Chapter 4 — Want the house to be named after your father? So You Pay The Money

“I paid 930,000 yuan as a deposit, and his father's name was on the book.”

I smiled softly

"Thirty years later, every month I still have to pay nearly 10,000 in loan payments... in the end I don't even have a word."

“So what are you going to exchange for?” she asked.

“In exchange for what?”

I laughed

"In exchange for his salary of less than 10,000? Or in exchange for his parents' detailed calculations?"

“This time you chose the right path.”

To Tinh placed her hand on the back of my hand, her palm was warm

"That kind of family, getting married is both a daughter-in-law and unpaid labor."

I nodded. For some reason, the bridge of my nose suddenly pricked up, and tears fell without warning. Not because I feel sorry for Trieu Hao. It's about feeling sorry for myself for the past three years—running too fast, too reckless. I thought I had a stable future. Who would have thought that in his hand... was just an empty check that had long since expired. The phone vibrates. The screen displays the words "Trieu Hao". I glanced, my finger slid across—off. It called again. I still refuse. The third time, I took a breath and pressed listen.

"An Ninh, where are you? Let's talk."

His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper had been rubbed over it.

“What are we talking about?”

I asked very calmly

"Tell me how to turn your money into a house in your father's name?"

“Are you a bit too much today?”

There was some warmth in his voice

“My parents are old, you say that in front of others… is it okay?”

I smiled softly

“Trieu Hao, this call of yours… is to demand justice on their behalf?”

“They are really for us!”

He was impatient

"The house is in my father's name. Won't we still live in it from now on?"

“Trieu Hao, listen carefully—”

I paused for a moment, each word falling clearly

"According to the law, as long as your or my name is not written on it, that house is my father's personal property. Whether he wants to sell it, donate it, mortgage it, or even leave it to anyone... is his right. As for you? If you spend money, you don't even have a debt note."

"It can't be like that! My parents aren't that kind of people!"

He blurted out.

"Not?"

“So when I was in the house sales office, as soon as I opened my mouth, they wanted me to sign a paper relinquishing ownership… why didn't you stop me?”

The other end of the line was silent. There was only the sound of heavy breathing.

“Let's break up.”

As soon as the words came out, it felt like something was lifted from my chest.

“An Ninh, don't be impulsive!”

He suddenly raised his voice

"Three years of love, just because of one name on the house book, you're covering it up?"

“A name?”

My voice also raised

"That's a 9,300,000 yuan house! For three years I cut down on every meal out, put off every trip, and collected every penny for the deposit!"

“I understand… but…”

“There are no ‘buts’.”

I interrupted

"Trieu Hao, right at the moment in the house sales room, I saw clearly—you are not a shoulder to lean on, you are a blade of grass swaying in the wind. Not a husband who can be trusted, but a genuine 'mama boy'."

“An Ninh, calm down…”

“No need.”

I said softly

“Let's come here.”

Then I hung up. To Tinh gave me a soft tissue paper, printed with small light pink flowers.

“Cry it out, it will feel lighter.” she said.

I wiped my tears, my voice a bit hoarse

“Actually, it doesn't hurt... just feels funny.”

“What are you laughing at?”

“Laughing at yourself is like a walking ATM machine.”

I smiled bitterly

“His salary is less than 10,000 yuan, I tried to pay again; He said to save money to buy a house, I gritted my teeth and gave up all travel; For his parents' birthday, I chose expensive gifts; His cousin got married, I conveniently gave him more than 10,000 in lucky money... I thought love was reciprocal, but in their eyes, I was just a bank card with a temperature."

To Tinh shook her head

“Chu An Ninh, you are not being soft-hearted… but giving too much, to the point where there is no room left for defense.”

“It's not soft either.”

I looked at the layer of coffee grounds at the bottom of the cup

“It's stupid. I thought sincerity could be exchanged for sincerity, but unexpectedly people only looked at the numbers in the account.”

The phone lights up again. This time it's "Liu Cam". I looked for two seconds, then picked up the phone.

“An Ninh, I want to talk to you properly.”

Her voice was as sweet as sugar water

"I didn't think carefully about what happened today. I apologize in advance."

I didn't speak, just listened to the sound of the TV echoing from the other end, as if broadcasting a weather forecast.

"You and Tieu Hao have been together for so long, it's not an easy relationship."

She was still smiling

"Just because of a small matter, turning your face is not worth it."

“Uncle, this is not a small matter.”

My voice was still polite, but every word was clear.

“I know you're upset.”

She sighed

“Or like this, each side takes a step back—add your name to the house book, okay?”

"Impossible."

I answered immediately.

“So what do you want anyway?”

Her voice turned cold.

“What I want, has never been where the name is.”

I speak slowly

“But I understand—you and Trieu Hao were not on the same path from the beginning.”

“Chu An Ninh!”

She finally couldn't hold back

“My family's conditions are so good, Tieu Hao. You're already thirty, so you're still picky? Do you think you are so valuable?”

“You're right.”

I smiled

"So I don't dare to raise myself too high, nor do I intend to lower myself."

She was so angry that she was speechless, then with a "click" sound, she hung up. To Tinh gave me a thumbs up, her eyes curved into moon shapes

"Chu An Ninh, this scene of yours... is enough to write a 'cut off contact' textbook."

"Humans, we have to stumble a few times to know how to avoid pits."

I drank the last sip of my cold coffee

“Let's go eat, I'll pay for it today.”

“What to eat?”

"The last time I passed by that Japanese restaurant, I saw a plate of greasy salmon in the glass case. I'll never forget it."

I stood up and adjusted my scarf

“When he said it was expensive before, I nodded and ignored it. But today… I will order the most expensive part on the menu.”

To Tinh smiled and took my arm

“When you hear this sentence, you already see it. Women don't need to wait for someone to shine, they can shine themselves."

Stepping out of the cafe, the sunset tilted over the entire street. The shadow of sycamore leaves moves gently on the ground, like slow breathing. I raised my head and took a deep breath. There was a sweet smell of roasted chestnuts in the air, mixed with the scent of cinnamon flowers wafting lightly in the afternoon breeze. Three years of love... Like a notebook that has been turned over until its edges are frayed. Too many mistakes, can't fix them. It's better to exchange for a new book. At least now, I understand— There are men who can't even stand firmly at the door of marriage... let alone handle the second half of a woman's life. The phone vibrates again. The screen shows “Trieu Xuyen”. I hesitated for half a second, then pressed listen.

“My…my brother told me to call you.”

His voice sounded a bit embarrassed

“He said… you two must have had some misunderstanding there."

“It's not a misunderstanding.”

I said very calmly

“It's the last stop.”

“Don't be like that, sister!”

He was frantic

“We really care about you, it's been three years since you two…”

“Trieu Xuyen.”

I interrupted softly

“Do you think your brother… treats me well?”

He stopped

“This… he's just a soft-hearted person, not a bad person.”

“There is nothing wrong with being soft.”

I watched a white dove glide across the roof in the distance

"But a man, if he doesn't dare to speak up even when his woman is upset... that's not gentle, but irresponsible."

“Don't call me anymore.”

I smiled slightly

“Sister and brothers… it's officially over.”

I hung up. As light as closing an old book. To Tinh tilted her head to look at me

“This time… there really is no turning back?”

I nodded, my eyes bright

“Compared to marrying someone who can't even say 'no'… I'd rather eat alone, watch movies, and bask in the sun.”

She hugged my shoulders

“Go, eat Japanese food! Don't drink sake today, change to apricot wine—it's a bit lightheaded to match the vibe.”

I laughed.