Chapter 19 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

"Not relevant."

Co Dien Chu replied calmly.

"But Chu Thanh Yen thinks..."

"I'll probably..."

"What will happen?"

"Softhearted?"

He didn't answer. I finished my cup of coffee. Flatten the paper cup and throw it in the trash.

"I told Chu Thanh Yen."

"I won't get involved in Tong Dao's matter."

"But the baby is innocent."

"Tell him to give Tong Dao's mother's account number to lawyer Tran Tung."

"Every month, transfer her a living allowance."

"Transferred anonymously."

Co Dien Chu nodded.

"Chu Thanh Yen betrayed you once."

"Later..."

"Don't let him appear in front of you again."

"I understand."

I entered the elevator. Before the door closed... I looked at Co Dien Chu once. He was still standing in the parking lot. In his hand he still held his cup of coffee. Quietly looking after me. That look... Like a rock. Even if you don't say anything... You will never waver.

"Thank you."

I said softly. The elevator door slowly closed. Two months later. The day the general shopping center in the east of the city officially opened. Nearly five hundred guests were present. Twice as large as the opening plan that Luc Can Nien outlined in the past. Busy stream of people. Big brands lined up waiting to sign contracts. I stood on the top floor terrace. Quietly looking down at the sea of people below. Lawyer Tran Tung stood next to him. Holding a tablet in hand.

"Miss Phuong."

"The number of brands signed today has exceeded the original plan by one hundred and twenty percent."

"It is expected that rental revenue will be thirty-five percent higher than the feasibility report."

I nodded slightly.

"There's one more thing."

He put the tablet away.

"Luc Can Nien is here."

I stopped.

"He's on the first floor."

"There is no invitation."

"Come yourself."

"The security guard asked if we needed to stop him."

I thought for a few seconds.

"No need."

"Just let him see."

I turned and walked towards the elevator.

"I still have guests to attend."

I'm not looking for him. Don't come looking for me either. But then the security guard told me. That night. By the time the shopping center closed... Luc Can Nien was still standing alone in the middle of the first floor lobby. He raised his head. Look at the grand opening banner hanging high above. There was only one line of text on it. Thanh Nguyen • Thanh Dong Center. Grand opening. It's the design he drew himself seven years ago. But the name hanging on it... It's already mine. The security guard walked over and asked.

"Sir, aren't you going yet?"

He replied softly.

"I'm leaving."

Then turned around and left. From that day on... Never come back again. Three months after Thanh Dong Center opened. Thanh Nguyen Group's first year's revenue report was officially announced. When lawyer Tran Tung read the report to me... I was signing another acquisition contract.

"First year."

"Revenue reached sixteen billion yuan."

"Net profit four billion two."

"Total asset size..."

"It's exceeded one hundred and fifty billion yuan."

I finished signing. Put down the pen. One hundred and fifty billion. The foundation left by my grandmother. Plus the achievements of the past year. Currently... The capitalization value of Luc Thi Group... is only one hundred and ten billion yuan. Overcame them. No need for three years. Only used for one year. That evening. I drove to the suburban cemetery alone. Her grave The interior is very simple. Light gray stone stele. Only engraved name... Same year of birth and death. I placed the jade pendant in front of the tombstone.

"I did it."

A gentle breeze gently blew by. Caress each letter on the stone stele. Phuong Thuc Hoa.

"She left me everything."

"I don't disappoint you."

"What I want you to do..."

"I did it."

I squatted in front of the tombstone. Fingertips gently stroked the cold letters.

"The Luc family..."

"I will never touch you again."

I sat there for a long time. Until... The moon was at its zenith. Right at that moment. The phone in my pocket... vibrates slightly. The phone vibrated again. It's a message from Co Dien Chu.

"It's cold outside. Let's go home." I smiled slightly.

Brush off the dust on the hem of the dress.

"I'm coming back."

"Next time I visit you..."

