Chapter 4 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

"I also have to thank Lam Hieu Vu, she really helped me a great deal."

"The dozens of pages of 'evidence' that she painstakingly collected... have now become iron evidence proving your fault in the marriage."

“Tell me, when dividing assets… whose side will the judge favor more?”

Every word I said was like a needle, piercing right into his most painful spot. Chu Van Bac's face turned from red to pale. His lips trembled, clearly not expecting me to have planned everything to this extent. In his eyes, I have always been a housewife, unaware of real life. He never thought that the woman he thought he could manipulate at will... could give him such a fatal blow.

“I packed five boxes for you.”

I looked at his dazed appearance and continued speaking.

“Clothes, books, razors, even my favorite purple teapot... are all in there.”

"I left it in the security room. If you want it, come get it."

“From today, that house… no longer has anything to do with you.”

Having said that, I didn't look at him again.

“Sister, let's go.”

This time, Chu Van Bac did not stop him. He just stood there, like a statue that had lost its soul, watching us leave in bewilderment. I could feel his eyes full of resentment and unwillingness, like sharp thorns stabbing into my back. But I didn't turn back. Not even once. Sitting in Trieu Tinh's car, I felt like my whole body was drained of strength. I leaned back in the chair, looking at the scenery outside the window moving quickly behind me, the corners of my eyes heated up a bit. Ten years of marriage... finally ended in such a cruel way. Trieu Tinh gave me a piece of paper.

“If you want to cry, just cry.”

I shook my head, forcing the tears that had just risen to swallow back.

“Not worth it.”

Someone like him… is not worth my tears. Trieu Tinh started the engine.

“Prepare yourself, there's a real battle ahead.”

"Someone like Chu Van Bac, it won't be easy for you to get what you want."

“He will definitely find a way to disperse his assets.”

I nodded, my eyes gradually returning to a determined look.

“So the next step… what do we do?”

Trieu Tinh smiled, his eyes flashing with the sharpness of a professional.

“Of course, freeze all of his assets.”

“Let him… truly taste what it feels like to leave empty-handed.”

Leaving the court, I did not return to the so-called "home" anymore. Trieu Tinh and I went straight to her law office. The office is located in the most luxurious building in the central area, the space is bright, neat, modern but cold style. Exactly like Trieu Tinh's personality. She made me a cup of hot tea, then took out a stack of papers from the filing cabinet.

“This is an application for asset preservation.”

"I sent someone to check all bank accounts, real estate, vehicles and shares in Chu Van Bac's name."

“Once the verification is complete, we will immediately file a petition with the court.”

“The court will make a decision within 48 hours. Once approved, all of his assets will be frozen.”

"Before completing divorce compensation and property division, he... could not touch a single penny."

Trieu Tinh's voice is fast, clear, each step is logical and strict, carrying a feeling of certainty of victory. I looked at her, a warm current welling up in my heart. In the midst of me Struggling the most, she was the one who pulled me out of the quagmire.

“Sister, thank you.”

“If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do.”

Trieu Tinh waved his hand and gently pushed his glasses.

“What politeness.”

"What's more, personally sending a man like Chu Van Bac to hell... I also feel very accomplished."

She stopped for a moment, her eyes became serious.

“Tan Tranh, next I will ask you a few questions, which may make you uncomfortable.”

“But if you want to win, you have to tell everything and not hide it.”

I nodded.

“Please ask.”

“Over the past ten years, besides three houses, two cars and a company in his name… do you know if he has any other assets?”

“For example, do you put it in your parents' name, or ask someone else to do it for you?”

I thought carefully. Chu Van Bac's parents are just retired workers, probably only have an old house to live in. As for being in my name... A name suddenly popped into my head.

“He has a cousin, named Truong Vi.”

"The two of them are very close. When Chu Van Bac's company first started, Truong Vi helped a lot."

"I remember one time he was drunk and accidentally said that he bought Truong Vi a large apartment along the river, as repayment."

"But on the red book... it's in Truong Vi's name."

Trieu Tinh's eyes immediately lit up.

“This information is very important.”

“We have a way to prove that the person who paid is really Chu Van Bac.”

"As long as it can be proven, that apartment is also common property in the marriage."

She continued to ask:

"Is there anything else? For example, did he buy large-value insurance? Who is the beneficiary?"

I shook my head.

“In ten years of marriage, he only bought me the most basic health insurance.”

“And other insurance… I never heard him mention it.”

Trieu Tinh smiled coldly.

“I guess, he must have bought a lot for himself… but the beneficiary is not you.”

“It's okay, these things can be found.”

We talked all afternoon. Trieu Tinh was like an expert hunter, leading me, from the ruins of ten years of marriage... to dig up beneficial clues little by little. Only now did I realize it. What I know about Zhou Wenbo... is sadly shallow. I just know he's busy and socializes a lot. But I don't know how much money his company actually makes and how profitable it is. I only know that he gave me living expenses and let me use the card. But I don't know how much personal money he hid behind my back and how many assets he transferred. He's like a dodgy actor. In front of me, he always plays the role of a hard-working, responsible husband. And I... was the stupidest audience, deceived for ten years. When the conversation ended, it was completely dark. Night falls, the city outside the window is bright with lights, the flow of cars flows like a galaxy. Trieu Tinh's assistant knocked on the door and walked in, handing her a stack of documents that had just been printed.

“Lawyer Trieu, has checked the money flow in Chu Van Bac's account.”

Trieu Tinh received it and flipped through it quickly. Her eyebrows tightened more and more.

"What's up?" I asked softly, my heart a little tense.

She gave me the documents.

“See for yourself.”

I took it, just glanced at it... my heart sank to the bottom.