Chapter 4 — Twenty Years of Payment

The fire did not spread. Just dancing at Tham Tu's feet. The police quickly extinguished it. Co Dinh's voice was cold. Tham Tu was dragged away. His eyes were completely disintegrated, his mouth was muttering non-stop:

“Money…my money…”

To Man was also escorted to the police car. Before leaving, she looked at me. His eyes... were full of resentment. I hugged Doa Doa, sitting on the edge of the ambulance. The medical staff is bandaging my wound.

"Miss Lam, although the wound is deep, it did not hit a dangerous spot. You are quite lucky." The doctor advised.

I didn't say anything, just pressed my cheek against hers and hugged her tightly.

“Lam Khe, leave the next things to me.” Co Dinh stood next to the car.

“Those creditors… can you handle them?” I asked.

"Tham Tu owes 30 million yuan to outsiders, about 105 billion VND. Those people... are not as easy to talk to as me." The corners of his lips curled up slightly. "I will spread the news that he is still alive. In prison... I'm afraid it will be more 'noisy' than outside."

I nodded slightly, tiredly closing my eyes.

"No need. I'm just reclaiming what Tham Tu owes me."

He turned and left, his back blending into the night. Returning to the hospital, Doa Doa was so scared that she fell asleep. I lay in the hospital bed, looking at the ceiling, my mind blank. 6,115,000 yuan. That money... has now truly become my "life money". At midnight, the phone rang. A strange number sent a photo. In the photo, Tham Tu cowers in the corner of the cell. Surrounded by several large prisoners with fierce smiles. There is only one line of text:

“The show has started.”

I deleted the messages and turned off the phone. This is just the first day. Twenty years. More than 7,300 days. I want him... every night to dream of money that he can't touch in his whole life. The next morning, the bank's financial manager personally came to the hospital room.

“Miss Lam, your money is currently being taken very seriously by the headquarters.”

His attitude was extremely respectful.

“I want to ask, if I change the additional terms now, will it be okay?” I leaned against the pillow, my face still pale.

“Of course. You are the sole legal owner of this money.”

“Okay. Remove the clause—if I die unexpectedly, the money will be donated.”

The manager paused slightly, then immediately nodded: "Yes, no problem."

“And then one more thing.” I looked out the window, my voice calm. “If Tham Tu dies in prison, all the money will immediately be transferred to my daughter's name, managed by Co Dinh on her behalf until she becomes an adult.”

The manager's hand shook slightly, but he still quickly wrote it down.

“Miss Lam… you are…”

“I want him to live.”

I turned my head, my eyes cold and calm.

“The longer he lives… the more he suffers.”

“But his pain... is the guarantee for my daughter's future.”

The manager left. I called Co Dinh.

“Do me a favor.”

“I want To Man to be in prison… always hearing all the news about Tham Tu.” I closed my eyes. “I want her to know… how useless the man she chose is.”

There was a low laugh on the other end of the line.

“Lin Khe… you look more and more like a true avenger.”

“I just want… to give Doa a clean world.”

I hung up. Doa Doa was now awake, rubbing her eyes.

“Mom… where did dad go?”

I gently stroked her hair.

"Dad went to a far away place. There... he had to earn money to pay off his debt."

“So when will dad come home?”

“Wait while you He will pay everything he owes us... then he will return."

Twenty years later. Maybe at that time... Tham Tu was just a dry skeleton. And my Doa Doa... will live in the sunlight. Never mind... how much blood was stained with that money. The day I was discharged from the hospital, I passed by the bank again. Still the same teller. Her eyes looking at me... were still as complicated as before.

“Hello. I want to check the balance.”

I gave the papers. She worked for a while, then said in a low voice: "Balance 6,115,000 yuan, plus interest from the past..."

“No need to say numbers.”

I took the papers back and smiled.

“I just wanted to see… if it was still there.”

“Still. And will always be there… waiting for you for 20 years.”

I walked out of the bank. Do you hear that? The money… is still there. Already dead. Died in that fire. Died in that crematorium. Die in your own greed. You... have been dead for a long time.