Chapter 4 — Thirty Million And One Man's Worth

Day three. Chu Minh Le brought Thai Quoc Cuong and her mother-in-law, the three of them appeared at my door. Opening the door, Chu Minh Vien had just finished work and hadn't had time to change his shoes yet. Chu Minh Le walked straight in, plopped down on the sofa, crossing her legs. Thai Quoc Cuong leaned against the door frame, playing with his phone. The mother-in-law stood in the middle, looking "I came to reconcile".

“Sit down.” Chu Minh Le pointed to the chair opposite, as if this were her house.

Chu Minh Vien finished changing his shoes and walked over.

“Sister, what's wrong?”

“What happened?” Chu Minh Le sneered, "Last time your wife embarrassed us at the restaurant, I endured it. She messed with my mother at home, and I also endured it. But today—"

She took out a piece of paper from her pocket.

“I need 300,000.”

Chu Minh Vien and I looked at the paper at the same time. It is a loan contract.

“300,000?” Chu Minh Vien's voice changed.

"That's right. Quoc Cuong's supplier is demanding money. If you don't pay, they'll sue. I can't get a loan anywhere, I can only find you."

“Sister, where did I get 300,000?”

"There's still a loan on the house? I'm going to take out a second mortgage, so I can take out a loan."

I stood at the kitchen door, still holding a glass of water in my hand. Second mortgage. She wanted Chu Minh Vien to mortgage our only house for the second time... To fill her husband's hole.

"Impossible."

I said it. All eyes were on me.

“Based on what it doesn't work?” Chu Minh Le jumped up, "This is my brother's matter, why are you interfering?"

"This is also my house. The red book has my name on it."

"An unemployed person like you, what right do you have to say no? The mortgage payment is on Minh Vien alone!"

“But my initial deposit was 80,000 before marriage.”

Chu Minh Le smiled coldly.

"80,000? Do you even dare to mention it? Quoc Cuong's deposit for a house is 400,000."

“That's his problem.”

Mother-in-law spoke up.

"Hieu Hieu, please calm down. 300,000 is not a small number, but Quoc Cuong is really in trouble. As a family, if you can help, you should help."

"Mom, it's not that I can't help. It's that I can't help."

"Why not? Mortgage the house for a bit—"

Chu Minh Vien spoke up. All eyes turned to him. His voice was not loud, but very steady.

“I will not mortgage my house.”

Chu Minh Le's face changed completely.

“Chu Minh Vien!”

"Sister, this is my and Hieu Hieu's house. You can dislike her, you can mock her online, you can say she's worthless in front of outsiders. But you can't touch this house."

The living room was silent. Thai Quoc Cuong stood straight from the door frame.

"Minh Vien, I know it's not easy for you, but if this money is not paid, I will really be sued. At that time, my sister will also be implicated—"

“So when you borrowed money to expand your store, why didn't you think about it?”

Thai Quoc Cuong was speechless. Chu Minh Le threw her bag, rushed forward and pointed it straight at Chu Minh Vien's face.

"Okay, very good! It's hard, right? Once you get married, you forget your sister! Did you forget who took you to school when you were young? Who paid for your college education?"

“I have already paid for my tuition.”

"How much can I pay? Twenty thousand! I paid fifty thousand!"

"Sister, that's fifty thousand, that's what my parents told me. That year I was working, I was still in school, that wasn't my kindness, it was my parents' arrangement."

The saying is like a stone thrown into dead water. Chu Minh Le's face turned red up to her neck. Mother-in-law jumped up.

“You two… you two today Now you want to make me angry?

She hugged her chest, Thai Quoc Cuong quickly supported her.

“Mom! How's mom?"

I look at this scene. So familiar it's funny. If you don't argue back, you're "not healthy". But this time, Chu Minh Vien did not move. He stood still, looking at his mother.

“Mom, if you're really unwell, I'll take you to the hospital. And if it's fake—"

“Chu Minh Vien!” Tears fell from her eyes.

This time it's real.

“How did you become like this? I was never like that before.”

“I never had a wife before.”

He finished speaking and walked over to stand next to me.

“The 300,000 thing, don't mention it again. If you still need money in the future, don't look for me."

Chu Minh Le carried a bag.

“Okay, you're hard. Don't regret it later."

She pulled Thai Quoc Cuong away. The mother-in-law sat on the sofa, wiped her tears for another ten minutes, then left. The door closes. Chu Minh Vien leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. I walked over, not saying anything. Just gently pulled his hand. He grabbed it, very tightly.

“Understanding.”

“You just… was it too much?”

“What if your mother is really unwell?”

“If she is really unwell, my sister will take her to the hospital.”

He nodded.

“I'm a little tired.”

“Then rest.”

He did not move. Just lean against the wall and hold my hand like that. I stood with him for fifteen minutes. Say nothing. But in my heart, I made a decision. These debts… I will count them little by little. The next morning, I went out. Not "looking for a job". But to see the premises. I have surveyed the new commercial street in the center first. Including an 80 square meter store, beautiful facade, high traffic, annual rent 120,000. I found the homeowner.

“Paying once for a whole year, how much can you reduce?”

“Nine parts. 108,000.”

“If you sign for three years?”

“Three years is… eight parts. Each year 86,000, three years 258,000.”

I swiped my card. The homeowner looked at the numbers on the POS machine and glanced at me a few more times.

“What business is the girl planning?”

“Haven't thought of it yet.”

I signed the contract, got the keys, and stood in the middle of the empty store. Eighty square meters. Sunlight penetrates through the large glass door and falls onto the floor. Light as a start. And as sharp as a blade—just waiting for me to swing it down. I thought for a moment, then took out my phone and texted someone.

“To Dinh, is your bakery still going to open?”

To Dinh is my college friend. He has worked at a bakery for six years. His skills are impeccable. He only lacks the capital to open his own business. She immediately replied with a long voice. To summarize in one sentence—want to open, but don't have money.

“I have already taken care of the premises. You contribute your skills, I contribute money. Split in half.”

The phone rang immediately.

“Zhu Xiaoxiao, what's wrong with you? Aren't you just unemployed? Where does the money come from?

“You don't need to know where the money comes from. Do you do it?”

She was silent for three seconds.

“Are you serious?”

"Serious."

“Then… I will!”

“Come by tomorrow to see the premises.”

Hang up, I call one more time.

“Minh Vien, what do you want to eat tonight?”

“Whatever you cook, I will eat.”

“So I'll make braised ribs.”

I hung up the phone, walked out of the store, and stood on the side of the road for a while. Opposite is a jewelry store. In the glass cabinet is displayed a diamond necklace. Price 86,000 yuan. Equal to exactly three years of my store's rent. I looked for two seconds and didn't go in. It's not the time yet. The shop started construction. I chose a design and construction company at a reasonable price, the rough and interior parts were estimated at a total of 180,000 yuan. To Dinh is in charge of purchasing Equipment: oven, refrigerator, work table, display cabinet, packaging materials... estimated 120,000 yuan. Total 300,000 yuan. For me, less than one percent. But for To Dinh, it was a six-year dream. The first day she came to see the project, she squatted down to touch each brick. When she stood up, her eyes were red.

“Xiao Xiao, are you going to rob a bank?”

“Almost the same.”

“Does your husband know?”

“Are you going to say it?”

“Not for now.”

She thought for a moment.