Chapter 12 — After You Locked Me In The Villa, I Left You Empty

On the eleventh day, an unexpected person came to the door. Tham Diec Chu's mother. But this time she didn't come to scold me. But come to beg me. She carried a bag of fruit and stood downstairs at my company. Stopped by the receptionist. Called more than ten phone calls... But I didn't pick up any calls. In the end, it was still Aunt Chu - who told me that day "you and Mr. are both coming to the wedding" - who couldn't bear to watch anymore so she helped her spread the word. I told the receptionist to bring her up. When she entered the office, Tham's mother seemed to have aged ten years.

“Tieu Van…”

“Auntie, sit down.”

She sat down, her eyes red.

“Hei Chu is in there…”

“He said the conditions in the detention center were very bad, he couldn't eat well and couldn't sleep well…”

“He committed a criminal offense.”

“Good or bad conditions in the prison are not something I can control.”

“But you can…”

“Can you help him hire a good lawyer?”

I looked at her. Three years ago, when we first met, what was the way Tham's mother looked at me? Contempt. She criticized my family for being normal. Criticize me for not having a decent job. Criticized that the food I cooked did not suit her taste. Every time I eat, I am forced to sit at the end of the table. Every time a relative comes to the house, they laugh and say:

“Tieu Van is a bit introverted and not good at talking.”

Not good at talking. I once gave a speech on the stage of the International Fashion Week, changing three languages seamlessly without needing to look at the manuscript. But in front of her... I can only be a daughter-in-law who "doesn't know how to speak". But now... She came to beg me.

“Shen Yichu committed a crime.”

“This is not something that can be resolved by hiring a good lawyer.”

“But he is my son—”

“He used to be my husband.”

“But he locked me in the villa, cut off the electricity and water, and then went to marry another woman.”

“That…”

“Have you ever said a word to him?”

Tham's mother's lips trembled.

“I can't help him.”

“I don't want to help either.”

She sat for a long time. Finally, he took the bag of fruit and slowly left. But the bag of fruit was left at the reception. Tieu Ninh was about to throw it away, but I stopped her.

“Let's go to the tea room.”

“Don't waste it.”

Not soft-hearted. But fruit is not at fault. On the twelfth day, new news arrived again. Tham Diec Chu in the detention center asked his lawyer to pass me a sentence. Just one sentence:

“I won.”

“But you will never be happy.”

After listening, I burst out laughing.

“Help me leave a message for him.”

“I'm already very happy.”

Lawyer Ha coughed lightly.

“Okay, I will convey it verbatim.”

That same day, the results of the WAV design contest were leaked ahead of schedule. Founder of WAN — Giang Van. Award-winning work: As soon as the news spread, my phone almost exploded. Reporter. Industry people. Design Association. Everyone called and sent messages. Editor Truong's message is the most concise:

“The cover is finished.”

“I set aside six pages for you.”

Tieu Ninh was so excited that she spun around in the office.

“General Giang!”

“Gold Award!”

“This is the youngest champion in fifty years of WAV history!”

“I know.”

“Order flowers for me.”

“To whom?”

“Placed at the company reception desk.”

“For everyone to see.”

That afternoon, Huo Jing Diem called from Beijing.

"Congratulations."

“Didn't you say you would clap from afar?”

“I didn't hear it.”

The other end of the line immediately rang clear applause. He was actually clapping. I laughed out loud.

“You are such a child.”

“The child is the one smiling.”

I'm actually smiling. Laugh very comfortably. Because for the past three years… I've hardly smiled much. Thirteenth day. The last card has come to play. Tran Thi Fabrics. Previously, Tran Bach Thanh, under the enticement of Tham Diec Chu, decided to cut off the supply to WAN. I don't prevent it. Because I need Tham Diec Chu to believe that his plan is gradually succeeding. Only like that... Can he catch the net once when he is most satisfied. Currently, Tham Diec Chu has been arrested.

"Van Hoa Design" is almost an empty corpse.

But Tran Bach Thanh has not turned back yet. The reason is very simple. He thought he had broken his face with me, there was no way back. So he chose another path: Selling fabric to my competitor. On Thursday afternoon, I arranged to meet Tran Bach Thanh at his factory. He clearly didn't expect me to come on my own.

“Jiang… President Giang?”

“General Tran.”

“Shall we talk for a bit?”

The two sat down in the office. He was visibly tense.

“General Jiang, what happened before—”

“General Tran.”

“Last year's batch of fabric you sold to Thinh Hoa Fashion…”

“The story of mixing recycled materials into high-end goods.”

“Do you remember?”

His expression immediately changed.

“You… how do you know—”

“I don't want to use this to threaten you.”

“But you should understand…”

“If the industry association knew about this…”

“Tran Thi Fabrics' certificate will be canceled.”