Chapter 20 — A Sweetness Forgotten

Uncle Bảy Thông rarely visits the main branch of Ngọt Xưa, partly because of his old age and weak health, partly because he still maintains a simple living habit, rarely leaving his own small tea shop even though he has retired for several years. So when he appeared one morning, his face full of seriousness, Diệp Chi immediately knew there was something important.

"You heard that I intend to sign a contract with that Bách Khang group, right?" He asked directly, his voice unable to hide his concern, sitting down in the chair opposite Diệp Chi's desk.

"Yes, that's right," Diệp Chi replied, a bit surprised by the serious attitude of his teacher who was always calm. "Is something wrong, uncle?"

"Do you know how big that corporation is?" Uncle Bảy Thông asked, his voice full of anxiety. "I have seen many small restaurants and family brands being swallowed up by big guys after this kind of cooperation. At first, they promised everything, but when you were completely dependent on them, they started to gradually tighten, squeeze prices, and force terms. In the end, your brand was just a name on a billboard, but in fact, it was taken over by them without even realizing it."

"Uncle, I have carefully read each clause in the contract," Diệp Chi explained, trying to reassure the teacher. "I have negotiated to ensure that Ngọt Xưa retains complete autonomy over the formula and brand, and has the right to withdraw at any time if it feels no longer suitable."

"Contracts on paper are one thing, actual operations are another." Uncle Bảy Thông shook his head, his voice still full of doubt. "You're still young, you've never faced the tricks of big corporations. I've lived long enough to see many painful lessons."

Diệp Chi remained silent, feeling the sincere concern behind Uncle Bảy Thông's somewhat harsh warnings - the person who taught her from the first days of her career, the person who guaranteed her first loan so she could have capital to open a shop, the person who considered her as his own daughter after learning of her orphan situation.

"I understand your concern," she spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "But I also thought very carefully before deciding. This is not only an opportunity to expand my business, but also an opportunity for Ngọt Xưa to become more widely known, helping me realize my dream of bringing mom's recipe to more people."

"I'm not against expansion," Uncle Bảy Thông said, his voice softened a bit. "I'm just afraid that you trust someone's promise too much, and in the end you have to pay a heavy price."

That sentence made Diệp Chi pause, realizing the hidden meaning behind Uncle Bảy Thông's warning - he was not only worried about business, but also implicitly alluded to the relationship between her and Thế Khôi, which even though she tried to keep it a secret, the closest people could still recognize it through her eyes and the way she mentioned that name.

"Do you know what happened between me and Mr. Thế Khôi?" She asked directly, there was no way to avoid it.

"Tường Vy told you a little about it," Uncle Bảy Thông admitted, looking at her sternly. "I don't object to your love life. You are an adult and have the right to make your own decisions. But I'm worried that if you let your personal feelings interfere with this important business decision, it will be difficult for you to maintain the necessary sobriety when something bad happens."

"I promise you, I will always stay awake," Diệp Chi said with a firm voice. "I have clearly separated work and love from the beginning. All terms I negotiate are based on Ngọt Xưa's actual interests, not because of personal feelings for anyone."

Uncle Bảy Thông looked at her for a long time, his eyes searching but also full of trust. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Okay, I believe you. But if there are any signs of instability, you must tell me immediately, don't try to carry the burden alone like you usually do."

"I promise." Diệp Chi smiled, holding the calloused hand of the teacher who had accompanied her through the most difficult years.

Uncle Bảy Thông stood up to prepare to leave, but after a few steps he stopped, turned to look at her, his voice suddenly became gentle, different from the stern attitude at the beginning of the meeting.

"You know, when your mother was still alive, she once told me about a boy I knew in high school, from a rich family but kind, who often came to help at the tea shop," he said, his eyes nostalgic. "She said, if you meet that person again in the future, she hopes you won't let fear hinder your happiness, the way she let fear hinder many things in her life."

Diệp Chi was stunned, not expecting Uncle Bảy Thông to know this detail. "When did your mother tell me that?"

"A few months before she passed away, when I visited the hospital," Uncle Bảy Thông replied, his voice low and full of emotion. "She said, she regrets the most that she hasn't had time to see you completely happy, hasn't had time to see you dare to open your heart to love someone without having to worry about the gap between rich and poor anymore."

Tears suddenly rose in the corners of Diệp Chi's eyes. She tried to hold back so as not to burst into tears right in front of Uncle Bảy Thông. "I didn't know my mother used to say that."

"I kept this story in my heart for so many years, just waiting for the right time to tell you." He patted her shoulder gently, his eyes warm. "I think, maybe now is that time."

He turned and walked away, leaving Diệp Chi standing silently in the small office, tears rolling down her cheeks, but her heart was filled with an unprecedented feeling of relief - as if her mother, even though she had been gone for ten years, was still watching and wishing for her daughter's happiness, even when she was no longer here to witness it with her own eyes.

***

But Uncle Bảy Thông's warning still troubled Diệp Chi for many days afterward. She began to review each contract clause more thoroughly, consulting with an independent outside lawyer — not because she did not trust Bách Khang's legal team, but because she wanted to be absolutely sure that she did not miss any potential risks.

The independent lawyer, after careful consideration, pointed out a small but important clause that Diệp Chi missed during the tense negotiations - the clause on the priority right to buy back shares if Ngọt Xưa wants to call for more investment capital in the future, a clause that could create a risk of long-term loss of control if not handled carefully.

Diệp Chi brought this issue to the next meeting, presenting it frankly, without hesitation, even though it might prolong the negotiation.

"This clause needs to be made clearer," she said, pointing to the controversial text. "I don't want in the future, if Ngọt Xưa needs to call for capital to expand, we accidentally fall into a situation where we are forced to prioritize selling shares to Bách Khang first, limiting our ability to choose the most suitable investment partner." The legal team reviewed, acknowledged that this was an oversight in the original draft, and agreed to amend it in a more equitable direction - priority rights only apply in cases where the conditions are equivalent to other investors, not creating any disadvantageous constraints for Ngọt Xưa.

After that meeting, when he told Mr. Bảy Thông about his discovery and timely handling of that risky clause, he nodded, his eyes revealing undisguised pride.

"You're much better than I thought," he said, his voice was warm and rarely expressed. "I believe you can protect yourself and the career you have worked so hard to build, no matter who you love or who you trust."

Diệp Chi smiled, feeling relieved at that recognition - not because she needed anyone to confirm her abilities, but because to Uncle Bảy Thông, who had taught and trusted her for many years, that recognition had a particularly profound meaning, as an affirmation that she was truly mature and brave enough to stand on her own feet, in both work and love.

That night, after closing the shop, she called Tường Vy and told the whole story that Uncle Bảy Thông had just revealed about her mother's last words. On the other end of the line, Tường Vy was silent for a long time, then burst into tears as well. The two friends shared emotional tears over the phone, even though they were only a few kilometers apart.

"So my aunt also wants you to be happy," Tường Vy said, her voice still choked. "What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know," Diệp Chi replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm still scared, afraid that if things don't go well, I won't have anyone to rely on anymore."

"You still have me, Uncle Bảy Thông, and a whole team at Ngọt Xưa that always supports you," Tường Vy said with a determined voice. "You're not alone, Diệp Chi. You've never been lonely, you just sometimes forget that."