Chapter 6 — The Secret Pension

Duc Hai told him that he could help bury this matter, provided that all procedures were handed over to him to handle.

Hearing this, my entire body turned freezing cold.

So that is why you were always afraid that a social security audit would unearth what happened back then?

My father nodded.

I was afraid your mother would have to suffer along with it.

And I was even more afraid that you would get dragged into this.

I gritted my teeth, holding back the tears threatening to spill. When we reached the hospital, the surgery was still not over. Tang Vy was waiting for us outside the door. She handed her phone to me.

The inbox has received the documents.

I opened the joint confirmation document. The paper was very old, and the scan was blurry. My father’s name was on it. My mother’s name was on it too. There were also two pitch-black thumbprints. My father took just one glance and said, This is not your mother’s signature. My heart tightened.

Are you sure, Dad?

My father’s voice grew hoarse.

Back then, your mother broke her wrist, and her right arm was in a cast for two months.

The dates on this document match the exact days she was hospitalized with her arm in a cast.

Tang Vy immediately spoke up: We can check the medical records at the hospital. I instantly latched onto those words.

Right, the medical records.

I ran to the inpatient medical records desk. The hospital had updated its system, but old medical records could still be requested for copying. I recited my mother’s name and the year of her admission. The staff searched for a long time before saying that the old records were in the storage room and we would have to wait. I stood in front of the counter, my palms slick with sweat. The light above the operating room suddenly flickered on. The doctor walked out. My father stumbled forward.

Doctor, how is my wife?

The doctor removed his mask.

The surgery went smoothly for now, but we will still need to monitor her recovery progress.

My father collapsed onto a chair, as if he could finally draw a breath. But that breath had not even settled when Ma Thao Van’s voice echoed from the other end of the corridor.

Sister-in-law sure has a tough life.

She and Han Duc Hai had come again. This time, a man in a business suit followed behind them. The man carried a briefcase and opened his mouth to question me the moment he reached me.

Are you Han Thanh?

I am the authorized representative appointed by Mr. Han Duc Hai.

Regarding your dissemination of false information at the social security office, which damages the reputation of others, we have already prepared to file a lawsuit.

I looked straight at him.

My mother just came out of the operating room, and you brought a lawyer straight to the hospital?

Han Duc Hai’s face darkened.

I gave you a chance.

Since you insist on blowing up a family matter, we will handle it according to the regulations.

The man in the suit pulled a stack of photocopies from his briefcase.

Here is the confirmation signed by your parents.

There are long-term bank payment histories.

There are vouchers proving Mr. Han Duc Hai advanced living expenses for your parents.

Looking at that stack of paper, I suddenly understood why they were so confident. They had been preparing for this for many years. It was not a sudden impulse. I flipped through the pages one by one. Utility bills. Market receipts. Several screenshots of money transfers. The amounts were small, but they were arranged with meticulous precision. They wanted to wrap up twelve years of theft and pass it off as filial care. My father was so furious his lips turned purple.

Duc Hai, how could you do such a thing?

Han Duc Hai didn't even bother to look at him. His gaze remained fixed entirely on me.

Sign the settlement paper right now and transfer the house title to Han Viet.

I can pay for your mother’s subsequent medical treatment.

Otherwise, wait to receive your court summons.

Right at that moment, the staff at the medical records desk called my name. I dashed over. She handed me a yellowed inpatient record folder.

Your mother was indeed hospitalized back then.

The admission date matches the date on the document you provided.

I flipped to the nursing notes page. It was written clearly. The patient’s right wrist was immobilized, making writing impossible, and she required assistance from family members to eat. I held that page in my hand and slowly turned around. The smile on Han Duc Hai’s face had not yet faded. Step by step, I walked up to him.

Second Uncle.

You said my mother signed it.

Then tell me, how can a person whose right arm is in a cast, and who even needs someone to feed her, possibly sign a confirmation document on that very day?

The corridor grew so quiet that only the steady beep of the heart monitor could be heard. The smile on Han Duc Hai’s face slowly stiffened. Ma Thao Van reached out, attempting to snatch the medical record from my hand.

Who knows if you just faked this thing yourself?

I held the medical record high up in the air.

It has the hospital’s stamp, the records were retrieved directly from the medical records department, and both the nursing notes and admission records are complete.

If Auntie claims it is fake, let the hospital come forward right now.

The man in the suit leaned in to take a look as well. His expression was far more cautious than before. He lowered his voice and spoke to Han Duc Hai: This document is unfavorable to you. Han Duc Hai immediately glared at him.

You took the money, so you must speak on my behalf.

The man in the suit looked terrible.

I am merely reminding you.

My father stood behind me, his voice trembling.

Duc Hai, where on earth did that confirmation document come from?

Han Duc Hai ignored him. Ma Thao Van let out a cold laugh instead.

If sister-in-law’s hand couldn't write, pressing a thumbprint was fine too, wasn't it?

I instantly locked my eyes on her.

Auntie just said my mother signed it.

Now you are changing your story to just a thumbprint.

Then whose handwriting is that name on the paper?