Chapter 1 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

Ten years into my marriage, I suddenly received a summons from the court. The person suing me is named Lam Hieu Vu, accusing me of "destroying other people's families". In the lawsuit, she clearly wrote every detail, saying I seduced her boyfriend, and also attached dozens of pages of evidence: text messages, photos of wire transfers, and hotel room rental history. I looked at that pile of "evidence"... I couldn't help but laugh. Because the “boyfriend” in her mouth — was my husband. On the day of her appearance in court, she wore a white dress, tears in her eyes, and played the role of the victim. Every sentence and every word cast me in the role of "brazen little girl". The whole room was silent, everyone's eyes carried a bit of contempt. The judge looked at me, his voice calm:

“Do you have anything to say?”

I didn't rush to answer. Just slowly opened her bag and took out a red book.

With a "pop" sound, I placed it on the table.

Raise your head, look straight at her, the corners of your lips curl slightly:

“You said I was a little third…”

“I just want to ask one question—”

“Between you and me, who is the one who… doesn't have this?”

After being married for ten years, I always clean the floors in my house until there isn't a speck of dust. So shiny that you can clearly see people's silhouettes. Just like my marriage for the past ten years. Calm, clean… and cold. Chu Van Bac has not come home to eat for a long time. He said the company was busy, had many projects, and had to socialize. Or more accurately, I choose to believe. Until this afternoon, the doorbell rang. The person standing outside was not Chu Van Bac, but a uniformed delivery worker. He gave me a thick, kraft paper bag with a red court seal printed on the outside. My heart, in that moment, seemed to skip a beat. I signed and closed the door. Fingers trembling slightly, tearing the seal. Inside is a thick stack of documents. The first sheet — is the summons. Plaintiff: Lam Hieu Vu. Defendant: Tan Tranh. Tan Tranh... is my name. I continued reading down. Crime: destroying other people's families. I almost laughed out loud. I, Tan Tranh - a housewife who has been married for ten years, is being sued for destroying the family? I turned over the lawsuit again. Lam Hieu Vu wrote in it, tears and nose running profusely. She said that she and her boyfriend, Chu Van Bac, have deep feelings and have discussed marriage. She said I - Tan Tranh - was a shameless third person. Use all sorts of tricks to seduce her boyfriend. Behind the lawsuit are dozens of pages of "evidence". Photo of a WeChat message.

“Sleep well, baby.”

"Are you tired today? I ordered food for you."

"I miss you."

Every sentence, every word, was so cheesy that it gave me goosebumps. There is also a bank transfer history. There was even a sum of two hundred thousand. Note: buy a car for your baby. Finally, some hotel records. Time, location, clear to every detail. I turned the pages one by one. Hands become more and more steady. My heart... is also getting colder and colder. Ten years of marriage turned out to be just a joke from beginning to end. I, Tan Tranh, am the one being blindsided. And Lam Hieu Vu - the person pretending to be pitiful in the lawsuit - is the woman that Chu Van Bac raised outside. She... but she thinks I'm the third child. She also diligently collected all that "evidence" to prove that Chu Van Bac and I had a shady relationship. It's truly... the most ridiculous thing in the world. I gathered it all together Documents, neatly folded into file bags. The clock standing in the living room made a heavy ticking sound. Each beat, each beat... seemed to tap straight into my heart. I picked up the phone and called Chu Van Bac. It rang for a long time before he picked up. The other side was noisy, there was music, there was the sound of women laughing.

“Hello, A Tranh, what's the matter?”

His voice sounded a bit impatient.

“Where are you?” I asked, my voice as calm as dead water.

"At the company overtime, didn't I tell you? It's an urgent project."

He answered smoothly.

"Of course, why are you lying to me? Okay, no more talking, this side is busy, hang up now."

