Chapter 20 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

“Let's go back to the hotel first.”

I leaned back against the car seat.

“House matters come later.”

“Didn't you say you were going to sell that house?”

Trieu Vu reminded me.

“The broker will contact me.”

I gently closed my eyes.

“I intend to give them full authority to handle it.”

“I don't intend to step foot in that house again.”

From that day on, I began to truly "live outside". After the project ended, I proactively asked the company to switch to remote working mode. Company headquarters in Hangzhou. Lam An's office is just a branch. The director has long wanted to send an experienced designer to Hangzhou to permanently take charge of several large customers. I proactively applied.

“Are you sure you want to go to Hangzhou?”

The director asked me.

“The pace of life there is much faster, the pressure is also great.”

“I'm sure.”

“I need a change of environment.”

The director nodded.

“Then I will notify the human resources department.”

“But first you have to hand over this two-month project.”

Returning to my seat, I received a text message from the broker.

“Miss Tham, yesterday there were guests who came to see your house. They were very interested.”

“They asked if the price was right, could they buy the furniture too?”

“Also…”

"Mr. Trieu's side said he wants to buy back your part of the house."

"When it's convenient, can you come to the company so we can talk directly?"

I looked at that message for a few seconds. Then call the other person back.

“I am preparing to go to Hangzhou to work long-term.”

“So the house will definitely sell.”

“Who else buys…”

“You guys just follow the market price, I have no opinion.”

“If Mr. Trieu accepts that price…”

“Then sell it to him.”

“Okay, I will arrange it.”

The broker's voice is very agile.

“Don't worry, we will handle the procedure neatly.”

Not long after hanging up, Trieu Vu sent a text message.

“I have finished talking to the broker.”

“I will buy back your share at market price.”

“During this time, I don't need to worry about name transfer procedures.”

“I will go to work myself.”

“The entire rent will be transferred to your account.”

I looked at those words for a long time. In the end, just answer in two words. A few days later, the rent was transferred. When the bank message popped up, I was in a meeting at the company. The phone screen lights up. I glanced over, my finger gently pulling down the notification to see the number clearly. That's not a small amount of money. I raised my head to look at the project progress board on the meeting room screen. Suddenly there was a feeling of relief in my heart that was hard to describe. The heavy rock in my heart... Finally fell quietly. After the meeting, I went to the human resources department to sign the transfer form. The company arranged a staff dormitory for me in Hangzhou to stay temporarily. Wait until you find a suitable house and move later. The night before leaving, some close colleagues invited me out to eat. Someone asked:

“This time you go to Hangzhou…”

“Are you not coming back again?”

“Who knows.”

“Anyway, I probably won't be back in the short term.”

“So you really have nothing left to worry about here?”

A curious colleague.

“I heard there was a lot of noise at your house.”

“There are still problems.”

I replied calmly.

“My parents.”

“So your husband isn't coming with you?”

Some people couldn't help but listen.

“Can't he change jobs?”

“We are divorced.”

I said calmly. The whole dining table was silent silence for two seconds. Right after that, someone said "ah" and then quickly covered his mouth.

“Sorry…”

“I didn't mean to ask.”

"No problem."

I smiled.

“Compared to remaining stuck in an unsuitable relationship…”

“Divorce for me is liberation.”

“So will you really live alone in the future?”

Someone asked worriedly.

“Hangzhou is so strange, it must be very lonely.”

“Alone…”

“You can also live very well.”

I raised the glass of orange juice in my hand.

“For my new life…”

Everyone raised their glasses in unison. The atmosphere quickly became bustling again. That night I didn't drink much. But it feels very warm. Not the warm, noisy, bustling type. It's the feeling of being kind enough to say goodbye. Goodbye old colleagues. Goodbye to this familiar city. Goodbye to the marriage that I risked my life to preserve for many years... But in the end it still failed. The next morning, I pulled two suitcases and stood in the high-speed train station waiting room. The loudspeaker continuously blared train announcements. The sound of suitcase wheels rolling on the ground continued endlessly. I leaned against the glass railing, bowed my head and answered a few messages. My parents asked me when I was coming to Hangzhou. He told me to pay attention to safety. My aunt reminded me to wear more clothes. Dao Dao also sent a message.

“Sister-in-law… sorry.”

I looked at those three words. The fingertip stays on the screen for a few seconds. I still opened the chat box and answered her one question.

“Don't arbitrarily use other people's keys in the future.”

The other side immediately sent several crying emojis.

“I remember.”

“You live well in Hangzhou.”