Chapter 7 — They Locked Me Outside the Door, I Locked Their Lives

Everything is progressing as it should. I thought, the story between me and Tong Nghi— had officially ended. Until that Friday night. I just finished working out at the gym and returned to my hotel room. The phone rang. I thought the Song family was unreasonable and was planning to turn it off. But looking closely, it's an inner city number. I hesitated for a second, then answered the phone.

“…On Nhien.”

It's Tong Nghi's voice. But… completely different from before. No more anger, no more dissatisfaction. All that remained was a tired, exhausted feeling.

"What is up?" I asked.

“My mother… is hospitalized.”

My reaction was calm.

"The doctor said that high blood pressure leads to a mild stroke. It's not serious, but needs someone to take care of it."

“The company… fired me.”

I raised my eyebrows. No surprise. They came to my company to cause trouble so many times, the impact was too bad. Tong Nghi's company is in the same area, so sooner or later the news spreads. No company retains an employee who could cause reputational trouble.

"I can't find a job. I can't even pay the rent."

“The money in my possession… was only enough for my mother to stay in the hospital for another week.”

He speaks very slowly. It's like telling the life of a stranger.

“On Nhien…”

Finally getting to the point.

“We… were once husband and wife after all.”

“Can you… lend me some money?”

I laughed. Not a smirk. But... it's really funny.

“Tong Nghi, why do you think I will lend you money?”

“When you locked me out the door, did you think about the fact that we were husband and wife?”

“When your mother forced me to hand over 50,000 yuan, did you think about it?”

“When your whole family called and scolded me, did you think about it?”

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. Only the sound of heavy, interrupted breathing remained... like crying.

“I was wrong… On Nhien, I really know I was wrong.”

His voice choked.

"I shouldn't have listened to my mother... I shouldn't have let you suffer... I shouldn't have been so miserable..."

“Please, give me another chance… no, I don't need a chance… just take pity on me, lend me some money, let me last this month…”

"Just 50,000 yuan... no, 30,000 yuan is fine! I'll definitely pay you when I find a job! I'll write you a promissory note!"

His voice was filled with despair. Very calm. Not at all soft-hearted.

“Tong Nghi.”

I called his name, my voice cold as water.

“From the moment you chose to side with your mother, leaving me alone facing that locked door…”

“Between us, it's over.”

“My apologies, too late.”

“And you're not apologizing to me.”

“I'm apologizing for my own dead end.”

“I won't give you any money.”

“You take care of it yourself.”

I hung up. For the last time, I wasted my time on this person. I walked to the window and pulled the curtains open. The city at night is brightly lit. finally free. Before flying to the southern city, lawyer Ly arranged to meet me once. He brought news.

“Tong Nghi has sued you.”

I was drinking coffee, my movements paused for a beat.

“Sue me for what?”

"Ask for redistribution of assets. Ask for half of the money from the sale of the house, and at the same time ask her to compensate for mental losses."

I almost burst out laughing.

“Where does he get his face?”

“The dog will pull the fence together.” Lawyer Ly pushed up his glasses, his voice very calm, "The lawyer on the other side showed it to him. Lap." argued that although the house was purchased before marriage, during the marriage period it was an important place for common activities. He has the right to share the value that increases over time. As for the so-called mental damage... it's even more ridiculous to say that her selling the house seriously hurt him."

“Will the court accept it?”

“Myth.” Lawyer Ly smiled faintly, "The house was purchased before marriage, one-time payment, clear ownership, completely your private property. This is not controversial. As for the price increase, unless he can prove that he has made a substantial contribution to increasing the value of the house, for example by spending money on major repairs. But as far as I know, after getting married, the two of them did not make any significant improvements."

"Are not." I shook my head, “Just changing a few light bulbs.”