Chapter 16 — Three Hundred Twenty Eight Yuan Card

That was my father's voice. I listened for less than three seconds and my eyes were already hot. In the entire private room, no one spoke. Beneath the table, grandmother's hand tightened on the armrest of the chair until blue veins appeared.

“This is the last phone call Chi Vien made to me while I was in the hospital.”

“Eight years ago, I felt insecure so I recorded it.”

“At that time, Chi Vien knew I was recording.”

“He agreed.”

Chu Minh Vien clicked to stop the recording. He looked at Duong Kien Hoa.

“Jianhua.”

“You said you paid it all.”

“So I ask you…”

“500,000 yuan in capital contribution, plus eight years of business profits…”

“How much did you end up paying?”

“5,000 yuan funeral money.”

“2,000 yuan to repair water heater.”

“Lucky money every Tet, every year from 200 to 500 yuan.”

“Totally add up to less than 12,000 yuan.”

“12,000 yuan to pay 500,000 yuan.”

“Do you really feel like you've paid it off?”

Sweat was pouring out of Duong Kien Hoa's vest collar.

“This… can still be negotiated…”

“There's one more thing.”

“The bank card I gave to Niem An.”

Chu Minh Vien took out the last item. It is a photo of a receipt printed on A4 paper. Balance check form of Industry and Trade Bank. Account balance:

“3,280,000 yuan…”

“Turned into 328 yuan.”

“Jianhua.”

“Is this also a banking system error?”

He turned the paper around so everyone could see clearly. More than thirty people in the room. No one talked. The fourth aunt bowed her head. Second aunt quietly wiped the corners of her eyes. Their sister-in-law turned her face the other way. Duong Thien Tuong suddenly stood up from his chair. They all looked at him. His voice was very quiet. Those three words fell into the room like a stone thrown into a deep well. Duong Kien Hoa looked at his son, his lips trembled twice.

“What did you say?”

Duong Thien Tuong looked at his mother. Then looked at dad.

“I always thought Dad really gave Niem An 3,280,000 yuan.”

“Dad didn't let me go to the bank with him that day.”

“I thought Dad was afraid I would be jealous.”

"I'm afraid you'll see it."

He picked up his phone and car keys, turned around and went out.

“Thien Tuong!”

“I'm coming back!”

But Duong Thien Tuong did not turn back. The door to his private room opened and closed behind him. In the room, only Duong Kien Hoa stood there dumbfounded. On the left, there is no longer a wife to help him save the situation. Tien Le Binh turned away, the chopsticks in her hands were clenched until they turned white. The right side also has no son. On the opposite side were thirty pairs of eyes looking at him. Grandma spoke up. Her voice has aged a lot. But still steady.

“Jianhua.”

“Do you remember what your father said to you before he died?”

Duong Kien Hoa did not answer.

“He said…”

“If your brother or sister is in trouble…”

“Then the eldest brother like you has to take on the responsibility.”

“What have you carried?”

“I swallowed my brother's 500,000 yuan.”

“I took a card with 328 yuan and pretended to be 3,280,000 yuan to give to someone else.”

“You make yourself a great benefactor.”

"Let everyone think that Tu Van and Niem An's mother and children are alive thanks to you."

“You took advantage of your brother's death…”

“To cover my face with gold for eight years.”

After saying that, grandmother picked up the tea cup and took a sip. Then put it down.

“From today onwards…”

“Chi Vien's 500,000 yuan story…”

“I talked to Tu myself Cloud."

“I won't stand up and speak for you anymore.”

After the meal at Phuc Man Lau... The Duong family's sky completely changed. The fourth aunt was the first to reach the door. The next morning, she stood outside my house, carrying a bag of eggs in her hand.

“I came to visit you.”

“Come in and sit down.”

“No sitting.”

“I just came to say one thing.”

She stood at the door, her face looking unnatural.

“In the past, Kien Hoa's story... was not completely unknown to me.”

“But he is the eldest brother.”

“I don't want to offend him.”

“Whatever he says, I follow.”

“It was me who was wrong.”

She brought the egg bag over.

“Nien An passing the Thanh Hoa exam is a good thing.”

“May you and your mother live well.”

Mom received the egg sac.

“Tu Phuong.”

“When you come, I'm already happy.”

After the fourth aunt left, a few more people came one after another. Second aunt called. Their sister-in-law texted. The way each person speaks is different. But the idea is the same: Before, we didn't know the truth. Now I know. No one stands up to help Duong Kien Hoa anymore. Tien Le Binh sent the last message in the group:

“Kien Hoa has not been feeling well these past few days.”

"Let's talk about domestic matters later."