Chapter 12 — After Taking Mother Away, We Changed Our Lives

Mother and Aunt Tran stood next to hear that and cried without making a sound. After the story ended... The whole room fell silent. Only the mother's muffled sobs remained. Tieu Tien was silent for a long time. Finally she raised her head. Eye rims are red.

“Sister Nguyet…”

“Sorry, sister.”

She suddenly spoke. I was stunned.

“I should have known everyone's story sooner.”

She stood up and walked back and forth in the small workshop.

“This is no longer a simple trade dispute.”

“This is a large company blatantly oppressing and robbing startups at the bottom.”

“They don't just want people's money.”

“But I also want everyone's lives.”

“Want to destroy everyone's hope of continuing to live.”

Those words... Like a sharp knife stabbing straight into the most painful place in my heart. Finally I couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears immediately welled up. There are still people who understand us.

“Sister Nguyet, you can rest assured.”

She walked in front of me. His eyes were as determined as fire.

“I will definitely write this article.”

“Not just writing.”

“I still want to put it on the front page.”

“I'm not sure I can help everyone turn the situation around…”

“But I guarantee…”

“I will definitely let the entire Dung Thanh see the true face of Bach Vi Giai.”

She took out a tape recorder and notebook from her pocket.

“Let's start the review from the beginning.”

“All the details.”

“All timelines.”

“All witnesses and evidence.”

“We have to fight a truly prepared battle.”

That afternoon... Sunlight filtered through the crack in the door and shone into the small room. I looked at the girl in front of me who was even younger than me. Look at the reckless light that belongs to idealists on her face. My counterattack… From this moment on, it truly begins. I bet my entire bet on her. Up that little pen. I pray… It will have the power to shatter mountain rocks. Can tear through the darkness... Bringing to those of us who are struggling at the bottom... A true ray of light. After seeing reporter Tieu Tien leave, life fell into long, torturous days of waiting. Every day that passes is like being burned in a pan of oil. The business suspension notice posted on the door... Exactly like the life-killing talisman. The deadline for paying fines is getting closer and closer. Like a mountain weighing heavily on my heart. The small factory was cold and empty, no longer had the familiar scent of soy sauce. Mom and Aunt Tran sighed worriedly every day and couldn't sit still.

“Nguyet Nguyet…”

“That reporter… is she trustworthy?”

“Does the editorial office really dare to offend a big company like Bach Vi Giai?”

My mother asked me over and over again every day. I can only comfort her over and over again:

“Mom, let's wait a little longer.”

“I have to trust her.”

But in my heart... How can I not feel nervous? The greater the hope... When disappointment comes, it will hurt even more. During that time, the restaurant owners who had ordered from us kept calling.

“General Ly, when will your chili sauce be delivered?”

"My customers are only used to your taste now. If I change to another type, they will immediately criticize me."

“If you don't deliver anymore, I'll have to find another party!”

I could only apologize repeatedly, saying the factory was making internal adjustments so it needed more time. Every time I hang up... Tim I feel pain like I've been cut. Those customers are all because I run each shop myself. Talk to each person yourself and get it. That is the most valuable possession of "Mother and Son That Ly Huong". But now... They are gradually disappearing little by little. On the morning of the fourth day, a familiar figure appeared in front of the factory door. It's Mr. Tran - the owner of Long Giang pork sausage rice restaurant. Our first restaurant guest. He looked at the seal on the door, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Nguyet Nguyet, what is this?”

“I keep calling you but you won't tell the truth.”

“Today I came to see for myself what happened to us.”

Mr. Tran is an extremely kind person. I invited him inside, poured him a glass of water and told him the whole story from start to finish. After hearing that, he slammed his fist on the table. The glass on the table also bounced.

“Fuck it!”

“This group of Bach Vi Giai is too miserable!”

He was so angry that his face turned red.

“I've heard about this company's dirty tricks for a long time.”

“I didn't expect it to be this shameless!”

“Cutting someone else's life is like killing someone's parents!”

“Beasts!”

His anger seemed to open a way out for all the frustration in my heart. My eyes immediately became hot.

“Mr. Tran…”

“It's too late to say anything now.”

“We… might really not be able to resist anymore.”

He paced back and forth in the room a few times, seemingly more impatient than the rest of us. Suddenly he stopped and looked straight at me.

“Nguyet Nguyet.”

“Do you believe me?”

I nodded.