Chapter 4 — After Divorce, Husband Prays to Donate Marrow for New Love

The announcement was issued at eleven o'clock at night. The effect is evident immediately.

"Real relationship? What real relationship?"

“Oh my god, is there anything else hidden in this story?”

“Wait, don't you see that this isn't simple…”

The direction of public opinion began to change subtly. Everyone's attention shifted from "a woman refused to donate bone marrow" to "what is the mystery behind this story". Curiosity is always more persistent than indignation. What I need is this. The next morning, three phone calls came in almost at the same time. The first match is Luc Dien.

"To Niem, what do you mean by posting that announcement? What is the real relationship?"

“Go ask your girlfriend.”

The second match is To Uyen.

"To Niem, what are you doing? Those random things on the internet - what is your relationship with Chau Dao?"

"Cousin, didn't you tell me to come to your wedding? I'll go. Until then, let's meet and talk."

The third match is a strange number. I picked up the phone.

“To Niem?” A man's voice was hoarse.

“Who is that?”

“I am Chau Quoc Luong.”

The coffee cup in my hand almost fell.

"Thirty years of no contact. Calling now — because of Chau Dao?"

“For my children too.” His voice was very weak, it took several breaths to say one sentence, "Nim Niem, there are things I owe you an explanation for."

“You don't owe me. You don't owe me anything. Because you were never my father.”

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

"You're right. I'm not qualified. But there's something you must know."

“What?”

"To Kien Quoc was looking for me recently. He knew Chau Dao was in Bac Thanh and also knew she was sick."

“So what?”

"He was looking for me, not out of kindness. He was afraid that I would reveal what happened thirty years ago. He sent someone to inform me - if I dared to open my mouth, he would make the last days of my life not peaceful."

I held the phone tightly, looking at the horizon outside the window.

“Chau Quoc Luong, you made this phone call, proving that you do not intend to listen to him.”

“I'm about to die. What am I afraid of anymore?”

“So what do you want?”

“I want to see you once. Before I die.”

I did not answer.

“Also — help Dao Dao. She's your sister.”

"I know she is my sister. Whether to help or not - I decide for myself."

Hang up the phone. Ms. Lam walked in: "Mr. Su, that call just now..."

“Help me book a plane ticket to the South. The day after tomorrow.”

“Going to see Chau Quoc Luong?”

“Go listen to him clarify what happened thirty years ago.”

“Do we need to inform the To family?”

“No need.”

"So Luc Dien side..."

“There is no need.”

Before leaving for the South, I still have two things to resolve. The first thing is to sign an official contract for the Van Linh project. The signing ceremony was arranged at the meeting room of So Thi Group. So Thua Vien brings both legal and financial teams, a very strong team. When signing, So Thua Vien looked at me.

"General To, there's something I have to reveal to you. The Luc family knows that you've taken a beating on this project, and they're very unhappy."

“If you're not happy, leave them alone.”

"Luc Dien's father called me directly. It was very harsh to hear. He told me that I was being ungrateful for no reason."

“Are you scared, boss?”

So Thua Vien laughed: "What are you afraid of? I didn't ask him to raise you. Besides..." He looked at himself. The contract was signed, "1.2 billion yuan plus Trieu Bang Phi's resources, what idiot would push it out?" After signing and walking out, the second thing happened. I called doctor Vuong Kien Quoc.

"Director Vuong, I have thought carefully. I agree to do a bone marrow compatibility test."

"Too, that's great! When it's convenient for you..."

“But I have three conditions.”

“You say it.”

"First, the test was conducted at a third-party hospital, not at Bac Thanh Hospital. Second, only you and I know the test results. Third, before I agree, it is not allowed to be disclosed to anyone, including the patient and the patient's family."

“This…”

"If I can do it, then arrange it for me. If I can't do it, I won't do it."

“It can be done.”

Hang up the phone, I sat in the car, looking at the gray sky of Bac Thanh. Why did you agree to take the test? Not because of Luc Dien. Not because of public opinion. It's not because of Chau Dao's pale face. It's because of what my mother said.

“My father — the person I've called dad for the past thirty years — he treats me like his own daughter, he knows everything.”

He knew everything, but he never made me feel like I wasn't his child. If he were still alive, what would he do? He would say: "Nim Niem, no matter who that person is, you are still my daughter. But if that girl is really going to die - saving someone's life, we cannot ignore it." He is just that kind of person. A normal person. A good person. Before going to the South, I stopped by his cemetery. On the tombstone is engraved the words: Tomb of To Chi Vien. I squatted down and arranged the flowers I brought neatly.

