Chapter 6 — 20 Million Yuan Buys Freedom, Not Marriage

The day the house renovation was completed, Lam Van came to help me move things. As soon as she entered, she looked east and west.

“136 square meters school district, four rooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms, large south-facing balcony, 40% greenery ratio — To Niem, this 20,000,000 yuan you spent is too valuable.”

I carried the last box into the bedroom.

"Whether it's worth it or not is a matter of later. Now help me hang the curtains first."

Busy all day, only finished cleaning most of it by the evening. Lam Van lay down on the sofa and suddenly stood up.

“Is that neighbor you mentioned, Co Tham, really the owner of Tham Nguyen Capital?”

“You looked up too?”

"Are you kidding, you said there's a single guy next door who drives Maybach, I didn't look it up." Her eyes lit up, "That's 20,000,000,000 yuan! 36 years old, unmarried! And handsome! To Niem, what's with your luck?"

“Don't think nonsense.”

“I'm not thinking nonsense, I'm analyzing—”

The doorbell rang. I opened the door. Co Tham stood there, carrying a bag.

“Welcome housewarming.”

In the bag is a bottle of wine. I glanced at the label — Romanee-Conti.

“This is too expensive.”

“It's just a bottle of wine.”

Lam Van jumped up from the sofa and ran to the door in three steps.

"Hello, hello, I'm Lam Van, To Niem's close friend. I've heard of you for a long time."

Co Tham smiled politely.

“Come in and sit down! We were about to order food—”

“Lam Van.” I glanced at her.

She winked at me, then pulled Co Tham into the living room. That night, the three of them ate a simple meal. Co Tham didn't say much, but every word he said was at the right time. Lam Van asked him what industry he worked in, he said finance. Asked why he was here, he said quiet. Asked if he had a girlfriend, he looked at me.

“Not yet.”

Under the table, Lam Van kicked me. I pretended not to feel it. After eating, when Co Tham returned, Lam Van immediately grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously.

“To Niem, listen to me, this man absolutely must not be let go.”

“I just broke up.”

"It's better to break up! After getting rid of the tramp, you meet a neighbor of this level. Isn't this God giving you food?"

“Please calm down.”

"I'm very calm! Do you know how many listed companies Tham Nguyen Capital has invested in? Last year's divestment project alone earned—"

“Lam Van, I don't want to talk about love right now.”

She looked at me, her smile gradually fading.

"Okay. Then take your time. But To Niem, good people won't wait forever."

The first month of moving into a new house, life was very peaceful. On weekdays I go to work, and on weekends I stay home and draw designs. Being with Co Tham gradually became a habit. On weekdays, everyone is busy with their own work, but on weekends we sometimes have a meal together. He never proactively crossed the line. I also didn't mean to get close. Just like that, keep a sufficient distance. Until that night. I worked overtime until after nine o'clock and just got to the 17th floor hallway when I heard an argument in front of door 1702. A woman's voice was sharp and shrill.

"Co Tham, you can hide for a while, but you can't hide for the rest of your life! Mom told me to go home, but I didn't come back, told me to go see if I didn't go - what do you want?"

“Sister, you don't need to worry about my business.”

"Don't care? You're thirty-six! Mom talks about you every day until she can't sleep, do you know that?"

“I will handle it.”

"Deal with it? You've been doing it for three years! If you still don't find someone to marry, mom said she'll freeze your company shares—"

Door suddenly opened. Co Tham's sister rushed out, almost bumping into me. The woman was in her forties, wearing a Chanel shirt, with a very strong aura. She saw me and stopped a bit.

"Neighbor." I replied.

She evaluated me from top to bottom, then looked at Co Tham, then looked at me. His eyes suddenly changed.

“Are you To Niem?”

I looked at Co Tham. He seemed a bit helpless.

“Co Tham mentioned you.” She smiled and held out her hand, "Hello, I'm Co Thanh, Co Tham's older sister."

I shook her hand.

“Hello.”

“Let's come over for dinner someday.” She patted my hand gently, then turned to glare at Co Tham, "Take care of yourself."

Having finished speaking, the high heels rang decisively and left. The hallway became quiet. Co Tham leaned against the door frame, looking at me.

“Sorry, let me hear you.”

“Your sister… is really interesting.”

“I'm just too worried.”

I didn't ask any more questions and turned around to open my door. I'm back. He stood under the hallway light, darkness covering half of his face.

"Are you free on Saturday? There's an art exhibition, I have an extra ticket."

I thought for two seconds.