Chapter 20 — The Day I Locked the Villa Door

Because it is newly planted grass. Wait a little longer, and the color will gradually blend with the old grass next to it, no longer noticeable any difference. The teak wood bookshelf is still being built. Have to wait another two months. The old space is still there. I took down the empty photo frame from the TV shelf. Substitute another photo. This is a photo of a pomegranate tree in my grandmother's yard. I took this photo when I visited my grandmother last week. On the tree there is a red flower. Blooms very beautifully. The night I moved back, To Dao came. Bring a bottle of wine. The two of us sat outside on the balcony. The smell of mint spreads in the night wind. The mild spicy scent of rosemary blends with the salty taste of the sea breeze. To Dao poured two glasses of wine.

“Dear you.”

“Thank you, you're finally home.”

The two glasses touched each other lightly. To Dao took a sip.

“The stories you told last time… about his grandmother.”

“Even now I still find it unreal.”

“Where is it not true?”

“Your grandfather used to be a tycoon in the construction materials industry.”

“Your grandmother has real estate in her name and a trust fund.”

"This villa was given to you by your grandmother. One-time payment is 1,600,000."

“Every year you still have a profit from the trust fund, but you never touch it, it's all left alone.”

“And yet you work at a design company, your salary is over 10,000, and you ride the electric car to work every day.”

To Dao said while counting on her fingers.

“You're just like a hidden rich lady.”

“But I live like a normal office worker.”

“Your ex-husband lived in your villa for three years without knowing it was the dowry left by his grandmother.”

“Colleagues in the company thought you were paying for a small apartment in installments.”

“Other than your grandmother and aunt Phuong, no one knows your true situation.”

She looked at me.

“Why do you live like this?”

I looked out at the sea in the distance. The moonlight spread across the water, sparkling like broken silver.

“I don't like to be defined by money.”

“When my grandfather passed away, I was still in school.”

“After that, my grandmother closed most of the business.”

“She once told me…”

'Once you've earned enough money, that's it.'

“The remaining things are for the next life, but not for the next life to sit around and enjoy.”

“So you go out to work.”

“Make your own money.”

“Living in a million dollar mansion but not telling anyone.”

“So when you married Chu Huc, what did you think?”

I didn't answer right away. I turned the wine glass in my hand. Spin round after round.

“I used to think he was a very practical, hard-working person.”

“Before he got married, he was exactly like that.”

“Working in sales at a construction materials company, climbing up step by step.”

“No smoking, no gambling.”

“Also very polite to my mother.”

“What happens after that?”

I looked at the new grass in the yard.

“After moving into this villa.”

My voice softened a bit.

“The mansion changed him.”

“He's starting to get used to living in a big house.”

“Used to go out and show off in a sea view villa.”

“I'm used to seeing this place as my property.”

“His mother is faster.”

"Not even half a month after moving in, she started bragging to the neighbors that her son had a future and could buy a big villa."

“Aren't you going to correct her?”

“I used to fix it.”

“The first time I fixed it, she cried all afternoon.”

“Saying that I look down on their family.”

"Chu Huc also got angry with me, telling me that small matters became big things."

“I think think again…”

“That's it.”

“It's just a name.”

“It makes no difference who says it.”

“And the results?”

“Then the result is…”

“Talking and talking to myself over and over…”

“They also believe it's true.”

Neither of us said anything more. The steady sound of ocean waves echoed. Like a heartbeat. To Dao took another sip of wine.

“His grandmother…”

“Can I come visit?”

“Of course.”

“Next time I'll take you there.”

“The vegetables she grows are delicious.”

“Really? An old lady who owns a lot of property and grows vegetables by herself?

“She said growing vegetables makes people feel stronger.”

“It's more real than counting money.”

To Dao burst out laughing. Laughed for a moment, eyes turned red again.

“You deserve to live well.”

I looked at her.

“You too.”

The two glasses touched each other lightly again. The sound is very quiet. The moon rose higher. Another week has passed. I received a registered letter. The sender is Chu Huc. In the envelope there was only one piece of paper. White A4 paper. The letters are a bit squiggly. I admit that the villa is yours. I did something wrong about the wedding. My mother gave her jewelry back to the police station. After this, my family and I will not bother you anymore. Below is the signature and date. No fancy words. There is no remorse. There's no more chaos. Just a piece of paper. Much cleaner than the long paragraphs he used to post on his friends circle. I finished reading. Fold the letter. Put it in an envelope. Then call lawyer Tong.

“Lawyer Tong, I received a written apology from Chu Huc.”

"The content is not too official, but it acknowledges that ownership of the villa belongs to me and admits that using the villa to hold a wedding has not been authorized by me."

“Do we need to do anything further?”

“You keep the original carefully.”

“Take photos for records.”

“If he causes trouble in the future, this will be evidence.”

"As for the previous lawyer's letter, the other side's lawyer has withdrawn it."

“There's no more movement.”

“Congratulations, Miss Lam.”

“This matter seems to have officially ended.”

“Thank you, lawyer Tong.”

After hanging up. I opened my contacts. Find the name Tien My Phuong. Hesitate for a few seconds. Finally didn't call. Also no texting. There's nothing more to say. In the afternoon, the Korean police called.

"In the theft case of Ms. Tien My Phuong, due to the problem of determining the value of the property and the details of the case, our side recommends mediation."

“She herself signed the wrong receipt.”

“All jewelry will be refunded.”

“At the same time, compensate you for five thousand yuan in mental damages.”

“What is your opinion?”

I thought for a moment.

“I don't need the emotional cost.”

“It's okay to return the jewelry.”

“Reconciliation is fine.”

“Okay, so this week you can go to the station to sign the confirmation.”

I went to the dressing table. Pull out the drawer. Wait for the jewelry to be returned... you should put them back in their original position. The green jade bracelet is kept in the second compartment. Pearl earrings are on the left of the first compartment. The gold necklace is on the right side of the first compartment. Exactly like before. Not much. Not a lot. I closed the drawer. Exit the master bedroom. Go to the window in the hallway. The new lawn glows green under the sunlight. The front yard stone path has been cleaned. There are no longer banners on the iron gate. There are no more flower gates. No more balloon pillars. Only climbing roses remain. Flowers are blooming. Colored flower clusters Pale pink flowers cling to the fence, swaying gently in the wind. When I went downstairs, my phone rang. A message. Aunt Phuong sent it.

“Miss Lam, the old lady asked you… is the mint raw yet?”

I went out to the balcony. Two newly planted pots of mint have grown a few young leaves. The trunk is also stronger. I took a photo and sent it to Aunt Phuong. She answered with exactly one word: Three seconds later, there was another message.

“The old lady said, live well.”

I looked at those six words. Live well. I put my phone in my pocket. Go down to the balcony. Go to the front yard. Squat down at the edge of the new lawn. Grass roots are deeply embedded in the soil. Try it out a bit. Don't move anymore. It has really taken root. I stood up. Brush off the dirt on your knees. Go to the iron gate. The new electronic lock gently flashed in the sunlight. I raised my hand to gently touch the lock. Only takes my fingerprint. I turned around. Step back into your house. The door closed softly behind him. Smart lock sound automatically locks again. But extremely certain.