Chapter 4 — When he returned, the house had been transferred to someone else's name

I calmly replied.

“All the documents, notarizations and contracts, I left copies at my lawyer.”

“If you want to sue, he will follow you to the end.”

“But I advise you best not to do that.”

I used a small knife to gently peel away the excess soil at the bottom of the vase, making the surface more flat.

"About you asking Bach Vy's uncle to falsify loan cash flow records to increase leverage for that investment apartment, I have also helped you arrange complete evidence."

“Once the case goes to court, those things are filed with the judge and the bank.”

“At that time, whether it is you who has to go to jail or me who has to pay compensation, you can calculate it yourself.”

On the other end of the line, only heavy breathing remained. Like a wild animal trapped in a cage. I won. From the moment I decided to sell that house, I rehearsed every possible situation in my head. Including Chu Minh's hedge-pulling reaction at this time.

“To Tinh... I..."

For the first time there was fear in his voice.

“What do you want in the end?”

“I don't want it at all.”

I placed the finished vase on the shelf and waited for it to dry naturally.

“I just want to get back what belongs to me.”

“Then start your own life.”

“It should have ended between us a long time ago.”

“From the day you decided to move out to live with another woman, you came back and told me to reflect on myself.”

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. Then drag that phone number to the blacklist. The world once again became quiet. I returned to the pottery room and continued to perfect my vase. Sunlight penetrates through the window. Falling onto the still damp clay layer. Also fell on me. Extremely warm. Fall in Vancouver comes quickly. I held a cup of hot coffee, sat in front of the ground-level glass window in the apartment, watching the maple leaves downstairs gradually turn red. The translation work is progressing very smoothly. Through Ms. Luu's introduction, I also received a long-term project, specializing in translating the content of artifacts for a local Chinese community museum. The pottery class continues. Now I can make a ceramic cup with my own hands that looks presentable. I sent the first finished product back home to my parents. Life is as peaceful as the blue lake outside the window. Until my mother called. Her voice choked. Even though we were half a world apart, I still felt her panic and anxiety.

"Tinh Tinh! What are you doing?"

“You and Tieu Chu... you two...”

I put down the coffee cup and went to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water.

“Mom, please calm down and talk slowly to see what happened?”

“Chu Minh just called mom!”

Mother's voice was both urgent and intense.

"He cried to his mother, saying that I sold the house and ran away with all the money, and... there are other people outside so I don't need him anymore!"

"He said he is now empty-handed, has no home to return to, and has been forced to the point where he can't live anymore!"

I listened quietly. I had predicted this move of Chu Minh before. If you can't win against me, you'll attack my weakest point. It's my parents. He knew my mother was soft-hearted. I also know that my grandparents are people who value face more than anything. Waiting for her to finish speaking, I calmed down static spoke up.

"First, the house is mine, I sold it legally. That money is also mine."

"Second, I don't have anyone else. I live alone abroad now."

"Third, he is not empty-handed. He has a job, has savings, and even has an investment apartment for Bach Vy's cousin."

“He lived very well, and will live very well.”

I recounted everything between me and Chu Minh. From him living with Bach Vy. As far as falsifying cash flow records. With all the evidence in my hand. I used the simplest and most straightforward words to explain to my mother. The other end of the line was silent. A long time later. Mom just let out a sigh.

“That animal!”

"Tinh Tinh, it's not a good mother. In the past, she always advised me that all men love to play, they just need to know how to turn around..."

I interrupted her.

“I don't blame mom.”

“It's over.”

"So when you're alone abroad, you have to take good care of yourself. Is the money enough for you? Mom and Dad, please send me some more..."

“That's enough, Mom.”

“I can raise myself.”

After reassuring my mother and hanging up the phone, I looked out the window. But the peace from before was gone. Chu Minh is like a thorn. Even though it was pulled out of my skin. The wound still needs time to heal. But he always has a way of appearing right when you're about to forget, then aggressively presses hard on the most painful place. The phone rang again. Still an unfamiliar domestic phone number.