Chapter 7 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

“Lawyer Trieu, Ms. Tan.”

"My client's intention is that after ten years of marriage, we should break up peacefully."

“We are willing to transfer a large apartment in the city center, along with a Mercedes in his name, to Ms. Tan.”

“In addition, an additional three hundred million in cash compensation.”

"In return, Ms. Tan needs to immediately withdraw the entire lawsuit and request an asset freeze."

Having finished speaking, he pushed the "reconciliation agreement" towards us. I glanced over. House, car, more money. It sounds generous. But compared to the huge assets that Chu Van Bac hid and transferred... This little bit is like a drop in the ocean. He's still testing me. Still think I'm a housewife who can be easily coaxed. I laughed softly. Laughter rang out in the quiet meeting room...so clear that it made people uncomfortable. Chu Van Bac's face immediately sank.

“What are you laughing at?”

I put down my teacup, finally looking straight at him.

“Chu Van Bac, how stupid do you think I am?”

“Or do you think I invited lawyer Trieu here… to play childish games with you?”

My eyes turned to his lawyer.

“Lawyer Ly, right?”

“I want to ask, does your client's plan... include life insurance contracts with a total value of twenty million?”

“Does that include the nearly ten million in cash he just transferred a few days ago?”

“Oh right, there's one more thing.”

I stopped for a moment and said each word slowly.

"The large apartment along the river, in the name of cousin Truong Vi... is worth more than ten million."

My words just ended. Chu Van Bac's face immediately turned pale. His throat seemed to be choked, he looked at me in horror, unable to say a word. The lawyer next to him also stiffened. Obviously… he never knew all of this. The meeting room fell into a strange silence. The sunlight shined in, I could even clearly see the dust floating in the air. Trieu Tinh's voice broke that freeze. She slowly pushed the agreement back towards them.

“My client's conditions… have never changed.”

"Mr. Chu committed adultery during the marriage and at the same time dissipated common assets, the evidence is clear, it belongs to the guilty party."

“We request that seventy percent of the joint assets belong to my client.”

“In addition, Mr. Chu must compensate for mental damages… five hundred million.”

“This is the final limit.”

“If we agree, we sign right here.”

“If not…”

Trieu Tinh smiled, his eyes cold.

“Let's meet in court then.”

“At that time, what needs to be talked about… I'm afraid it won't just be about property division anymore.”

Her eyes glanced slightly at Chu Van Bac. He understood very well what that meant. Black money, transactions that cannot be brought to light... All can be overturned. His body began to tremble. He was pushed to the edge.

“Tan Tranh!”

He jumped up, his hands on the table, his body leaning forward, his eyes bloodshot.

“Do you have to push me to the end?!”

I looked straight at him, my voice calm.

“I just… don't want to be considered stupid anymore.”

“You... taught me how to push people to the edge.”

That mediation session... ended with Chu Van Bac leaving halfway through. When I left, those eyes that once captivated me... were now full of venom. I know, he won't stop easily. A familiar person has control over everything thing… will not accept failure. Sure enough, that night, I received a strange call. On the other end of the line... was someone with whom I had almost no contact for ten years. Her voice was still as arrogant as before.

“Tan Tranh, it's me.”

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, my voice calm.

Ten years of marriage, I still call her "aunt". She also never allowed me to call her "mother". In her eyes, I - a daughter-in-law from an ordinary background - was never worthy of her excellent son.

“I heard… you want to divorce Van Bo?”

She got straight to the point.

“Do you still want to divide half of its assets?”

Her voice turned sharp.

“Not half.”

I gently corrected it.

“It's seventy percent.”

The other end of the line... was silent for a long time. I can almost imagine her face right now... contorted with anger.

“Tan Tranh, a human cannot be so unscrupulous!”

She finally exploded.

“You married into my house for ten years, ate at my house, lived in my house, what have you done for this house?”

"Van Bac is working hard outside and doing business, you only know how to stay at home and enjoy yourself. Now that you're fully grown, do you want to go back and pick fruit?"

“I tell you, there is no door!”

These words… I've been listening for ten years. Before, I always laughed it off, even asking myself... am I not doing well enough. But now… I just find it ridiculous. I interrupted her anger.