Chapter 9 — After Divorce, Husband Prays to Donate Marrow for New Love

“Second, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the project will be appointed by me.”

“She wants to control the cash flow.”

“The basis of cooperation is trust. But trust does not mean blindness.”

He was silent for three seconds on the other end of the line.

“Okay. Shall we sign the framework agreement tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

“The location is up to you to decide.”

“My office.”

“Okay. Three o'clock tomorrow afternoon.”

One week before the court date. To Kien Quoc's side has a new move. His lawyer, Ly Chinh Duong, presented a counterclaim to the court. The content is: To Niem is suspected of falsifying evidence and defaming the honor of To Kien Quoc. At the same time, he argued that To Niem's behavior at To Uyen's wedding constituted "intentionally defaming the rights and honor of others", demanding compensation for mental damage of five million yuan. After reviewing the documents, Truong Vien Chinh called me.

"General To, he is trying to stir up trouble. This counterclaim has a very weak legal basis, but his purpose is not to win - but to buy time."

“Extending time?”

"When the trial opens, if the judge thinks that the counterclaim needs to be combined for a common trial, then the progress of the main lawsuit will be slowed down. He is buying time."

“Buy time for what?”

"Dispersal of assets. I did a little investigation, To Kien Quoc has recently been actively transferring the assets of To Thi Construction Materials to the names of his wife and daughter. If these transfers are completed before the verdict is issued - even if we win, we may not be able to execute the judgment to get the money back."

“Is it possible to apply for urgent measures to freeze assets?”

"It's being prepared. Need to file an application with the court. But there needs to be evidence to prove that he shows signs of dispersing assets."

“I give you proof.”

That evening, Ha Minh brought a detailed report to my office.

“To Thi, record the recent share changes of To Thi Construction Materials.” He spread the documents out on the table, "Within a month, To Kien Quoc transferred 60% of the shares he held three times. They transferred them to his wife Liu Hongmei, To Uyen's daughter, and a person named Liu Zhiqiang."

“Who is Liu Zhiqiang?”

“Liu Hong Mai's younger brother.”

“All family members.”

"That's right. Moreover, the transfer price is one currency."

"One currency to transfer 60% of shares. A clear transfer of assets."

“Truong Vien Chinh said these records are enough to request an asset freeze.”

“Submit it immediately tomorrow.”

The next day, the court approved the application to freeze assets. All assets of To Thi Construction Materials were frozen. Includes bank accounts, real estate, equipment, and accounts receivable. Personal assets in To Kien Quoc's name were also partially frozen. When the information spread, the To family's family was like a bee hive. To Uyen's phone call came.

"To Niem! You're crazy! Dad's company is blocked - employees are not paid - do you want to kill my whole family?"

"Miss Uyen, this is a legal process. It has nothing to do with me personally."

"You're still pretending! It's obvious you're backstabbing!"

“I have a question to ask you.”

“What!”

“When your father transferred the shares to your name, did you sign it?”

Head The other line was silent for a moment.

"Those shares were originally mine..."

“A transfer of 60% of shares, how do you think the court will view it?”

“To Niem, you…”

"Miss Uyen, the most important thing you should do right now is not to curse me, but to find a good lawyer. Because if the court finds that you are an accomplice in dispersing assets - you will also be legally responsible."

I hung up the phone. Date of opening of trial. Bac Thanh Intermediate People's Court. Courtroom three. Plaintiff: Chau Quoc Luong (authorized representative: lawyer Truong Vien Chinh). Defendant: To Kien Quoc (authorized representative: lawyer Ly Chinh Duong). The audience area was filled with people. The To family's relatives arrived in a large pile. To Man, To Uyen, To Kien Quoc's wife Liu Hong Mai. There were a few more reporters. I sat in the back row of the audience area, wearing a pair of sunglasses. Ms. Lam sat next to her and whispered: "Mr. To, Luc Dien is also coming." I took a glance. He sat in the other corner, wearing that light blue shirt. Don't know what to do. The trial begins. Truong Vien Chinh first presented the request and facts from the plaintiff's side.

"In 1990, plaintiff Chau Quoc Luong and defendant To Kien Quoc contributed capital to establish Hang Thong Bac Thanh Trading Company. Chau Quoc Luong contributed capital of 3.12 million yuan, To Kien Quoc contributed relationships and part of the capital..."

He presented all the evidence one by one. Cooperation contract. Bank statement. Written testimony of To Chi Minh. Video testimony of Chau Quoc Luong. Ly Chinh Duong, representing To Kien Quoc, conducted the criticism.

