Chapter 3 — Want the house to be named after your father? So You Pay The Money

“According to Article 209 of the Chinese Civil Code, real estate ownership is valid only after it is legally registered.”

I don't speak fast, but every word is as solid as a nail

"In other words, as long as your name is on the registration book, this house is your personal property, independently protected by law."

His eyes paused, his forehead furrowed tightly

“An Ninh, what do you want to say?”

Trieu Cam was immediately alert, his body leaned forward slightly, his voice rising

“An Ninh, you didn't turn around at the last minute, did you?”

“I never said I would change my mind.”

I smiled slightly, the smile didn't reach the bottom of my eyes

“I just want to clarify one thing—if the house is in your name, then the payment obligation…shouldn't it be yours too?”

The air in the room seemed to freeze. Even the sound of the air conditioner was deafening. Trieu Truong Lam's face gradually faded

“An Ninh… what do you mean by this sentence?”

“Yesterday we only said 'whose name is listed', but we never said 'whose money is paid by'."

I gently tapped on the contract cover

"I've worked in an agency all my life, so I probably understand better than you - rights and obligations always come together. If you want those three words on the book, then you have to bear the corresponding responsibility."

Trieu Cam impatiently slapped his thigh

"An Ninh! This house was obviously bought by you and Tieu Hao together, why are you now turning to force us to pay?"

“I would like to ask you this question again.”

I leaned forward slightly, my eyes remained calm

"Yesterday, you said yourself, writing Trieu Truong Lam's name is to 'avoid the risk of dividing assets after marriage', to 'leave room for Trieu Hao'. If it's to buy a house for your son, then the people who put in the money... shouldn't be the parents?"

Trieu Hao finally couldn't sit still. The chair leg scraped against the floor, making a sharp sound

"An Ninh, don't be like that! Say something slowly!"

“You're speaking very slowly.”

I looked at him, my voice was not loud but every word was clear

"Trieu Hao, tell me—the house book lists your father's name, so is this house his personal property? Does he have the right to handle it on his own? For example, sell it, mortgage it, or write a will to leave it to someone else?"

His lips moved slightly, his throat rose and fell violently, and in the end he only blurted out two words. To Tinh couldn't hold it in anymore, he burst out laughing coldly, his laughter was as sharp as a piece of ice falling to the ground.

"Mr. Tong, yesterday you said this plan was 'high-quality' 'stable', why are you so quiet when you mention payment?"

"Who are you? Is it your turn to stand here and interfere?"

Trieu Cam turned around, his eyes were red, his voice was high and distorted.

“I am An Ninh's friend and a practicing lawyer.”

To Tinh calmly pulled out a blank business card and placed it on the edge of the table

“It is my duty to remind the litigant—any signature relinquishing property rights, must be based on the principle of complete voluntariness, with full knowledge, and must not be unduly imbalanced.”

Trieu Truong Lam's chest heaved strongly, his face was as pale as an old piece of paper that had been crumpled and then flattened again

“An Ninh… you already thought about it all, right?”

“It wasn't planned, I just... suddenly thought of it.”

I looked down at my neatly trimmed nails

“Uncle often says 'to be a human being you have to follow the rules', so today we just follow the rules—if you want ownership, you have to pay, if you want me to pay, you have to have your name. This scale cannot only lean to one side."

“You… you're forcing us into a corner!”

His finger trembled and pointed at me, his voice hoarse. Manager Vuong stood frozen in place, his hand dangling in mid-air, unable to retract it, unable to extend it either.

“Trieu Hao.”

I suddenly called his name, my voice was very soft, but it made the whole room immediately fall silent

“My parents said this house was bought for me. But if it does not have any legal binding on you… then what is it to you?”

He opened his mouth. But no sound came out.

“Just an illusion.”

I finished speaking for him, my voice light as if I was telling an unrelated story

“A dream that I will never be able to reach.”

