Chapter 7 — The new house code is 123110, I just looked at it and changed the lock

The last sentence was: 【Nim Niem, give me a chance.】 I didn't answer. In the afternoon, Luc Hang's mother called.

"Nien Niem, I heard you two quarreled?"

I sit in the living room. The door lock screen is dark.

"Mom, did Luc Hang tell you?"

"He just said that I want a divorce. When husband and wife live together, everyone clashes from time to time. Men make some mistakes..."

"He has a son outside. Ten months old. Did you know about this?"

The other end of the line suddenly went silent. The silence lasted for a long time. So long that I could hear my own breathing. Finally, she lowered her voice: My hand holding the phone finally shook.

"Nien Niem, listen to what mom has to say..."

"When did you know?"

"At the beginning of the year, Hang told her mother that she was pregnant with a son and didn't want to give up. She also scolded him, but the baby was already there, what else could she do?"

I closed my eyes.

"I knew for almost a year but didn't tell you."

"I'm afraid your family will fall apart."

"So you helped him hide me?"

"Not to help him hide it. I just think that Chi Tu is still young, his health has just recovered. Wait until later to find a suitable opportunity..."

"When is the right opportunity?"

"Wait until that baby boy grows up and then hold it in front of you and ask you to accept it?"

She began to get impatient.

"Nien Niem, don't say such harsh words."

"Is it hard to hear what you say or what people do?"

The other end of the line fell silent again.

"Mom, don't advise me again in the future."

Her voice trembled.

"Chi Tu cannot be without a father."

"Chi Tu has a father. The law will regulate visitation rights and alimony."

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. Then save the recording of the call with Luc Hang's mother in the evidence folder. On October 23, I handed over all the evidence to lawyer Chau. Photo of the post. Photo of door lock. Health examination report in old email box. Photos and videos at Ha Loan apartment complex. Report on blood relationship assessment. Photo of group chat. Mother-in-law's call recording. Table for recording family income and expenditure. Along with the 3,000 yuan each month that Luc Hang silently withdrew from the family's living fund. Lawyer Chau finished looking at all the documents and said:

"When will I apply?"

"Today is fine."

"Then submit it today."

That same day, I changed the password to my new house's door lock. Old password is 123110. New password is only one. My date of birth. At seven o'clock in the evening, Luc Hang returned. Outside the door, the sound of a code being pressed was heard. Wrong password. He clicked again. The third time, the doorbell rang. I don't open the door. Phone call coming.

"Nien Niem, what's wrong with the door lock?"

"I changed the password."

"Change to what?"

"I don't need to know."

His voice tried to contain his anger.

"This is your house."

I stood inside the entrance, looking at the door in front of me. Outside is him. Inside is me. We are only one door apart. But this time, to open or not to open, it's up to me to decide.

"This is my house."

"You can go to the apartment on the left on the fifth floor, building number 3, Ha Loan apartment complex. There is someone waiting for you there."

It was silent outside for a long time. Finally, the sound of footsteps gradually faded away. I lowered my head to look at the door lock screen. The four numbers light up once and then go dark again. On October 25, Luc Hang's mother arrived. As soon as I entered the door, she grabbed my hand. Both eyes were red.

"Nien Niem, mother I know mom is wrong. You shouldn't hide it from me."

I withdrew my hand.

"Mom, sit down."

She sat down on the sofa, wiped her tears and said:

"Chi Tu is still so young, we can't divorce. She cannot afford not to have a complete family."

I poured her a glass of water.

"Family is not something that can be maintained by being patient."

"Hang said, he will cut off with that woman."

"It's up to him who he cuts off with."

"That child... we can also think of a way."

I looked at her. Her lips moved slightly.

"Take it away a little, give me some money. Anyway, we can't let it affect your family."

I suddenly felt ridiculous.

"It's a child, not a package."

She was stunned. I continue:

"If a mother loves her grandson, she will love him. If Luc Hang wants to take responsibility, then take responsibility. But don't squeeze that responsibility into your house, your marriage, and your daughter's life."

"Nien Niem, why are you so cruel?"

"Are you cruel?"