"The so-called evidence provided by the plaintiff, some of it is more than thirty years old. Its authenticity, legality and relevance are all questioned. The plaintiff claims that the defendant has appropriated the partnership assets, but cannot provide the audit report of that year or the third party's appraisal..."

"Please note, Chairman," Truong Vien Chinh stood up, "The authenticity of the original bank transfer records can be verified through the bank's archives department. We have retrieved the original records from thirty years ago at the bank where the account was opened."

He took out a backup copy of the file with the bank's red seal.

“On January 15, 1993, 3.12 million yuan was transferred from Hang Thong Trading Company's account, the recipient was 'Loi Dat Bac Thanh Trading Company'. The legal representative of Loi Dat Trading - is defendant To Kien Quoc's wife, Ms. Liu Hong Mai."

There was a stir in the courtroom. To Kien Quoc could not sit still in the defendant's chair. He pulled Ly Chinh Duong's sleeve and whispered a few words. Ly Chinh Duong stood up: "Chairman, the defendant needs time to verify this newly provided evidence. We propose to adjourn the trial."

“Rejected.” The chairman said, "The evidence was submitted earlier within the time limit for providing evidence. The defendant had enough time to conduct verification."

Next is the evidence confrontation part. Ly Chinh Duong tried to find loopholes in the evidence preservation chain, but Truong Vien Chinh's preparations were perfect. Each document has a full explanation of origin and third-party certification. The most crucial moment — is the live video testimony line of To Chi Minh. He appeared in court via video connection from Canada.

“Mr. To Chi Minh, please present the truth that you know.”

"In early 1993, I saw with my own eyes big brother To Kien Quoc making a transfer transaction at his office. At that time I asked him what money to transfer, he said 'to deal with some cooperation issues'. Later I heard that Chau Quoc Luong had not received the money, so I went to ask big brother. Big brother told me - 'That guy deserves it. Who said his fate was unlucky'."

In the courtroom, there was talk again. The chairman tapped his gavel: “Order.” When Truong Vien Chinh made his final defense, he spoke a paragraph.

"Chairman, the core of this case is not just an economic dispute over 3.12 million yuan. It involves a principle - a person used deceitful tricks to deprive his partner of all his assets, for thirty years has never returned a penny, and during that time used this capital to build a business worth hundreds of millions of yuan. If the law does not prosecute such acts, then where is the fairness of the law?"

The chairperson declared: The case will be given a first instance verdict within fifteen working days. After the trial was dismissed, I walked out of the court. To Kien Quoc was surrounded by reporters on the steps. He did not say a word, his face was gray, and was helped into the car by Luu Hong Mai and To Uyen. To Man walked over to find me.

“Nim Niem.”

“Ms. Man.”

“I definitely won.”

“There is no verdict yet.”

“You're not talking about the lawsuit.” She looked at me, "You have won people's hearts. The relatives present today - no one is on your side anymore."

"I don't need people's hearts. I need fairness."

To Man sighed, patted my shoulder and left. Luc Dien walked out of the side door of the court and looked at me from afar. I didn't pay attention to him. Getting in the car, Ms. Lam reported.

"General To, Chau Dao has news - the results of the first follow-up examination after the transplant are in. The hematopoietic stem cells were successfully transplanted, the recovery indicators are very good."

“Good.”

“She's still asking who the bone marrow donor is.”

“It's time to tell her.”

“Are you going personally?”

“Let's go tomorrow.”

The next afternoon, I walked into Chau Dao's hospital room. She was transferred from the sterile isolation room to the regular hospital room. Although still very thin, there was some blood on his face. When she saw me, she was clearly startled.

“To Niem?”

“Chau Dao.”

“I'm coming…”

“Let me tell you something.”

I sat down in the chair next to the bed.

“The person who donated bone marrow to you was me.”

Her body stiffened.

“Taken ten days ago. Hematopoietic stem cells. Now they are in your body.”

She looked at me. Slowly, his eyes turned red.

“You — why do you…”

“It's not because of you.” I said, "It's because you're my sister. No matter what you've done."

“To Niem…”

“But this doesn't mean I've forgiven you.”

She burst into tears. I don't comfort her. Waiting for her to finish crying, I stood up.

“Convalesce well. Survival is more important than anything.”

“To Niem.” She called me back.

“Huh?”

"Luc Dien came to visit me the other day. He said - he knows who you are."

