Chapter 25 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

"What time do you fly tomorrow?"

"Six o'clock in the morning."

"Then go home and rest."

He still didn't move.

"Khuong Niem."

He did not continue speaking.

"...Nothing."

He turned around and left. After walking more than ten steps, he suddenly stopped.

"Khuong Niem."

"What happened again?"

He stood with his back to me, the streetlight drawing his shadow long.

"Next time the school has a Parents' Day..."

"Can you still call me?"

No more counting. I really don't count anymore. In the fifth year of Niem An Logistics, Mr. Ly of Vien Dong Shipping called me.

"Miss Khuong, are you interested in buying a shipping company?"

"Which company?"

"New Continent Shipping. Have you heard of it?"

New Continent Shipping is the third largest shipping enterprise in Tinh city. Recently, because of infighting among the management team and the capital chain was broken, they are looking for a buyer.

"How much did they bid?"

"Two billion five hundred million yuan. But with the current situation, about one billion five hundred to one billion eight hundred million yuan is negotiable."

"I don't have that much cash on hand."

"That's why I called you." Mr. Ly smiled. "Vien Dong Shipping can act as a financial advisor and at the same time become an investor with you. We contribute thirty percent, you contribute seventy percent. For the remaining balance, you can borrow from the bank or find more strategic investors."

"Mr. Ly, why did you choose me?"

"I already said it."

"Because of your grandfather's kindness."

"Combined with what you have done in the past five years, I believe that you are capable of running a large-scale shipping business."

"Give me a week to think."

I put down the phone and looked out the window at the harbor. If it acquires New Continent Shipping, Niem An Logistics will turn from a logistics service company into a general shipping corporation that owns its own fleet. The scale will directly rise to the top three businesses in the industry. But that also comes with huge risks. The acquisition is worth about one billion eight hundred million yuan, plus the restructuring costs afterwards, I will need at least two billion five hundred million yuan in investment capital. My current net worth is only about eight hundred million yuan. Far East Shipping contributed thirty percent, equivalent to about five to six hundred million yuan. The remaining eleven to twelve hundred million yuan will have to rely on bank loans and external investment capital. This is a huge bet. But in the veins of the Khuong family... The blood of those who dare to bet already flows. In the past, my grandfather dared to go down to Indonesia with just one ship. My father that year started his sea logistics career with ten million yuan. In the past, I only held one million seven hundred thousand yuan and built a career in Tinh City with nothing. Every time... It's a gamble. And every time... I win. I said to myself. A week later, I formed a small team specializing in mergers and acquisitions and began conducting comprehensive due diligence on New Continent Shipping. At the same time, I need someone who really understands the capital market of city A and has experience with large-scale acquisitions to help me design the financial structure. I think of one person. I don't want to use you. Thanh Hoa looked out my hesitation.

"Are you thinking about Co Tram Chu?"

"I'm thinking of his CFO."

"Tien Minh Vien."

"One of the best experts in city A in finance for mergers."

"Then you can contact Tien Minh Vien directly."

"No need to go through Co Tram Chu."

"Tian Minh Vien is a member of the Co Group."

"I contacted him..."

"It's like indirectly contacting Co Tram Chu."

"Then ignore them."

"Find someone else yourself."

"But it will be a lot slower."

"New Continent Shipping won't wait for me."

I stared at Co Tram Chu's phone number on the screen. In the end... I still didn't call. I found an international investment bank myself as a consultant. About two weeks later than Tien Minh Vien. Those two weeks did not affect the results. Three months later. Niem An Logistics completed the acquisition of New Continent Shipping for one billion six hundred and eighty million yuan. The signing ceremony was held right at the Tinh City Port Authority building. That day I wore the champagne-colored suit and skirt I wore at the appreciation party five years ago. That's the set. I wore it on purpose. To remind myself that... The woman stood here five years ago. And this woman stands here today. Still the same person. The only difference is... That year I stood here to thank fifty small customers. And today... It's to sign an acquisition deal worth one billion six hundred and eighty million yuan. That evening the signing ceremony took place. I received a message. It belongs to Co Tram Chu.

"Congratulations."

Not one extra word. I answered back with exactly one word. Then put the phone down. Embracing Lac Lac and An An who were running towards him.

"Mom did something very big today!"

Lac Lac raised his hands high and shouted.

"What's going on?"

An An asked seriously.

"Mom bought a lot of big ships!"

An An raised her head to look at me.

"Did you really buy a ship?"

"Lots of ships."

"So later..."

"Can I travel on my family's ship?"

"Wait until you two grow up a little more."

Rarely does An An smile. That smile... Just like when Co Tram Chu smiled. The eyes curved into two small moons. The corners of the lips slightly raised. Every time I see that smile. I have to remind myself. What I left behind... Was that man. But not... This smile. Half a year after completing the acquisition of New Continent Shipping... Is the busiest half a year. Merge two teams. Optimize transport routes. Upgrade fleet. Re-negotiate all contracts with seaports. Almost every day I work until dawn. But no matter how busy... From eight to nine pm every day.