“Dad, I know. But you will always be my dad.”

The wind blew through the pine trees in the cemetery, making rustling sounds. Early the other day, I flew to the South. Oncology Department, Provincial People's Hospital. Chau Quoc Luong lay on the bed, already skinny to the point of deformity. The man was fifty-eight years old, at first glance he looked seventy-eight. I stood next to the bed, he had difficulty turning his head to look at me.

“You look like your mother.” He said.

I don't answer.

"You said there's something you want to tell me. Say it."

He tried to push himself up, but I couldn't help him.

"Thirty years ago, To Kien Quoc and I joined forces to start a construction materials business. He gave up the relationship, I put in the capital. We did business for three years, very well."

“What happens after that?”

"At the end of the third year, he told me that the company had been scammed and had lost everything. He asked me to sign a document, saying it was liquidating the company. I signed. Only later did I find out - he had transferred all the company's money to another company in his wife's name."

“Didn't you call the police?”

"There was a report. But at that time... he had an affair, I didn't. The police came and went, went and came again, in the end they couldn't solve anything. By the time I went to look for him, he had moved house, changed his phone number, even moved his office."

He closed his eyes and panted for a long time.

"Those three million yuan were all my assets. I sold my house in the countryside and borrowed from relatives to collect enough. In just one night, it was all gone."

“Why don't you keep asking?”

“Can't claim it.” He smiled bitterly, “Nim Niem — can I call you Niem Niem?”

I can't say it or I can't say it.

“At that time I still had a problem busy. It's your mother. She was pregnant with the child — I didn't know it. When I left Bac Thanh, her belly was not yet big. Wait until I return to the South, I have no money, and I'm not done taking care of myself yet. It wasn't until ten years ago that someone told me that that year your mother gave birth to a daughter."

“Who is that person?”

“To Kien Quoc's younger brother. Your father — my brother raised you.”

“Tell me, uncle?”

“Not my family at all. I'm a member of my second uncle's family. To Chi Minh of the second branch of the To family."

I was stunned. To Chi Minh is my second uncle. Ranked second in the To family. But he went abroad early and cut off contact with his family.

“Why did he tell you?”

“Because he also hates To Kien Quoc. In the past, To Kien Quoc not only deceived me, but also deceived my second and third elders. Your father is the youngest child, the youngest, and gets the least share. To Kien Quoc trampled all his younger brothers under his feet.”

I stood there, listening to a dying man little by little reveal an old scar from thirty years ago.

“Now you tell me these things, what do you want me to do?”

“Two things.” He pointed to the nightstand, “In that drawer there is a file. The original joint venture agreement and transfer statement of the old company. I have kept it for thirty years.”

I opened the drawer, and sure enough, there was a yellowed cardboard envelope.

“To Kien Quoc thought I had no evidence in hand. He is wrong.”

“Second story?”

“Save Dao Dao.” He looked at me, “She is your sister. Since he was young, he didn't have a father like me by his side. His mother raised him single-handedly. It was my intention to come to Bac Thanh to find my child. But what he did later - stealing his son's man - was not taught by me. That's its own fault.”

“It's not your turn to apologize.”

“I know. So I don't apologize. I beg you.”

I held the envelope and looked at this strange man. His eyes are very similar to mine. Same shape, same dark brown color.

“Whether or not I can have a bone marrow transplant is a matter of medicine, not a matter of desire.”

“I know.”

“But if it's compatible — I'll consider it.”

His tears rolled down. I turned around and left. Don't look back. Coming out of the hospital, I stayed at a Southern hotel for one night. Opening the envelope Chau Quoc Luong gave him, the papers inside were yellowed, but the handwriting was still clear. Joint venture agreement. Transfer statement. Copy of bank receipt. Black and white paper, clearly recorded: To Kien Quoc appropriated his partner's assets for a total of 3.12 million yuan. 3.12 million yuan thirty years ago. To Kien Quoc took this money and built the To Thi Construction Materials empire. Annual revenue five hundred million yuan. Three commercial buildings. A factory. All are built on a stolen foundation. I took a photo of each document page and sent it to my lawyer.

“Lawyer Truong, please help me evaluate. Is this evidence still legally valid?

“General Su, it's been thirty years, the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution has definitely expired. But on the civil side — if it can be proven that the act of appropriation is real, and the injured party has never waived the right to sue, then in theory it is possible to request reimbursement.”

“What conditions are needed?”

