Chapter 13 — After You Locked Me In The Villa, I Left You Empty

He stared at me, saying nothing.

“I came here today…”

“Not to settle old accounts.”

“I came to give you a choice.”

“What choice?”

“WAN's fall/winter collection next year needs an exclusive fabric supplier.”

“The number of orders will be three times what it is now.”

“Exclusive cooperation, term of three years.”

Tran Bach Thanh's eyes lit up a bit, but quickly darkened again.

“Why do you still want to cooperate with me?”

“Because the quality of your fabric is really good.”

“Personality is just a bit bad.”

He was stunned for two seconds then smiled bitterly.

“If you agree to exclusive cooperation…”

“I will no longer pursue the matter of recycled materials.”

"But from now on, I will send an inspection team to the factory to check directly for every shipment."

“What if I don't agree?”

“So I use fabric from the Brocade Factory.”

“Their quality is no less than yours.”

“As for recycled materials…”

“I can't guarantee that no one will know.”

The atmosphere was silent for a long time. Finally he exhaled sharply. The contract was signed on the spot. When she walked out of Tran Thi factory, Tieu Ninh was already waiting in the car.

"Done?"

"Done."

“General Giang, why do you even know about recycled materials?”

“Someone help me investigate.”

“General Huo?”

I looked at her and didn't answer. But Tieu Ninh understands. On the fourteenth day, all the clues began to converge. Tham Diec Chu's case entered the high-speed investigation phase. The crime of double marriage has enough evidence, the prosecutor's office officially prosecuted. The electronic appraisal part of the trade secret infringement case was also completed. The Trojan source code was traced directly to Tham Diec Chu's personal computer. The crime of rape had a USB provided by Lam Mien Mien as additional evidence. The offshore account involved in the financial embezzlement case has also been blocked. Four crimes. Evidence is like a mountain. Lawyer Ha sent me a very detailed progress report of the case.

“General Giang.”

“If multiple crimes are accumulated…”

“It is estimated that Tham Diec Chu's sentence will be between five and eight years.”

“That's not something I need to worry about.”

“Whatever the law says, so it is.”

“There's one more thing.”

“Lam Mien Mien sent a letter.”

“Handwritten.”

“What did she say?”

“She thanked you for not forcing the Lam family into death.”

“The results of the tax evasion case are out.”

“The total fine plus arrears is 78,000,000 yuan.”

“The Lam family had to mortgage the factory.”

“How is she now?”

“Heard I'm looking for a job.”

“Sent resumes to several fashion companies to apply for design positions.”

I thought for a few seconds.

“Tell the human resources department to pay attention to her CV.”

“If she submits to our company—”

“General Giang?”

“Just handle it according to normal procedures.”

“No favors.”

“It doesn't cause any trouble either.”

Tieu Ninh nodded. That night, I made a decision. I called Hoac Canh Diem.

“Dinner at a French restaurant…”

“When are you free?”

“When are you free?”

"Tomorrow."

“So tomorrow.”

“Seven o'clock at night.”

“Do I need to dress formally?”

“You look beautiful no matter what you wear.”

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

“It's been seven years.”

“This is the first time I've called you handsome.”

“Today is the first time.”

“There will be many more opportunities in the future.”

Hanging up the phone, I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. The person in the mirror has very eyes bright. No longer was she the woman three years ago who always bowed her head and smiled wryly at the Tham family's banquet table. It will be a new beginning. The next evening at seven o'clock, I arrived at the restaurant on time. Hoac Canh Diem arrived fifteen minutes early. He wears a black vest. Dark blue tie. It was a birthday gift I gave him three years ago.

“Do you still have this tie?”

“The things you gave me…”

“You keep them all.”

The waiter led us to our seats. I almost didn't look at the menu.

“Please order.”

He glanced at the menu and closed it.

“The things I like to eat…”

“I know it by heart.”

After ordering, the two were quiet for a while. Not the awkward silence type. It's the quiet type... Even if you don't say anything, you still feel very comfortable.

“Jiang Wan.”

“There's something… I've always wanted to tell you.”

“Seven years ago, during the graduation exhibition of the design academy…”

“I once designed a white trench coat.”

“That day I came to see the exhibition.”

“Standed in front of that shirt for a long time.”

“I stood there watching for twenty minutes.”

“Then I asked him what he was looking at.”

“You said you were researching fabric materials.”

“You lied.”

"I know."

“I didn't look at the material.”

“So what do you see?”

I gently put down the glass of wine.

“I stood next to that shirt, explaining the design idea to the professors.”

“You speak very fast.”

“Very excited.”

“Swing your hand so much that the pen in your hand falls to the ground.”

“A professor helped me pick it up.”

“At that time I blushed.”

“Do you remember that too?”

“I told you.”

“Something related to you…”

“In the past seven years, I have never forgotten a single thing.”