Chapter 18 — At the end of the week when I was fired, I made the 3.9 billion contract into waste paper

Right at that moment. A low voice rang out from behind.

"Those are the things my father doesn't let anyone touch."

I turned my head in surprise. Tham Nghien is standing at the end of the hallway. He looked at that wall. The corners of the lips curl up slightly.

"He said."

"His daughter refused to come home."

"So he can only watch it grow in other ways."

I said nothing. Just stare at the other room. First time in seven years. I started to wonder. Have I really never understood that father? After hanging up the phone with Do Hang, I sat still on the sofa for a long time. The glass of water in my hand has already cooled down. Outside the window, the city lights were still bright as usual, but inside I had a very strange feeling. During the past seven years, I always thought I had seen through Hoa Nhac. See through Trieu Duc Xuong. See through the hidden rules in the financial world. But tonight, when I learned that the bonus three years ago had been approved and then transferred to another place, I still felt a bit funny. It's not funny because I was tricked. It's funny because I once truly believed it. The phone vibrates. It's a message from mom.

"I said I'll come home for dinner tonight."

I looked at that text for a long time. Then answer:

"I'm coming home."

Ten minutes later. I drove out of the city center. The Tham family's villa is located in the lakeside area east of Giang Thanh. That place is not far from the financial district. But over the past seven years, I have only returned a few times. The last time was my grandfather's birthday celebration. Last time, I don't remember clearly. When the car stopped in front of the gate. As soon as the security guard saw me, he immediately stood up straight.

"Miss."

I nodded.

"Are you still awake?"

Middle-aged man laughed.

"The president said you'll be home tonight."

"He went to the gate and looked three times."

I paused a bit. But don't ask more. Step through the familiar garden. The flowers are still in the same position. The aquarium is still the same as before. Even the swing underneath the ginkgo tree has never changed. Like for the past seven years. This place has always stood still. I was the only one who left. The villa door has just opened. The smell of food was carried by the wind. My mother is standing in the kitchen. Also wearing an apron. As soon as she saw me, she immediately smiled.

"Ninh Ninh is back."

I was stunned. No one has called this word "Ninh Ninh" for a long time. In Hoa Nhac. Everyone calls me General Tham. In Minh Khai. Everyone calls me partner Tham. Only in this place. I'm still Ninh Ninh. Mom pulled me to sit on the chair.

"Are you tired from the journey?"

"Indefatigable."

"Are you hungry?"

"Neither."

"You're skinny again."

I laughed.

"Mom, you say this every time."

"Because every time you come home, I see you skinny."

She said as she put food into my bowl. Not long after. My brother also got down. Tham Nghien pulled out a chair and sat down. Mom glanced at the stairs.

"Changing clothes."

Tham Nghien smiled faintly.

"He changed it half an hour ago."

I couldn't help but laugh. Right at that moment. Footsteps sounded. My father came down from upstairs. The man who once made Giang Thanh's investment community in awe was now wearing very normal home clothes. See me. He paused for a moment. I also stopped. No one spoke first. Finally, it was still the mother who broke the silence.

"What are you doing standing there?"

"My daughter comes home to eat, but it's like a board meeting treat."

My father coughed softly. Then pull up the chair and sit down.

"Let's eat."

A very simple sentence. But somehow. I felt the sting in my nose again. The meal began in a strange atmosphere. Mom kept picking up food. My brother sometimes tells some stories in the company. My father hardly said anything. But every time I decide to pick something up. That plate of food was rotated one step in front of me. He is paying attention. Just don't know what to say. My eyes accidentally stopped at the chair next to me. That's my position. Dark brown wooden chair. The seat surface is a bit old. It's still the same chair I used to sit in since high school. I looked for a moment and then asked:

"This chair hasn't changed yet?"

"Change for what?"

"It was always my place."

I was a bit stunned. The older brother put down his chopsticks.

"Ninning."

"You know what?"

He looked at the chair next to me.

"For the past seven years."

"No one can sit in this position."

I stopped. Mom immediately glared at him.

"Eat your rice."

But Tham Nghien continued.

"Every family gathering."

"Every time I eat."

"Every birthday."

"Dad told me to stay here."

I turned my head to look at my father. He bowed his head to eat. Like I didn't hear it. Mother sighed softly.

"It's right."

She added another piece of fish to my bowl. The voice is very light.

"Every year on my birthday."

"The three of you told the servants to prepare an extra set of bowls and chopsticks."

I clasped the chopsticks in my hand. Mother continued:

"At first everyone thought I would return."

"I didn't come back the first year."

"The second year also didn't come back."

"Third year and still not back."

"But that set of bowls and chopsticks is always prepared."

The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly became quiet.