Chapter 21 — The Wedding House Was Destroyed, I Want It All Back

“While the ownership of the house is not in dispute, the court is inclined to determine that this amount of money is an expense incurred in a romantic relationship...

Does not constitute an investment in property ownership.” Just that one sentence... Enough to break the entire logic of "sharing money, so sharing responsibility" that Chu's side tried to set up. The trial lasted almost the whole day. By the time the break was announced, it was already evening. I walked out, my throat was dry, my whole body felt like its strength had been drained... but at the same time it felt like it was being filled back up little by little.

“You did very well.” Tham Du patted my shoulder, "calmer than many of my clients."

“Because I've rehearsed it in my head too many times.” I smiled slightly.

“So now we just have to wait for the verdict.”

She raised her head to look at the darkening sky.

"For the time being... just live your life. Let us handle the rest."

The day the verdict was announced... was such a normal day that no one expected it. Just after the afternoon meeting, my phone rang. It's Tham Du.

“The results are in.”

Her voice was lighter than usual, but had a strong force.

“The court determined that Chu Tinh committed the crime of intentionally destroying property,

Sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison.”

“Also accept all of your civil demands…

forced her and her guardian to pay more than 4,200,000 yuan in compensation." I squeezed the phone gently, my palm became a little cold.

“Can they appeal?”

"Have." Tham Du said frankly, "but the possibility of overturning the case is not high, at most it will only debate more about the level of punishment."

She paused for a beat.

“Their company… is even more confused now.”

I slowed down for a second.

“How is… the company?”

“There has been an investigation by the financial management agency, some accounts have been blocked.”

"Issues such as overstatement of profits, misuse of capital... if confirmed, the consequences will not be small."

"Father Chu Da and his wife are probably running everywhere right now, their worries are not over yet."

I was silent for a few seconds, then asked again.

“What about Chu Da?”

"He is suspected of taking advantage of his position to withdraw money from the company, part of the cash flow is related to the transfer to you."

Tham Du spoke slowly.

“But you coordinated the investigation from the beginning, provided full documents, and had no subjective intentions.”

“And him…”

She breathed lightly.

“He surrendered.”

I stopped.

“He… confessed?”

A very strange moment passed in my heart. It's not pain. Not angry. It's just… something that had been attached for three years, finally fell away —

“Yes.” Tham Du said, his voice was not high but very clear, "including the fact that he knew but did not report it, and even tolerated Chu Tinh destroying the apartment, all of which he admitted in the record."

“Your recording from the day at the hotel… had a great effect.”

I suddenly remembered Chu Da's appearance when standing in front of the room that day, his face pale, his lips trembling, like someone who was afraid for the first time. A very vague feeling flashed through my heart.

“Nem Niem.” Tham Du suddenly called me, his voice softened a bit, "Are you thinking... if you had seen clearly that he was like that three years ago, would you still have started this relationship?"

I was silent for a while.

"Have." I admitted, “I thought about it.”

“But people are not born that way.” Tham Du sighed softly, "many times, it's the repeated choices... that turn them into such people."

“And you, you chose to stop at one point.”

“Don't keep falling with them.”

“That's enough.”

On the other end of the line, there was the sound of flipping papers, as if she was collecting documents.

“The law is not for revenge against anyone.” she said slowly, “it can't bring things back to the way they were.”

“It only does one thing — makes each person pay for their choices.”

“After it all ends, the most important thing is… to start again.”

The call ended. I stood on the rooftop of the company building, looking down at the stream of cars running below like a never-ending river. Sunlight filtered through the cracks between the buildings, reflecting on the glass until it was blinding. The wind blew, bringing with it the early summer heat... and something very light. I suddenly realized that the storm that started from that destroyed apartment... swept away not only a house, but also swept away the illusions I had tried to keep. After the heavy rain, the ground is messy, muddy... but the air is clearer than ever. That house was finally repaired. Thanks to the legal process and compensation, each section was rebuilt from scratch. The furniture company knew about this and also silently supported me as much as possible. The new tiles are more durable, the walls were repainted a bright cream color, the curtains... I changed from the dark blue color Chu Da liked before, to a warm gray - the color I really wanted.