Chapter 3 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

I stepped forward. On the screen is a photo of Phuong Vien's circle of friends. To Man works in the media industry so she has her own sources of information. A photo. A woman's hands have wine-red nail polish, and two cups of coffee are placed on the table. The status line reads:

“Afternoon tea, he offered.”

Date posted: three days ago. That was the fourth day after Chu Thuy and I registered our marriage. Another photo shows a bouquet of roses. The status line only has a smiley face and two words: Date posted: 20th of last month. That was also the day we finalized our wedding date. My fingers gently squeezed the tabletop. To Man looked at me.

“Is there still further investigation?”

"Continue."

To Man continued to browse more than ten more posts. Phuong Vien posts very often, almost every day. Although there is never a man's face in the photo, there is a close-up shot of a hand. On the wrist wears a watch. Tissot Le Locle series. Black face, leather strap. That's Chu Thuy's watch. I bought it myself. For his birthday last year, I spent more than three thousand yuan to buy it. To Man's call pulled me back to reality.

“Your face looks bad.”

"No problem."

I took out my phone and took a few pictures on the screen.

“Just keep it first.”

To Man grabbed my wrist.

"Stop trying so hard. If you want to cry, just cry."

“It's not that bad yet.”

I saved all the photos and took a deep breath. Not without heartbreak. But there's no time left for heartbreak. Leaving To Man's company, I went straight to the bank. It's not the bank that sends the dowry. Which is another bank. There I have a separate account. 3,120,000 yuan. It's my own money. It's the amount of money I've accumulated for six years since graduation. I literally work at an auditing company. But my job is more than just checking the books. Three years ago, I obtained a CPA certificate, and also owned an investment fund practice certificate and a securities analysis certificate. Some of the company's major customers appointed me as a financial advisor. Each year, commissions and profit sharing alone bring in five or six hundred thousand yuan. Plus a few personal investments. After six years, I had accumulated more than three million yuan. Chu Thuy did not know the existence of this account. He only knew that I had a salary of eight thousand yuan a month. Standing in front of the ATM, looking at the numbers on the screen, I thought a lot. The 1,500,000 yuan dowry is my parents' sweat and tears. I won't let anyone touch even a penny. 3,120,000 yuan is money I earned myself. We can't even let anyone get involved. But if they just protect the money and end everything... It's too easy for them. What I want is not just a total withdrawal. I want Chu Thuy and Trieu Phuong to understand clearly. What is the price of calculating Lam Tri Y's plan? Come home in the evening. Chu Thuy has finished cooking dinner. Three dishes, one soup. Even opened a bottle of red wine.

"Are you home already? Why are you so late today?"

I sat down to eat and didn't say anything else. He was extremely enthusiastic. Sometimes he picks up food for me. Pour wine again. While eating, I silently calculated in my head. Married seven days. Discovery of guarantee: one day. Debt detection: half a day. Detecting someone outside: half day. Performance is not bad. After eating, Chu Thuy went into the kitchen to wash the dishes. His phone was left on the sofa. At that moment, the screen lit up. A WeChat message appears. Note name: Ms. Phuong.

"Tomorrow noon, still in the same place, okay?"

Ms. Phuong. He really knows how to name things. I don't touch his phone. It's not that I don't want to see it. But I can't let him find out that I know everything. The next day, I took a day off. Half past ten in the morning. I drove near Chu Thuy's company. Sit from afar and observe the building's gate. Eleven forty. Chu Thuy came out. He turned left on the side of the road and went into a small alley. Right at the beginning of the alley there is a Japanese restaurant. I parked the car on the opposite side at an angle. Wait about three minutes. A woman wearing a beige coat came from the other end of the alley, pushed open the door and entered the restaurant. Phuong Vien. I met her once. Last time I went to the company to pick up Chu Thuy from work, I met her in the elevator. At that time, Chu Thuy introduced:

“This is my roommate.”

She smiled at me, very politely called out: I took out my phone to take two photos. The two of them entered the restaurant one after another. The timestamp is clearly visible. Then I started the car and left. Don't rush in. Don't turn the table over. It's not time yet. In the afternoon, I went to a law office. The person I was looking for was Tran Kien Minh, one of my customers. He is a partner in one of the top ten law firms in the city. I helped him manage his personal assets for two years. After listening to the whole story, Tran Kien Minh took off his glasses and slowly wiped them clean.

“What is your request?”

"Divorce. Keep all my personal assets."

“I also want those who planned my actions to pay the price.”

Tran Kien Minh nodded.

“The dowry of 1,500,000 yuan is a gift from your parents just for you, right?”

“Do you save transfer documents?”

“Yes, my mother transferred the money to me, the note clearly wrote: 'Tri Y's dowry'.”

"Then there's no problem. This is your personal property that existed before your marriage."

"What about Chu Thuy's guarantee? Does it affect me?"

Tran Kien Minh thought for a moment.

“He stood as a guarantor before you two registered your marriage?”

"That's right."

"So that's his personal debt. But if Thuy Hang Trading Company really goes bankrupt, the bank will hold the guarantor responsible, and the assets in his name may be frozen."

He paused for a moment then continued:

“If after marriage two people have common property, that part is likely to be affected.”

"I've only been married for seven days and have no common property yet."

“Then it's clean.”

He put his glasses back on.

“Tri Y, I advise you to act soon.”

“The longer it lasts, the more disadvantageous it will be for you.”

“What if in these few months they transfer the money or do something with the assets…”

“I know.”

“But I still need a little more time.”

"For what?"

“Waiting for a chance.”

Tran Kien Minh did not ask further. Having cooperated with me for two years, he understands my working style. I have never fought a match without being fully prepared. Leaving the law office, the phone rang. It was Chu Thuy calling.

"Tri Y, where are you? My mother said she would come over for dinner tonight."

“Can I go home early to cook?”

"Okay."

I hung up. Look at the calendar history of the call, suddenly burst into laughter. Trieu Phuong comes again. Looks like she hasn't given up yet.