Chapter 16 — Two Million Yuan Ends Eight Years of Marriage

Hot soup splashed all over him, but he didn't pay attention.

"Kha Tinh! What are you relying on!"

He roared, all his anger bursting out.

"You are his biological father! This is the truth that no one can change!"

“Are you saying you won't let me see you?”

“What you did was illegal!”

“Breaking the law?”

I laughed, full of sarcasm.

“Chu Van Bac, now you tell me the law?”

“When you transferred two hundred thousand yuan in common money, why didn't you say the law?”

“When you used your child to threaten me, why didn't you speak the law?”

“When your parents stopped my child at the school gate, why didn't you say the law?”

"Now that you're empty-handed, do you remember the law?"

"It's late."

I stood up and looked down at him, completely overwhelmed.

“Today I did not come to negotiate, but to make an announcement.”

"If you sign, you'll still have some dignity. I won't prosecute you for harassing my family."

“Don't sign…”

I took out another file from my bag. That's the video of his parents harassing my child, along with the testimony of the residential security guard.

“I will hand it all over to the lawyer, along with your threatening email.”

“We'll meet in court.”

“A person with a record of harassment and intimidation, letting the family scare the children…”

“Do you think the court will still give you the right to visit your child?”

“Chu Van Bac, you are a smart person.”

“Disappear peacefully, or lose the last bit of dignity... choose yourself.”

He stared at the documents in his hand, his eyes bloodshot. My whole body trembled as if all my strength had been drained from me. A long time later, he collapsed into the chair.

“You… are so cruel.”

He gritted his teeth.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

I threw the pen down in front of him.

"Compared to your family, I'm still far behind."

He looked at the pen, then at the two pieces of paper, his eyes filled with tears. Finally... still picked up the pen. Use force as if trying to puncture paper. After writing, he felt like his soul was drained and he sat down on the chair. I took back the paper, glanced at the signature, and confirmed it was correct. Then, I pulled out two hundred yuan from my wallet and placed it on the table.

“This bowl of noodles, please.”

“Consider it our last farewell meal.”

“After you eat, go away.”

“Get out of my city, get out of my life.”

“Forever, never come back.”

Having finished speaking, I didn't look at him again, turned around, and decisively left that stuffy noodle shop. Behind him, a suppressed sob sounded, like a cornered animal. I don't turn around. Below my feet is the path to light and new life. As for him, he only deserves to rot in the dark. That last meeting was like a high fever. When it passed, my whole body felt light and strangely alert. I handed over the two signed agreements to lawyer Vuong and had them notarized. From that moment, the name Chu Van Bac, legally, was completely cut off from my life. He became a true stranger. Perhaps he was also scared by the lovelessness that day. From then on, he no longer appeared. My life is truly peaceful again. Time passes quickly in busyness and happiness. In the blink of an eye, it's been two years. Chu Niem grew up into a bright, understanding boy, good at studying, a "little sun" in the eyes of his teachers and friends. He knows how to remind me to eat on time, and knows how to bring me a glass of hot milk when I come home late from overtime. Proudly showing off to friends:

“This is my mother, Kha Tinh, the best in the world!”

Every time I hear that, I feel all the pain Before... it was all worthy. The relationship between me and Ly Triet naturally came to fruition. On my thirty-second birthday, he proposed. There is no majestic stage, nor is there a luxurious diamond ring. Just in the warm living room that I decorated myself. He knelt on one knee, holding a ring of simple design, his eyes were so gentle that they melted.

“Kha Tinh.”

“I don't dare promise you the world.”

“But I'm sure, from now on, your world will no longer be stormy.”

"All the storms and winds are for you to bear."

“You and Niem Niem, just live in the sunshine.”

“Give me a chance… okay?”

Chu Niem stood next to him, even more nervous than him.

"Mom! Agree! Agree!"

I looked at the two most important men in my life. Laughing and crying at the same time. I held out my hand.

"I agree."

Our wedding was simple but complete. Only relatives and close friends. I wore a white wedding dress, held my father's arm, and walked step by step towards the man who would spend the rest of my life with me. The sunlight penetrated through the stained glass of the church, covering us with a layer of sacred warmth. At that moment, I felt like I was embraced by the happiness of the whole world. Life after marriage is simple but sweet. Ly Triet is a perfect husband and also a wonderful father. He sees Chu Niem as his own son. I spent the afternoon building Legos with my son and teaching him how to ride a bike to the point where I fell more than my son. Parent meetings, never absent. Gradually, Chu Niem changed the way he called her. From "Uncle Ly" to "Old Ly", then sometimes he unconsciously called out "Dad". Each time, his eyes turned red. I know, we have truly become a complete family. I no longer care about the news about the Chu family. The last time I heard it, it was from Lam Duyet at a class reunion.

“I heard that Chu Van Bac was arrested.”

“Gambling, heavy debt, stealing, sentenced to three years.”

“His parents sold all their retirement money to pay off their debt, and now they pick up trash to make ends meet.”

"As for my younger sister, I heard she got married somewhere and hasn't dared to return for several years."

“A family… destroyed everything with their own hands.”

Everyone sighed. I just raised my glass and smiled faintly. No joy, no love. Story of another world. Doesn't concern me. At the end of the party, Ly Triet drove to pick me up. I leaned on his shoulder, looking at the brightly lit city.

“What are you thinking?”

He asked softly. I turned around, looked at that gentle face, and smiled.

“I feel very lucky.”

He squeezed my hand, clasping it tightly.

“Me too.”

The car drove away, heading towards the lighted house. Where my son is, there is a hot meal, and a soft bed. I have everything I've traded half my life for. The past… is just the beginning. My new life has just begun. Humanity, kitchen smoke, future. It's all… worth it.