Chapter 17 — After Firing Me, My Husband Lost the 6 Billion Dollar Project!

“I'm listening.”

"Don't cry. You're so big."

I don't cry. Just a stinging nose.

“Thank you, Uncle Chau.”

"Thank you for what. Quickly put the company into operation, don't make me wait too long."

Hanging up, Tham Dao pulled the car over to the side.

“Where to next?”

I thought for a moment.

"To the Department of Administration of Industry and Trade, Ha Tinh, have your company documents been prepared yet?"

Ha Tinh pulled out a file of documents from his briefcase: "I've been preparing for a long time. Just waiting for your one sentence." I said loudly: "Go." One week later, "Van Tinh Investment Fund" () was officially licensed to establish. The word "Van" comes from my name, and the word "Love" () symbolizes the sky that I always aim for. Tham Dao is a co-founder, in charge of risk management and intelligence. Ha Tinh holds the position of Legal Director. Uncle Chau's 6 billion contract became our first big deal. The company's headquarters is located in an office building in Tan Giang new urban area, located on the 18th floor. Although the area is not too large, it faces south, has ground-level glass doors, and when looking out, you can capture the entire river landscape. On the day of moving in, Tham Dao brought a box of beer, Ha Tinh brought a pot of betel. The three of us sat in the middle of the empty office space, drinking beer, watching the river scene outside the window.

“To Van,” Tham Dao raised the beer bottle, “You're the boss now, will you say a few words?”

I raised the beer can.

"There is nothing to say. Starting tomorrow, I am no longer anyone's wife, no longer anyone's employee, nor a chess piece in anyone's hands anymore."

Tham Dao and Ha Tinh both lifted the bottles, making three clinking sounds. That night, I stayed at the office to work overtime alone. Ha Tinh finished editing the contract and returned first, Tham Dao also went to process the last batch of documents. I sat in front of the table, carefully reviewing the cooperation agreement sent by Uncle Chau. 6 billion yuan, 10 year term. This is a new beginning. The phone rings, it's an unfamiliar number. I hesitated for a moment, then picked up the phone. It's Co Canh Tham's voice. I didn't hang up.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“At my own company.”

He was silent for a few seconds: "You really opened your own company?" There was another silence.

“To Van, I want to see you once.”

"For what?"

“I have something to tell you.”

I looked at the river flowing outside the window, the water's surface sparkling like silver under the night.

“Co Canh Tham, there is nothing more to say between us.”

"I know. But there are words that I must say directly."

I thought for a moment and said: "Tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, the coffee shop is down the hall from my company." Hanging up, I put the phone on the table. The river outside is still flowing lazily, it's unclear which direction it will flow. But that doesn't matter anymore. At three o'clock the next afternoon, Co Canh Tham showed up on time at the coffee shop. He was very emaciated, his eye sockets were deep, his chin had a dark green beard. He was wearing a normal gray hoodie, no watch, and no ring. He sat across from me, ordered a black Americano, without adding anything.

“Say it.” I picked up a cup of coffee and looked at him.

He bowed his head and gently stirred his cup of coffee, before speaking for a long time.

“To Van, please error."

I didn't reply.

“The matter of firing me was because you gave me the green light. It's not that Lam Nhuoc Khe acted recklessly, it was I who told her to do it."

I slowly lowered my cup of coffee.

“I saw the documents that day. I know what's written in there. It's not that I didn't look carefully, it's that I didn't dare look straight into your eyes, so I pretended to be engrossed in signing the papers."

He raised his head, his eyes full of pain looking at me.

“Do you know why I fired you?”

“Because I'm in the way of you transferring money.”

He shook his head: “Not quite.”

“Then what for?”

“Because I'm afraid of you.”

I was stunned. He continued: “You are so excellent, To Van. Everyone in the company praised Mr. To as being good, Mr. To was capable, and Mr. To could support half of the country. Before my father passed away, he gave the customers to you, not to me. When the old shareholders have a job, they look for you, not me. I am the General Director, but everyone knows that the person who is really in charge is you.” His voice was very small, like he was muttering to himself.