Chapter 16 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

“Hello, my room has an extension until noon tomorrow and then check out.”

“Yes ma'am.”

After hanging up the phone, I stood by the window and looked at the traffic downstairs. The phone screen lit up once. A strange number called. I frowned slightly and picked up the phone.

“Tham Thanh, it's me.”

On the other end of the line came a slightly unfamiliar but somewhat familiar female voice.

“I am Dao Dao.”

I paused a bit. The name quickly ran through my head. Trieu Vu's younger sister. I couldn't help but laugh softly.

“I think there's nothing more to talk about between us.”

"If there's anything, just tell your brother and tell him to pass on the message."

“I must tell you this myself.”

The tone on the other side was calmer than I expected.

“I know you really hate the Trieu family right now.”

“I also understand how you look at me.”

“But this time…”

“I didn't call to apologize.”

“I just want to tell you something.”

“What?”

“The video you posted that day, I saw it.”

My hand holding the phone unconsciously tightened.

“And then what?”

“You filmed very clearly.”

Dao Dao said leisurely.

“An An sits and draws graffiti on her desk.”

“Hao Hao used my design as a drawing board.”

“My brother stands next to me and cooks.”

“My husband sat in the living room smoking.”

"My mother sat on the sofa, calling An An to be careful not to damage things."

“But no one really stood up to stop it.”

“That is our daily routine.”

“What do you want to say?”

“I just wanted to say…”

Dao Dao's voice carried a faint self-mockery.

“Before, I always felt like you were too pretentious.”

“How about family members come sit and play for a bit.”

"It's not a big deal to take a shower and eat a meal."

“But after watching that video…”

“I suddenly understand you a little bit.”

“It's as messy as a pigsty.”

“You guys have such a bit of self-awareness…”

“I also consider it useless filming.”

I replied coldly.

“Don't be too quick to be happy.”

“I'm not making this phone call to ask for your forgiveness.”

“It's not like I want to reconcile with you.”

“I just came to remind you.”

“Our family is busy recently…”

“Deal with me.”

“I want a divorce, I want to sell the house.”

Dao Dao smiled softly.

“Do you think they will sit still and wait to die?”

“In recent days, my mother has gone through a round of relatives and friends.”

“Crying so bitterly.”

“Tell me how unintentionally you turned your face.”

“Tell you to kick our whole family out of the house.”

“Say you despise poor relatives.”

“You know, older people always know how to lead when they talk.”

“Now they have agreed on everything.”

I tightened my grip on the phone, my eyebrows gradually furrowing.

“Unification of what?”

“Only one idea.”

Dao Dao said slowly.

“It's you who's causing trouble for no reason.”

“It was you who forced my brother to sell the house.”

“It's you who looks down on his mother's house.”

"There was a problem at work so I wanted to take the opportunity to separate assets from my brother."

“Think about it…”

“Who would admit that we, the Trieu family, forced you to the end?”

“Only if you turn me into a bad person…”

“They just feel secure.”

“Why are you telling me these things?”

My voice turned cold.

“Want me to mentally prepare first?”

“Or do you want me to know that it's hard to leave?”

“I just want you to understand.”

Dao Dao stopped for a moment.

“Your side follows the direction of the Dharma reasonable.”

“And with us…”

“Going in the direction of public opinion.”

“If you don't intend to turn back anymore…”

“You have to be mentally prepared for people to point at you behind your back.”

“Of course they are all relatives of our former colleagues.”

“In front of outsiders, no one will say you are not good.”

“Our family still needs face.”

I burst out laughing.

“Your faces…”

“Now it has nothing to do with me anymore.”

“You don't need to specially remind me of these words.”

“There's something you don't know.”

"It's that right now I absolutely don't care about your family's network of relationships."

“Say whatever you like.”

“Tell your friends.”

“Tell your colleagues.”

“Tell your relatives.”

“That's your social circle.”

“Not mine.”

“But my mother will come to your company.”

Dao Dao suddenly said.

“She mentioned it several times.”

"Says he wants to go see your leader to 'talk the truth'."

"If a woman gets divorced at the company, she won't be able to hold her head up."

“You also know my mother's personality.”

“The way one cries, two makes a mess, three sue each other…”

“She is very proficient.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“She dares to come to my company to cause trouble?”

“Do you think she wouldn't dare?”

Dao Dao laughed coldly.

“Before, to change my job…”

“She once dared to lie down right in front of the neighborhood committee door.”

Dao Dao's cries penetrated through the phone, coming in wave after wave. I put down the pen, leaned back in the chair, looking at the 3D perspective on the screen. A gray white patch has not yet been rendered. I interrupted her.

“I just asked you a question.”

“Before coming to my house…”

“Have you ever asked my opinion?”

The sobbing on the other side suddenly stopped.

“I… I thought you didn't notice.”

“Didn't you say before… we are all one family…”

“That's because I'm stupid.”

My voice is extremely weak.

“Don't keep thinking like that.”