Chapter 12 — 8 Million Dividend Does Not Include Me, No One Knows I Own Tens of Millions of Yuan

I raised my head. The eldest brother smiled bitterly.

"Even Dad doesn't know about that."

"I didn't accidentally discover it until last year."

It felt like something vibrated in my heart. The elder brother didn't say any more. Quietly leave. The room became quiet again. I looked at the diary in my hand. Continue flipping to the last pages. The lines of writing become less and less. Maybe because mom is busier. Maybe because I'm an adult. But on the last page. Between two sheets of paper has turned yellow. I saw an envelope. White envelope. The corner is a bit old. There is no address written on the outside. Write only one name.

"Lam Tri Y."

My heart suddenly pounded. I recognized it immediately. This is a letter my mother wrote to me. But never sent. I picked up the envelope. Fingertips trembled slightly. Because my intuition told me that. What I really want to say. Maybe it's all inside. I didn't open the letter right away. Not because I don't want to. It's because I don't dare. There are things that, without seeing them, people can still fool themselves into thinking they don't exist. But once opened. All the emotions that have been buried for many years will no longer have a way out. I put the envelope in my bag. Take the iron box with you and leave the old house. When I walked down the stairs, I saw my mother still sitting in the yard. She is much thinner than before. The loose jacket hung on his body. In his hand he held a wrinkled paper towel. Hearing footsteps, she raised her head. My eyes landed on the iron box in my hand. Her lips moved slightly. It seemed like he wanted to say something. But in the end still didn't say it. I also didn't speak up. The distance between us was only a few meters. But it feels like it's been more than twenty years apart. I turned around and walked out the gate. This time no one called me back. Two days later. I received an email from Tran Trac Vien. The teacher led me into the investment world. Also the first person to believe in me when I had nothing. The email content is very short.

"Do you have time this afternoon?"

"Drink tea."

I looked at that text. Finally answer one word. Four o'clock in the afternoon. I went to the familiar tea house in the west of the city. This place is very quiet. Up to now, every time I have a difficult decision to make, I always like to come here. Tran Trac Vien was already sitting by the window. He is still exactly the same as many years ago. White shirt. Silver frame glasses. Looks peaceful. But his eyes were so sharp that it seemed like he could see through everything. As soon as he saw me, he smiled. I pulled out the chair opposite. A cup of hot tea was pushed in front of me. Tea smoke wafted up. Brings a faint fragrance. Tran Trac Vien did not immediately get to the main point. He just asked:

"How have you been lately?"

"Is it really good?"

I laughed.

"The teacher still likes to ask difficult questions like that."

He also laughed. Then slowly pour more tea.

"My family's factory is about to fail."

I'm not surprised. He knew this was very normal. In the investment world, very few things can be hidden from him.

"I know."

He looked at me.

"So how do you feel?"

I was silent. How do you feel? I have imagined this day many times. The day my parents realized they were wrong. The day the two brothers had to pay the price. The day everyone who looked down on me will regret it. But now. When that day really comes. I don't feel as happy I used to think. I looked at the water in the tea cup.

"I don't know."

Tran Trac Vien nodded. It was like he had guessed the answer before.

"Teacher asked me a question."

I raised my head. He looked straight into my eyes. His eyes were calm but profound.

"You're winning."

"But are you happy?"

The room suddenly became quiet. Outside the window. The late afternoon sunlight slowly falls onto the lake surface. A gentle wind blew. Ripple each small wave. I don't answer. Because I know. The answer is no. I'm not happy. I'm not happy either. I just feel empty. A long time later. I just said softly:

"I think I should be happy."

"But I can't be happy."

Tran Trac Vien laughed.

"If you're really happy."

"I didn't go see Mr. Truong the other day."

I stopped. He continued.

"If you really let go."

"I didn't ask Tran Loi to investigate the list of workers."

I was silent. You're right. Every sentence is correct. Tran Trac Vien raised his tea cup. The voice is very light.

"I don't hate anymore."

"But I can't let go yet."

My fingers tightened slightly. Because this was the first time someone told me exactly how I felt. I no longer hate the Lam family. The biggest resentments have long since disappeared. After reading my mother's diary. After seeing Mr. Truong pushing a cart in the cold weather. After learning that two hundred and seventeen families were at risk of losing their source of livelihood. I don't hate anymore. But I still can't forgive completely. There's still a knot in my heart. A knot that has existed for more than twenty years.

"Why me?"

I looked at him.

"When I need them the most."

"No one is on my side."

"Now it's happened."

"Why is it still me who has to think about it?"

Tran Trac Vien did not answer immediately. He looked out at the lake outside. A long time later he said:

"Because I'm different from them."

I was stunned.

"If you're like them."

"I wasn't there today."