Chapter 13 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

Behind me there was no longer any sound. Since that day. Luc Can Nien disappeared for a week. Don't call. No texting. It also no longer appears under the building where I live. I thought... He finally gave up. On the eighth day. Pho Thinh Lan called.

"There's some bad news."

"Luc Minh An is looking for a buyer."

"He plans to sell all of Luc Thi's remaining shares to a real estate group in another province."

"The condition is..."

"After investing capital, the other party must help stabilize the stock price."

"What if it succeeds?"

"If successful..."

"Luc Thi will no longer lack money."

"Fifteen percent of the shares in your hands still retain their value..."

"But it won't be enough to threaten them anymore."

I put down the file in my hand.

"Who is that corporation?"

"Thinh Trach Real Estate."

"The boss's name is Hoang."

"Very famous in the South."

"For several years now, I still want to expand into the Northern market."

"Does he know about the Luc family?"

"But he doesn't care."

"For him..."

"Buying it at a low price is a good deal."

"And the Luc family's scandals..."

"He thinks that just doing the media will solve the problem."

I was silent for a few seconds.

"Phuong Niem Tri."

Pho Thinh Lan asked.

"Are you planning on taking action?"

"How?"

"Before signing the contract with Luc Thi..."

"Thinh Trach will definitely conduct an appraisal."

"If during that process..."

"They discovered Luc Thi had other underlying problems."

"For example..."

"The legal procedures of some lands are not valid."

"Or some disputed contracts."

"Mr. Hoang will have to reconsider."

"Do you have those in your hand?"

Pho Thinh Lan's voice was very calm.

"Ten years ago..."

"When Luc Minh An kicked me out of the company..."

"I backed up some documents."

"At that time it was just to protect myself."

"Unexpected..."

"Today there is a place to use martial arts."

"Give it to me."

"But I have one condition."

"After work is done."

"We consider that no one owes anyone anything."

"Fifteen percent shares."

"Plus today's brochure."

"Both sides pay fairly."

I agree. Hang up the phone. I sat by the window thinking for a long time. Luc Minh An's final retreat... We absolutely cannot let him go. If he gets up... Everything will have to start from the beginning. Two days later. Pho Thinh Lan's documents were delivered. I asked lawyer Tran Tung to revise it. Turn it into a complete Risk Warning Report. Through Co Dien Chu's relationship... Delivered directly to the appraisal team of Thinh Trach Real Estate. Not an anonymous complaint. But in the name of...

"A reminder of good will."

A person who had an old relationship with Mr. Hoang... While having a meal, he accidentally said something.

"Old Hoang."

"Are you really planning to accept Luc Thi's project?"

"I heard..."

"Their land in the East of the city has some procedural problems."

After Thinh Trach's appraisal report is completed. Mr. Hoang immediately withdrew his intention to purchase. No statement was issued. Just quietly leave the negotiating table. Luc Minh An's last retreat... Has been completely cut off. Received the news last night. Co Dien Chu poured me a glass of wine.

"Celebrate?"

"Not to the point."

I raised my glass of wine.

"It's just..."

"Breathe for now Relax a little."

"What's next?"

"Wait for them to create internal chaos first."

My guess... Absolutely correct. Less than three days. Luc Thi's board of directors broke out in conflict. Several elders who have followed Luc Minh An for more than ten years... began to publicly express their stance.

"The company is not your own."

"Today's situation..."

"It's because your personal problems are dragging down the entire corporation."

"Or..."

"He resigned as Chairman."

"Let Mr. Luc take over."

"We will jointly propose dismissal."

Luc Minh An was furious. I heard... After the meeting ended. He smashed the entire tea set in the office. What's the use of getting angry? Capital market... Don't believe in tears. Also don't believe in table smashes. Banks continuously push for debt. Shareholders put pressure. The partner stands outside and observes. The media follows every step closely. The entire Luc Thi Group... Like a ship that lost its rudder in the middle of a big storm. Standing on the shore. Quietly looking at everything. On to the fourth day. Someone who was beyond my expectations came. Luc Can Nien's mother. Zhou Manzhi. During seven years of marriage. She and I are not too close. She is the type of mother-in-law who is very "proper." Not too close. Not cold either. During Tet, give gifts. Everyday... Everyone lives their own life. When she appeared under the building where I lived. She wore a camel-colored cashmere coat. Exquisite makeup. Completely unable to see that her husband was standing on the brink of collapse.

"Nien Tri."

She smiled and called me. We are still one family.

"Auntie wants to talk to you."

"Is it convenient?"

I went with her to the coffee shop on the ground floor. She ordered a hot latte. Stir for a long time. Just slowly spoke up.

"Nien Tri."

"Auntie came today..."

"Not to patronize anyone."

I didn't reply.

"What Minh An does..."

"I only found out recently."

She looked at me. His eyes were very sincere.

"The story of the medicine bowl..."

"Cen Nien told aunt."

"I'm really shocked."

"It's also very heartbreaking..."

I interrupted her.

"I came to see you today..."

"What do you want to say?"

The smile on her face stiffened slightly. She slowly put down the coffee cup.