"I'll probably bring someone along."

I turned around and walked towards the parking lot. Moonlight spreads across the road behind. The shadow under my feet... There is only one. But I know... I won't be alone anymore. Thanh Nguyen Group's annual conference was held at the newly completed headquarters building. Forty-two floors. The entire exterior is covered with glass. Becoming a new highlight on the city's skyline. I stood in front of the ground-level glass window on the top floor. Quietly watching the city below your feet. Five years ago. Standing in front of the lawyer's office at night. When I first found out... I was still legally single. I also used to look at this city like that. In my eyes... Everything is broken pieces. And now. In my eyes... It's everything I've built with my own hands. The back door opened slightly. Co Dien Chu walked in. In his arms he held a little girl about two years old. The girl was wearing a pretty red dress. On the head tie two small tufts of hair. As soon as he saw me... He immediately raised his arms and asked to be carried. I held my child in my arms. Light kiss on soft cheeks.

"Are you awake?"

"Didn't mom tell dad to put you to sleep?"

"She absolutely refused."

Co Dien Chu smiled helplessly.

"Definitely want to find you."

I held my daughter and stood in front of the glass door. She pressed her tiny hand against the glass. Round eyes looked out at the city outside. Mouth constantly whispering. Co Dien Chu stepped forward. Gently wrap your arms around my waist.

"Just now, lawyer Tran Tung sent a message."

"What's going on?"

"Today..."

"Luc Thi Group was officially delisted."

I just replied softly. In my heart... There are no longer any emotions.

"What about Luc Minh An?"

I asked casually.

"Last year he had a stroke."

"Still nursing now."

"I heard..."

"Chu Manzhi divorced him."

"Brought assets abroad."

"What about Luc Can Nien?"

"Hollow."

"Some people say he went to the South."

"There are also people who say they have gone abroad."

"No one knows exactly."

I bowed my head. Look at the daughter in your arms. She's more like me. Big eyes. Small nose. Every time she smiles, two lovely dimples appear. Co Dien Chu once said. Your smile... Very similar to my grandmother's.

"What is that?"

The girl pointed towards a boat gliding on the river surface.

"It's a ship."

"Where is the ship going?"

"Go to far away places."

The girl tilted her head thoughtfully. After a while, he laughed.

"I also want to go far away."

I patted my child's head.

"Wait for me to grow up."

"Where do you want to go..."

"Also are possible."

Co Dien Chu stood next to him. Quietly looking at mother and child. Say nothing. A moment later. He took out an item from his pocket. It's a piece of jade. Not grandma's piece of jade. That piece... I left it in front of her tombstone. This is a new gem. He asked someone to craft it from the same block of jade.

"For Tieu Nguyen."

He said softly.

"Wait until you grow up..."

"Put it on for me."

I take it. Hold tightly in the palm of your hand. Warm piece of jade. The warmth of the person who gave it to you.

"Co Dien Chu."

"Thank you."

He did not say:

"Nothing."

Also don't say:

"That's what you should do."

He just quietly opened his arms. Embrace me... And my daughter. Outside the glass door. The city gradually lights up. Every lamp. One light at a time. Light from below our feet. Then it continued until the end of the horizon. Five years ago. Standing in the middle of the street looking at those lights. I always think. Behind every bright window. It's all someone else's story. And now. The most brilliant lights of this city... They were all lit by my own hands. The girl yawned loudly in my lap.

"Are you sleepy?"

"Not sleepy."

The child is still speechless. Three seconds later. Fell on my shoulder. I gently patted my child's back. His eyes were still looking into the distance.

"Co Dien Chu."

"It's been a long time..."

"I don't remember those people anymore."

"Later..."

"I won't remember anymore."

His arms tightened slightly. The city lights are getting brighter and brighter. A ship glides across the river. The sound of a train whistle came from far away. And lasts. As if saying... As if telling... Let's move forward.