Chapter 1 — 8 Million Dividend Does Not Include Me, No One Knows I Own Tens of Millions of Yuan

The 8 million yuan dividend did not include me. I clutched the cloth bag containing a bank card worth tens of millions of yuan. At the end of the year, the factory paid a dividend of 8 million yuan. My parents smiled brightly and gave 3 million yuan each to my two brothers. It's my turn, 500,000 yuan. Mom also added another sentence in front of everyone:

"If Tri Y doesn't get married in the future, she should take this money to support her old age."

The eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law covered their mouths and laughed. I didn't speak up. Just clutching the faded cloth bag tightly in her lap. Inside was a bank card containing 20 million yuan in investment profits I earned this year. The same set of documents — the contract holding control over their factory's largest customer, Thinh Hang Trading. In the subject line above, write my name. December twenty-eighth. I sat in the corner of the old house's living room, holding a faded canvas bag in my arms. Dad sat in the middle, smoking and dusting off ash. Two cigarette butts fell on the tea table, no one bothered to wipe them off. Mom came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fruits, the smile on her face could not be hidden.

"The factory is doing well this year. Your father and mother have already discussed how to divide this money during Tet."

Eldest brother Lam Tri Vien sat on the sofa on the left, eldest sister-in-law Trieu Nha Cam held his arm, her eyes shining. Second brother Lam Tri Hanh crossed his legs to play with his phone, and second sister-in-law Ton Le started planning what to buy. I sat in the position closest to the door, on a wooden chair brought from the kitchen. The sofa is empty. To be more precise, no one gave me a seat.

"The total profit this year is 8 million yuan."

Dad spoke up, his voice low and full of decision.

"Eldest brother and I have both worked hard these past two years, each family has 3 million yuan."

The eldest sister-in-law immediately smiled brightly:

"Dad, you're right. Tri Vien spent all year running construction site supervision, how hard it was."

The second sister-in-law also quickly continued:

"Tri Hanh is the same. He receives guests every day and drinks to the point of stomach bleeding."

I lowered my eyes, my fingers unconsciously stroking the zipper of the cloth bag. Is it difficult? Last year the eldest brother took a nap in the factory for three months. I've looked at the timesheet. As for his "receptions" two or ten times, eight times he took his friends to karaoke. I still have those receipts saved.

"My parents kept 1.5 million yuan."

Dad put out his cigarette and glanced at me, as if he had just remembered that he still had a daughter.

"Zhi Yi, I accept 500,000 yuan."

500,000 yuan. Of the 8 million yuan. Big brother 3 million yuan. Second brother 3 million yuan. Parents 1.5 million yuan. And I only have 500,000 yuan. It's like giving alms to a beggar. Before I could speak, my mother smiled and added:

"500,000 yuan is not a lot, Tri Y. I'm a girl, I'm out investing all day and I don't see any money."

"Keep this money carefully, later..."

She stopped for a moment. In the voice was the pity I had heard growing up.

"In the future, if I can't get married, I'll use this money to care for my old age."

The living room was silent for a second. Immediately after that, the eldest sister-in-law burst out laughing and covered her mouth with her hand. The second sister-in-law was even more direct, laughing out loud, her eyes full of mockery looking at me. The second brother didn't even raise his head:

"500,000 yuan is enough to last him for several years. Renting a house outside for a month only costs 2,000 yuan."

The eldest brother looked at me. But very quickly Look away, don't say anything. I sat on a wooden chair, a cloth bag on my knees. In the bag there are six bank cards. The total balance adds up to more than 20 million yuan. There is also a brochure. That is the contract to control the largest customer of Kien Quoc Plastic Company - Thinh Hang Trading. Every year, Thinh Hang Trading brings more than 60% of orders to my father's factory. Without Thinh Hang, Kien Quoc Plastic Company could not even pay its workers' salaries. The person who holds 100% of the shares of Thinh Hang Thuong Thuong... is me, Lam Tri Y. I raised my head to look at the smiling faces in the room. Can't get married. Old age pension. 500,000 yuan. I zipped the canvas bag a little tighter. My voice was so calm that even I was surprised.

"I know."

Mom paused for a moment. Maybe she didn't expect me to agree so easily. In previous years, every time I paid dividends, even though I received less, I would still argue a few questions. Even if there is a picture, it won't change anything. But at least I used to compete. This year I won't compete anymore. Because it's not necessary. Dinner was eaten at the old house. A table full of food, my two sisters-in-law sat next to my parents, and I was pushed to the corner of the table. Chopsticks cannot reach the dishes in the middle. I'm not upset either. Halfway through the meal, the eldest sister-in-law put down her chopsticks and used a tissue to wipe her mouth.

"Tri Y, my sister and I have already discussed it. Next year we plan to renovate the living room."

Her eyes fell on me.

"My 500,000 yuan..."

"Can you lend it to us first?"

She said "borrowed". But from childhood until adulthood, she borrowed money from me, and has she ever paid anything back? Before I could speak, my second sister-in-law also intervened.

"That's right, Tri Y. You're alone, you don't spend much money. Or leave the money at home, we'll keep it for you. It's not safe for a girl to hold that much cash."

500,000 yuan. Through their mouths it means "so much cash". In their eyes, perhaps my entire life is only worth that 500,000 yuan. I picked up a piece of rice but didn't respond. Mom sitting next to her immediately winked:

"Tri Y, your sister-in-law is talking to you, are you deaf?"

I swallowed my rice and raised my head to look at Trieu Nha Cam's carefully cared for face.

"I don't need that money anymore."

Trieu Nha Cam's eyes immediately lit up.

"Everyone, just split up."

I keep saying:

"500,000 yuan, eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law each 250,000 yuan, consider it as lucky money for you."

The whole dining table was stunned at the same time. Mom was the first to react.

"Tri Y, what are you talking about? That's your money..."

"I don't need it."

I put down my chopsticks. When I said those three words, my heart felt strangely calm. Not angry. But there's really no need anymore. What is 500,000 yuan to me? Just the fraction of the balance of any bank card in that cloth bag. But to them... That's my entire "value". If in their eyes I'm only worth that much... Then I won't put that price tag on anymore. Trieu Nha Cam was the person who reacted the fastest. The smile on his face was almost impossible to hide.

"Then... can I accept it?"

The second sister-in-law also immediately nodded.

"Tri Y really understands things."

Dad tapped lightly on the table.

"Okay, okay, let's eat."

"Thoughts are so generous, so are you Don't be too much."

But when he said that sentence, the corners of his lips were curled up. He felt that I was very "understanding". I feel like I'm finally accepting my place in this family. After the meal, I cleaned up the dishes. The two sisters-in-law curled up on the sofa watching TV. While washing the dishes, I heard my mother's voice coming from the living room.

"That Tri Y girl is the type with a hard mouth but a soft heart."

"He didn't take 500,000 yuan, so he will come back later and ask for more."

"If a girl can't get married, sooner or later she will have to rely on her family..."