Chapter 3 — After Divorce, I Made My Husband's Family Bankrupt

The phone rang again. This time it's a message from Chu Khai:

"Diep Thanh, let's talk tomorrow. If there's anything, please discuss it slowly. After all, we've been married for 5 years, so don't overdo it."

I don't answer. Returning to the hotel room, I changed into my pajamas and opened my laptop. Details of the contract with Dinh Vi still need further editing. The day after the official signing, General Director Vuong's side may introduce new terms. I poured a glass of water, preparing to start work. Chu Dinh's WeChat popped up — just as the divorce was over, she pulled me off the block list.

"I'm telling you, Diep Thanh, don't think you're terrible! Do you think the Chu restaurant can't survive without you? My brother told me, Bach Anh's family has connections, finding a better supplier is just a matter of minutes. What do you think you are!"

Right after that came another news:

"Aren't you just aiming for that recipe? As my brother told me, it's okay to not need it! Without your torn seasoning, the restaurant will still be open as usual!"

I answer one question:

“Okay, wish your brother a prosperous business.”

Then block it. Outside the window, the city lights up brightly. I took a sip of water, my eyes returned to the contract. On the morning of the third day, General Director Vuong of Dinh Vi Group personally led the team to the hotel to sign the contract. The signing ceremony was held in the third floor meeting room. Truong Khai Son of Tu Huong Cac was also present, the three parties sat together, the atmosphere was quite favorable. General Director Vuong is a middle-aged woman who works decisively, has short hair, wears gold-framed glasses, and speaks with an air of spirit that leaves no room for doubt.

"General Director Diep, Dinh Vi's 17 stores across the province have a huge demand for spices. Can your production capacity keep up?"

"No problem. My spice factory just opened a third line this year. It's normal to produce 10 tons of base materials every day. Regarding the supply chain, I cooperate with General Director Truong, which can cover everything from raw material purchasing to cold transportation."

General Director Vuong nodded and turned over the documents:

"One more thing. Previously when Dinh Vi worked with the Chu family, Chu Khai was the one to receive. He said the core formula was their 'family secret'."

Truong Khai Son couldn't help but laugh. I also smiled slightly:

"General Manager Vuong, you have seen the patent. The inventor is me, Diep Thanh. The registration date is even earlier than when I married into the Chu family."

“Understood.”

General Director Vuong closed the document:

"Then there's no problem. Sign it."

Three contracts, three parties simultaneously signed. Applause rang out in the meeting room. At the end of the party, General Director Vuong left first. Truong Khai Son and I walked out of the hotel together.

"General Manager Diep, Dinh Vi's first batch of goods will be delivered in two days. How are your preparations?"

“It's okay, I ran the factory at full capacity yesterday.”

At that moment, Truong Khai Son's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and smiled:

“Zhu Kai.”

I raised my eyebrows. He turned on the speakerphone and picked up the phone:

"General Manager Truong! I'm Chu Khai, the restaurant's name is Chu!"

“Oh, Mr. Chu, what's going on?”

"I heard that Diep Thanh is looking for you to cooperate? Don't be fooled by her! That recipe was actually stolen from our restaurant, we are preparing to sue!"

Truong Khai Son shook his head and smiled. I stood aside, saying nothing.

“General Zhou, you said the Thirteenth formula Is Diep Thanh's incense stolen from you guys?

“So why don't you guys register the patent yourself?”

“That… hasn't been done yet!”

“So why don't you guys use your formula?”

“She suddenly cut off the power, and my side suddenly—”

The other end of the line suddenly heard a chaotic argument. Chu Khai quickly said, "General Manager Truong, I have something to do" and hung up. Truong Khai Son put away his phone.

“General Manager Diep, it seems their side is starting to get chaotic.”

“This is just the beginning.”

I called a car to the spice factory. The factory is located in a suburban industrial park, with an area of nearly 3 hectares, with three rows of standard factories lined up in a row. As soon as we arrived at the gate, Uncle Tran ran out to welcome us.

“General Manager Diep, the Chu family is calling again.”

“This time it's not Trieu Le, but Chu Dai Phuc. He said he was willing to pay double the price to buy the ingredients.”

Uncle Tran lowered his voice:

"And he said that as long as we re-supply the goods, the previous debt will be considered completely erased."

I stopped walking.

“Debt? How much?"

“From the second half of last year until now, the total debt is 1,830,000 yuan. They kept saying their daughter-in-law would pay, so they haven't paid yet."

I laughed coldly.

“Now I know I'm impatient.”

“So how do we handle it?”

“Continue cutting. In addition, after compiling a list of debts, I will have the legal department send a letter to the lawyer."

Uncle Tran nodded and turned to work. I went around to check the new line, check the operating situation, then review the delivery order. The Chu family's seven stores, over the past five years, have consumed an average of 1.2 tons of base materials every day. According to current market prices, the cost for one day is 24,000 yuan. That is, every day the power is cut off, Chu Khai loses 24,000 yuan in revenue. As soon as I left the workshop, the phone rang again.

“Sister-in-law! It's me, Liu Loi!”

Chu Dinh's husband. The voice sounded very urgent.

“Sister-in-law, that… Chu Dinh doesn't know how to keep it, don't accept it. My brother-in-law has been sincere to you all these years, see if you can—”

“Do you have anything?”

The other party paused, then changed to a softer voice:

“Sister-in-law, the kitchen at our restaurant has stopped. All the customers canceled their orders this afternoon. Chu Khai is smashing dishes in the restaurant. Can you… provide a batch of ingredients in advance to save the day?”

“Tell Chu Khai to call me himself.”