Chapter 15 — Two Million Yuan Ends Eight Years of Marriage

"Kha Tinh, promise me, if he ever appears or contacts you, you must notify me immediately."

“Don't face it on your own.”

I replied softly. Hanging up the phone, I stood by the window, looking at the moonlight outside for a long time. What he said is not wrong. Chu Van Bac's eyes today are too complicated. The regret of losing everything, and the jealousy of seeing others living the life that should belong to them. Just a little deviation is enough to make a person on the same path do crazy things. I cannot let that risk threaten the lives of mother and child. It must be completely ended. I opened my computer and logged into an email I hadn't used in a while. This account is attached to an old social network. Since blocking all contact with him, I have never reopened it. In the spam there is an unread email. Sent three days ago. The address was strange, but the content made me immediately frown.

“Kha Tinh, I am Chu Van Bac.”

"I know you hate me, it's because I'm sorry for you and the children."

“I'm now empty-handed, living like a dog.”

“My parents are devastated, my sister is done, that's my retribution.”

“I accept.”

“I just… miss Niem Niem so much.”

“Please let me see you once, just from afar.”

“I know I don't deserve it, but I really can't stand it anymore.”

“If I don't see you, I might die.”

“If you still have some love between husband and wife, please answer me.”

“I live at the Lan Chau noodle shop near my old house.”

“Every day at five o'clock in the afternoon, you are there.”

“I will wait until you arrive.”

The last line seems to be intentionally stuck in the reader's heart. I looked at the email and felt nauseous. On the outside it's repentance, on the inside it's all emotional coercion. Using death as a threat, using children as hostages. Chu Van Bac, you really haven't changed. Do you think I'm still soft-hearted? I turned off the screen, my eyes turned cold. Want to see me? But not for nostalgia or pity. I will end it all. Once and for all. I picked up the phone and texted lawyer Vuong. 【I need a legally enforceable non-harassment order and a waiver of all visitation rights.】 【I'll use it tomorrow.】 The next afternoon, four fifty-five. I stood alone in front of Lan Chau noodle shop. This place is less than a hundred meters from the old house. Familiar yet strange. I pushed the door open and walked in, smelling cheap beef broth and spices. I saw him immediately. Sit in the corner of the shop. In front of me is just a bowl of bland white noodles. The chopsticks have never moved. He stared at the door, like someone waiting for a verdict. When he saw me enter, his eyes suddenly lit up. That light contained excitement, joy, and even foolish confidence. Maybe he thought… he had succeeded. I still care about him. He staggered to his feet, smiling crookedly.

“Kha Tinh… I'm here…”

Voice as hoarse as sand. I didn't reply. Just walk over and sit down opposite. Place the file bag on the table. The table surface was covered in grease. I frowned slightly.

“What are you meeting me for?”

My voice was calm, without a ripple.

“Between us, besides the divorce… there seems to be nothing left to talk about.”

My coldness caused the smile on his face to stiffen. He rubbed his hands awkwardly and sat down, looking comically struggling.

“I… I just wanted to see you.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with confusion.

“Kha Tinh, I know it's wrong, I really know it's wrong.”

“Since you left, I regret it every day.”

“You shouldn't take two hundred thousand yuan and give it to your sister.”

“You shouldn't If you argue with me, don't say those bad words."

“If I could turn back time, I would definitely…”

“There are no ifs.”

I interrupted, not allowing him to continue with his meaningless performance.

“Chu Van Bac, take that pitiful look away.”

“I came today, not to listen to your nonsense.”

I took two copies of paper from the file bag and pushed them in front of him. He bewilderedly picked it up. When he saw the title clearly, his face immediately turned pale. 《Pledge of non-harassment》 《Agreement to voluntarily give up child visitation rights》

“What…what do you mean?”

His voice trembled.

“The meaning is on the face of the words.”

I picked up the free cup of tea on the table, took a sip and then put it down, my dislike not hiding it.

“From now on, do not appear within one hundred meters of me, my son and my family.”

“Do not call, text or send anything.”

“Disappeared completely from our world.”

“And Chu Niem…”

I looked straight at him, my eyes cold as knives.

“You don't deserve to be his father.”

“From today, you and he no longer have any relationship.”

My words hit like a hammer. He jumped up, knocking over the bowl of noodles in front of him.