Chapter 16 — After Divorce, I Am a Real Angel

“The Pho family.”

The cup of tea in my hand almost fell to the ground.

“The Pho family?”

“Yes.” Tran Tinh nodded, "The old man of the Pho family, Pho Chan Hoa, that year his daughter-in-law also gave birth at that hospital, but the baby died prematurely. This story was suppressed, very few people knew."

My head is all messed up. The Pho family also lost a child? So Pho Kinh Nghien…

“Is the baby from the Pho family a boy or a girl?” I asked.

“It's a boy.” Tran Tinh replied, "If still alive, he would be the same age as the Deputy General."

Pho Kinh Nghien is the child of the Pho family, this point does not need to be discussed. But if the Pho family lost a son that year, then who was Pho Kinh Nghien? Could it be that Pho Kinh Nghien is not also a child of the Pho family? It's impossible, everyone in Giang Thanh knows the level of respect that Old Man Pho has for Pho Kinh Nghien. If he wasn't his biological nephew, how could he give the Deputy to him?

“Does Pho Kinh Nghien know about this?” I asked.

Tran Tinh shook his head: "Not sure. But my uncle said, Old Man Pho was very concerned about the fire that year, and secretly investigated many times. Furthermore..." He stopped and looked at me: "Furthermore, Old Man Pho especially took care of the To family. Over the years, in and out of light, he has given the To family a lot of resources. The To family was able to prosper, all thanks to the support of the Pho family. Don't you find it strange? Why does the To family have a lot of resources? How can Pho be so good to the To family? Yes, why? If just for the sake of intermarriage, the Pho family could completely choose a more suitable family, why does it have to be the To family? Unless... the To family has what the Pho family needs. Or, the To family holds the Pho family's heart.

“To Quoc Vi was arrested for economic crimes.” Tran Tinh continued, "But my uncle is suspicious, that's just an excuse. The real reason, perhaps, is that the Pho family wants to destroy the public."

My whole body was cold.

“Kill your mouth?”

“This is just speculation, there is no evidence.” Tran Tinh said, "But Ms. To Nghien, you must be careful these days. If the incident from that year really involved the Pho family, your situation would be very dangerous. Old man Pho... is not a gentle person."

I clutched the teacup tightly, my fingertips were cold.

“Mr. Tran, thank you for letting me know these things.”

“Nothing.” Tran Tinh stood up, "My uncle told me to pass on the message. He will continue to investigate. If there is any progress, he will notify you immediately. Also, if you need help, just find me at any time."

He gave me a business card, on which was written "Tran Tinh, Private Detective".

“Are you… a detective?”

“So it is.” Tran Tinh smiled, "Mainly taking on people search and investigation cases. For your case, I don't charge a fee, it's considered... contributing to justice."

I received the business card and solemnly thanked you. After seeing Tran Tinh off, I sat back in the tea shop, looking at the rush of traffic outside the window, my heart churning violently. If Tran Tinh is telling the truth, then my background is much more complicated than I thought. The Pho family, the To family, the fire 22 years ago, the children who were switched... All of these things, like a giant net, trapped me in the middle. The phone rang again, this time it was Pho Kinh Nghien. I looked at the name flashing on the screen and felt for the first time that this man I had known for three years and shared bed with for three years was so strange. He is after all Who? How much does he know? In this conspiracy, what role does he play? I pressed the listen button, Pho Kinh Nghien's voice came through, carrying a rare tiredness: "To Nghien, let's meet, I have something to tell you."

“Okay.” I said, “Where?”

* We met at a cafe by the river.