Chapter 22 — After Losing 4 Billion Inheritance, I Made The Whole Family Look Up

His voice choked.

"Nien Van..."

I shook my head.

"I don't blame you anymore."

"Really."

"I'm just sorry."

"Unfortunately it had to come today."

"I just looked at you once."

Tears finally overflowed from the corners of his eyes. He turned away. The old shoulders trembled slightly. No one in the whole room dared to talk. Trieu Ngoc Lan lowered her head. To Kiet stood dumbfounded. Tran Giai Di cried until her eyes turned red. But no one dared to speak up. Because everyone knows. What hurt To Niem Van the most. It's never been about money. It's the denial of loved ones. It's been a long time. The new grandfather slowly turned around. Hoarse voice.

"Nien Van."

"You know."

"You really know."

"But I still want to ask you a question."

I looked at him. He tightened his grip on the chair armrest.

"From now on..."

"Do you still have a chance to make it up to me?"

I was silent. Outside the window. The sunset is gradually falling. The light orange sunlight covered his silver hair. Like in just one afternoon. He has aged a lot. I looked at the man in front of me. Then at last he said softly:

"I don't need to make up for it."

"I just hope from now on."

"Don't judge anyone else because of what others say."

"Especially those who genuinely treat you well."

The corners of his eyes were red. He nodded. Continually nodding.

"He agrees."

"He agrees."

The first time since grandma passed away. A strong man all his life. Burst into tears in front of the whole family. Just quietly closed the file. Because I know. The relationship between me and him. Perhaps it will not be possible to return to the way it was before. But at least. From today. He understood. The person he hurt the most. It's also the person who loves him the most. I poured him a whole glass of water. He took it. But don't drink. Just lowered my head and looked at my wrinkled fingers. It took a long time to speak up.

"Nien Van."

"Actually I know."

"I know that the past few years have not been easy for you."

I said nothing. He smiled bitterly.

"Do you know why I didn't come out and help you at that time?"

I looked at him. He answered himself.

"Because you're a coward."

The room fell silent.

"My father has a strong temper."

"For decades in this house, what you say is one is one, what you say is two is two."

"I'm used to it."

"So familiar that even when I knew he was wrong, I didn't dare to object."

He raised his head. Red eyes.

"The date of publication of the will."

"When father said that all 400,000,000 yuan were left for To Kiet."

"I knew it wasn't fair."

"But you remained silent."

"It's not because I agree."

"But because you don't dare."

He clenched his fist.

"But I didn't expect it."

"Your silence."

"You hurt me so much again."

I smiled softly.

"If it's changed, it's now."

"Are you still quiet?"

He was dumbfounded. After a while, he shook his head.

"I won't this time."

I looked at him. In his eyes there was no longer the confidence or arrogance of his uncle. Only fatigue remains. And regret.

"Nien Van."

"Do you know why I decided to divorce?"

He smiled bitterly.

"Because I found out."

"The person who lived wrongly for many years."

"It's not just Trieu Ngoc Lan."

"But there's also you."

He raised his head and looked out the window. The afternoon sunlight is gradually tilting down.

"The past years."

"I always think that as long as the family is peaceful, it's okay."

"Give So endure everything."

"No matter what happens."

"What Ngoc Lan says is fine."

"To Kiet can do anything."

"As long as there are no quarrels in the house."

"But only now do you understand."

"A real family."

"It is not through silence that peace comes."

"It's thanks to someone who dares to say right from wrong."

He looked at me.

"It's a pity I realized it too late."

I was quiet. It's been a long time since I said:

"Understanding is better than not understanding."

He laughed. This time was the first genuine smile since entering.

"You're still the same as when you were little."

"Tough mouth."

"But the heart is soft."

I don't deny it. He stood up. Take out an envelope from your shirt pocket. Place on the table.

"I know you're not short of money."

"But you should keep this."

Inside is an old photo. The photo was taken more than twenty years ago. Grandpa is still very young. Grandma is smiling. I was carried on my grandfather's shoulders. Both hands holding a string of gourd candy. Laughing until you can't see your eyes. The eldest uncle said softly:

"Cleaning the study room today."

"I found it in dad's drawer."

"You always keep it."

"From when I was five years old until now."

I looked at the photo. Fingers tightened slightly. Uncle sighed.

"Nien Van."

"Dad is really biased."

"Dad really disappointed me too."

"But there's one thing."

"You have never lied."

I raised my head. He smiled sadly.

"I used to be very proud of you."

"Even more proud than To Kiet."

"Just later."

"He was blinded by the words around him."

"Missing out on the best niece."

He turned and walked out the door. He stopped walking again. Don't turn around. Just say softly:

"Dad is preparing to amend his will."

I was stunned.

"What did you say?"

He laughed.

"Maybe you don't want to leave anything to To Kiet anymore."

He opened the door and left. And I sit alone in the office. Holding an old photo that is slightly discolored. Look at the little girl on her grandfather's shoulder in the photo. Just slightly curled the corners of his lips. Some wounds cannot heal completely. But at least. The person who caused it. Finally seen it. But for To Kiet. That result is even more unpleasant than being fired. Because he's still there. But no one takes him seriously anymore. People who once flattered him now avoid them like evil. The person who once called him "Kie Ca" now only nodded politely when we met. To Kha Kha once told me. He sat alone in the office cafeteria. A whole row of empty tables. No one sat next to me. Four billion yuan is still there. But the feeling of being admired by others is no longer there. But To Kiet is the type of person who cannot stand being looked down upon. He started drinking. Drink a lot. There was a very drunk night. He called me. It was already past eleven o'clock. I looked at the screen for a few seconds before picking up the phone. The other end of the line was very quiet. There was only the sound of heavy breathing. He called out. Hoarse voice.

"Do you ever hate me?"