Chapter 17 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

“Sister-in-law, I was wrong, really wrong.”

Dao Dao said frantically.

“You can hit and scold me all you want…”

“Don't divorce me anymore.”

“If you weren't there…”

“He's really going to collapse.”

“That's your brother's business.”

I replied leisurely. Then pause for a moment and add more.

“It's also his own choice.”

The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Dao Dao opened her mouth in a low voice.

“My mother has been talking about you these past few days.”

“Say you don't know how to take care of your family.”

"You said you were strong enough so you don't look at them anymore."

“My dad is also very angry.”

"Tell me you took the house out to threaten us..."

“Too cruel.”

I laughed. But there was no heat in that smile.

“Then go back and tell them.”

My voice slowly lowered.

"That house is the common property of me and Trieu Vu."

“I have the right to handle it.”

“I don't use it to threaten anyone.”

“I'm just cleaning up the situation for myself.”

Dao Dao asked in a choked voice.

“Do you really not think about me at all?”

“After all, you two have been together for so many years.”

“I've thought about it before.”

“From the first time he held the key and said…”

'My father just wants his sister to come and play'..."

“I've already started thinking.”

“Every time you arbitrarily open the door and walk in.”

“Every time it takes up my time and space…”

“I'm giving him a chance.”

“But he never once took my side.”

“People cannot forever stand at the threshold.”

“Just wanted to go in…”

"And I just can't bear to back away."

The other end of the line gradually became quiet. There was only the sound of intermittent sniffling. After a long time, Dao Dao asked in a hoarse voice.

“When will you file for divorce?”

“Waiting for this project to finish.”

I glanced at the schedule.

“Probably within a month.”

“At that time I will notify everyone.”

Dao Dao panicked.

“Can't you wait a little longer?”

“Wait until dad calms down.”

“Wait until you get all the keys back.”

“I've been waiting three years.”

I interrupted her. The other end of the line suddenly went completely silent. A moment later, Dao Dao spoke in a low voice.

“This apology…”

“For me, it's too late.”

I replied leisurely.

“If you have time later…”

“You should take care of your family more.”

I won't say anything more. Immediately hung up and threw the phone aside. The screen lights up again. The coldly designed software interface covers the entire computer screen. I picked up the stylus again. Continue drawing and coloring. Each line is drawn out... It's like I'm redrawing my own life path. During that whole week, I stayed at the hotel. During the day, I'm at the company drawing drafts and having meetings. In the evening, I returned to my room and continued to revise the plan. Usually stay up until one or two o'clock in the morning before going to sleep. In the room, only the bedside lamp was always on. A ring of pale yellow light covered the pile of printouts and notebooks piled next to it. Trieu Vu sent me many messages. The content is similar.

“I'm actually talking to my parents.”

“I'll get the key back.”

“Don't stay at the hotel anymore, go home.”

I didn't reply to a single message. Friday night, the project was finally completed. The customer sends a confirmation email. Praise our team for working effectively and their plans are also creative. They even said they wanted to continue long-term cooperation. The director in front of the group patted my shoulder. Speak This time, luckily, I can handle it. Everyone laughed loudly and wanted to take me out to drink to celebrate. I smiled and refused.

“Another day.”

“I'm a bit tired these days.”

When I get off work, I clean up my desk. Turn off the computer. The screen went dark, reflecting my pale face and the dark circles under my eyes. Stepping out of the office building, the night wind brought a bit of moisture from the riverbank. I raised my head to look at the dark sky above. Take a deep breath. Then took out his phone and texted Trieu Vu.

“The project is finished.”

The other party responded very quickly.

“Congratulations.”

“Are you free tomorrow?”

I asked again.

“Come with me to the police station.”

The other side was silent for a few seconds.

“Are you ready?”

"Done."

I type.

“They broke the rules first.”

"Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock I'll come down to the hotel to pick you up."

The next morning, Trieu Vu appeared on time at the hotel door. He wore a simple gray t-shirt, with a thin shirt on top. The whole person looked visibly haggard. As soon as he saw me, he paused for a few seconds before speaking.

“You've gotten thinner.”

“I haven't been sleeping well lately.”

I pulled the car door open and sat in. On the road, both of them said almost nothing. The scene outside the window quickly receded. The traffic light in front of me turns on and off. When he was about to arrive at the police station, Trieu Vu asked softly.

“Do you really want to go to this extent?”

“I'm just using the law to protect myself.”

I looked straight ahead.

“I can't wait to return home one day…”

“Then I found out the whole house had been cleaned out.”