Chapter 2 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

But after registering the marriage. On the second day, Trieu Phuong started asking how much the dowry was. On the third day, Chu Thuy "accidentally" asked me which bank I deposited money at. On Thursday, Trieu Phuong asked for my identification number, saying it was for health insurance for relatives. On Saturday, they took their savings books and ran to the bank. This progress is too fast. It's not like having an idea on the spur of the moment. It's like a plan that was prepared in advance. Two o'clock in the morning. I quietly picked up my phone, opened the browser and typed in a search keyword... I entered into the search box:

“Chu Thuy borrowed money.”

No results appeared. Actually, I didn't expect to find anything. But then, I open another app. It is a corporate credit information lookup tool that I regularly use at work. I entered Chu Thuy's identification number. A few seconds later, a line of information appeared on the screen. Related guarantee history: 1 item. Guarantee amount: 1,200,000 yuan. Guaranteed unit: Thuy Hang Trading Company Limited. Legal representative: Trieu Phuong. I stared at that information page for a long time. The company was opened by her mother-in-law. The guarantor is my husband. 1,200,000 yuan. I finally understood why they were so impatient with my 1,500,000 yuan dowry. I gently turned off the phone screen. Lie in the dark, open your eyes and look up at the ceiling. This marriage... From the beginning, it was a carefully arranged deception. On the way to the company, To Man called me.

"How's it going? Was the first week of newlywed life a sweet one?"

To Man is my college roommate, currently working as a choreographer at a media company.

“It's so sweet that it's bitter.”

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I hesitated a bit, not telling too much.

“Let's meet someday and talk.”

Arriving at the company, I sat down at my desk. Ms. Luu in the next department walked by holding a cup of tea.

"Oh my, the new bride has arrived? Why is her face so poor?"

I smiled slightly.

“I didn't sleep well last night.”

She leaned closer.

“Is your mother-in-law difficult to live with?”

I didn't answer, I opened the computer and logged into the system. The phone vibrated again. It's a message from Chu Thuy.

“Let's eat together this afternoon?”

I answer in two words.

"Impossible."

A minute later, he texted again.

"Tri Y, you were wrong about this morning. You shouldn't have kept the guarantee thing from me. When we meet this afternoon, I will explain."

Another minute later.

“I'm under your company.”

I looked out the window. There was indeed a silver Volkswagen under the parking lot. Exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon, I went downstairs. Chu Thuy stood next to the car, holding a bouquet of lilies in her hand. I don't accept. He placed the bouquet of flowers on the hood.

"The guarantee thing happened last year. At that time, my mother's company lacked capital, the bank asked for an additional guarantor, so I signed."

"1,200,000 yuan. My salary for the whole year is not enough to pay."

"You won't have to pay. The company will get through it."

“What if I don't pass?”

He was silent for a moment.

“Tri Y, I promise this will not affect you.”

“It's already affected.”

I looked straight at him.

“Yesterday you guys came to the bank and wanted to take my money, wasn't it because of this?”

Chu Thuy bowed his head.

"That was my mother's idea. Actually, I didn't want to..."

“But in the end I'm still going.”

He was silent again. I looked at him for a long time.

“Chu Thuy, are you hiding anything else from me?”

"Do not have."

“There really isn't.”

His eyes looked at me full of sincerity. Two years into our relationship, I always thought he was an honest person. But now... I don't dare to believe it anymore.

“I have to go back to work.”

I turned around and left.

“Take the bouquet of flowers.”

"No need."

Back at work, I reopened the credit system that had not been turned off before. Hesitate for three seconds. I entered the name Chu Thuy. Personal credit information. Credit card debt: 87,000 yuan. Loans from credit platforms: 143,000 yuan. Total debt: 230,000 yuan. My fingers stopped on the keyboard. One person's monthly salary is 18,000 yuan. Carrying a personal debt of 230,000 yuan on his back. There is also a guarantee of 1,200,000 yuan. I continued scrolling down. Most recent loan record. Loan date: 26 months ago. That day... It was the day before we registered our marriage. In the afternoon, I took half a day off. Don't go home. Come find To Man. At the media company, she has her own office. Just by looking at my face, she knew something was up. I told you everything. From the incident at the bank to the conversation at noon. After listening, To Man placed the coffee cup firmly on the table.

“230,000 yuan in personal debt? One day before the marriage registration date, you still borrowed money?”

“Then do you still need me to say more? It's clear what he's aiming at."

I leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling.

“I know.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I'm still thinking.”

To Man sat down next to him.

“Tri Y, listen to me. Divorce as soon as possible.”

“It's only been seven days since we registered our marriage.”

“What about seven days?”

“Seven days is the best time. There are no ties, so it's clean to cut them off."

I didn't speak up. To Man looked at me.

“Do you still have feelings for him?”

I sat up straight.

“I was thinking about something.”

“If I propose a divorce now, Trieu Phuong will definitely make a fuss.”

“Her company needs money.”

“Chu Thuy is carrying a large guarantee.”

“They won't let go easily.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“The money is in your hand, the savings book is also in your name. They can't get it.”

“What I'm afraid of is not that they take the money.”

I gently squeezed my hand.

“I'm afraid they'll make a fuss about my parents.”

To Man immediately fell silent. She understands my family situation. My father has heart disease. Just had a stent installed last year. To collect 1,500,000 yuan for my dowry, my mother also sold a house in the countryside. If only they knew... The girl who got married for seven days was deceived. My father certainly couldn't bear that shock.

“So what do you mean?”

“First keep quiet.”

“Collect enough evidence before taking action.”

To Man stared at me for five seconds.

“Tri Y, when did you become so calm?”

I laughed faintly.

“Just being forced.”

She sighed and opened her computer.

“Okay. What do you need my help with?”

“Help me investigate someone.”

“Phuong Vien. Colleague in the same company as Chu Thuy."

“Phuong Vien?”

“Who is it?”

“I'm not sure yet.”

“But last week I went to the company to pick up Chu Thuy from work.”

“The receptionist said he went with a female colleague named Phuong Vien.”

To Man's fingers that were placed on the keyboard suddenly stopped.

“You suspect he has someone else?”

“I just feel like something is wrong.”

To Man clicked on the keyboard for a while.

"Phuong Vien, twenty-six years old, works in the marketing department of Chu Thuy's company, joined last year."

She scrolled through the screen, suddenly stopping.

“Come here and look at this.”