Chapter 6 — The Final Flip: When I No Longer Have Patience

I stood up. Close the notebook in your hand.

“The payment has been completed.”

I looked at Chu Minh.

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, in front of the gate of the Civil Affairs Bureau. Don't be late."

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left without any hesitation. My brother and the other two followed. We walked out of the house that had made me nauseous for three years. I got in my car, started the engine. Just as the car was about to leave the yard, Chu Minh suddenly chased after him, banging hard on the window. He screamed until he was hoarse.

"Money! Car! I took it all!"

“Do you want to destroy this house too?”

"But this house... it's still my name on the book! I can't take it away!"

I stopped the car and rolled down the window. In the darkness, I looked at his face that was both desperate and ridiculous... smiling slightly.

“Your name?”

"Chu Minh, have you forgotten... when building the house, whose land did you use?"

That sentence caused the expression on his face to freeze.

“What…what do you mean?”

Trieu Hong also rushed out of the house, clearly having heard everything.

"You talk nonsense! This land belongs to my family! It belongs to the Chu family!"

I leaned against the car door, calmly as if watching a play.

“Then you two go home and find that red book.”

“Look carefully to see… whose name is written on it.”

I said no more, rolled up the window, and stepped on the gas. The car sped away like an arrow leaving the bow, disappearing at the corner of the street at the beginning of the village. I don't turn around. But I can imagine... in that back yard, how chaotic it would be. I drove straight to my brother's house. My sister-in-law had already cooked a bowl of hot noodles for me. My brother sat opposite, silently looking at me.

“All done?”

"Done."

I nodded and ate a large piece of noodles. Stomach warms up. My whole heart... was so peaceful for the first time.

“That piece of land… did dad really give it to you?”

I took out a tightly wrapped package of tar paper from my pocket. It's an old land book. That year, my father and Chu Minh's father were comrades and had a very good relationship. The Chu family wanted to build a house, but the land was both ugly and small. My father softened his heart and gave them a beautiful piece of land at the beginning of the village. Just a verbal agreement, let them build first. My father's idea was that after Chu Minh and I got married, this land would be considered a wedding gift for the two of us. But after receiving the land, Chu Minh's father never mentioned the name transfer again. My father is gentle and doesn't bother to push. Until the night before I got married... He gave me this book.

"Daughter, this is the last retreat I leave for you. If Chu Minh treats you well, keep it a secret for the rest of your life. But if he treats you badly..."

“Then take this out and tell them… who is the boss.”

The past three years. I keep this secret like a Pandora's box. Something… that I always hoped I would never have to open. But now. It's time. About an hour later, my phone rang. It's Chu Minh. His voice... trembled, panicking like never before.

“Tu Cam… the land book… the land book is at your place?”

They obviously searched the whole house, but still couldn't find the notebook... which never belonged to them.

"YES." I replied lightly.

“So… so the house…”

“Yes.” I said for him what he did not dare to face, "legally, that house, along with all the immovable things inside... belong to the owner of the land use right certificate."

“It's also… me.”

The other end of the line fell into dead silence. I clearly heard his heavy breathing Chu Minh, mixed with Trieu Hong's muffled cries.

“Tu Cam… I can't do that… I can't be that cruel…”

“Absolute love?”

I laughed.

“Compared to your whole family… I'm just returning the favor.”

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, in front of the gate of the Civil Affairs Department, bring your household registration book and ID."

“If you're late, or don't come…”

“Then when I come back, I won't have a divorce petition with me.”

“It's a court summons… and a demolition team.”

I hung up. I know… they will come. Because that house... is their only face in this village. But now... that power to tear apart face, I hold it in my hand. I finished the last of the noodles, pushing the bowl aside.

“Brother, come with me tomorrow.”

"YES." My brother nodded strongly.

That night, I slept extremely peacefully. The peace that for the past three years... has never been there. The next morning, as soon as it was dawn, I woke up. I stood in front of the mirror, applying makeup carefully. Choose a red jacket. Rebirth... should have a bit more vibrant colors.