Chapter 7 — The Final Flip: When I No Longer Have Patience

At eight thirty in the morning, I drove to the gate of the Civil Affairs Department on time. My brother's car parked next to me. I won't let you down. This battle… is mine alone. I want to end it myself. I leaned against the car door, quietly waiting. The sunlight is beautiful and warm on my shoulders. Eight fifty. A taxi stopped not far away. The car door opens. Chu Minh and Trieu Hong walked down, like two defeated chickens, their heads bowed. They stayed up all night. Eye sockets sunken, face yellow. Trieu Hong's hair was messy, his eyes were full of resentment and unwillingness. From beginning to end, Chu Minh did not dare to look up at me. They stood in front of me. Trieu Hong was about to open his mouth, but was stopped by my cold eyes. I'm not talking nonsense. Immediately took out my phone and opened a photo. It is a photo of the land use right certificate. I didn't say anything, just gently shook the phone in front of them. A threat… without a sound. And they can't resist either. Trieu Hong's lips trembled, but in the end he still did not dare to speak. Chu Minh trembled and took out two household registration books and identification books from his pocket and gave them to me. His hands were shaking so much he could barely hold them. At nine o'clock, the civil affairs department opened. We are the first pair. Everything happened very quickly. Take photos, fill out forms, sign names, get fingerprinted. When the staff handed the red divorce papers into my hands... I felt the chains on my body... crumble in an instant. I'm... free. Stepping out of the gate, the sunlight was blinding. I took a deep breath. The new atmosphere... so pleasant. Chu Minh stood behind, his voice hoarse.

“Tu Cam… really… has to be that great?”

I don't turn around. To this man… I have nothing more to say. I walked straight towards the car.

“The house… how do you plan to handle it?” he still hasn't let go.

I stopped, turned my head to look at him.

“Don't worry, I won't take that house.”

His eyes flashed with joy.

"Really?"

"Of course." I laughed, "because yesterday, I authorized the broker to put the house and land up for sale."

The smile on Chu Minh's face... froze.

"The price is very reasonable, thirty-five thousand. There should be no shortage of people in the village who want to buy."

“You have a week to move out.”

“A week later, the new owner will bring the land book and documents to receive the property.”

“If you don't clean up…”

“I think the new owner won't be as patient as me.”

I finished speaking, opened the car door, and sat in. Trieu Hong screamed and tried to rush forward, but my brother stepped out of the car and stopped him.

“Take care of yourself.”

I left those four words behind, stepped on the gas and left. In the rearview mirror, I saw Chu Minh and Trieu Hong standing dumbfounded in front of the gate. Like two statues of despair. I turn on music. Mood is light. I'm about to go home. In the city, I still have a small apartment. It was my refuge… my new beginning. At that moment, the phone rang. It's my brother. His voice was serious and urgent.

"Tieu Cam! Don't go back to that apartment yet!"

My heart suddenly sank.

"I'm not sure, just drove over to take a look."

“In front of my house… there is Chu Le's new car!”

“I'm afraid... their whole family is in there!”

My brother's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the joy that had just glimmered in my heart. I slammed on the brakes and the car stopped on the side of the road.

“Occupy the bird's nest.”

Those four words popped into my head like a bolt of lightning. I truly underestimated the brazenness of their entire family. I thought that getting my money back, divorce, land recovery... was the battle over. Unexpectedly, they planned to open another battlefield. In the countryside, I exposed myself and lost face, then I went to the city... to destroy my peace. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my knuckles turned white. Anger rolls like lava. But I don't let myself lose control.

"Brother, don't go up, don't startle them."

I spoke into the phone, my voice frighteningly calm.

"Just stay down and wait for me. I'll be right over."

I hung up and didn't turn around right away. I sat still in the car and took three deep breaths. Tu Cam, stay calm. Dealing with this type of person… getting angry is useless. Must be colder than them. Must be more cruel than them. I took the phone and made a call.

"Hello, Mr. Vuong? I'm Tu Cam. That's right, please come to Anh Duong area to help me open the lock... yes, bring all the tools."

Next, I called the building management.