Chapter 18 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

Elder Trinh is eighty-two years old this year. White hair. But the spirit is still extremely clear. His eyes were bright like a young person. I placed the jade piece in front of him. He picked it up and looked at it for a moment. Fingertips gently caress the pearl's face. After a long time, still nothing was said.

"This is Thuc Hoa's stuff."

His voice was a bit hoarse.

"Before she passed away, she called me once."

"She said..."

"I have entrusted this piece of jade to someone."

"If something happens to that person in the future..."

"Come find me."

He raised his head to look at me.

"I look a lot like her."

He smiled.

"Just like Thuc Hoa when he was young."

I was silent.

"I came to find you today..."

"Is something wrong?"

I placed Luc Minh An's petition on the table. He bowed his head to watch. About a few minutes later. He laughed.

"Luc Minh An in the past..."

"Just an employee under Thuc Hoa."

"Thirty years have passed."

"Still hasn't changed."

"Can't win..."

"Starting to play tricks again."

"Elder Trinh."

"I didn't come to ask you for help with a lawsuit."

I looked at him.

"I just need..."

"Help me with something."

"The Chamber of Commerce has a party tomorrow."

"Luc Minh An will come."

"I hope..."

"You're coming too."

"Just sit at the table with me."

He looked at me.

"Other things..."

"You don't need to do it."

"If only everyone could see you standing on my side..."

"Luc Minh An will no longer dare to cause trouble."

Elder Trinh returned the jade piece.

"Tomorrow."

"He will come."

The merchant guild's party was held at a private restaurant in the west of the city. There were more than twenty famous local businessmen in attendance. Luc Minh An also came. Just walked in the door. He saw me. Stunned for a moment. Right after that. He saw old Trinh sitting next to me. Footsteps... Clearly stopped for half a beat. Elder Trinh sat on my right. During the meal. He talked and laughed with me. Three times he proactively picked up food for me. Twice in front of everyone they called me: Everyone present was an old fox in the marketplace. Who doesn't understand... What does that mean? Elder Trinh... Is the person with the highest status. Also the most prestigious person in the world. He openly protects someone. It's like telling everyone... This girl. No one is allowed to touch it. During the whole meal. Luc Minh An hardly said a word. When the party is over. He went out the door. Just in time... I was also standing there wearing my coat. Two people facing each other. He looked at me. Lips moved slightly. I didn't give him a chance to open his mouth. I smiled and called him.

"Complaint..."

"I got it."

"My lawyer said..."

"If you agree to withdraw the application."

"I will not pursue charges of slander."

His face turned red.

"Phuong Niem Tri..."

"Don't you..."

"I give you three days."

I put the scarf around my neck.

"Three days later..."

"If you still don't withdraw your application."

"I will counter-claim."

"Moreover..."

"All counterclaim documents."

"It will be made public."

"Includes all messages..."

"Prove that I was wrong to make Luc Can Nien quit smoking you."

His face... From red to pale.

"The messages previously published..."

"Just a part."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Full version..."

"It's much more unsightly."

"You probably still remember..."

"What did I say?"

I turned around and left. Three days later. Luc Minh An... Silently withdrew the lawsuit. Do not make any statements. Quietly withdraw the application. Since that day. Never try to make things difficult for me again. Luc Minh An seemed to have aged ten years overnight. I heard... He rarely goes out now. Every day he stays in the old villa of the Luc family. Don't meet anyone. Daily operations of Luc Thi Group... Have been handed over to a professional management team. There is no more Luc Can Nien. Luc Minh An is no longer there. Like a soulless body. The stock price finally stabilized. Because fifteen percent of the shares in my hands... Haven't been sold yet. Market sentiment gradually stabilized. Everyone understands. It is no longer the old Luc Thi. Don't continue to pay attention to the Luc family's affairs anymore. All activities of Thanh Nguyen Group... are accelerating. The project in the east of the city has topped out. Progress in attracting investment far exceeds expectations. Second project... Also in the location selection stage. Staff... From the original five people... Has expanded to more than sixty people. My schedule. Starting at seven o'clock in the morning. Lasts until ten o'clock at night. So busy that... My feet don't touch the ground. I feel very complete. For the past seven years. This is the first time... I feel like I'm truly living... For myself. That afternoon. I just returned from the construction site. Co Dien Chu was waiting in the parking lot. In his hand he held two cups of coffee. He gave me a glass.

"Today..."

"Someone came looking for me."

"Chu Thanh Yen."

I received the cup of coffee. Take a sip.

"What did he say?"

"He wanted to see you to apologize."

"Because of..."

"Revealed your address to Luc Can Nien."

"What else?"

"He said..."

"Tong Dao's situation is not good."

"After giving birth..."

"She still hasn't recovered."

"Morale is also very low."

"The Luc family doesn't care."

"Luc Can Nien doesn't care."

"Now..."

"She raised the child alone."

"Living in an apartment in the south of the city."

"Financial resources..."

"It was also cut."

I stood in the middle of the parking lot. Quietly look at the lights on the ceiling.

"All of that..."

"What does it have to do with you?"