Chapter 14 — 47 Days of Betrayal, I Turned the Game Over

The baby laughed. The sunlight shone on his face, warm. Three months later. Hai Duong Loan project completed. During the handover, Han Chinh said one sentence.

“This is the most successful project I have ever invested in.”

A media site in the design world published an interview with the title:

“To Niem An: The most difficult year, creating the best design.”

I don't accept interviews. Let Tieu Luu go instead. In the article, he said:

"This year, Ms. To has gone through a lot, but has never had a single project affected."

After the post went up, I received a lot of messages. From colleagues, partners, customers. Even strangers. I don't reply to any messages. Not because of coldness. But because there really is no time. I'm busy with my next project. During the company's year-end summary meeting, Ngo Chan Vu reported revenue.

“This year total revenue increased by 40%, the main contribution comes from the Hai Duong Loan project and three subsequent projects, all of which are led by To Niem An.”

He looked at me.

“Nien An, say a few words.”

I stood up.

“Nothing to say, continue next year.”

The whole room applauded. After the meeting, Ngo Chan Vu called me back.

“There's something to tell you.”

“What?”

"Han Chinh opened a new company and wants to invite you to be a design consultant. Annual salary is 200,000 yuan. Please consider it."

“I don't accept.”

"I don't work as an employee for anyone. If we cooperate, we do it according to the project."

Ngo Chan Vu laughed.

“Okay, I'll answer back.”

Six months later. Lawyer Tran called.

“Sister To, Lam Tri Vien has been extradited back to the country.”

“Yesterday, currently in detention.”

“Is the trial yet?”

“No, the first instance trial is expected to open in two months. With the charges of falsifying documents, fraud and illegally taking children abroad, the prosecution is recommending a sentence of eight to twelve years.”

“What about Trieu Vinh Xuong?”

“The first instance trial has already been completed, for contract fraud, sentenced to 5 years and 6 months.”

“And Ha Khai Minh?”

“Canada has sentenced, immigration fraud plus money laundering, a total of 6 years.”

“Chu Uyen?”

“Indicted as an accomplice, for falsifying notarized documents, the prosecution requested a sentence of 3 to 5 years.”

"Miss To, there's one more thing. Lam Tri Vien in the detention center asked his lawyer to convey his message and wants to see you once."

I was silent for a few seconds.

“No see.”

“He said he had a lot to tell you.”

“If you have anything, tell the court.”

"I get it."

“Lawyer Tran, the case is over, our authorization contract is also over, thank you.”

“Sister To, it was you who saved yourself, I just did my part.”

I hung up. Outside the window is Beijing's rare blue sky. The air is so clear and light that it makes people want to take a deep breath. One year later. The villa in Cam Lan Phu has been completely renovated. The wisteria trellis was neatly trimmed and a new frame was rebuilt. Tieu Hoa's room was painted mint green like she wanted. The violin was replaced with a new one, and every day after school she went to the backyard to practice for half an hour. During the blooming season, the sound of the guitar drifts out with the wind, and sometimes people passing by stop to listen for a while. My office changed to a larger drawing desk. On the wall hangs a photo of the completed Hai Duong Loan project. Next to it is a new sketch, the city cultural center project, a contract of 2,000 thousand yuan. It was the first large-scale project I signed myself. The company increased my shares, from senior partner to co-founder. Mom comes once a week and makes cinnamon flower cakes for Tieu Hoa. Dad comes every two weeks to teach her how to play chess. Tieu Hoa returned to her old school, the teacher said she studied well and her personality gradually returned to the same as before. One parent meeting, the teacher pulled me aside.

"Miss To, Tieu Hoa recently wrote an essay called 'My Mother'. I was very moved after reading it. I wanted to let her read it in front of the class. Do you agree?"

"Of course."

At the end of the meeting, Tieu Hoa ran to hold my hand.

“Mom, the teacher said my essay was very good!”

“What did you write?”

“I wrote that you are the bravest person in the world.”

I sat down in front of my child.

“I'm not that brave.”

“Mom, I went to a foreign country to bring you home, I'm the bravest person.”

I patted my child's head.

“Let's go, go home, today grandma will make sweet and sour fried ribs.”

She pulled my hand and skipped towards the parking lot. The sunlight is very beautiful. In the wind there was the smell of wisteria flowers. I looked at the phone. No unread messages. There's nothing that needs to be done. A quiet day. It's finally quiet. Next to her, Tieu Hoa hummed and sang. If she couldn't remember all the words, she made up her own. The more she sang, the happier she became. I started the engine. In the rearview mirror, the school gradually recedes. The road ahead is still very long. But bright.