Chapter 13 — The Day I Locked the Villa Door

Then answer:

“You just need to trust me.”

“Of course I believe you.”

“But you have to at least tell me what your fulcrum is.”

“Do you have a lawyer?”

“Do you have your back?”

“Do you have money to manage it?”

“If we really have to sue…”

I will not answer further. Just exit to the main screen. Six frames of the villa's surveillance cameras appeared. The upper left corner displays two words:

“Directly.”

The villa is extremely quiet at night. The front yard light is still on. Warm golden light covers the paved road. The smart lock has been reinstalled. Artistic iron gate replaced with new electronic lock. The balcony lights are also on. Pot of rosemary under green light. The irrigation water two days ago worked. I look at those frames. It's eleven o'clock. I turned off the phone. Lie down on the bed. Look at the ceiling. There is a small crack on the ceiling. The light in the rented apartment is very dark. I closed my eyes. Wednesday night. After work, I went straight to the villa. Basic cleaning has been completed. The living room on the first floor returned to its original state. Sofa has been repaired. The broken leg was fixed by the technician. The tea table is wiped clean. The broken glass door of the TV cabinet has also been replaced. Only teak wooden shelves cannot be repaired anymore. The crack is too deep. The worker said that if he tried to fix it, it would continue to crack in the future. I contacted the factory that ordered the shelf to be made. They said if they want to do it again, they have to wait two months. I say okay. The bed sheets in the second floor master bedroom were also changed to my own type. Blue-gray color made of cotton. In the corner is embroidered a small Roman chrysanthemum. It's embroidered by my own hands. The large light bulb-rimmed makeup mirror has been taken down. Replaced my original small round mirror. The curtains were also re-hung. Thin layer of chiffon curtain. From the outside it looks white. But standing in the room, when the sunlight passes through, it will shine pale yellow. Everything is gradually returning to the way it was. Except for the lawn. And that jewelry. I stood on the second floor balcony. Looking down at the bare yard below. Tire marks and trample marks are still there. The soil was stirred up. Creates a dazzling contrast with the surrounding blue. It's like a beautiful piece of cloth being slashed several times with a knife. I squatted down. Lightly loosen the soil in the rosemary pot. The mint was a little more rejuvenated. There are two new leaves emerging. The phone rang. It's a Korean police officer.

“Miss Lam, I'll tell you something.”

"Ms. Tien My Phuong's jewelry, through preliminary assessment..."

“The green jade necklace and pearl earrings are both genuine, not low value.”

“Gold necklaces are also pure gold.”

"Ms. Tien My Phuong's side signed a confirmation, admitting to taking it from her room."

“But she still insisted that it wasn't stealing, but 'thinking her son gave it to her'.”

“Korean Police.”

I looked at the potted plant at my feet.

“The jade bracelet my grandmother left me…”

“How could he become the son she gave him?”

“We also do not accept this point.”

“Currently, the case has been prosecuted as theft.”

“If you need me to officially confirm the property loss, please come to the station the next morning.”

“I will come.”

“There's one more thing.”

The Korean police's voice changed slightly. But I heard it.

“Someone called the station this afternoon to ask about the progress of the case.”

“Not the person involved.”

“Not even a lawyer.”

“Claims himself to be an employee of the urban construction department district."

My hand stopped.

“What did he ask?”

“He asked when Chu Huc's matter would end.”

“The tone is not like a formal inquiry…”

“More like a private inquiry.”

I was silent for two seconds.

“Korean Police.”

“What if someone puts pressure on this case?”

His voice turned serious.

“We work according to the law.”

"We have records and procedures for handling any unusual inquiries from outside parties."

“Don't worry.”

The call ended. I placed the phone on the balcony railing. The sea breeze blows. The salty, moist smell blends with the slightly spicy scent of rosemary. I looked at the horizon in the distance. The sun is about to set. The afternoon sun burned half of the sky into a reddish orange color. I dialed a phone number. The bell rang three times. A gentle female voice picked up the phone. The voice is neither high nor low. Calm enough.

“Aunt Phuong.”

“There is a person named Zhou Daguo.”

“Deputy director of the district urban construction board.”

“He is investigating your matter.”

“I know this person.”

Aunt Phuong's voice was calm as if she was saying that the weather is very nice today.

“The old lady also mentioned it this morning.”

“What do you need us for?”

I thought for three seconds.

“Help me look up two things.”

“First, the foundation of Zhou Dynasty.”

“Why did he have to help Chu Huc?”

“I will answer you before tomorrow.”

“Aunt Phuong.”

“How is your grandmother's health?”

“The old lady is very healthy.”

“Just miss you.”

“The last time she saw the video online, it took all night.”

“Open it again the next day.”

Aunt Phuong smiled softly.

“‘This girl finally knows how to be tough.’”

I laughed. The corners of the lips curl up very slightly. But quickly retracted.

“Please tell me auntie…”

“Don't worry about me.”

The phone hung up. I stood on the balcony for a long time. Until it was completely dark.