Chapter 15 — The Day I Locked the Villa Door

“Chu Huc is the type of person who will use tricks.”

Tran Hao nodded.

“He's not just stupid.”

“But he also knows how to bite back.”

“You have to be careful.”

“He can't bite me.”

I said calmly.

“But thank you for telling me.”

“Your own story…”

“If he really threatens you, call the police.”

“It's blackmail.”

Tran Hao smiled bitterly.

“Report to the police…”

“Can everything be resolved?”

I looked at him.

“But at least it will make him understand…”

“There are things that cannot be achieved just by wanting them.”

The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Tran Hao nodded.

“Thank you, Miss Lam.”

“Honestly.”

“You don't need to thank me.”

“Your wedding was also ruined.”

“That wedding was already fake.”

Tran Hao said softly.

“It was fake from the beginning.”

“I should have seen it sooner.”

He stood up.

“I'm bothering you.”

Walking to the door of the shop, he stopped walking. Turn your head to look at me.

“There's a sentence I don't know if I should say it or not.”

“When she stepped onto the wedding stage.”

“I was the groom for more than a month.”

“From beginning to end, it's all acting.”

“But the moment I saw you…”

“I suddenly feel…”

“The whole auditorium that day…”

“Only you are real.”

He pushed the door open and went out. The wind chimes in front of the shop's door jingled. I'm still sitting in the same place. Immobility. The coffee in the cup has cooled. I looked out the window. It's getting dark again. The street lights light up one after another. A stream of people on the street hurriedly passed by. I took out my phone. Open notes. Behind the line:

"Check the wall. Repaint it."

I add a new line.

"Chu Huc may continue to act. Increase precautions."

I lock the screen. Leaving the cafe, I did not return to the apartment. Which drove to the villa. By the time we arrived, it was completely dark. The villa's lighting system automatically turns on. Warm yellow light shines on the paved road and neatly trimmed trees. I opened the artistic iron gate. The new electronic lock makes a "beep" sound. Enter the yard. The air still smells of grass and soil. The wedding stage has been completely dismantled. The wooden planks have all been removed. There are only a few square marks left on the ground. I walked to the middle of the front yard lawn. Sit down. Place two pots of newly purchased mint on the edge of the grass. Not planted yet. Just leave it there for now. Wait for the weekend and then plant later. I stood up. Turn your head to look at the villa behind you. The light is still on. The wall is clean again. I can no longer see that a few days ago this place used to take place a ridiculous play. Like nothing ever happened. But I know. Everything... Has happened before. But this matter is far from over. Halfway through work, Lam Ha received a call. It's Uncle Trinh from the residential management board.

“Mr. Zhou Dai Quoc is here again.”

“This time I also brought three people along.”

"One person claimed to be from the fire prevention inspection team, one person said he was from the urban management board, and one person did not say his identity."

“They are standing at the gate, asking to enter your villa to check fire safety.”

“I did as you told me so I didn't let it in yet.”

“They are still standing outside the gate right now.”

Lam Ha's fingers on the keyboard paused.

“Did they present official inspection documents?”

“I asked.”

“The person claiming to be from the fire department said the documents were left at the unit, someone would bring them later.”

“If you don't have paper, you won't be allowed in.”

“That's the process legal."

“But Miss Lam…”

“Their attitude is quite tough.”

"They said if they don't cooperate with the inspection, they will force entry based on regulations."

"There are only four guards on my side. I'm afraid I won't be able to keep them."

Lam Ha closed her eyes for a second.

“Uncle Trinh.”

“Help me do two things.”

“First, use your phone to record the entire process of them standing in front of the gate.”

“Every sentence they say must be recorded.”

“Second, call directly the official number of the fire department to verify whether there is actually an inspection scheduled for this area today or not.”

“I will do it now.”

“I'll be there in half an hour.”

“I tried to hold them back.”

Hang up the phone. Lam Ha picked up her bag and stood up. Tieu Ha at the next table raised his head to look at her.

“What's going on?”

“It's urgent.”

“The afternoon meeting helps me take time off.”

From the company to the villa takes twenty-five minutes. Outside the artistic iron gate is parked a black commercial vehicle. Three men stood in front of the gate. A person wearing a uniform. But the uniform looks old. The nameplate on the chest is also faded. A person wearing a gray jacket, holding a file under his armpit. The other person wore a black jacket with a half-zip at the collar. Both hands in pockets. Face expressionless. Uncle Trinh and two guards stood inside the gate. Seeing Lam Ha's car coming, he immediately stepped up to open the gate.

“They haven't left yet.”

"The documents haven't arrived yet."

“I already called the fire department.”

“The person on duty said there were absolutely no scheduled inspections in this residential area today.”

“Are you filming yet?”

“Turned.”

“From the moment they arrived, I started filming.”

“Please step back.”

“Let me handle it.”