Chapter 8 — After Losing 4 Billion Inheritance, I Made The Whole Family Look Up

Friday afternoon. Something unexpected happened. My mother called. There was a bit of cautious joy in his voice.

"Nien Van."

"My grandfather..."

"Your grandfather said a few soft words."

I hold the phone. Don't speak up.

"He said I must come to the party Saturday night."

"Still saying..."

"You've been thinking a lot these past few days."

"I felt like I spoke a bit harshly that day."

"I feel a little sorry for you."

"What did you say verbatim?"

My mother immediately replied:

"You said..."

"'Tell her to come.'"

"'There are some things that should be said clearly up front.'"

There are a few things that should be said clearly up front. One sentence. But it makes a lot of sense. Maybe sorry. It could also be something else.

"Are you sure grandpa means that?"

"Sure."

"I told my father with his own mouth."

"Today my father also made a special trip to the old villa."

"Grandpa's attitude is much better than a few days ago."

"Nien Van."

"I'm coming on a trip."

"Who knows, maybe the old man really has thought things through."

I was silent for ten seconds. Then quietly replied:

"I'll go."

On the other end of the line, my mother clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good... that's good..."

"Mom, please prepare a nice set of clothes to bring over."

"No need."

"I have it myself."

After hanging up the phone, I leaned back in my chair, bewildered for a moment. I don't hold out too much hope. But no matter what grandpa wants to say. I should still come listen once. He is still my grandfather. That truth won't change just because of 4 billion yuan. Saturday evening. When I arrived at the old mansion. In the yard were parked seven or eight cars. I pushed the door and walked in. The living room was filled with people. Great uncle To Kien Minh. Trieu Ngoc Lan. Tran Giai Di. Ms. Hai and her husband. With a few distant relatives that we met every day and only reluctantly exchanged a few greetings. The moment you see me. Everyone's expressions are different. Trieu Ngoc Lan's lips moved slightly. But To Kien Minh pulled his sleeve so he had to hold back. To Kiet holds a cup of tea. Don't raise your head. Just slightly raised the corners of the lips. Tran Giai Di smiled at me. The smile is so standard that it seems like the angle has been pre-measured. My mother stood at the kitchen door. As soon as I saw it, I quickly walked over. Take my hand. Len secretly squeezed the back of my hand. My father sat in the corner of the room. Gently nodded at me. Grandfather sat in the chair. In front of it, place a pot of tea. See me coming. He put down the teacup.

"Already here."

The tone is neither hot nor cold. But it was actually more pleasant than the meal the day before. I sat down next to my mother. Trieu Ngoc Lan cleared her throat.

"There are enough people."

"How about we start now?"

"Dad, please say a few words."

Grandpa looked around the room.

"Call everyone here today."

"There are two things."

He raised a finger.

"The first."

"To Kiet's inheritance procedures were completed this week."

"Notarized done."

"The name change is complete."

"This has become an irreversible fact."

To Kiet nodded slightly. Sit up straight. Serious expression. Grandpa raised another finger. His eyes stopped on me.

"Nien Van."

"Today I want to say a few words to you from the bottom of my heart."

The whole living room immediately became quiet.

"The past years."

"You don't know how much I've spent."

"Pre-surgery."

"Party money."

"Money to repair the house."

"You all remember."

My mother squeezed my hand. Corner Trieu Ngoc Lan's lips immediately drooped. But then... Grandpa's "but" also came.

"Nien Van."

"You're too stubborn."

"I spent all that money."

"It doesn't mean that the inheritance must have your share."

"This 4 billion yuan."

"It's the property he accumulated all his life."

"He left it to To Kiet."

"It's a decision that has been thought through very carefully."

"It wasn't something I suddenly thought of while sitting at the dinner table."

I looked at him. Say nothing.

"Call me here today."

"I want you to admit this in front of everyone."

He picked up a piece of paper from the tea table. Bring it towards me.

"Sign it."

I take it. Bow your head and look. The bold text at the top immediately catches the eye. VOLUNTARY APPLICATION TO GIVE UP THE RIGHT TO INHERIT THE LEGACY The content is very simple. I, To Niem Van. Voluntarily renounce all inheritance rights to all assets in To Kien Quoc's name. From the date of signature. Will not make any requests or complaints related to the above assets. At the end of the text. Right next to the signature box. The notary office's seal has been affixed. I stared at the paper. The atmosphere in the living room became increasingly heavier. On Trieu Ngoc Lan's face, a look of pride appeared that was hard to hide. To Kiet bowed his head to drink tea. Don't say a word. Tran Giai Di bent down to look at her nails. This is not an apology. This is a ritual prepared in advance. A ritual that forced me to sign and admit defeat in front of everyone. But the words "get out of the water" my mother heard... were just a trap to lure me here. I turned the paper over. Put it on the tea table. Then stand up. My voice was very calm.

"I didn't sign."

The whole living room was silent for a few seconds. Then it immediately exploded. Trieu Ngoc Lan hit her thigh hard. Stand up suddenly.

"To Niem Van!"

"You still haven't given up yet?"

"Grandpa made it clear he won't let you."

"And yet you still stubbornly hold on and don't let go!"

"Are you still ashamed?"