Chapter 8 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

“Because from the day you took your mother to the bank to take my money…”

“I knew you would never tell me the truth.”

“So I can only investigate myself.”

Chu Thuy bowed his head.

“Tri Y... I beg you.”

“Chu Thuy.”

My voice turned cold.

“First answer me a question.”

“Who is Phuong Vien?”

The air in the room immediately froze. His whole body was stiff. He raised his head to look at me.

“She... is just my colleague.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm sure.”

“So the bouquets of flowers in her circle of friends, the cups of coffee, the status lines like 'he invited'... who invited them?”

Chu Thuy's face changed from white to red, then from red to gray.

“Are you following me?”

"No need."

“Her account doesn't block your contacts.”

Actually, To Man helped me investigate. But he doesn't need to know that. Chu Thuy stood up and took a step back.

“Tri Y, listen to my explanation…”

“How long have you known her?”

“Or longer?”

“It's not…”

“Where did she work before?”

Chu Thuy immediately fell silent. Because he understands. I've asked this step, which means I've looked it all up.

“Chu Thuy.”

“At the loan company where I borrowed 143,000 yuan.”

“The person in charge of your file is Phuong Vien.”

I slowly stood up.

“You didn't just lie to my feelings.”

“You even tried to cheat me of my money.”

“And now you still want me to help you?”

His lips moved. But I couldn't say a word.

“I will answer you right away.”

“No help.”

Chu Thuy stood in the living room for a long time. And I went back to the bedroom and locked the door. Eleven o'clock at night. I heard talking outside the living room. He's calling. The voice was forced very low, but a few broken sentences could still be heard through the door.

“...it's not okay... she knows everything... she also knows about Phuong Vien... what should we do now..."

Who is he calling? Trieu Phuong? Phuong Vien? Or someone else? I picked up my phone and sent lawyer Tran Kien Minh a text message.

“Prepare the divorce petition.”

He replied almost immediately.

“Finally waited for this sentence from you.”

“What are the conditions?”

“First, fully refund the 1,500,000 yuan dowry.”

“Not a penny missing.”

“Second, there is no common property after marriage.”

"Assets in someone's name belong to that person."

“Third, all of Chu Thuy's guaranteed debts have nothing to do with me.”

“There must be written confirmation.”

“Fourth, compensation for mental damage is 100,000 yuan.”

“Is there proof of adultery in the fourth point?”

“To what extent?”

“Vague messages and posts on social media.”

“Photo of two people eating separately at a Japanese restaurant.”

"Along with the fact that Phuong Vien used to work at the lending company where Chu Thuy borrowed money, then he was introduced to his current company."

“That chain of relationships is enough.”

“When to apply?”

“Temporarily wait more.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“Next Wednesday I have a very important work report.”

“Let's take care of that and then it's his turn.”

Tran Kien Minh sent back an OK symbol. I put down the phone. It was also silent outside. A moment later, Chu Thuy knocked on the door.

“Tri Y, open the door.”

"Let's talk about something tomorrow."

“Just one sentence.”

Through the door, his voice became lower.

“I do not agree to divorce.”

I don't pay word.

“Tri Y, I admit that I was wrong about Phuong Vien.”

“But between you and her, the limit has never been crossed.”

“Save those words to tell the judge.”

There was silence outside the door for a long time.

“What do you want so you won't get a divorce?”

I walked to the door.

“Chu Thuy.”

“Now you are burdened with more than 1,400,000 yuan in debt.”

“Do you think I didn't divorce because I wanted to wait for you to pay off all my debt?”

“What do you mean?”

“I guess.”

I won't say any more. A moment later, the footsteps left. Three o'clock in the morning. The phone rings. I picked up the phone.

“Hello, are you Lam Tri Y?”

"That's right."

“I am Phuong Vien.”

My drowsiness immediately disappeared.

“I know who you are.”

“Then you probably know why I made this call.”

"Don't know."

“You say it.”

The other side was silent for two seconds.

“Ms. Tri Y.”

“Let's meet once.”

“There are some things... Chu Thuy will never tell you.”

I lay on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

I suddenly felt that everything was more complicated than I thought. Why did Phuong Vien actively look for me? If she was Chu Thuy's accomplice, she had no reason to do so. She is no longer on the same front line as him. Or perhaps. She was never really on his side.