Chapter 10 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

Dao Dao sent another pampering sticker.

“I know, auntie, I will!”

"Anyway, you have the key. You can come over anytime you want."

I looked at each line of that conversation, my fingertips slowly moving across the screen. Don't speak up. Also don't leave the group. Just quietly take a screenshot of each screen and save it all. Then I opened Trieu Vu's chat box. The conversation still stopped at the sentence I sent:

“Let's go see the house tomorrow.”

Trieu Vu only answered with one word: After that, there was nothing more. I started typing.

"Trieu Vu, I went home to get my things and saw the living room and office looking like that."

“Your grandchild ruined the design, right?”

Sending messages is like throwing a stone into water. After a long time, Trieu Vu still did not answer. I waited a few minutes then sent another message.

“Meet at the brokerage company at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.”

“Remember to bring your house book and ID.”

This time Trieu Vu answered. Just one word: I looked at the word "Yes", the corners of my lips curled up slightly. Being so certain is actually less annoying. I put the phone aside and went to shower. Hot water poured from head to toe, washing away some of the fatigue. But the void in my chest... There's no way to fill it. The next morning, at eight thirty I went to the brokerage company. Trieu Vu hasn't arrived yet. I chose a seat next to the window and conveniently ordered a cup of coffee. Exactly nine o'clock, the door was pushed open. Trieu Vu walked in. He looked like he hadn't slept all night, his eye bags were dark, his chin was stubbled. As soon as he saw me, he was stunned for two seconds before slowly walking over to sit opposite me.

“House book and ID... I brought it.”

He took the papers out of his pocket and pushed them in front of me. I picked up the papers and checked each page. Truly original.

“I already discussed it with the broker.”

I pushed the papers back to Trieu Vu.

“It's a Quang Ha Real Estate company, its reputation is quite good.”

“First do the registration procedure today, post the news on their platform.”

“The selling price is based on the current market level, do you have any comments?”

Trieu Vu looked at me, his eyes were indescribably complicated.

“Tham Thanh, are you really in such a hurry that you want to cut off all relations with me?”

“I'm not in a hurry.”

I took a sip of coffee.

“But no one in my family can sit still.”

“What do you mean?”

“Last night Dao Dao posted a photo in the family group.”

“Her whole family of three ate, drank, and had fun at my house, laughing and having fun.”

My voice was calm as if I was telling someone else's story.

"Third aunt even praised him as a good brother, telling Dao Dao to come in more when she has free time."

"Anyway, she has the key. She can come whenever she wants."

Trieu Vu's face gradually darkened.

“She… she came to your house again?”

“What if it doesn't?”

I curled my lips and smiled faintly.

“Do you think those beer cans and cigarette butts grew on their own?”

“That ruined design was an extremely important plan I prepared for a technology company in Hangzhou.”

“It must be delivered to the customer next Monday.”

“There's nothing left.”

Trieu Vu pursed his lips.

“I… I really don't know…”

“Trieu Vu.”

I interrupted him.

“Do you know what I can't stand you the most?”

“That's why you always say you don't know.”

“I will forever be the one hidden in the dark, the one forced, the one who has no other choice.”

“But actually, in my heart, I understand better than anyone else.”

"Older brother just…”

“Just pretend you don't know.”

Trieu Vu was silent. He bowed his head, his fingers rubbing the edge of the coffee cup over and over again.

“The loss of that blueprint… I will compensate you.”

He spoke in a low voice.

“No need.”

I replied leisurely.

“I drew it again.”

“Worked in the hotel last night.”

“Drawing until three in the morning.”

Trieu Vu suddenly raised his head.

“You didn't come home last night?”

I looked at him.

“About a place where anyone can just open the door and walk in?”

“Trieu Vu, that house…”

“For me, it's no longer called home.”

“From the moment my dad put the key in my sister…”

“It has degenerated.”

The edges of Trieu Vu's eyes turned slightly red.

“Thanh Thanh, you really know what's wrong.”

“I'll get the key back, really.”

“This time I'm sure…”

“Trieu Vu.”

I shook my head slightly.

“Stop swearing.”

“My promise…”

“It's not worth much.”