Chapter 2 — The House You Can't Buy

Trieu Kien Quoc stared at me. “What nonsense are you talking about?” “The body is in the wall.” I looked at the neighbors. "Now call the police. No one can go in, and no one can touch the wall." Finally someone responded. “What do you mean if you say yes?” “As you say, if a seller refuses to lower the price, you can tell if there is a body hidden in the house?” I put the phone in front of that person. “If you don't believe me, call the police for me.” “If there is no body inside, I will bear all the consequences of reporting false news.” The people who were screaming just now didn't say anything anymore. Ms. Vuong reluctantly said: "Miss Lam, this kind of thing cannot be said indiscriminately." “Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, let the police check.” Trieu Kien Quoc suddenly rushed towards me. “You're spitting blood!” Worker Tran and two neighbors promptly stopped him. Trieu Kien Quoc struggled until his face turned red. "My son is still in the hospital. You ruined my reputation like that, do you want to force my whole family to die?" I don't back down. “Then call the police.” "There's nothing inside the wall. As long as it's good, you can prove your innocence." This time there was no one to stop me. I pressed the call key. Once the phone was connected, I read the address. “I want to report the crime.” “In the living room wall of apartment 1201, building 3, Lam Vien apartment building, there is a woman's body hidden.” 4 The police arrived very quickly. Police Officer Cao led the team to first confirm my identity. “Is it the lady who reported the crime and said there was a body in the house?” "That's right." “Where is the body?” “In the living room wall.” He looked at me for a few seconds. “Did you see it with your own eyes?” I stopped. "Are not." There was immediately chatter around. Officer Cao raised his hand to signal the crowd to be quiet. “So what do you rely on to report the crime?” I can't have a phone call from the future. Saying it will only make people think that I have mental problems. “I got a phone call.” “The other person told me that I could be hidden in the living room wall.” “Who provided the clue?” “I don't know right now.” Police Officer Cao frowned and asked his colleague to write down that phone number. Sniffer dogs were led into the house, searching from the door to the living room. Corners, sofas, cabinets, kitchens, all were sniffed at once. There was no reaction. The second police dog went in, with the same result. The neighbors started to get excited again. “I said she was causing trouble.” "Because they want to force prices, they even make up stories about people dying." “This type of person should be locked up for a few days.” Trieu Kien Quoc held the door, his face full of resentment: "Comrade police officer, can I sue her for defamation?" Officer Cao didn't answer, just looked at me. “Sniffer dogs do not detect anything unusual.” I pointed at the wall. “The body was sealed in the wall so the smell couldn't escape.” “Break the wall and you'll see.” Trieu Kien Quoc immediately rushed in. “You are crazy!” “This is my house, what can you rely on?” “The sniffer dog has already searched, what else do you want?” I stared at him. “Are you scared?” He raised his voice: "What am I afraid of?" “This is my house, on what basis can you beat me?” I turned to look at Officer Cao. “I brought along a repairman.” “Now hit the wall.” "If I don't have the means, I will immediately sign a contract to buy this house, and I will bear all the damage to the wall." “I accept how reporting fake news should be handled.” Outside the crowd suddenly heard Trinh Da's voice. “Lam Tri Y!” He pushed his way into the house and grabbed my wrist. “Haven't I caused enough trouble?” “Reporting to the police is no joke, it will leave a record.” "If we have children in the future, do background checks or go to school, is there anything that won't be affected?" I withdrew my hand. “There may be a body in the house, are you still telling me these things?” Trinh Da lowered his voice. "Did you not want to get married so you intentionally made a big deal out of it? Where did the body come from in this house? Have you gone crazy reading novels?!" I looked at him, suddenly feeling v

oh so strange. “What if there really is a body?” Trinh Da said nothing. Ms. Vuong, standing next to her, added: "If there really is, I will quit my job and compensate you ten times the brokerage fee." Trieu Kien Quoc also gritted his teeth and said: "Smash!" “Smash it in front of the police and neighbors today!” “If you can't find the body, you will have to buy a house, and I will have to go to court to sue you!” After police Cao confirmed that both parties were willing, he asked the management board to find structural drawings of the house. Bearing walls are marked with a red pen. The remaining partition walls can all be removed. When worker Tran picked up the hammer, he still advised me. “Tri Y, there is still time to stop now.” I shook my head. “Smash it.” The hammer pounded down, the mortar and bricks continuously fell to the ground. The onlookers all backed out the door. The first wall was breached. Inside, besides electrical wires and rubble, there was nothing. The second wall is removed. Still empty.