“Myself Chau Quoc Luong or his heirs stand as plaintiffs. There is original evidence. It is best to have a third party witness.”

“As for the witnesses — Can To Chi Minh of the second branch of the To family testify?”

“If he agrees, then fine. President To, are you planning to…”

“I intend to force To Kien Quoc to pay compensation. Both principal and interest.”

The next day, fly back to Bac Thanh. When the plane landed, there were dozens of unread messages on the phone. The most important news comes from Ms. Lam.

“Boss Su, there are compatible results.”

I opened the attachment. Six leukocyte antigen (HLA) indexes, completely matched. Me and Chau Dao, compatibility test was successful. I stood in the airport arrivals lobby, the light from my phone screen shining on my face. This result means that my marrow can save Chau Dao's life. Which also means — I have to make a choice. When I got back to the company, it was already afternoon. Ms. Lam waited for me in the office, her expression very complicated.

“General To, in addition to the compatibility results, there are two more things.”

“Say it.”

“First, there are new developments in public opinion online. Some people began to doubt Chau Dao's words. Some netizens discovered that Chau Dao's account, before she got sick, often posted suggestive articles with signs of 'selling carpets to build an image'. Combined with the phrase 'real relationship' that you mentioned in the announcement, the trend is slowly turning."

“The second thing?”

“To Uyen's wedding. When Su Kien Quoc heard that you were coming, he deliberately sent a message."

“What question?”

“‘It's okay if Niem Niem comes, don't cause trouble. The To family's dignity cannot be thrown away."

I laugh. The To family's dignity cannot be thrown away. The person who said this was the same person who, thirty years ago, stole his partner's entire fortune.

"Miss Lam, help me prepare a wedding gift to send to the To family."

“What wedding gift?”

“A set of Ming Dynasty Qinghua ceramic dishes. Call someone from the antique store to estimate the price, it should be at least fifty thousand.”

“Is it that expensive?”

“We have to let them know I'm being generous. That way, on the day of the wedding, there will be a good drama to watch.”

The wedding takes place on the 12th of next month. From today there are exactly ten days left. During these ten days, I have to do several things. The first thing is bone marrow donation. I decided — donate. Not because of Luc Dien, not because of public opinion, not because of Chau Quoc Luong. But for myself. I don't want to be someone who can't help but die, no matter what the other person has done. But the time and method of donation will be decided by me. I called Vuong Kien Quoc.

“Director Vuong, I have seen the compatibility results. I agree to donate. But there are three conditions.”

“You say it.”

“First, the donation time is arranged after To Uyen's wedding. About half a month from now.”

“Chau Dao's illness…”

“Within half a month, it won't get worse enough to be unable to have surgery. I have already consulted.”

“This... can really wait.”

“Second, before donating, do not notify anyone. Including Chau Dao and her family."

“General Su…”

"Third, on the donation commitment paper, I only signed my name, not stating the relationship between me and Chau Dao."

“Okay.”

The second thing is the story of the To family. I made an appointment to meet To Chi Minh of the second branch. He is currently in Canada. I made a phone call across the ocean.

“Second uncle.”

“Nem Niem?” He was very surprised, "Why do you have my number?"

"Second uncle, there is something I want to confirm with you. Thirty years ago, the story between you and Chau Quoc Luong - how much do you know?"

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

“Do you know everything?”

"We all know it. Including the fact that Chau Quoc Luong is your biological father."

“Sigh.” He sighed, "Nien Niem, you and I have been like that since childhood. If you have good things, you have to fight for them, you have to rob them. Your grandfather favors him, and when he has good things, he always gives priority to my family first. Second-oldest, third-oldest, fourth-oldest - your father is the youngest and suffers the most."

“Uncle, I want to ask you a favor.”

“What?”

"If necessary, can you return home to testify?"

“Testify what?”

“Testify what happened thirty years ago.”

There was another long silence.

“Nien Niem, are you going to deal with me and me too?”

"It's not about confrontation. It's about demanding justice."

"His money - To Thi Construction Materials, is all based on Mr. Chau's money as the foundation. The whole family knows this very well, but no one dares to say it."

“Do you dare say it now?”

“Niem Niem… are you sure you want to rekindle this old debt?”

"Second uncle, if it weren't for Chau Dao's illness, if it weren't for Luc Dien's troubles, I would never have touched the To family's affairs in this life. But now - the debt must be paid."

He thought for a long time.

"Okay. When you need me, I'll be back."

The third thing is Luc Thi's story. Ha Minh reports the latest progress.