Chapter 12 — A Diary, A Fallen City

Familiar face in the press... but in real life it's even colder, deeper. Those cloudy eyes... sharp as an eagle's eyes. Next to him was a young man. Branded vest, neatly combed hair, gold-framed glasses, looks like a polite intellectual. But I recognized him. Zhao Hongwei's son... is also the fiance of the woman in the recording. The world... is truly terrifyingly small.

“Miss Hua, please sit down.” Trieu Hoanh Vi pointed to the chair opposite, smiling as if he was entertaining a distinguished guest.

I don't sit. I took off my backpack and put it down in front of me.

"General Zhao, speak frankly. What you want... is here."

Zhao Hongwei smiled, the two pecans in his hand rotated faster.

"Sure enough, he's a refreshing person. Completely different from your father."

He looked at me, his eyes lowered.

“Your father is a smart man... unfortunately he doesn't know the times.”

"He thought that holding that notebook could threaten me, could take his family and run away. So naive."

“In this world, the only people who can keep secrets… are the dead.”

The voice was as light as the wind... but cold to the bone. I clenched my fists.

“So… that accident was your doing.”

“No, it was an accident.” he corrected, “one accident… is enough to silence them forever.”

"We thought it was over. We didn't expect that he would leave behind a move, entrusting the most important thing to you."

He sighed, as if somewhat regretful.

“We searched for more than ten years, spent a lot of effort, and even let your useless husband approach you.”

“Unfortunately… he is just a piece of trash.”

Trieu Vu standing next to him frowned slightly, his impatience flashing.

"Dad, what's the point of talking to her so much? Get the things and deal with them, finish it off!"

Trieu Hoanh Vi glanced at him, Trieu Vu immediately fell silent.

“Tieu Vu, don't be hasty in your work.” he said slowly, then looked back at me, his smile contained a knife edge, "Miss Hua dares to come alone... she must have prepared."

“Tell me, what do you want?”

“Very simple.” I looked straight at him.

"First, two million. The previous 'hush fee', now I want cash."

"Second, take me abroad. A new identity, a place where no one can find me."

“Third, you guys will never disturb my life again.”

After hearing this, Trieu Hoanh Vi burst into laughter.

"Interesting, very interesting. Hua Van Hoa really gave birth to a daughter who is braver than him."

The smile disappeared. His face immediately turned cold.

"Two million, okay. Sending you abroad, okay."

"But..." he pointed to the backpack on the ground, "how do I know what's in there is real? Or did you keep a copy?"

The pivotal moment… has finally arrived. I looked straight into his eyes, each word fell clearly:

"I didn't keep the copy. Because I knew... keeping it would only make me die faster."

"Whether it's real or fake... you'll know when you see it."

Trieu Hoanh Vi narrowed his eyes, clearly considering what I said. At that moment, a side door of the warehouse was pushed open. Chu Minh Khai stumbled in. He saw me, then saw Trieu Hoanh Vi, his face immediately turned pale.

“Trieu… General Trieu…” his voice trembled, “why are you here?”

Trieu Vu looked at him, his eyes full of disgust.

"Useless thing! Who let you in here?"

Chu Minh Khai didn't pay attention, his eyes just fixed on me, then looked down at the backpack on the ground, greed and madness flashed in his eyes.

"The notebook! Here! The notebook is here!" He pointed straight at me, screaming at Zhao Hongwei, "President Zhao! Don't trust her! She definitely has a copy! Arrest her, torture her, you can get her out no matter what!"

He thought… this was his last chance. Opportunity to make progress with new owner. Trieu Hoanh Vi looked at him, his eyes like looking at an obnoxious fly. And I... smiled slightly. Because the "fireworks" I've been waiting for... the time has come. The moment Chu Minh Khai shouted that sentence— Outside the warehouse, an earth-shattering explosion rang out! The loud explosion sound made the whole warehouse shake. The corrugated iron wall shook violently, the light bulb overhead shook crazily, the light flickered. Everyone was stunned. Trieu Hoanh Vi jumped up from his chair, his face changed. Trieu Vu and two bodyguards immediately blocked in front of him and looked out warily.

“What's going on?!” Trieu Vu panicked.

Outside... firelight flared up into the sky. Then the second and third explosions rang out in succession. Even though I knew it was a "fireworks" that Old Black had prepared, I still couldn't help but clench my fists. The fire caught the pile of scrap around the dock, spreading quickly into a bright red area. Police sirens sounded from afar, gradually approaching, tearing through the night.

"Boss! Looks like an oil tank exploded! The police and fire department are coming!" A bodyguard ran in to report, his voice filled with panic.

Trieu Hoanh Vi's face darkened terribly. The trap he carefully prepared... was completely ruined by an "accident".

"Go!" he immediately ordered, no longer in the mood to get involved with me.

Trieu Vu still wasn't willing, pointing at me.

“Dad! And the notebook—”

“Bring it!” Zhao Hongwei shouted.

A bodyguard rushed forward and picked up my backpack. I don't protest. My goal… has been achieved.

“And her!” Trieu Vu pointed at me again.

Trieu Hoanh Vi hesitated for a second, then shook his head.

"There's no time, the police are coming! Deal with that useless guy, then leave!"

The “useless guy” in his words… is of course Chu Minh Khai.

Hearing that, Chu Minh Khai felt like his soul was completely drained. He didn't expect... not only would he not achieve anything, but he would also be considered someone who should be exterminated.

"No! President Zhao! Forgive me!" He knelt down, tears and nose mixed.

But Zhao Hongwei didn't even look. A bodyguard pulled out a gun with a silencer attached and pointed it straight at Chu Minh Khai's forehead. His pupils constricted. The moment of life and death... I grabbed the iron chair, put all my strength and threw it straight towards the bodyguard holding the gun. He didn't have time to take precautions and quickly leaned forward to avoid it. The bullet deflected, hitting the concrete floor next to Chu Minh Khai, shooting up dust. Chaos… exploded.

"Speed!" Zhao Hongwei shouted loudly.

Trieu Vu and another bodyguard helped him and rushed to the back door. The guy holding my backpack also ran after me. The bodyguard holding the gun glared at me maliciously, then turned and retreated. In the blink of an eye, the whole warehouse was empty. Only me... and Chu Minh Khai were trembling on the ground. The police sirens… were very close. I don't hesitate. Turn around... run straight to the other exit.