“I know.”

“He said he regretted it.”

“I know too.”

“Sister…”

“Compared to his words of regret, this is what bothers me more is — it took him three years to regret it.”

I walked out of the hospital room. The hallway was extremely quiet. There was only the sound of my high heels hitting the floor, beat after beat, very powerful. The verdict was issued faster than expected. Twelve working days. First instance verdict: To Kien Quoc must return the original cooperation capital of 3.12 million yuan to Chau Quoc Luong, and pay interest and compensation totaling 185 million yuan. At the same time, it was determined that To Kien Quoc's act of dispersing assets during the lawsuit was maliciously intended, and related transfer transactions were invalidated. To Kien Quoc immediately announced his appeal in court. But during the appeal, the asset freeze order of the first instance judgment continues to be in effect. All assets of To Thi Construction Materials are still frozen. This means that — if To Kien Quoc does not pay the full 185 million yuan, To Thi Construction Materials will be forced to execute the judgment. On the day this news spread, some major customers of To Thi Construction Materials simultaneously suspended cooperation. The construction contractor requires payment of all construction costs before the due date. The bank requires early repayment. The To family's empire collapsed in less than a month. The night of the verdict, I was alone in the apartment, drinking a glass of wine. Outside the window are the lights of thousands of houses in Bac Thanh. Floor 63. Half the city in full view. The phone rang. It's Co Tham.

“Watched the news. Congratulations.”

“What's the point in thanking you? Whatever is meant to happen will happen.”

“Then let me invite you out to eat. A little congratulations.”

“Congratulations on what?”

“Congratulations on justice. Also congratulations — I get to work with an amazing woman.”

I gently shake the glass of wine.

"Mr. Co, the frequency of your invitations to dinner seems a bit high."

“Criticize a lot?”

“No. But I want to confirm — is this a business dinner or a private dinner?”

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

“What do you think?”

“I thought — what do you want me to eat?”

He laughed on the other end of the line. That laugh reminded me of the feeling of sunlight passing through the windows of a high-rise building.

“Is French food okay?”

“Okay.”

Three months later. Chau Dao was discharged from the hospital. The hematopoietic stem cell transplant was successful and blood indicators returned to normal. On the day she was discharged from the hospital, she called me.

“Sister.”

The first time she called me sister.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. From now on, live properly.”

“Sister — Luc Dien came to find me. He said he wanted to break up.”

“That's between the two of you.”

“He said he still loves you.”

I looked out the window.

“Chau Dao, some things are broken and broken. Whether it's a vase of flowers or a sentiment, it's the same."

“I know.”

Hang up the phone. Luc Dien then actually came to me once. Last time. He stood under the company building, waiting for two hours. When I went downstairs, he gave me an envelope.

“Nien Niem, this letter was written by you. After watching, you may not need to answer."

I take it. Don't peel it off right in front of your face. Arrived at the newly opened apartment. Write on three full pages. The idea is: He is wrong. He was wrong from the start. He shouldn't leave me. Shouldn't be with Chau Dao. Don't use public opinion to force me. No so I only regretted it when I knew my true identity. The last sentence reads: "If there is a next life, I hope to start over again. In this life - I am not worthy of you." After reading it, I folded the letter and put it in a drawer. No reply. But that night, I cried a lot. Not because of him. It's because of the past three years. Because of the trying nights alone. Because of the frustrations that no one knows about. Because the self could clearly give a slap in retaliation but chose to stay silent. After crying, I washed my face. There are still meetings to attend tomorrow. Half a year later. To Kien Quoc's appeal court upheld the original verdict. He was forced to sell all assets of To Thi Construction Materials to pay the amount of judgment. In the end, 185 million yuan was collected. After deducting execution costs and court fees, the remaining amount was transferred to Chau Quoc Luong's account. Chau Quoc Luong used this money to buy a house in the South and then moved in. His liver cancer has stabilized after chemotherapy sessions. The doctor said he could live a few more years. He sent me a text message: "Nien Niem, thank you. Even though I don't have the qualifications to be your father, I'm very proud of you." I answered with one word: “Yes.” To Kien Quoc? Completely empty-handed. Business lost. Houses were sold at auction. Bank account goes to zero. His wife Liu Hongmei divorced him. To Uyen's wedding was finally held — at a very ordinary restaurant. The Trinh family did not give up the engagement, but the scale of the wedding was reduced by ten levels. The golden age of the To family's family has completely ended. And my life has just begun. The Van Linh project is progressing smoothly and is expected to open for sale next year. A conservative profit estimate is also fifteen billion. The Medical Center project in cooperation with Co Tham has passed all rounds of censorship and officially started construction. Co Tham — how should I say it? Every week he goes to Bac Thanh twice a week. The name is to come and see the progress of the project. But in reality, he always shows up in my office. One time he stood in front of my office window, looked down at the busy traffic below and said something.

