Chapter 4 — The Day I Saved 400,000 Yuan

I put down the phone. Quietly looking out the window. The sky is gradually darkening. Right at that moment. The doorbell rang. It's Uncle Vuong. On his back he carried a tool bag. Standing in front of my house.

"Hello, you're the one who called to change the lock, right?"

I nodded. Lean in to give way.

"Yes, it's me."

"I'm sorry, uncle."

I looked at the door in front of me. The voice was strangely calm.

"Help me change a lock."

"A lock..."

"And no one can open it."

Uncle Vuong works very quickly. The old lock was quickly taken down. The sound of metal falling to the ground rang out. Like an end to my past. He took out a new lock. Dark golden bronze color. Heavy. Just looking at it makes people feel secure. In the meantime. I continue to clean the house. This house was originally the private property my mother left me before marriage. But after five years of marriage. It was almost taken over by Tran Hao's belongings. I collected all of his sneakers, game consoles, collectible figures, and all kinds of miscellaneous things. Throw it all into large trash bags. When moving to the office. I found a locked drawer. It's Tran Hao's drawer. Up until now he has never let me touch him. I look for a hammer. Aim the lock straight. Come down hard. The lock burst open. There was no separate money inside like I imagined. Just an old velvet box. I opened the box. There weren't any valuable items inside. It's a red book that has discolored over time. A small USB. And a letter. On the envelope was the mother-in-law's handwriting.

"To Wen Qing."

I stopped. My mother-in-law passed away from illness the second year after I got married. She is a very gentle woman. Also the only person in this family who ever made me feel loved. My hand trembled slightly. I opened the letter. The familiar elegant handwriting caught the eye.

"On Tinh.

By the time you read this letter, I may no longer be alive."

"Forgive me for having to use this method to tell you the secret."

"This house was actually left to me by my mother."

"Before you got married, I notarized the property and transferred the ownership to your name."

"This red book is real."

"And the red book in Tran Hao's hand is a fake document that my mother asked someone to make."

I was stunned. Mind completely blank. My eyes immediately fell on the owner's name on the certificate. Three words appear clearly. It's my name. I continued reading.

"On Tinh, I'm sorry."

"I understand my son."

"I also understand my husband."

"They are all people who were pampered too much by their mothers."

"Irresponsible."

"I'm afraid that after I die, you will have to suffer."

"Tran Hao is an unpredictable person."

"If one day he does something wrong to you."

"This house is my support."

"No one can take it away."

"In that USB there is a location for a bank card."

"Inside is the money my mother has secretly saved for many years."

"Not much."

"But enough for me to defend myself."

"The password is your date of birth."

"Hold it."

"Don't tell anyone."

"And promise mom."

"No matter what."

"You also have to know how to love yourself."

Each drop of tears fell onto the paper. Blurs the ink lines. In this house. Someone once said quietly protect me like that. I've never been truly alone. I carefully kept the letter and red book back. Then plug the USB into the computer. Inside there was indeed an encrypted file. I entered my date of birth. The file opens. It records information about a bank account. Attach password. Current balance. 200,000 yuan. I was speechless. Then slowly close the computer. Uncle Vuong has also changed the lock. He gave me three brand new keys.

"Done, girl."

"This is the safest type of lock available today."

"If someone tries to open it by force, the lock will automatically lock dead."

"Also activate the alarm system."

I received the key. The cold feeling of metal at my fingertips made me feel extremely reassured.

"Thank you, uncle."

I pay the wages. Say goodbye to Uncle Vuong. Then lock the door. The world is finally completely quiet. I take a hot bath. Change into clean pajamas. Prepare to rest. Right at that moment. Outside the door came the sound of turning a key.