Chapter 9 — After Taking Mother Away, We Changed Our Lives

200,000 yuan. That is a number that my mother and I never dared to think about in our dreams. Mom and Aunt Tran heard from the back room and stopped all their work and looked at me nervously. I clearly saw the fluctuation in my mother's eyes. With this money, all our problems will be solved. No need to worry about rent anymore. No need to stay up until midnight every day anymore. No need to live crowded in a small attic that leaks water every time it rains. Just nod... Mother and daughter will immediately change their lives. With that money, my mother will enjoy her old age in peace. And I don't need to risk my life like now. Director Vuong looked at my expression, the smile at the corner of his lips deepened. He seemed certain of victory. I took a deep breath. The air still carries the scent of chili sauce. That's mom's taste. It's the taste of family. It's the taste of freedom and self-respect that we earned so hard. I raised my head, meeting his eyes.

“Director Wang, thank you for your good intentions.”

“But ‘That Ly Huong’…”

“I don't sell.”

My answer immediately froze the smile on Director Vuong's face.

“What did you say?”

He seemed unable to believe his ears.

“I don't sell.”

I emphasized each word clearly.

“Whether it's the brand or the formula.”

“This is the life of my mother and child.”

"No matter how much money I have, I won't sell it."

Director Vuong's face immediately darkened, his previous politeness completely disappeared.

“General Ly, you should think carefully.”

“200,000 yuan for a small factory like yours is not a small number.”

“Missed this opportunity…”

“It's unlikely that there will be any more after this.”

There was a clear threat in his voice.

“I thought it over carefully.”

I calmly looked at him.

“If your company is truly sincere, we can discuss cooperation.”

“For example, my side supplies the goods, your side is in charge of the distribution channel.”

“I can give you a preferential dealer price.”

“But the buyback thing…”

“No discussion.”

Director Vuong laughed coldly and stood up. He adjusted his vest, restoring his noble appearance.

“General Ly, you think too highly of yourself.”

“A family factory that doesn't even have a production license yet…”

“What qualifications do you have to talk about cooperation with us?”

“I'm giving you a chance because I'm showing you respect.”

“If you didn't know that…”

“Then don't blame us for not being polite.”

Throwing that sentence back, he turned and left. Mother and Aunt Tran quickly ran out, their faces full of worry.

“Nguyet Nguyet…”

“You… you really chased him away like that?”

“Did he ever… take revenge on me?”

Mother's voice trembled. I grabbed her hand and tried to smile reassuringly.

“Mom, don't be afraid.”

“I earn my living with my real ability.”

"Don't do anything against your conscience."

“What else can he do to me?”

Even though I said that... A strong feeling of insecurity arose in my heart. Director Vuong's last look was like a poisonous snake hiding in the dark. I underestimated the shamelessness and tricks of a mature commercial company. But revenge... Came much faster than I thought. Also much more toxic. The first problem that occurs is the source of raw materials. The chili supplier I've been cooperating with for a long time suddenly called me, saying the best chili pepper was out of stock.

“General Ly, I'm so embarrassed.”

“A few days ago there was Big customers have come and packed all the goods."

“If you want, you have to wait for the next batch, probably about another month.”

My heart sank sharply. Without that type of chili... The flavor of "That Ly Huong" will be greatly reduced. I immediately ran to other wholesale markets to look for goods. But running around Dung Thanh, all the stalls selling that high-end chili used the same reason to refuse me. Or say out of stock. Or push prices up to ridiculous levels. At that moment I immediately understood. It was Bach Vi Giai behind the scenes playing tricks. They rely on company scale and purchasing advantages to monopolize input raw materials. They want to strangle us right from the start. I was so impatient that my mouth was filled with heat. Without a stable source of raw materials, our production is almost paralyzed. The restaurant owners kept calling to order. I can only apologize over and over again, saying it must be delivered a few days late. Before the wave calms down, another wave emerges. A few days later, two people wearing uniforms entered our small workshop.

“We are from the Market Surveillance Department.”

“Some people accused this place of being an unlicensed factory with substandard sanitary conditions.”

“Please present your business license and food production license.”

Immediately sank to the bottom of the abyss. I already had a business license when I registered my small workshop. But the food production license... The application process is extremely complicated. Requirements for the production environment are also very high. Our small yard like "sales in front, workshop in the back"... Basically does not meet standards. I can only take out my business license and say with a trembling voice:

“We… we are applying for a production license.”

The other two looked at each other and laughed coldly. They took notebooks and checked throughout the factory.

“The kitchen has grease stains and does not meet hygiene standards.”

“Ingredients are not placed off the ground, violating regulations.”

“The employee did not have a health certificate, violating regulations.”

Every sentence they said was like a hammer hitting my heart. Finally, they created a correction notice and a 5,000 yuan fine.

“Request to suspend business within three days to rectify.”

“Pay the fine according to regulations.”

“Before obtaining a food production license, all production and business activities are strictly prohibited.”

“If not, it will be sealed according to the law.”