Chapter 6
Edward Quan ·
“Really has done wrong.”
For the first time, my mother-in-law yielded.
“But he knows it. He cried all last night. Said he couldn’t live without you.”
“That’s his business.”
“Jiang—”
“Please stop.”
I looked at her.
“If you truly want to persuade me, tell your son to explain where that five hundred thousand went. Especially the three hundred thousand used to scam Liu Qiang.”
She went pale.
“You know?”
“I know everything. Did you consider the consequences when you planned it?”
Her mouth opened. Nothing came out.
“Liu Qiang borrowed from loan sharks. He’s fled. Zhao Qian has two children to raise alone and can’t pay her mortgage. Is that what you wanted?”
Her eyes reddened.
“I only wanted Qian to divorce him—”
“Then tell him to divorce her. Why scam him?”
“He wouldn’t agree—”
“So you could cheat him? Put your son down as legal representative? Use three hundred thousand from our account to set him up?”
She had no answer.
Looking at her, I suddenly felt exhausted.
“Go home.”
“What about Lei—”
“Let him come and speak for himself.”
At two, Zhao Lei arrived.
Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, he wore the black coat I had bought him.
His eyes were swollen. He had clearly cried.
“Jiang Wan.”
“You’re here.”
“I don’t want a divorce.”
“Then you—”
“I have a few questions. Answer honestly.”
“Ask.”
“First, what are you going to do about Liu Qiang?”
“I’ve contacted a lawyer. I’ll find a way to return the three hundred thousand.”
“How?”
“Sell the house.”
“Sell it?”
“Yes. Repay him, find him, and apologize.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“No. But I can look.”
I was silent for a few seconds.
“Second, what about the five thousand a month for your mother?”
“I’ll explain it to her. From now on, only two thousand. I’ll save the rest.”
“Where?”
“The household account.”
“What household account?”
I looked him in the eye.
“Do you think we still have one?”
“I transferred all the money out yesterday.”
“Where?”
“My own account.”
“That’s marital property—”
“It’s my money.”
I continued.
“Listen carefully. In five years, you deposited less than a hundred thousand. The other four hundred thousand came from me. With my bonus, that makes eight hundred thousand. It has nothing to do with you.”
He clenched his fists.
“You want to go to court?”
“No.”
“Then what do you want?”
“To set conditions.”
“What conditions?”
“First, divide the house proceeds into thirds. One for Liu Qiang, one for your mother’s retirement, one for your sister to raise her children.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t want it. Only my 1.2 million.”
“The house is our joint property—”
“Your family paid the three-hundred-thousand down payment. I paid the monthly mortgage. If you want to count, we can go through every item.”
“What’s the second?”
“From today, your business has nothing to do with me. You don’t need to report to me, and I won’t interfere. But—”
“But?”
“If you borrow in my name or use my details for anything, I’ll call the police.”
He drew a deep breath.
“Anything else?”
“Yes. Third, we separate for a year. If you meet the first two conditions, we can discuss getting back together then.”
“A year?”
“Yes.”
“That’s too long—”
“No. You spent five years disappointing me. A year is the least I can ask.”
He stood looking at the ground.
After a long while, he said, “All right. I agree.”
8
We signed a separation agreement.
The house went on the market.
Zhao Lei sold his car and transferred the money to Liu Qiang’s account.
My mother-in-law went back to her hometown.
Before leaving, she called.
“Jiang, I’m sorry.”
“I was wrong. I always treated you as an outsider.”
Her voice caught.
“I understand now. You’re Lei’s wife. You’re family.”
“Those words—”
“I know it’s late.”
She cut me off.
“But he really is changing. He takes the subway to work, cooks when he gets home, and is learning to manage his money. He says he’ll come for you once the debts are paid.”
I held the phone tightly without speaking.
“Jiang, I’m asking one favor.”
“Go on.”