“To Niem, do you know what I thought the first time I saw you in the hospital hallway?”

“What do you think?”

“Think — this woman walks like she's going into battle.”

“Battle?”

“Every step was very steady. It was as if there were ten thousand enemies ahead, but she was not afraid of anyone.”

I said nothing.

“Then I looked up your background. Learned your story.” He turned back to look at me, “I think you're very good.”

“Where are you?”

“The great thing is not how much money you have. It's that you've carried the burden alone for so many years, while no one knows you have money.”

I looked at him. This man has one characteristic when speaking — never saying too much, always hitting the point.

“Co Tham.”

“Huh?”

"After all, did you come to discuss business or to pursue me?"

“Both.”

“So how sure do you think you are of winning?”

“Doing business — ten parts. Pursuing you — three parts.”

“Only three parts?”

“You are really difficult to follow.”

I couldn't help but laugh.

“Then try your best from those three parts.”

He also laughed. Five years later. Asset scale managed by Niem Canh Investment has surpassed the 20 billion yuan mark. Take control and own shares in more than thirty businesses. The Van Linh project became the hottest real estate project in Bac Thanh, with the revenue of that project alone exceeding 5 billion yuan a year. The medical center collaborating with Co Tham officially opened. On the opening day, all provincial leaders were present. This medical center is called "Chi Vien Medical Center". Named after my father. To Chi Vien. The man treated me like his own daughter and raised me. The man lived in a small, cramped apartment all his life without ever complaining. At the opening ceremony, I stood on the podium and spoke.

“…This medical center carries a belief - every life deserves to be treated with kindness. This place is named after an ordinary father. He did not have any great achievements in his life, but he taught me what it means to 'Be a good person'.”

The applause echoed loudly below the stage. My mother sat in the first row, crying like rain. Co Tham stood below. He went from being “three parts sure” to being my boyfriend. Then there's the fiance. And then… Yes, we got married. The wedding took place very simply. Only invite twenty people. My mother, Ms. Lam, Ha Minh, Truong Vien Chinh, To Man, To Chi Minh, and a few key employees in the company. Do not hold lavish parties. No extravagance and waste. I wore a simple white wedding dress. Not a high-end designer product from any big brand. Made to order by a local Bac Thanh designer. Co Tham wore a dark blue suit — the same color as the turtleneck sweater he wore the first day he came to my office. The wedding did not invite any reporters. But the next day, it was still on the financial page. Title: “Founder of Niem Canh Investment To Niem and Group heir Co Thi Co Tham held a simple wedding.” Someone looked up my story. Ex-husband cheated. Divorced and left empty-handed. Hide your identity. Family secret. Marrow donation. Scandal of the To family's family. The flow of opinions in the comments section is completely opposite from a year ago.

“This is truly the heroine's scenario.”

“Do the people who abused her in the past now feel self-blame?”

"Luc Dien read this news, wondering what he was thinking?"

Luc Dien? I don't know what he's thinking. And I don't want to know anymore. Since the day we divorced, he has become a passerby in a part of my previous life. On our wedding night, Co Tham and I sat on the balcony of our new house. The new house is a villa on the outskirts of Bac Thanh. Not super big, but has a beautiful garden.

“To Niem.”

“Huh?”

“Have you ever thought, if before…”

“Stop.” I interrupted him, "I don't want to hear the words 'what if'."

“Why?”

“Because all the 'what ifs' are meaningless. Whatever has happened has happened. I don't regret any step."

He nodded.

“So — what happens next?”

“Later?” I looked at the moonlit lawn outside the garden, "In the future, live well. Do things worth doing, earn money worth earning. Don't owe anyone anything."

He took my hand.

“One more thing.” he said.

“What?”

“From today onwards — you don't have to carry it alone anymore.”

The wind blows through the canopy The trees in the garden made a rustling sound. In the distance are the lights of Bac Thanh. I leaned on his shoulder. The girl lived in a cramped apartment in the old town twenty years ago, never thinking that this day would come. But she never gave up. That's enough.