Chapter 12 — Check for Twenty Million and Trillion Billion

"In addition to Hung Hoa Bank and Thu Thach Capital..." Tham Truong Ha's voice was low, "Miss Diep, the total assets in your hands... can exceed 120 billion yuan."

“He investigated very carefully.”

“I do this job and never quit halfway.”

“So you still intend to bring these things to Tong Anh Kiet?”

“It remains to be seen… whether you will give me a reason not to do so or not.”

I smiled softly.

“Mr. Tham, are you bargaining with me?”

"Not really. Just... leave me a way out."

“What do you want?”

"I want to meet the real person behind Thu Thach Capital. Directly. Without intermediaries."

I speak very softly.

“You're talking to her.”

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

“Miss Diep… are you ‘Mr. Thu’?”

“Isn't it the same?”

Silence again. Then there was a soft laugh.

"Twenty-six years old. 120 billion yuan. Master Diep... really dares to bet."

“He bet right.”

“Miss Diep, I have a suggestion.”

"The job with Song Anh Kiet... I can withdraw. But I need a reason enough to convince myself."

“You already have.”

"You once said that your master lost to my grandfather... because he was on the wrong side. If you still choose to side with Tong Anh Kiet now—do you think the outcome will be different?"

The silence lasted.

“Miss Diep… you really look like my grandfather.”

“Tonight I will give Tong Anh Kiet the answer.”

He hung up. Khuong Tieu Ngu stood next to him, his whole body seemed numb.

“You… just convinced Tham Truong Ha?”

“Not yet.” I put down the phone. "He hasn't withdrawn. It's just... the balance has tilted in my favor."

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because he is a rational person.” I speak slowly. "According to Tong Anh Kiet, he gets 3% of Tong Dat's shares—about 100 million yuan. But if he confronts Thu Thach Capital... the price could be his entire career. People like him... will know how to choose."

“120 billion yuan…” Khuong Tieu Ngu muttered, her voice lost. “Every day I see you eating a 15-yuan boxed lunch, in your old house… I almost forgot how rich you actually are.”

“Money is just a number.”

“The person who says that… usually has a lot of numbers.”

I smiled and put the book back on the shelf. Seven fifty p.m. I brewed two pots of tea. One Long Tinh, one Thiet Quan Am. Luc Dien Chu drank Long Tinh. I drink Tieguanyin. Habit for three years. Eight o'clock exactly. The doorbell rang. He wore a white shirt and no tie. Hair has just been washed and is still slightly damp.

“I'm here.”

He walked in, changed his shoes, and naturally sat down on the sofa. Pick up a cup of Long Tinh and take a sip.

“I said I had something to say.”

I sat opposite him. Place the stock chart on the table.

“You see this first.”

He put down the teacup and picked up the paper. He raised his head.

“Thu Thach Capital… the actual controller—Diep Tri Thu?”

He bent down to look again. Then look up.

“Are you kidding?”

“Do you think I'm joking?”

He put the paper down, leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling.

“Thu Thach Capital… 80 billion yuan.”

“Plus Hung Hoa Bank and family offices abroad… about 120 billion yuan.”

He closed his eyes.

“I hid it from you for three years.”

"It's not a trick. It's a secret."

“Is there any difference?”

"Yes. I'm not making it up. I really work at the bookstore, I really live here, I really live the life you see. It's just... there are some things I didn't say."

“Something?” He opened his eyes and looked at me. “120 billion yuan… you call it ‘a few things’?”

I say nothing.

“Three years.” His voice lowered. "In the past three years, I argued with my mother countless times because she said I wasn't worthy. For three years, I stood by your side in front of everyone."

“You know?” He laughed. "Do you know what I think every time I see you wearing that faded coat? Do you know how every month I secretly transfer money to you and you return it... how do you feel?"

“Dien Chu—”

“You have 120 billion yuan… but give me 2,000 yuan back?”

That smile... is not happy. Which is sour.

"You're afraid that I'll change when you know the truth, right? Afraid that you're with me... because of money?"

“It's not—”

"So what is it? You're testing me? Testing to see if I'm sincere?"

I opened my mouth, but couldn't speak. Because you're right. At least… partly true.

“Diep Tri Thu.” He stood up. "Have you ever thought that the way you do it... itself is not believing in me? I don't believe that you can accept me for who I am."

“I have reason not to believe.” I also stood up. "Do you know how many people have approached me over the past three years because of my grandfather's property? Do you know how many times I was plotted against before revealing my identity? When I was twenty years old, I inherited it all, even my uncle used to—"

I stopped. That's too much. Luc Dien Chu looked at me.

“What did your uncle do?”

“It has nothing to do with this.”

“Diep Tri Thu.”

“I said, it's irrelevant.”

He was silent for a while. Then step closer.

“I don't blame you for hiding your identity.” His voice lowered. “I understand why you're wary. But—”

“But what?”