Chapter 4 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

I went home early, cooked four dishes. At six thirty in the evening, Trieu Phuong arrived on time. This time she didn't mention money right away. Because she also brought someone with her.

“Tri Y, this is your Uncle Chu.”

Outside the door was a man over fifty years old. He was wearing a gray coat, his hair had thinned a lot, and his smile was very polite. Chu Kien Quoc. Chu Thuy's father. I only met him once, at a wedding. A rather quiet person, the feeling of existence is very low.

“Hello, uncle.”

"Okay, okay, okay. Did Tri Y cook the rice herself? It's so fragrant."

Four people sat down to eat. After eating a few bites, Trieu Phuong started to get to the main story.

"Tri Y, I didn't come today because of money."

I picked up a piece of ribs without speaking.

“It's like this, an old classmate of Chu Thuy's father is doing very well recently.”

“Low investment, high profit, extremely stable.”

I put down my chopsticks.

“What business?”

“Is that... what is that?”

Trieu Phuong elbowed Chu Kien Quoc. He coughed loudly.

"Processed food supply chain. Contracts have been signed with several restaurant chains. Initial investment is not large, payback takes half a year."

“How much investment is needed?”

Trieu Phuong immediately intervened.

“Just five hundred thousand yuan.”

“Half a year later it became one million yuan.”

I looked at her for three seconds.

“Last time I borrowed four hundred thousand.”

“Is it an investment of five hundred thousand this time?”

Trieu Phuong's face stiffened.

“How can this be the same?”

“This is an investment!”

“Guaranteed to make a profit!”

“In this world, there is no investment that only profits and has no losses.”

“What kind of conversation are you having with your mother-in-law?”

“I work in finance.”

I turned to Chu Kien Quoc.

“Uncle, what is the name of that classmate?”

“Have you registered your company yet?”

“Do you have a business license?”

Three consecutive questions made Chu Kien Quoc's face turn red.

“This... let me ask again.”

"If the company has not been registered but calls for investment capital, that is illegally raising capital."

Trieu Phuong slammed the table hard.

“Who are you saying is raising capital illegally?”

“If I can't provide a business license, I'll call that person.”

Chu Thuy finally spoke up.

“Tri Y, can't you talk a little more kindly?”

“I'm being very nice.”

I looked straight at him.

“Chu Thuy, do you know this is just another way for your mother to ask for money?”

“My mother didn't ask for money, she just…”

“Last week I borrowed four hundred thousand to import goods.”

“Invest five hundred thousand today to make a profit.”

“Are you going to ask for a million yuan to buy a house next week?”

The dining table immediately fell silent. Trieu Phuong threw the chopsticks into the bowl.

“I don't eat anymore.”

“Zhu Kien Quoc, let's go.”

Chu Kien Quoc quickly stood up and followed her out the door. As he passed me, Trieu Phuong turned around and coldly said:

“You just wait.”

The door slammed shut. Chu Thuy stood in place, looking at the intact food table.

“Can't you give my mother some dignity?”

“I want to know how much face costs per pound.”

“Is five hundred thousand yuan enough?”

He grabbed his coat and left. Another meal with just me alone. But it's okay. I've been eating alone for more than twenty years. There is no shortage of this meal. On the contrary, Trieu Phuong's words before leaving made me pay more attention. She's not the type of person who only knows how to threaten. She's a real type of person action. The next morning. I was in a meeting at the company when the phone continuously rang seven or eight times. After the meeting, open it to see. These are all messages from relatives on both sides. The eldest lady texted:

“Tri Y, I heard you argued with your mother-in-law?”

Dad texted:

"Once you're married, you have to know how to yield, don't be too stubborn."

Even Aunt Vuong, my mother's best friend, texted:

“The dowry money your mother gives you is for living a married life, don't mess up the family.”

The longest message came from Chu Thuy's cousin.

"Tri Y, I'll be honest. Thuy Thuy's mother is just a tofu knife, don't accept it. One and a half million in the bank won't make much profit. It's better to take it out for the whole family to invest in, everyone will benefit."

Finished reading it all. I turned off the phone screen. Trieu Phuong's "just wait" tactic has already begun. She is attacking public opinion. Going around telling stories turned me into an ungrateful, stingy daughter-in-law who didn't know how to think about the big picture. The trick is too familiar. But this time, Trieu Phuong chose the wrong battlefield. At noon, I called my mother.

“Mom, has Trieu Phuong contacted you?”

My mother was silent for a few seconds.

“She called me for forty minutes this morning.”

“What are you saying?”

"She said I didn't understand things and didn't respect my mother-in-law. She also told me to lock up the dowry money and refuse to use it for the family, then asked my mother to advise me."

“How do you answer?”

"Mom said I can't control my daughter's money, we can discuss things between ourselves."

Mom's voice was very calm. But I can hear you trying to be patient.

"Don't worry mom, I can handle this myself."

“Tell me the truth, mom.”

“Do you regret taking it?”

I held the phone and looked out the window.

“Mom, wait until this is over and then I will answer you.”

I sent To Man a message.

“Do me a favor.”

"Do you know anyone in the media? They specialize in finance."

“What are you going to do?”

"Thuy Hang currently has two overdue debts. If I guess correctly, a third payment will appear this month."

“Once the third installment is past due, the bank will initiate the process of recourse to the guarantor.”

"At that time, the assets in Chu Thuy's name will be frozen."

“His car.”

“His deposit.”

To Man quickly understood.

“You want the press to report this?”

“I just want this, at the right time, to be seen by the people who need to know.”

“When?”

“I'll tell you when the time comes.”

After sending the message, I continued to handle work. At the right time, we have an asset restructuring project for a customer on hand. Total project value: 80 million yuan. The customer appointed me personally to present the plan. Appointment scheduled for next Wednesday. And next Wednesday... is also the day Trieu Phuong promised to come to his house to "continue talking". Sorry, Aunt Trieu. That day I had much more important things to do. A project worth 80 million yuan. Isn't it worth more than my aunt's 500,000 yuan "investment"?