Chapter 14 — After My Brother Passed Away, I Received a Mysterious Text Message

My heart stopped. Ma Siyuan. The first name appeared in the brother's notebook. Also a former technical director who left Tinh Vong Science and Technology. The person whose brother once wrote:

"Before the storm came, he jumped off the ship."

Is this a trap? Or did Truong Vien see the post and devise a new trap? This is the last move my brother left me. Be my only ally in this war. I stared at that message. Fall into contemplation. Right at that moment. My phone vibrated. It's a mysterious phone number that has been silent for many hours. I opened the message. Inside there are only two words.

"Go see him."

I looked at two words on the phone screen.

"Go see him."

Fingertips cold. This mysterious person... Who is it? He took me to the gym. Push me into Truong Vien's trap. Now tell me to meet a name that only appeared in my brother's notebook. Ma Siyuan. His purpose is like a thick fog. So thick that you can't see through it. But there is one thing I know very well. He doesn't want me to die. I couldn't have lived until now. He's more like a chess player. A cold chess player. Hide behind the chessboard. Truong Vien. Even So Minh. They are all just chess pieces in his hands. He's using me for impact. To probe. To break that seemingly unshakable group of interests. He's pushing everything forward. There is no other choice. I had no way back. Comrade Ly was controlled. I became a target. The evidence I released created a stir. But still not enough to finish off So Minh. His media team will take action sooner or later. They will turn everything into a smear campaign against their competitors. Or into the delusion of a younger sister who lost her brother. I need a bigger bomb. I need an ally. Ma Siyuan. The only person whose full name was written in the notebook by his brother. The person you call is:

"The one who jumped off the ship before the storm came."

He is my only hope. Even though this is a trap. I still have to go in. Because standing still has only one outcome. I make a decision. Ten o'clock at night. Ben Do Bar. I have a few hours left to prepare. You can't appear arrogantly like that. Truong Vien's men are certainly searching throughout the city. I have to change my appearance. I left the apartment safely. Entering a crowded commercial area. The first is a wig shop. I bought a short black haircut. Bob style with flat bangs. After putting it on. I look like a fresh graduate. Next is the eyeglasses store. I chose a pair of zero-degree black frame glasses. Then went to a fashion store. I took off the dark coat I was wearing. Change to a cream trench coat. Comes with a simple pair of jeans. I bought a bright red lipstick. In the shopping center restroom. I stood in front of the mirror. Look at the strange woman reflected in it. Black frame glasses. Outstanding red lips. Completely different from Chu Tinh's usual days. A mature product manager. Now there are no more traces left. This appearance could fool the surveillance cameras and the eyes that were looking for me. I process all old clothes. Erase traces. When everything is done. Night had just fallen. I don't call a taxi. But squeeze onto a crowded bus. Intentionally go around many roads in the inner city. Make sure no one follows. Then get off the bus two stops before your destination. I walked the rest of the way. Ben Do bar is located on a quite deserted riverside road. Quiet surroundings. Only the sound of water lapping against the embankment could be heard. The old sign hung suspended under the faint neon light. Looks like it's been around for years. I stood across the street. Hide in the dark. Observe for a long time. There were no suspicious vehicles. No followers found. Everything is strangely normal. I took a deep breath. Adjust the collar. Then walk across the street. Push the heavy wooden door. The sound of wind chimes rang softly. Inside the lighting is very dark. There are not many guests. Small groups sat scattered everywhere. The smell of time. Mix together. Behind the bar. A long-haired man is slowly wiping glasses. Heard noise. He raised his head to look at me. Calm eyes. So deep that it's hard to fathom. As if it had been sitting there waiting for me for a long time.

"What do you want to drink?"

he asked.