Chapter 28 — Before Retirement, I Was Demoted to Work as a Laborer

Having finished speaking... He turned to look at me.

"Tan Ngoc Tran."

"...Sorry."

The whole hall... I looked at him. Thirty-two years ago... He also stood in that ruined factory. Tell us all... Vien Thai will definitely return everything. During the past thirty-two years... He has kept many promises. Also missed a lot. I accept your apology. I cannot forgive others. I walked onto the stage.

"President Tham."

"I have three requests."

He nodded.

"You just say it."

"The first."

"All back pay of affected employees..."

"Must be signed directly by the person or their relative."

"Do not let any department sign for you."

"Handling the responsibilities of those involved..."

"The matter cannot be resolved internally."

"Results of processing each stage..."

"Must be disclosed to all employees."

"My retirement..."

"Must be carried out in accordance with the issued Certification."

"At the same time..."

"I accept the position of Advisor to supervise settlement work for a period of three months."

In the auditorium... Many people were stunned. I keep saying:

"Consulting contract..."

"Responsibilities must be clearly stated."

"And the compensation."

"I don't do..."

"A vain name without merit."

Tham Trieu An was momentarily stunned. Then smiled and nodded.

"That's what you deserve."

I don't know who clapped first. Then the applause... More and more. Finally... The whole hall echoed with endless applause. Ha Mieu stood in the corner of the room. Holding the cleaning kit I just changed out of. Her eyes sparkled. She said in a low voice:

"Miss Tan..."

"You are really good."

I looked at her.

"It's not about speaking louder than others."

"When you know you didn't do anything wrong."

"Then never step back."

The next morning... I completed my official retirement. Human Resources... There is a new temporary person in charge. The other person arranges all documents neatly. Even the pen... Also prepared for me. I carefully read each page. After reading... Just signed. When I finished writing the last signature... My hand... Still as steady as before. Tan Ngoc Tran. Thirty-two years. From a small clerk in the second floor storage room. To Head of General Administration Department. Being intentionally demoted to work as a laborer for just one day. Finally... That stroke... Was placed right where it belonged. Co Nam walked over. Give me back my old employee card.

"President Tham said..."

"This card..."

"You can bring it back."

I take it. The card still says: Head of General Administration Department. Tan Ngoc Tran. The four corners of the card... Worn over the years. Even the latch at the back... It's been loose for a long time. I won't exchange for a new one. I put that card in my pocket. When stepping out of the Vien Thai building... The sunlight was just beautiful. And many old colleagues... They were all waiting at the door. Someone loudly called out:

"Miss Tan, remember to come visit often!"

I turned my head to look back at the building behind me. The outside glass reflects the sunlight so brightly it's blinding. The entire hallway on the twenty-eighth floor... The place where I passed by yesterday holding a mop... Is also sparkling in the sunlight. I smiled.

"The settlement work is not yet finished..."

"I will come back any day."

Everyone was stunned few seconds. Then everyone burst into laughter. Three months later... All veteran employees' benefits... Have been paid back in full. People involved in fraud... In turn are responsible before the law and the company. Tham Tri Vien... Never return to Vien Thai again. As for Trinh Hoai Nhan's saying that year:

"What kind of trouble can an old woman about to retire make?"

Becoming a typical example in the company's internal training sessions on management and professional ethics. Someone once asked me:

"Do you regret..."

"Because you signed that transfer decision?"

"No regrets."

"Because..."

"There are doors..."

"If you hit it hard and leave..."

"So the people inside..."

"It's just more opportunity to continue hiding things."

"If you calmly push the cleaning cart in..."

"You'll see clearly..."

"Every grain of dust in every corner."

The night I officially retired... I washed my cleaning uniform. Fold neatly. Then return it to Ha Mieu. She looked at me and asked:

"Miss Tan..."

"Later..."

"Are you really not going to take care of the company's affairs anymore?"

I carefully put the old employee card in a drawer. Then smile.

"Things that are no longer your responsibility..."

"I won't interfere."

"If there is anyone else in the future..."

"Dare to consider honest people as easy to bully..."

"So you..."

"Will still come back."

Outside the window... A gentle wind blew. The Retirement Confirmation Paper on the table... Gently turn it to a corner. I held the edge of the paper with my hand. Smiling softly. No longer a cold smile. The smile of a person who has finally taken back... His own name... From the papers that others used to calculate his plans.