Chapter 10 — The Door Lock Changes, Marriage Also Locks

Trinh Vu's fingers tightened slightly. Worker Ton looked at Chu Canh Hanh. Chu Canh Hanh did not immediately speak. I don't push it either. Next to the cupboard next to the dining table there are still two unopened cartons, on the carton labeled "Additional components for living room lights". Yesterday when I returned, Trinh Vu was standing in that exact position, holding a cup of hot milk, saying that she was just here to help. Now she stands much further away than yesterday. But looking at her, I didn't feel like I had won. I just suddenly understood. It turns out that for someone to enter your life, no one needs to solemnly declare it. Just give her a series of passwords. Give her a contact status. Give her a question:

"Just look for her later."

She will step in little by little. Finally, Chu Canh Hanh spoke: Tutor Ton nodded and entered the confirmation code. A dialog box appears on the screen.

"Is it confirmed to delete Trinh Vu's family members?"

Trinh Vu stared at those words, his face turning pale little by little. She said softly:

"Actually, there's no need to delete it so completely. In the future, if there really is any warranty issue, you can still..."

"No later."

I spoke up. She raised her head to look at me. I turned to the second page of the document.

"Trinh Vu, you are not the construction unit, not the owner, nor a family member registered by the management board."

"In the future, if there is a warranty, the store will contact me and Chu Canh Hanh. If we cannot contact them, we will change the time."

Trinh Vu opened his mouth. Chu Canh Hanh frowned.

"Chieu Ninh, there's no need to talk about it to that extent."

I looked up at him.

"Which sentence is not correct?"

"Anyway, she helped quite a bit."

"It's okay to help."

"But helping doesn't mean adding yourself to the list of family members."

Tinker stood next to him, his hand resting on the confirmation button. The management team's housekeeper, Tieu Do, was even more confused than him. Last night she followed my request and temporarily suspended Trinh Vu's family membership. Today she brought the updated registration sheet for final confirmation. She spread out the form and lowered her voice:

"Miss Hua, previously the management board registered three people as Mr. Chu, you and Ms. Trinh. Ms. Trinh's note is the emergency contact and delivery coordinator during the repair period. If it is deleted now, the courier, delivery or repair staff can only contact the two owners in the future."

"So during the repair period, if there is an emergency situation, such as an electricity or water problem or a fire prevention check..."

"Just contact me first."

"If I don't answer the phone, I will contact Chu Canh Hanh."

Chu Canh Hanh looked at me with an unsightly expression.

"Don't you often go on business trips?"

"I can answer the phone."

"Sometimes I'm in a meeting."

"Then let them wait for my answer."

"Hua Chieu Ninh, not everything in the repair process can wait."

"Then I'll handle it."

I pushed the management's registration form towards him.

"Didn't you say you would watch?"

Tieu Do lowered his head to look at the form, pretending not to hear the tense atmosphere between us. She picked up the pen and crossed out Trinh Vu's names one by one. Family contact person. Repair coordinator. Guests leave come in regularly. Right to open emergency doors. Every time I cross out an item, I don't look at Trinh Vu. I'm afraid that if I look at her, I won't be able to help but want to find an answer on that face. But actually... The answer has long since ceased to lie with her. Trinh Vu could be registered like this because Chu Canh Hanh agreed. She was able to open a new house because Chu Canh Hanh had more power. She could sign for me, receive the goods for me, and say for me that "Chieu Ninh doesn't mind", also because Chu Canh Hanh tacitly accepted it time and time again. Trinh Vu was just the person who pushed those doors open. The person who really gave her the key, from beginning to end, was always Chu Canh Hanh. After the management board has updated the registration information, the Ton worker presses the confirmation button. Trinh Vu's name disappeared from the list of family members on the door lock.

"Deleted successfully."

When the electronic notification sounded, Trinh Vu bowed his head and said nothing. Chu Canh Hanh raised his hand to gently rub between his eyebrows.

"Is that okay now?"

I don't answer. I turned to the repair supervisor, Mr. Trinh. In his hand, he held a construction progress sheet, which was filled with the remaining items: adding a cabinet door next to the dining table, completing the office light, installing a sensor light for the master bedroom wardrobe, checking the drainage system of the washing machine and dryer, re-measuring the living room curtain rails.

"Master Trinh, who will confirm the remaining matters later?"

Old Trinh looked at me, then looked at Chu Canh Hanh.

"In the past, it was usually Ms. Trinh who answered in the group. When Mr. Chu was busy, she was more present at the scene. But now..."

"From today onwards, only the written confirmation from me and Zhou Canh Hanh will be recognized."

"Any changes, additional items, refunds, additional components or installation time must be sent to the group. Only after both people have seen and confirmed can it proceed."

Old Trinh was a bit awkward.

"What if one of you hasn't answered yet?"

"Then don't do it."