Chapter 5 — The Wedding House Was Destroyed, I Want It All Back

“Uncle Chu,” I slowly opened my mouth, each word clear as if I had considered it in advance, “first of all, thank you for your apology. As for the conciliation paper, during the investigation stage I can give my personal opinion, but whether the case is withdrawn or not, how the suspect is handled, is up to the police and the prosecutor's office to decide based on the truth and the law, it's not like I write a piece of paper that can change the outcome.”

"Regarding the issue of compensation, I am willing to negotiate within the framework of the law, but it must be based on a legally valid appraisal report. Furthermore, compensation is the obligation of the party causing the damage. It cannot and should not be tied to whether I marry Chu Da or not, or the scale of the wedding. Those are not conditions of exchange, each matter must be clearly separated."

"If your side wants to discuss compensation, you can wait for the results of the assessment and then go through my lawyer to do the work. For now, I still maintain my stance on handling it according to the law."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time, until he spoke again, his voice was less soft, his clever shell gradually revealed the toughness inside.

"Tieu Lam, it's good that you have an opinion, but being a human being can't be too great, you have to know how to weigh the pros and cons and look at the big picture. If you do this to this extent, what benefits will you get?"

"How Chu Da treats you, you understand better than anyone else. Even if it's not because of his feelings, you should still think about how you will still work and live here in the future. Having more friends is always better than having more enemies."

"Our Chu family is not a big force, but we have been doing business here for many years, and our relationships are still there. Why do we have to do it to the point of both defeat and injury, even affecting your own future?"

These words were no longer advice, but almost a kind of hidden threat, the meaning was very clear - if I don't back down, the road ahead will not be easy. I tightened my grip on the phone, my nails digging into my palms, the small pain keeping my mind coldly alert.

“Uncle Chu, I understand you are worried about your daughter, but my stance will not change. I believe in the law, I also believe in the rule of law environment of this city, I protect my legal rights, without considering whether there are more ‘enemies’ or not.”

"As for the matter between you and Chu Da, after this incident, we both need to reevaluate. In the current situation, temporarily separating to calm down is the best choice for both parties. If there is nothing else, I would like to end the call."

I hung up. A call full of planning and pressure, but after it ended, I was left with only fatigue — and an unprecedented alertness. The relationship between me and Chu Da, and the entire family behind him, had already had cracks for a long time. After these few days of struggle, they were finally pulled to the breaking edge. In their eyes, my determination is "cold", "not understanding the situation", "not knowing how to see the big picture". But their so-called "big picture", from beginning to end... is based on my having to make concessions. On the weekend, I went back to my parents' house, talked through the situation, omitted Father Chu Da's threats, and kept only what was necessary. My parents were both angry and sad, not only because of the house, but also because I was forced into this situation, but they did not force me to change my decision. My father was silent for a long time before speaking, his voice was slow sure, like a sentence engraved in my heart.

"Nien Niem, Dad, there's nothing great, but all your life you live uprightly, no one can take what's yours, what you deserve must be reclaimed, don't be afraid, Mom and Dad are behind you."

My mother's eyes were red, she held my hand tightly, that warmth was the only thing that made this cold road still have some light. Sunday night, my phone rang again, it was the district manager - Mr. Tran - his voice was reserved, somewhat worried.

"Miss... Miss Lam, at your house... sigh, you better come over, Chu Da and his mother came again, bringing two more people, standing in front of your house, in a very excited mood, we didn't dare to stop them..."

I immediately called the police, then drove straight to Van Duyet Phu. When I arrived, the police were already there. Chu Da, Liu Que Phan, a middle-aged man who seemed to be their relative, and a person carrying a toolbox like a locksmith, were all stopped in front of the temporary door of apartment 2003. Liu Que Phan was standing there, crying and talking to the police, his voice full of resentment but still carrying the stubbornness of refusing to let go.

"Comrade police, this house belongs to my future daughter-in-law, which also belongs to our family! My daughter's mistake is because she is still impulsive, we are here to help repair her house!"

"Look at how this door has turned out. Can't we just spend money to replace a new one for her? She doesn't answer the phone, doesn't respond to messages, we're really kind!"

Chu Da saw me, his eyes lit up and then quickly darkened. He turned to the police, trying to keep his voice calm as if he was explaining a misunderstanding.

"Comrade, this is a bit of a misunderstanding, we are one family, it's just an internal conflict, we want to repair the house to resolve it soon."

The man carrying the toolbox, looking like a locksmith, quickly waved his hand to explain, his face full of worry and fear of being implicated.

"Comrade, I'm just the person who opened the lock and changed the lock. They said it was the homeowner's family and the door was broken so they called me to replace it. I had absolutely no idea there was something else..."

The old policeman from the previous day was still in charge. He looked at them with stern eyes and a determined voice that did not allow for negotiation.

"Without the homeowner's permission, changing the lock arbitrarily shows signs of continuing to infringe on the property rights of others."

"Miss Lam has clearly stated that she will handle the matter according to the law. During the investigation, the scene must remain intact. Your behavior is inappropriate. Please leave immediately."

"If you continue to harass or intentionally destroy the scene, we will handle it according to regulations."

As soon as Liu Que Phan heard this, his legs went weak, he sat down on the ground, and began to beat his thighs and cry loudly, his voice choked but still full of drama.

"Oh my God, is there still justice? The daughter-in-law forced her mother-in-law and brother-in-law to death, and our kindness is treated like a wolf's heart..."

Chu Da and the other relative quickly helped her up, the scene became chaotic, cries, explanations, and police warnings overlapped each other. The police once again gave a stern warning and recorded each person's information. Finally, under the clear request of the authorities, they could only retreat with difficulty. Before leaving, Chu Da looked at me, In his eyes there was anger, confusion, and a cold tiredness, as if he no longer had the strength to even argue.