Chapter 23 — At the end of the week when I was fired, I made the 3.9 billion contract into waste paper

The red light above is so bright it's blinding. Not long after, mother also arrived. As soon as she got out of the car, she could barely stand. Tham Nghien and I helped her sit down on the chair. She didn't cry. Just stared at the emergency room door. Both hands tightened the bag. After a long time, he said softly:

"For the past few years, my father has always said it's okay."

"I told him to go get checked, he also said no need."

"He's always like that."

"I thought I was still young."

"I thought the company couldn't do without him."

No one responded. Because we all know. People like my father have been accustomed to resisting everything all their lives. Even if you are sick, you want to bear it yourself. An hour later. The doctor came out. We stood up almost simultaneously.

"Doctor, how is my father?"

The doctor took off his mask.

"For now, it's stable."

Mom breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately heard the doctor continue:

"But the situation cannot be taken lightly."

"He has an underlying heart condition, combined with many years of hard work and insufficient rest, the mental pressure is too great."

"This is not something that suddenly happened today."

"It's cumulative over a long period of time."

The words "accumulated over a long period of time" were like a heavy hammer hitting my chest. I looked at the doctor.

"So what do we need to pay attention to in the future?"

"No more intense work."

"Avoid excitement."

"Must have regular treatment and monitoring."

The doctor looked at us, his voice more serious.

"Family members should advise him to rest. If he continues to maintain his current state, next time he may not be so lucky."

Mom closed her eyes. I reached out my hand to help her. But my hand is also so cold that it doesn't look like my own. Father was transferred to the VIP hospital room afterwards. When I walked in, he was still unconscious. The strongest man in my life lay on the hospital bed, an IV needle in his hand, his face much paler than usual. I stood on the edge of the bed. Suddenly I didn't dare to step closer. In my memory, he was always the one sitting at the head of the long table, with sharp eyes, and just opening his mouth made the whole meeting room silent. But now. He just lay there quietly. I have never seen my father like that. Mother sat next to the bed, gently holding his hand. Tham Nghien stood at the door of the room, receiving call after call, his voice always kept very low. Thinh Ninh is a very large corporation. As soon as the leader fainted, there were countless things to deal with behind him. But in that moment, I just felt that numbers, projects, shares and the board of directors were no longer important. I just want the person lying on the bed to open their eyes. I want to hear you call my name once. Even if it was in the same stiff voice as before. Don't know how long it's been. Father's fingers moved slightly. Mother immediately bent down and called:

"Old Tham?"

I also took a step forward. My father slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were a bit vague. It took a long time to see clearly the person in front of me. He looked at his mother. Then looked at Tham Nghien. Finally his eyes stopped on me. I bent down.

"Dad, how do you feel?"

He looked at me for a long time. Lips moved slightly. I thought you were going to ask how the company was doing. Thought he would ask if the meeting was affected. I thought he would scold us for making a fuss. But the first sentence he said was:

"Are you being bullied again?"

In that moment, my tears almost fell. I bowed my head quickly, trying to clear my voice calm.

"Do not have."

"Really?"

I took his hand.

"Dad, no one will bully me from now on."

My father looked at me. There was a very thin trace of relief in his eyes. He nodded slightly.

"That's good."

Just four words. But I couldn't bear it anymore. I turned my face to the side. Tears fell onto the back of my hand. Mom also had red eyes. Tham Nghien stood at the door, silently bowing his head. My father was clearly still very weak. But he still wanted to withdraw his hand. I keep it.

"Dad, don't move."

He looked at me.

"What are you crying for?"

I took a deep breath.

"Don't cry."

He frowned.

"Still as stubborn as before."

I burst out laughing through my tears.

"Like Dad."

He was silent for a few seconds. Then he also smiled slightly. The smile is very faint. But I know. We have gone through many years apart. Finally, we walked a little closer together. That night, I stayed at the hospital. Mother was advised by Tham Nghien to go home and rest first. My brother is outside the hospital room handling work. Near dawn, Tham Nghien walked in. His facial expression is not very good. I asked softly:

"What's wrong?"

He looked at his father sleeping. Then lower your voice and say:

"The board just sent out a notice."

"Dad is hospitalized, the news has spread."

"Several major shareholders request to convene an urgent meeting tomorrow morning."

I looked at him.

"Why so hasty?"

Tham Nghien was silent for a moment.

"Because someone wants to take advantage of the fact that Dad can't preside over the overall situation."

"Pushing back the issue of my right to represent shares."

I lowered my head to look at my father's hand on the blanket. After a while, I stood up.

"Then I'll leave tomorrow morning."