Chapter 4 — The Day I Take It All Back

The moment my hand was on the doorknob, I said the last sentence.

“Tran Hao, my lawyer will contact you tomorrow.”

“I advise you to cooperate a little.”

“If not…”

“I don't mind suing you for usurpation of position.”

“Anyway, the management books over the past few years…”

“It probably isn't clean at all.”

Having finished speaking, I pulled the door open and walked out. The door slammed shut behind him, blocking out all the chaotic sounds inside. The air in the hallway... Fresh as ever. I leaned against the wall outside the door and took a deep breath. The anger that had been suppressed for three years was finally released. The phone in my pocket vibrated. I took it out to see. It's a message from dad.

“Is it resolved?”

I replied with one word: Very soon, he sent another message.

“So that's good.”

"Go home early, dad has already stewed the soup for you."

Looking at that line... My tears finally fell uncontrollably. Over the past three years, I have considered that place called "family" to be the whole world. I forgot again... My real home is always behind me waiting for me to return. I dried my tears, stood up straight, and walked towards the elevator. From today… I have to let go of everything. Return to the brilliant Tu Niem of the past. I go home. Not the cold, stuffy two-room apartment where I had to play the role of an obedient daughter-in-law. It's my parents' house. As soon as I opened the door, the aroma of food rushed in. My father - Tu Ve Quoc - walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron, still holding a patch in his hand and stir-frying food.

"Are you back? Hurry up and wash your hands, the soup is almost done."

My mother came from the living room sofa, took my bag and gently touched my face.

“Why are your eyes so red?”

“Are you crying?”

“Is that family bullying you?”

I shook my head, smiling.

“No, it was just blown by the wind.”

My father brought out a pot of chicken soup and placed it on the dining table.

“What the wind.”

“From today onwards, no one dares to make me cry…”

“Dad will make that person bankrupt.”

He spoke very calmly. But each word carries a weight that leaves no room for doubt. That's my dad. He never liked to say harsh words. He was simply telling the truth. The whole family sat down to eat. No one mentioned the Tran family's story anymore. They just kept giving me food. My father scooped soup for me. My mother peeled shrimp for me. It's like I want to use all these dishes to make up for all the self-pity I've endured over the past three years. After eating that meal... I felt like I was finally alive again. Just as I was cleaning up the dishes, the phone suddenly rang. It's Tran Hao. My father looked at me. I nodded slightly, took the phone and went to the balcony to answer the call.

“Nem Niem…”

Tran Hao's voice was thick with a nasal sound, as if he had just finished crying.

"Where are you? Let's talk."

“Can I go home first?”

“Tran Hao.”

“My house is here.”

“As for that place, I won't go back again.”

My voice was very calm.

“Don't be like that, Niem Niem…”

His voice began to choke.

“I know it's wrong.”

"My parents are just old fools, don't accept them."

“I'll apologize to you on their behalf.”

“I can tell them to kneel down and apologize to you!”

“If you just come back…”

“Just don't take back the shophouses…”

“The focus is still the shophouse, right?”

I directly interrupted him. The other end of the line immediately went silent.

“Tomorrow's lawyer I will contact you.”

I finished speaking, preparing to hang up. Tran Hao's voice suddenly rose, his intonation also changed, carrying a threat.

“Do I have to do it to this extent?”

“After all, we were once husband and wife, do you really want to make things so unsightly?”

I heard Tran Chinh Duc's voice on the phone deliberately lowering the volume to instruct:

“Tell him, tell him not to forget there are still things left at home!”

It's ridiculous.

“What else do I have at your house?”

“My clothes!”

“And my jewelry too! Don't you need it?

The more Tran Hao spoke, the less confident he became.

“I will call a collection company tomorrow to pick up all the clothes and donate them.”

I calmly replied.

“And the jewelry…”

“All my valuables are in the bank safe.”

“The pile is at my house…”

"They're all fake products, I intentionally bought them to cooperate with you."

“If you like it, keep it as a souvenir.”

The other end of the line fell into dead silence. I can almost imagine the looks on Tran Hao and his father's faces as if they had swallowed flies right now.

“Is there anything else?”

“If not, I'll hang up.”

“Don't call me again in the future.”

“If you have anything to do, talk to my lawyer.”

Without waiting for him to answer, I directly hung up the call. The world is finally quiet. But that quiet didn't last long. Half an hour later, my doorbell rang.