Chapter 1 — Three Thousand Yuan Every Month, In Return The Whole Family Is Ruined

The mother-in-law slammed the table and said frankly: If you don't submit your salary card, don't dream of staying in this house. I smiled very well and nodded in agreement. Not only did I pay my share, I also conveniently took my husband's salary card and gave it to her. She held two cards and went everywhere boasting that she knew how to manage the house, know how to run the house, her tone was full of pride as if she had just won a big battle. Only I know clearly that among those two cards, there is one that only costs 3,000 yuan every month. Two months later, she held a shriveled expense book and rushed into my room, with a look of disbelief on her face. The atmosphere on the dining table was so heavy it was suffocating. The plate of stir-fried vegetables is in front of us, the roots have not yet been picked clean, mixed and rough. I quietly stir the white rice in the bowl, each grain separate, as bland as the meal itself. Vuong Lan's mother-in-law's chopsticks hit the bowl's mouth hard, the deafening sound tore through the silence.

“Tham Duyet.”

She called both my full name and my full name, not hiding her discomfort at all. Toi ngang dau len, khong dap.

"The household expenses are getting bigger and bigger these days. You and Chu Minh spend money lavishly, without any concept."

Her eyes were sharp as knives, staring straight at me. I looked at her, then glanced at Chu Minh next to me. He bowed his head and pretended to concentrate on eating, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

“Starting from next month, both your and Chu Minh's salary cards will be entrusted to me to manage.”

Finally, Vuong Lan also revealed his true purpose. Khong phai thuong luong. It's an announcement. Before I could speak, she coldly added.

"If you don't deliver, don't even think about staying in this house."

That is intimidation. Chu Minh's movement of picking up food paused for a moment. Nhung anh ta van im lang. My heart, little by little, gets colder. Three years into our marriage, this scene has been repeated countless times. Every time, I choose to be patient, choose to compromise. Because I still love Chu Minh, I still hold illusions about this so-called family. But this time... looking at his cowardly appearance, I suddenly felt it was all meaningless. Like a string that has been stretched too long and finally snaps. I laughed. A very slight smile. Vuong Lan sung lai. Maybe she thought I would cry, argue, and risk my life to argue like before. But I laughed again.

"Okay."

My voice is not loud, but clear. Chu Minh immediately raised his head and looked at me as if he saw something unbelievable. Vuong Lan also squinted and examined.

“Me, con dong y.”

I repeated, the smile on my lips deepening.

"Not only my salary card, but Chu Minh's card, I will also take it back and give it to mom."

I turned to look at him.

“Husband, mom worked so hard for this house, we should support her, right?”

Chu Minh opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. His expression was like he had just seen a ghost. On Vuong Lan's face, doubt and joy were mixed. Maybe she thought I was scared to death.

“Yet Duyet, I…” Chu Minh finally found his voice again.

I interrupted.

“Mom is right, we should manage our finances well.”

“Let mom stand up and unify is the best choice.”

I got up and went into the bedroom. Take your salary card and put it down in front of Vuong Lan. Dong tac dut khoat, gon gang.

“Mom, this is mine.”

After that, I walked next to Chu Minh and held out my hand.

“What about yours?”

His face was sometimes red, sometimes white. In the eyes of Vuong Lan, the greedy light has begun to flash.

"Chu Minh! Your wife understands things better than you!"

She shouted loudly. Under my and his mother's gaze, Chu Minh reluctantly took out his salary card from his wallet. Give it to me. I took it, offering it to Vuong Lan with both hands.

“Mom, now everything is with you, from now on this house will depend on you.”

Vuong Lan grabbed the two cards as if holding pure gold. The wrinkles on her face also relaxed from smiling.

"That's right! That's how family members should be!"

She looked at me proudly, like a general who had just won a battle. That night, Chu Minh came into the room and wanted to say something to me. I just coldly glanced at him.

“Go to bed early, you have work tomorrow.”

Every word he said was blocked by that gaze. I lay on the bed, opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. Not angry. Also don't feel sorry for yourself. Only dead silence remained. I took the phone. In the darkness, the light from the screen shined on my face. I found a phone number and sent a text message.

“Brother Trieu, I ask you a favor.”

“From next month, my monthly salary will only be transferred to the card for 3,000 basic currency.”

“I'll help you keep the rest.”

“The same goes for bonuses and commissions.”

Message just sent. The other party responded very quickly. I turned off the phone and closed my eyes. Vuong Lan, Chu Minh. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. But how much can you get... It remains to be seen how brave you are. The next day, I still went to work as usual. As soon as I arrived at the company, I went straight into President Trieu's office. He is my college senior, and has always been very caring and supportive.

“Yeu Duyet, sit down.”

He pointed to the chair opposite.

"Yesterday's text message wasn't very clear, what was it all about?"

I smiled lightly, explaining the situation in the house. I cut out all the unsightly arguments. Just saying that my mother-in-law is older and wants to manage her expenses, so it's convenient for me. What kind of person Mr. Trieu is, you can understand it all with just one look. But he did not expose it. Just nodded.

“You are the person I trained, your ability is at the top of the company, I believe in you.”

"I don't want my family to know my real income, no problem."

"I told the finance department to open a separate account for you. In addition to the basic salary of 3,000 yuan, the rest will be transferred there."

"You can keep the card for me, or let me keep it myself."

My heart warmed a little.

"Thank you."

“What's the point of being polite?” He waved his hand, then added a straightforward sentence, "Your husband... is really irresponsible."

I didn't reply. That's my story. And also my choice. Leaving the office, my steps became a little lighter. Blue sky, beautiful sunshine. My life... should also brighten up. When I got home, the first thing I did was find Chu Minh. He was sitting watching TV, Vuong Lan next to him biting melon seeds.

“Chu Minh, what is your salary card password?”

I asked directly. He was stunned. Vuong Lan's eyes immediately lit up.

"That's right, password! Say it quickly!"

Chu Minh looked at me, a little pleading in his eyes. He doesn't want to give it. In that card, there was money he had saved to buy a new game console. His own warehouse. But today, I was the one who smashed that warehouse.

“Mom said yesterday that money in the family must be managed uniformly.”

“I also agreed.”

“It's just been one night and you've already forgotten?”

My voice was calm, but each word fell like a hammer hitting his heart.

"Chu Minh! What are you being so slow about? Mom is still here." This!" Vuong Lan lost patience.

Chu Minh looked at his mother, then looked at me. Finally, still reluctantly read out a series of numbers. I took my phone, right in front of them, saved the password in my notes. Then take a screenshot and send it straight to Vuong Lan.

“Mom, Chu Minh's password. As for yours... it's your date of birth."

Vuong Lan immediately opened the phone and smiled brightly.

“This is correct!”