Chapter 15 — At this point, I don't need to act anymore

“Can you tell people in the industry to stop trying to kill me?”

I looked at her.

“No one will kill you.”

“It's the things you did that were spread everywhere.”

She bowed her head.

“I can't find a job.”

"Before, I really thought that if I could keep Trinh Nghien, I would win against you."

“From the beginning, you chose the wrong opponent.”

She looked up.

“So who is my opponent?”

“It's you.”

Kieu Man smiled softly. That smile is more unsightly than crying.

“You won't help me, right?”

She nodded. Then turned around and left. She is not bleached. It's also impossible to leave the stage with dignity. Just being pushed little by little by her own lies out of the circle that belonged to her. Trinh Nghien went to work at a small company elsewhere. I heard that I started again from the position of a normal salesperson. Trinh's mother sold some jewelry, helping him pay off the last arrears. Since then, they have stopped contacting me. Half a year later, at Van Dinh's annual party. I wore a long black dress and walked on stage. On the big screen were the year-long achievements of the new business. The total contract value reached 860 million yuan. Net profit increased by 32%. The applause below lasted for a long time and still did not end. Uncle Tran stood in the front row, his eye sockets were slightly red.

“If the old Chairman saw it, he would definitely be very happy.”

I hold the microphone.

“Van Dinh is not anyone's dowry, nor is it anyone's way out.”

“It is a cause that many people maintain together.”

“I will take it to a better place.”

Applause rang out from below. After the annual party ended, Luc Hanh Chu gave me a file of documents. This is a letter confirming cooperation in the second phase of the project in the south of the city. Value 500 million yuan. I raised my eyebrows.

“Does this count as a gift?”

He said:

“Just consider it my achievement.”

I laughed.

“It's okay.”

He looked at me.

“Hua Van, I want to officially pursue you.”

“Haven't you been chasing me for half a year?”

Luc Hanh Chu was stunned. I turned around and walked out.

“Go ahead.”

He immediately chased after him.

“Then I book a restaurant tomorrow.”

“I have a meeting tomorrow.”

"Day after tomorrow?"

“The other day I went to see the project.”

“Then I'll go with you.”

I stopped walking and turned to look at him.

“Luc Hanh Chu.”

“Chasing someone isn't about competing with their schedule.”

He nodded seriously.

“I will learn.”

I laughed. This time, I'm not in a hurry to hand over my life to anyone. Don't forget who you are because someone comes close. One year later, Van Dinh's headquarters moved to a new building. Outside the office window on the top floor are the brightest lights of the whole city. Uncle Chau gave me the key.

“Miss, the car the old Chairman left for you has also been delivered.”

In the underground garage, a silver-gray Maybach parked under the light. I stood and looked for a long time. Six years ago, I sat in Trinh Nghien's old car, drove everywhere with him to meet customers, ate cold rice, and stayed up until dawn. At that time, I thought that as long as I suffered with the same person, I could exchange true love. Now I understand that sincerity is not something that can be obtained through suffering. What matters is dignity. News about Kieu Man was something I accidentally overheard in someone else's conversation. She left this city and returned to her hometown. The baby was not born. She also turned against her family, life was not good. Hua Yen was assigned by her family to a grassroots project, starting over from the most ordinary position. That two-word uncle's family no longer dares to raise their voices at family meetings anymore. Occasionally, Trinh Nghien still sends greetings on holidays. I don't answer. One day, he sent me a photo. It's the tree under the building where our old wedding house used to live. He said:

“It's blooming again.”

I watched it and then deleted it. Luc Hanh Chu sat opposite me, raised his head and asked:

“Irrelevant person.”

He didn't ask further. Just pushed a new contract in front of me.

“General Manager Hua, sign it.”

I picked up the pen.

“General Manager Luc, public and private are divided.”

He laughed.

“Understood.”

After signing, he took out a small box again. I looked at him.

“Is this also a contract?”

He said:

“No.”

“It's an application.”

The box opened. Inside is a ring. Not exaggerated, not ostentatious. He looked at me.

“Hua Van, I don't ask you to agree immediately.”

“I just want you to know, I'm ready.”

I looked at the ring for a moment. Then close the box. Luc Hanh Chu's eyes paused. I pushed the box towards him.

“Pursue one more year.”

He laughed. I stood up and went to the window. City lights spread out before my eyes. On the phone, Uncle Chau sent a message:

"Miss, the payment for the second phase of the southern project has been transferred. Van Dinh's valuation this year is expected to exceed 5 billion yuan."

I answered with one word: Luc Hanh Chu walked to my side.

“What are you thinking?”

“Suddenly remembered someone said before that I couldn't leave his company.”

He asked:

“What about those people?”

I looked out the window.

“Those people?”

“I forgot a long time ago.”