The call was hastily disconnected. I looked at the phone screen, heard a long, steady beeping sound... then slowly laughed. Laughter echoed in the empty room, carrying a bit of bitterness... and cold pleasure. Zhou Wenbo, Lam Hieu Vu. These two are truly an interesting pair of "victims". Having already set up the stage like that... How could I - the defendant - not appear brilliantly? I looked out the window, night was gradually falling. My eyes... little by little became colder. I will play this play to the end. Let's see in the end... who's the one who's ruined? In the days before going to court, I lived a strangely peaceful life. I did not contact Chu Van Bac again. He also didn't come home. Just send me a text message every day.

“Wife, you're crazy busy today, don't miss me.”

"The project is finished, there's a celebration party tonight, we'll be home late."

“I'm on a business trip, probably three to five days.”

Any news is like completing a mission. I looked at those lies and no longer bothered to answer. He seemed to be used to my silence and didn't ask any more questions. This marriage has long been nothing more than an empty shell. I spent a whole day cleaning up all the things that belonged to Chu Van Bac in this house. Clothes, books, razors. Even his favorite purple tea set. The traces of ten years... packed into five large boxes. As I taped the last box, I felt something in my heart... sealed as well. Then I contacted my lawyer. A senior in college that I haven't seen since graduation — Trieu Tinh. Currently, she is the most famous divorce lawyer in the city. When we met in the coffee shop, she was wearing a neat business suit and had sharp eyes.

“Tan Tranh, long time no see.”

She gently pushed her golden glasses and looked at me. I gave her the file bag. Trieu Tinh reads very quickly, but extremely carefully. From surprise, to shock... then finally a cold, almost sarcastic smile.

“I've been doing this job for so many years, this is the first time I've seen a myth like this.”

She raised her head to look at me.

"Tieu Tam sued the main house, Tieu Tam, and personally collected all the evidence of her husband's adultery and gave it to her wife."

“She probably wants to force me to retreat.”

I took a sip of coffee.

“No, she's stupid.”

Trieu Tinh spoke frankly.

“But for us, this is a good thing.”

She looked at me.

“What do you want to do?”

"Chu Van Bac has three houses, two cars, and company shares."

“All are common property after marriage.”

“I want him… to leave empty-handed.”

My voice is calm, without ripples. Trieu Tinh looked at me, his eyes flashed with a hint of distraction reward.

"No problem."

“This amount of evidence, plus what you have, is enough.”

She paused for a moment, then asked:

“But on trial day… are you sure you want to speak for yourself?”

I nodded.

“There are things... that must be ended by yourself.”

Trieu Tinh did not advise further.

“Okay, I will appear as your legal representative.”

“But the main confrontation, leave it to me.”

“When needed, I will act.”

“Thank you.”

"Nothing."

Trieu Tinh laughed.

“Dealing with traitors and idiots… is my specialty.”

The night before the court date, Chu Van Bac finally called me.

“A Tranh, why didn't you reply to the message?”

His voice carried a bit of questioning.

“I see.”

"If you see, why don't you answer? Do you know I'm worried?"

I almost burst out laughing.

“I thought you were busy.”

I said leisurely. The other end of the line was silent for a moment. Chu Van Bac seemed to realize something was wrong.

“A Tranh, is something wrong with you?”

He inquired.

"Do not have."

"So when are you coming back? I'll be back from a business trip in a few days."

“I won't come back anymore.”

“…What do you mean?”

His voice was low.

“Chu Van Bo.”

I say every word clearly.

“Let's get a divorce.”

It was as if he was hit squarely in the head by that statement.

“Tan Tranh, are you crazy?!”

He screamed.

“I'm not crazy.”

“I have never been more alert than I am right now.”

"Did you hear someone talking nonsense? You and that customer really have nothing!"

He hurriedly explained, but every sentence revealed loopholes.

“Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, city court, courtroom number three.”

I didn't pay attention to his words, just slowly said the time and place.

“What did you say?”

"Nothing."

“I just wanted to invite you… to see a play.”

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. Then turn off the phone. The world… is finally quiet.