Chapter 23 — After Divorce, I Made My Husband's Family Bankrupt

He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

"Chu Khai. Every time your mother gave me a hard time, you never stood up and said a word. You forgot. But I didn't forget."

"Your sister said I was poor, you even sent a smiley emoji in the group. You forgot. I didn't forget."

"You used my dowry money to pay the deposit for the apartment, then turned around and said 'the whole family voted, you left empty-handed'. You forgot. I didn't forget."

I looked straight at him.

“I just said sorry.”

I looked at him.

"I remember all the things you did wrong to me over the years. Today you said sorry, not because you truly realized it was wrong. But because you have nothing left."

"Suppose you still have a restaurant now, and there's still someone like Bach Anh next to you... do you still remember me?"

Chu Khai stood still.

“I won't.”

I turned around and walked towards the hotel door.

“Diep Thanh—”

“Go live your life.”

I don't turn around. Outside the door, the sun is very strong, making people squint their eyes. The driver opens the car door.

“General Manager Diep, are you going back to the factory?”

“Back to the workshop.”

Diep Thi spice factory held a year-end party. The hall was hung with lights and flowers, hundreds of workers were seated. The stage was filled with prizes — TVs, washing machines, cash, most notably the keys to three new cars. It is a reward for excellent employees of the year. When I stepped up to speak, the audience burst into cheers.

"This year, Diep Thi's output tripled. Next year, we will double it."

“But that's not the most important thing.”

“Most importantly — every single person here, is a part of this growth.”

“Without everyone, there would be no Diep Thi today.”

Applause echoed throughout the hall. When it came to the drawing, Luu Loi won a refrigerator. When he received his reward, he was so nervous that he couldn't speak. MC teased:

“Leader Liu, please say a few words!”

He stammered for a while, then finally said:

“General Manager Diep… thank you.”

The whole hall burst into laughter. I also laughed. The party ended and everyone left one by one. I sat alone in the empty hall, looking at the red ribbons and balloons that had not yet been cleared. Phone vibrates. Chu Dinh sent Tet wishes. A very long, social paragraph. Finally:

"Ms. Diep, have a happy new year. Thank you for this year."

I replied:

“Have fun.”

Another message appears. Bach Tung Thao:

"General Director Diep, the meeting to prepare for e-commerce after Tet has been finalized. Eighth day, Bach Thi headquarters."

Truong Khai Son:

"General Manager Diep, happy new year! Continue fighting next year!"

“General Manager Truong, have a happy new year.”

Then came Mrs. Vuong, Uncle Tran, Uncle Ngo, and the group leaders. One message at a time. I answered them all. As soon as the last message was sent, the sound of fireworks rang out outside the hall. In the sky, fireworks exploded. I stood up and walked out. Security guard Ly was on patrol. When he saw me, he immediately smiled:

“General Manager Diep, happy new year!”

“Happy New Year.”

"Our workshop was really bustling this year. Some guys tried to light firecrackers, but I stopped them - no fires in the workshop."

“Correct block.”

I zipped up my jacket.

“Where do you study?”

“In the city, university entrance exam next year.”

“What was the result?”

“It's okay.” He smiled awkwardly, "He said he wanted to study food technology and then work at Diep Thi."

“Welcome.”

He smiled brightly. I walked around the factory. Old factory. New workshop. Research center. Reserve land area for phase three. The street lights are bright. Every corner is clean. Returning to the office, I closed the door. On the table there is a photo. It was my father during the topping out ceremony. He wore a Trung Son suit, stood on the side of the stage, smiling with his eyes closed. Next to it is the gray scarf my mother knitted before she passed away. In the drawer there is an older photo. I am eighteen years old. In the factory laboratory. Tie your hair in a ponytail, wear a white blouse, and hold a test tube that you just finished boiling. There was still frustration on his face after the defeat. But in the eyes is stubbornness. I placed the two photos next to each other. Outside the window, fireworks were still exploding. New Year's Eve dyes the sky in all colors. The phone displays a notification. Hot search city: #Diep Thi's year-end party# #Failure of Chu Gia restaurant auction# I turned my phone screen face down. The sound of fireworks gradually became less frequent. I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes. Countless images flashed through my mind... then gradually disappeared. Don't think anymore. Just sit still. Quiet as the sea... finally calm.