as usual. I am a project team leader at a mid-range design company. There are two meetings in the morning. In the afternoon, review a series of drawings. Everything is no different from usual. It's just that the atmosphere in the office is a bit strange. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Tieu Ha stopped me in the tea room. She was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, had a round face, spoke quickly, and had a normal relationship with me, neither close nor distant. Her voice lowered.

“I saw that video online.”

“The thing about your ex-husband using your villa to hold the wedding.”

I continued pouring water into the glass.

“Is that person really you?”

Tieu Ha's expression became extremely complicated. It's like I've been holding back a lot of words for the past few days and finally found a place to say them.

“Miss Ha, you are really amazing.”

“In front of so many people.”

“The security system says it's locked and it's locked.”

“I watched that video three times.”

“The comment section is all on your side.”

I screwed the lid back on the water glass.

“It's unclear who posted the video.”

“Someone livestreamed that day.”

“I watched that livestream too!”

“You can still watch it again now!”

“Your ex-mother-in-law wears a red cheongsam and says the house was bought by her son with his sweat…”

“I got slapped in the face right on the spot!”

Tieu Ha's voice became more and more excited. I took a look at her. Tieu Ha immediately fell silent.

“Sorry, Ms. Ha.”

“I just…”

"I'm just angry on your behalf."

She rubbed her hands.

“If you need any help, just say so.”

I nodded.

“There's no need.”

I took the glass of water and returned to my desk. At four thirty in the afternoon, I received a call. Is the saved number.

“Uncle Trinh.”

“Miss Lam, there is something I need to tell you.”

Uncle Trinh's voice was more cautious than usual.

“Today around two o'clock in the afternoon, someone came to the villa gate.”

“Said it was Chu Huc's uncle, named Chu Dai Quoc.”

“He brought along someone who looked like a lawyer.”

“Stand outside the gate for more than ten minutes, take a few photos and then leave.”

"The security guard asked what was going on, he didn't show any documents, he just said to come and take a look."

My fingers gently tapped twice on the table.

“Where did he take pictures?”

“Main gate, iron fence, front yard.”

“It seems like I even took a photo of the residential area's notice board.”

“What's on the notice board?”

“There are regulations for managing residential areas, notice of meetings of household heads…”

“With a notice of receipt of complaints.”

“It was the case of neighbors reporting a noisy wedding party the day before.”

“Does that notice have my name on it?”

Uncle Trinh thought for a few seconds.

“Head of household: Lam Ha.”

“Okay, I know.”

“Miss Lam, I did some research.”

“Chu Dai Quoc seems to work in the district's urban construction department.”

“His coming here… is not very normal.”

“Do we need to take extra precautions?”

"No need."

“If you come, just come.”

“But from now on, everyone entering and leaving the villa must register.”

“Anyone who is not the homeowner or has not been authorized by the management…”

“You are not allowed in.”

“If he comes back, let him wait outside.”

The call ended. I put down the phone. Open a folder on your computer. It stores all scanned copies of documents related to the villa. Sales contract. Notarized gift certificate. Real estate management contract. Fit security system. There is also a subfolder named:

“Backup.”

I opened it. Inside there are only two files. One is a draft authorization contract with a lawyer's office. One is a scanned copy of a letter. The letter paper is old. Handwriting with an old-fashioned fountain pen, each stroke neat and clear. The signed line at the end of the letter is: Tran Tu Lan. I looked at that letter for a few seconds. Then turn off the folder. Pick up the phone. Reopen the message Aunt Phuong sent the other day. Read it again.

"The old lady already asked, if you need anything, just say so."

I opened the message input box. Type a few words. Then delete it again. Finally sent nothing. Turn the phone face down on the table. After leaving the company building, I sat in the underground parking lot for five minutes. Then text Aunt Phuong a message.

"Thank you, Aunt Phuong. Please tell my grandmother not to worry. I can handle it myself."

I started the car and drove back to the apartment. Not a villa. The villa is still being renovated. I temporarily live in a rented apartment in the inner city. One bedroom and one living room. But quiet. Eight o'clock in the evening. I finished showering and sat on the sofa scrolling through my phone. To Dao sent a message.

"Ha, Chu Tieu Man deleted the Moments post. But the screenshots are everywhere."

“The internet is now full of people talking about the consequences of that wedding.”

"Some people say that Tran Hao's side has officially asked for an annulment of the marriage."

I finished reading. No reply. Immediately after that, another message arrived.

“I still can't wait to hear about this.”

To Dao sent another long message.

“Chu Dai Quoc of the district urban construction department is the deputy director.”

“Not a very big position.”

“But there is still a voice in that area.”

“Are you really not worried?”

I typed a few words:

“Don't worry.”

To Dao immediately sent back a crazy sticker.

“Where did you get such confidence?”

"You're just the project leader of a design company, with a salary of more than ten thousand yuan."

“How can I fight against a mandarin?”

“Even if the house is really yours…”

“If he finds trouble from residential area management, fire prevention, and miscellaneous inspections…”

“You are very difficult to resist.”

I looked at To Dao's chat screen. Think silently for a moment.