Chapter 6 — Unfair Marriage

"Why does AA charge me every penny for electricity and water bills, but he withdraws money from my account without prior notice?"

“Why do you hold up the so-called ‘independent woman’ to educate me, and at the same time blatantly want to steal my welfare card?”

He stood there, unable to say a word of rebuttal. Because every single thing… is something he did. This match, he could not win. Because the evidence is all in my hands, the arguments are all in my mouth. The only thing he can still do... is cheat.

"Qi Niem, I really don't have money. It's useless for you to force me."

“It's okay if you don't have money.”

I pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket. I wrote that piece of paper last night.

"This is the debt repayment plan. 58,700 yuan, divided into 24 installments, about 2,400 each month. Starting next month."

“If you find this plan acceptable, sign it.”

“If you don't accept…”

I stopped for a moment.

"This weekend I will go to the lawyer's office and ask clearly about common assets and debt determination in AA marriage."

As soon as those two words fell, Tu Tinh An's face immediately turned pale.

“You… you want to sue me?”

"I want to protect my legal rights. You can understand it as 'suing', you can also understand it as 'talking about the law'."

“It's up to you to choose.”

He paced back and forth in the living room more than a dozen times. The phone rang three times, it was all Vu Phuong Anh calling. He didn't listen. Finally, he plopped down on the sofa, covering his face with his hands. After a long time, he spoke in a low voice. I give you paper and pen. When holding the pen, his hand trembled clearly. After signing, he threw the pen on the table. Don't look at me, turn straight into the office. As the door closed, I heard a sentence very softly, as if forced through my teeth.

“You are so cruel.”

It's not that I'm cruel. It was your "natural" three years... that forced me into the person I am now. After signing the debt repayment agreement, our relationship hit rock bottom. Living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom... We are like two parallel lines, living in the same house but everyone takes care of their own parts. He eats his portion, I eat mine. He washes his dishes, I wash mine. Every time he calls Vu Phuong Anh, he deliberately closes the door. His voice was sometimes high, sometimes low, occasionally a few words leaked out.

“She's crazy.”

“I can't say it.”

“Intentionally confronting.”

I pretended I didn't hear it. When it came to the first month's repayment, he promptly transferred 2,400 yuan to my account. No notes. No messages. Just a cold transfer notification. The second month is the same. The third month is the same. By the fourth month, one weekend. I was drying clothes on the balcony when I heard the door open. The person who entered was not Tu Tinh An. It's Vu Phuong Anh. She used the spare key that Tu Tinh An gave her. I stopped and looked at her. She was wearing a new coat and her hair had just been dyed—obviously a new do. He carried a bag of groceries in his hand and placed it on the tea table.

"Two boxes of herbs, I'll give them to you to nourish."

I stood at the balcony door, not stepping forward to receive it. She sat down and poured herself a glass of water.

"Te Niem, you've been having a hard time lately."

The tone was different from four months ago.

"I have endured the pain. Tu Tinh An's mouth is clumsy and he doesn't know how to talk, but in his heart he has a child."

I didn't reply. She continued.

“Today I came to talk to my only child story.”

She put down the cup and coughed softly.

“Tu Vu found a job last month, working as a writer at an advertising company, earning more than 4,000 a month. In the future, I will be able to support myself and no longer need Tu Tinh An's support."

“Also, 2,000 yuan per month for mom, she doesn't need it anymore. Mom and your dad — your father-in-law — have pensions, enough to last.”

After speaking, she looked at me, her eyes carrying a bit of scrutiny, as if waiting for a reaction. I walked over and sat down opposite.