Liu Cam jumped up, the bag strap slipped from his shoulder

“An Ninh! How can you be so cruel? We are Tieu Hao's biological parents!”

"Just because he is a biological parent, he should not be used in the name of 'for the child's good' to make him a dependent."

I raised my eyes to look at her

“You took away his eligibility to buy a house, conveniently taking away the responsibilities of an adult. You signed this ownership agreement on his behalf, and you personally broke his backbone of independence."

“You talk nonsense! I don't understand being a parent at all!”

Her voice cracked, mixed with choking sounds.

“You don't need to understand.”

I stood up, slowly stuffed my bank card back into my pocket

“I just need to know clearly—this 9,300,000 yuan, are you two planning to swipe the card, or transfer money?”

Trieu Truong Lam's lips trembled, it took a long time for him to force out a sentence

“An Ninh… do you have to be so tense?”

“It's not your fault.”

I picked up my bag, the strap slipping through my fingertips

"It's you guys, you both want to have a name and also want to stay out of the picture."

“Just don't buy it! Tieu Hao, go!”

Liu Cam grabbed the bag, his hands shaking so much that he couldn't even close the lock. Trieu Truong Lam stood up, his chair slid back and hit the wall with a "click" sound. He glared at me, then turned and left. Trieu Hao stood frozen in place, his silhouette stretched thin by the light. He looked at me for a few seconds, then finally bowed his head and hurriedly chased after me. The VIP room only left me, To Tinh and manager Vuong. She was still holding the stack of unsigned contracts, the edges of the paper were soaked with sweat and streaked with streaks.

“Miss Chu… this…”

Her lips moved slightly, her voice as dry as sandpaper.

“Sorry, Manager Vuong.”

I nodded slightly, politely beyond reproach

“We won't buy this house anymore.”

As soon as the swing door opened, the sunlight outside poured straight down, so bright that it hurt my eyes. To Tinh immediately put his arm around my shoulder, the force was so strong that I slightly swayed forward

“Chu An Ninh! You just... were like the top of the top, my legs felt weak when I heard it!"

I rested my chin on her shoulder, said nothing, just took a deep breath. In the wind there was a slightly acrid smell of sycamore leaves, mixed with the deep sound of pile driving from a distant construction site. Three years, more than a thousand days and nights. All it takes is one contract, one word of letting go... to be able to turn the page. But I don't feel torn in my heart, I don't have any regrets about turning back. There's only an empty space left that's almost deserted... but strangely peaceful. Leaving the sales center, the early autumn wind blew across my cheeks, bringing with it a slight chill. To Tinh no longer teased, just quietly held it my hand, pulling me towards the warmly lit cafe on the corner of the street.

“Are you okay?”

She pushed the door open for me and asked in a low voice. She ordered me a hot latte, with thick milk foam and a small leaf drawn on the top.

“Um… it's fine.”

I took it, but my fingertips still trembled uncontrollably.

“Don't try anymore, An Ninh.”

She breathed softly, her voice not loud, but warm like a blanket covering my cold chest

“Three years… not three days, three weeks.”

I bowed my head and took a sip of coffee. The bitter taste rushes to the tip of the tongue, then slowly melts into a bit of sweetness

"Realizing early is better than finding out when you register your marriage."

“Did… did you already have it all planned out?”

She stared into my eyes. I put the cup down on the wooden table, my voice became steadier

“Just lying down last night thinking… then suddenly it became clear.”

“Clear what?”

“Awake.”

I looked out at the clouds drifting outside the window

“The moment his parents made that request, I knew… this marriage could not continue.”

“But what's the point?”

She still didn't let go.

“The key is… he stood there, not saying a word.”

I withdrew my eyes and lowered my voice

"His parents pressured him to that extent, all he could do was tell me to 'sympathize more'. To Tinh, a person who doesn't even dare to protect his woman... what kind of life can I count on him to handle?"

She didn't object anymore. Just quietly tear open the sugar packet, pour it into your cup, stir slowly a few times.