Chapter 3 — With only 9 Yuan left in my card, I decided to go abroad

I read it again and again twice. That last sentence made my nose sting. In the end, I only answered with one word: On the afternoon of the fourth day, after finishing the summary meeting, the person in charge of the Singapore side, Tran Sam, called me back. Tran Sam is over forty years old, works decisively, speaks without beating around the bush.

"Lin Van, I have already sent the optimal formula to the headquarters for review."

“What was the response?”

“They say this option can at least shorten the product launch cycle by two months.”

He looked at me.

"What position do you hold in your country? Director of research and development?"

“Waste of talent.”

He didn't say anything more, turned around and left. Those two words fell into my heart. But extremely sturdy. Wednesday night. I finished showering and changed into pajamas. Pour yourself a glass of red wine. Then sit down on the sofa. It's time. I connected my phone to the hotel WiFi and pressed the start button. The moment the screen lit up, the phone started vibrating crazily. Message alerts kept coming one after another.

“Ding ding ding ding ding…”

Continuously in a series, completely unable to distinguish which news is which. Lasted almost two minutes. The phone is hot to the touch. I put it on the table and waited for it to quiet down. Waiting until the vibration finally stopped, I picked it up to look at it. 83 missed calls. All from the same number. Note name: Tham Trach Chu. There are also 152 WeChat messages. Also sent by him. I took a sip of wine. Then start viewing from the first message. First day, 9:23 p.m.

"Why did you turn off the phone? I didn't answer your calls."

"I'm having dinner with a customer. Quickly send money to the customer. I forgot to bring my wallet when I went out."

9:40 a.m.

"Where are you? The customer is still sitting next to you, are you planning on making me lose face?"

10:08 a.m.

"Lam Van, are you still there? I had to use my colleague's card to advance it. When I get back, remember to pay it back."

Day two, 10 am.

"Lam Van, what do you mean by this? Are you playing the missing game?"

"The bank sent a text message saying the car loan payment failed, what's going on? Is there a problem with your card?"

11:30 a.m.

"I called you and you still turned off the phone. If you don't answer, I'll call your company directly!"

2 p.m.

"My card has no money, I can't even eat lunch."

“Where did you end up?”

"The management board came knocking on the door, saying that if they don't pay the fee anymore, they will lock the elevator card."

"Didn't you set up automatic payment? Why can't I deduct it anymore?"

"Lam Van, I'll ask you one last time, where are you?"

Tuesday's messages began to change tone.

“The water has been cut off at the house.”

“Where did you hide the money?”

"Did you run away with the money? Lam Van, I warn you, don't play tricks on me!"

"I came to your company, the receptionist said you were on a business trip to Singapore. When did it happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

5 p.m.

"I can't contact you, I'm going crazy. There's nothing left in the house, and I can't order food from outside."

Wednesday, 3:40 am.

“Wife, I'm wrong.”

"Can you open the phone? Just answer me one question."

"I haven't eaten properly for almost two days. My stomach hurts."

“There is no more money in the house to cook rice.”

“Without you I really don't know what to do.”

"Wife, I beg you, come back. This house is not available I can't be without you.”

I read every one of those 152 messages. A man's annual salary is 2 million yuan. Leave me... I can't even eat rice. I put down the glass of wine. From my personal account, I transferred 500 yuan to the partnership card. The transfer notes write one sentence:

“For the next eight months, 500 yuan will be transferred on the first day of each month. Mr. Tham, I hope you learn how to manage your expenses.”

I took a screenshot and saved it. Then open WeChat, find his profile picture. Delete contact. The system displays the following options:

“Will it be added to the blacklist or not?”

I tick. The phone book is also black. The whole world immediately became quiet. Nine minutes later, an unfamiliar domestic phone number called. I picked up the phone. On the other end of the line, Tham Trach Chu's voice rang out.

“What do you mean? 500 yuan? Do you consider me a beggar?”

I calmly replied:

“It's living expenses. You're an adult, learn how to organize yourself."

“What can 500 yuan do? You are too cruel!”

“That is a consequence of your own making.”

The other end suddenly changed to a different voice. Lemon is sour, high-pitched, full of spirit. Trieu Que Tran.

“Lam Van, you stone porridge!”

"My son's hard-earned money, what money would he not spend on you?"

I said nothing. She still didn't stop.

“It's stiff, right? Dare to run abroad? I tell you, quickly go back and take care of my son, otherwise don't blame me for not being polite!”

She cursed continuously for three minutes. Waiting until she had to stop to catch her breath, I opened my mouth:

“Are you done talking yet?”

She stopped. I gently said:

“Then I wish you and your son a happy life.”

Then hang up. Drag the number to the blacklist. Turn on blocking unknown numbers. The phone is finally completely quiet. But that quiet didn't last long. The next afternoon, a new message popped up on WeChat. The sender is Duong Pham, a mutual friend of mine and Tham Trach Chu.

“Miss Van, Trach Chu asked me to tell you, he really knew he was wrong. These past two days he has been reflecting on himself and thinking through many things. He said that when she comes back, he will definitely change, get the money back, and live properly with her."

“He's sincere, I can see it. You two have been husband and wife for many years, don't hurt your feelings because of temporary anger."

I held the phone and looked at it for a long time. The finger hovers above the message input box. Almost... I typed out a word. Right at that moment, Diep Tay's text message arrived. Diep Tay is my college roommate, currently working as the head nurse at the hospital, with a personality as straight as a scalpel. She sent me three screenshots.

“See for yourself what your husband said today in the group of friends.”

I opened the first one. In a chat group of more than forty people, Tham Trach Chu sent a message:

“My wife went on a business trip for a few days and lost contact. I really can't stand it alone at home, sigh…”

Below is someone answering: