Chapter 5 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

Chu Thuy suggested going to his cousin's house for dinner. That cousin is Chu Man, the person who sent me the long text message the other day.

“It's just a family meal, don't think too much.”

Chu Thuy said in the car. I know this meal is not simple. But I still go. Arrive at a newly discovered place. Trieu Phuong and Zhou Kien Quoc were both present. Truly a "family" meal. Chu Man enthusiastically pulled my hand.

"Tri Y is here, come in quickly. I purposely made your favorite sweet and sour ribs dish."

I laughed a little inside. Since when do you know that I like to eat sweet and sour fried ribs? Including today, we have only met three times. Each time is less than ten minutes. Everyone just sat down. Haven't had time to move my chopsticks yet. Trieu Phuong cleared his throat.

"While the whole family is present, I want to clarify one thing."

I put down my chopsticks. Trieu Phuong took out a file of documents from his pocket.

“This is a report on the business situation of Thuy Hang Company.”

“Auntie told the accountant to do it separately.”

"Don't you want to see the business license? I brought it here."

She pushed the documents in front of me. I glanced over. Copy of business license. Financial statements for the most recent six months. Same investment plan. Done quite methodically. I make a living with this job.

“Aunt Trieu.”

“Why do the receivables in this report not match the data in the corporate credit system?”

Trieu Phuong's face changed slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“In the report, the receivable amount is 720,000 yuan.”

“But public data shows that Thuy Hang has two debts that are more than ninety days overdue, totaling 450,000 yuan.”

“In other words, of this 720,000 yuan, 450,000 yuan are almost impossible to recover.”

The whole living room immediately fell silent. They all looked towards me. The smile on Chu Man's face stiffened. Chu Kien Quoc bowed his head and used chopsticks to stir the food in the bowl. Trieu Phuong's face turned red.

“I'm just an accountant…”

“I'm a finance person.”

“So whether the report is fake or not, I can tell with just one look.”

I pushed the folder back.

“Aunt Trieu.”

“This report has at least three contradictions.”

“First, the gross profit margin is listed at 28%, but the cost structure absolutely cannot support that number.”

"Second, the operating cash flow in the cash flow statement is positive, but accounts payable are increasing. That shows that the actual cash has never been collected."

“Tuesday…”

Trieu Phuong jumped up.

“You deliberately confronted me, right?”

“I'm just protecting my money.”

Chu Thuy pulled her mother's hand.

“Mom, please sit down first.”

Trieu Phuong strongly shook his hand away.

“Chu Thuy!”

“Look what kind of wife you should marry!”

"If you don't help your family when you get married, that's fine. Anywhere else you'll end up causing trouble!"

Chu Man quickly stood up to reconcile.

“Come on, everyone calm down…”

“I have nothing more to say.”

I stood up.

“Aunt Trieu.”

“No matter how many reports you make, or how many investment projects you invent, no matter who you find to advise me.”

“My answer is still only one.”

I picked up my bag.

“Chu Thuy.”

“Can you take me home or should I call a car myself?”

He sat still in the chair. Immobility. I nodded.

“I'll go home on my own.”

Get out of the house. I called a taxi. As soon as I got in the car, my phone received a text message from To Man.

"Phuong Vien's story has been found out."

“Maybe you I didn't expect it either.”

"She didn't just know Chu Thuy this year."

“What does that mean?”

“Phuong Vien's previous job was at a credit lending company.”

“It was the company that loaned Chu Thuy the 143,000 yuan.”

City lights pass by outside the car window. I stared at To Man's message for a long time.

“What do you mean…”

“Phuong Vien knew Chu Thuy from the time he worked at that loan company?”

"Coming to Chu Thuy's current company to work was just half a year ago."

“But the time she quit her job at the credit company was a year ago.”

“That means she and Chu Thuy have known each other for at least a year.”

I leaned back in the car seat and gently closed my eyes. Chu Thuy and I have been together for two years. In other words, Phuong Vien appeared right from the first year we fell in love.

“There's one more thing.”

To Man sent another message.

"After quitting her job at that lending company, Phuong Vien was recruited to Chu Thuy's company through an internal introduction."

“The person introduced is Chu Thuy.”

He personally brought her into his company. Looking at that message, I suddenly found it funny. During two years of love. In his heart there is always another woman. And I foolishly chose a birthday gift for him. Help him iron his shirt. Follow him home to meet his parents.

“Tri Y? Are you still there?”

“What are you going to do next?”

“Help me save all of Phuong Vien's work records at the loan company.”

“There are also traces of contact between her and Chu Thuy.”

“Find as many as you can find.”