Chapter 1 — They Locked Me Outside the Door, I Locked Their Lives

I earn 60,000 yuan every month. Mother-in-law looked at her with red eyes. She blatantly ordered me to pay 50,000 yuan every month.

"When a woman holds a lot of money in her hand, her heart can easily fly away. This money is for the mother to keep for the children, so she can save it."

I laughed coldly and flatly refused. Unexpectedly, when I got home from work that night, my key could not be turned into the lock. The door was locked from the inside. The mother-in-law stood behind the door, her tone sarcastic and harsh:

"When you hand over your salary card, step into this house!"

“Just stand outside in the hallway and endure the cold!”

I didn't cry, nor did I make a fuss. Just quietly pulled my suitcase, turned around and left, booking a 5-star hotel room. Ten days later— Mother-in-law was lying on the sofa, biting melon seeds and watching TV. Suddenly, the broker used the spare key to open the door. Bring a family of five to see the house. Their whole family was stunned. The mother-in-law jumped up and screamed:

“What are you doing?!”

The broker just smiled politely:

"The owner has urgently sold this house at a low price. Please move out today."

“From this month onwards, your 60,000 yuan salary will be increased to 50,000 yuan.”

Truong Lan's mother-in-law just bit into a melon seed and didn't even bother to lift her eyelids. Seed shells are all over the ground.

“I married your son and never spent a penny of yours.” My voice was very calm.

"If you marry into the Song family, you are a member of the Song family. Your money is the Song family's money."

She finally raised her head, in her cloudy eyes was a brazen matter-of-factness.

"If a woman holds a lot of money in her hand, her heart will soar, not knowing how high and how thick the earth is. I'll keep it for you, but I'll leave it to you in the future."

“It's my money, I manage it myself.”

“What kind of attitude do you have?” She slammed a handful of melon seeds on the tea table, "I'm here for your good! For my son!"

Tong Nghi sitting next to me moved slightly, reaching out to pull me.

“On Nhien, I also have good intentions…”

I looked at him. He avoided my eyes.

“I refuse.” I picked up my bag and prepared to go to work.

“You're good!” Truong Lan shouted behind her, "If you step out of this door today, don't come back tonight!"

I don't turn around. The sound of high heels hitting the floor echoed crisply. After work in the evening, I stood in front of the house. Take out the key. Can't check in. The door was locked from the inside. I tried again, and the sound of metal rubbing against each other rang loudly in the quiet hallway. The lock seemed to be blocked by something. I stopped, took out my phone, and called Tong Nghi. The bell rang for a long time before someone picked up.

"Hello." His voice was very small, and the sound of the TV could be heard behind him.

“The door can't be opened.” I said.

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

“On Nhien, please be gentle with your mother, she is also an elder…”

“Is the lock blocked by your mother?” I interrupted.

"She... she's just angry. I gave her my salary card and she immediately opened the door for me. It's freezing like this, it's very cold standing outside."

Listening to the voice on the phone, I felt the wind in the hallway blowing straight into my heart.

“So you also think I should give her money?”

"We are a family, why should we be so clear? Isn't my money also for my mother to manage?"

“Your salary is 8,000 yuan, mine is 60,000 yuan.”

“You earn a lot Wouldn't contributing more be the right thing to do?” His voice began to lose patience, "Okay, stop standing outside, quickly apologize to mom, this matter is over."

“I know.”

I hung up. The phone screen went dark, reflecting my expressionless face. I returned to the company. In the office there is a spare suitcase. Inside were identification documents, a laptop, and a few changes of clothes. I had long predicted this day would come. I don't cry. Don't make a fuss either. Just pull the suitcase and go down the stairs step by step. Then take a taxi to the best 5-star hotel in the city center. Check-in procedures. Stepping into the warm, bright room, I took off my high heels and threw myself onto the soft bed. Outside the window are the lights of the whole city. Not a single light is mine. Or rather, I never belonged to any of those lights. I opened my laptop and connected to the hotel WiFi. In the phonebook, I found a number.

“Gold broker – Ms. Vuong.”

I sent a message.

“Miss Vuong, are you free? I have a house I want to sell quickly.”

The other person immediately replied: "Miss On? Which apartment is it? I sent the address over.

“City center, high-class furniture, 140 square meters. My pre-marital assets.”

“What's the price?”

I thought for a moment, then typed down a line.

“1,000,000 yuan lower than the market price. There is only one requirement: full payment, as quickly as possible.”

Putting down the phone, I walked into the bathroom. Hot water poured over the body. The woman in the mirror has no tears. There was only a bone-chilling calmness. Truong Lan. You guys want my money. Then I will make you all lose your place of residence. The game has started.