Chapter 2 — They Locked Me Outside the Door, I Locked Their Lives

Early the next morning, Ms. Vuong called.

"Miss Wen, I've seen the documents for your house. The location, layout, and furniture are all top-notch. 1,000,000 yuan off the market, almost for free. Are you sure you want to sell like that?"

"Sure." My voice was still a bit hoarse because I had just woken up.

"Can I ask the reason? If you sell it so cheaply like this, the buyer will suspect that there is something wrong with the house, or that there are legal problems."

I smiled softly.

“No problem at all.”

“It's just… I want to hurry.”

"It's not like there's any problem with the house, the ownership is clear, it's in my name alone. I can provide the house book, ID card, all the documents right away."

I paused for a moment, then added:

“Just say the homeowner needs money urgently, no need to explain further.”

"Okay, I understand. I'll post it right away, someone will probably ask very quickly."

Hanging up the phone, I got out of bed and called the hotel's breakfast service. After eating, I opened my laptop and started processing work. On the screen appeared Tong Nghi's WeChat message.

"Wife, where did you go last night? I'm very worried about you."

"Are you home yet? Mom is no longer angry, please go home."

"On Nhien, can you stop being angry? Let's go home and talk about something."

I looked at it all at once, expressionless, pressed and deleted. After that, I opened another chat box.

"Lawyer Ly, do you have time? I want advice on divorce."

Lawyer Ly is my college friend and is currently a quite famous matrimonial lawyer in the city. He replied very quickly:

“Always free, what's wrong?”

"I plan to divorce. I bought the entire house before marriage, in my own name. My income is more than seven times his. After marriage, there are no large joint assets, each person's savings and funds are in their own names."

“Did he have an affair or was he abusive?”

"No. But his mother has been controlling my mind for a long time and constantly asking for money, while he ignores it and even cooperates. Yesterday, they locked me outside the door to force me to hand over my salary card."

“Is there any proof?”

“I recorded the call last night.”

"Enough." Lawyer Ly answered quickly, "In your case, divorce is very simple. Pre-marital assets belong entirely to you. Post-marital income, due to no assets and large joint debt, is very clear in division. He gets almost nothing. You just need to file a lawsuit and wait for the trial date."

“I don't want to wait.” I said, “I want him to go away empty-handed, and immediately.”

"So we have to see if he agrees to the divorce agreement. But according to what you said, I'm afraid he and his family won't let go easily."

“They will let go.”

I looked out the window, my eyes cold.

“When I take away the only thing they rely on to live, they will no longer be in a position to bargain.”

The other side was silent for a moment, then sent back a text: The next days, I stayed at the hotel, went to work, and got off work as usual. Phone calls, WeChat, and text messages from Tong Nghi and Truong Lan bombarded like a storm. I blocked it all. They couldn't find me. The company receptionist reported that a middle-aged woman and a man came to see me several times, but were stopped by security. I informed the administrative department in advance, saying that a relative might come to harass me due to a property dispute, and asked them to handle it according to regulations. The louder they made a fuss, the more they proved my decision was right. On the fourth day, Ms. Vuong called, her voice unable to hide her excitement encourage.

"Miss On, I found it! Someone bought it!"

“That fast?”

"Your house is so hot! The first day I posted, my phone blew up. I chose the most willing buyer, who does business, likes to be quick, paid in full without any problem, just asked to move in as soon as possible."

"So let's make an appointment, tomorrow? Bring your house book and ID card, meet the buyer. If it's convenient, sign the contract on the spot."

"After signing, completing the procedures, the money is back in your account, then that house no longer has anything to do with you." Ms. Vuong repeated.

"I know."

I know better than anyone. I just want to completely cut off from that so-called "family". Hanging up the phone, I looked at Tong Nghi's number in my contacts, it had been blocked a long time ago. I can imagine the scene right now. He and Truong Lan were still in that house, maybe cursing me for not being reasonable, or planning to wait for me to return "under water" and then continue to pressure me. They think it's their home. They think I can't leave them. The greatest stupidity of humans is to consider other people's things as their own, and then feel it is natural. I sent Ms. Vuong a message.

"Ms. Vuong, on the transfer day, there is no need to notify family members in advance. Just bring the new owner straight there."

She sent back an “OK” icon. You understand what I mean. There are things that you have to see with your own eyes to know the pain. There are dreams where you have to be woken up by someone to realize you have nothing in your hands. The contract signing process went extremely smoothly. The buyer is a middle-aged couple, working in the clothing business. At first glance, they appear to be a cheerful and decisive type of person. They are very satisfied with the house, only a little concerned about the price.

“Miss On, you sold this house so cheaply… is there something difficult to say?” The husband considered speaking.

I shook my head, expression calm.

"It's just a personal matter, I need to raise some money urgently. There are no problems with the house itself, you can check it out at any time."

Ms. Vuong stood next to her and continued:

"Mr. Truong, don't worry, I have checked all the records of this house, it is completely clear. Ms. On is selling with sincerity, you are also buying with sincerity, consider it fate."

Mr. Truong and his wife looked at each other and did not ask any more questions. Business people value efficiency and do not like to delve into other people's personal matters. We signed the contract, scheduled to go to the real estate management office three days later to complete the transfer procedures, and pay the same day. Stepping out of the brokerage company, the sunlight was a bit blinding. I took out my phone and saw more than a dozen missed calls, all from my parents. Tong Nghi and Truong Lan must have been unable to find me, so they called home. I called back.

"On Nhien! Where have you gone? Tong Nghi said you left home, I can't call you anymore, I'm worried to death!" As soon as the connection was made, my mother's voice rang out.

“I'm fine, I'm at the hotel, taking care of some things.”

"Did you quarrel with Tong Nghi? His mother said you... said you weren't filial and even scolded her..."

“Mom,” I interrupted, “Do you believe whatever Tong Nghi says?”

My mother was silent.

“Last night, he said his mother locked me out of the door and forced me to hand over my salary card.”

"What?!" Mom's voice immediately rose, "Do they dare to treat you like that? That house you worked hard to buy yourself!"

"So, I'm about to get a divorce and sell the house by the way."

The other end of the line fell silent for a long time. A moment later, my father's calm voice rang out:

“On Nhien, have you thought carefully?”

“I've thought about it carefully.”

“Then let's do it.” Dad's voice was full of support, "We raised you all this time, not for you to go to someone else's house to be resentful. If you lose money, you can still earn it back. When your family dies, you can come back here. Our home will always be your home. Don't be afraid."

My eye sockets suddenly became hot. I took a deep breath, forcing my emotions down.

“I know, dad.”

Hanging up the phone, the last bit of hesitation in my heart disappeared.