Chapter 15 — Check for Twenty Million and Trillion Billion

“From today… when you go out, remember to have someone with you.” I said calmly. “Chu Ngan will arrange it.”

“Is it necessary to be so tense—”

“Eight years abroad, Diep Trong Thanh did not have to travel.” My voice turned cold. "He now has a fund registered in Cayman. Not a large scale... but enough to hire people who don't care too much about the law."

Khuong Tieu Ngu's face turned pale.

“You… predicted he would return?”

“I'm just guessing.” I looked out the window. "The Song family's affairs are so big, he's definitely watching from afar. He's always waiting for an opportunity—a chance to prove my 'mismanagement'."

“You mean… about the Luc family?”

"Correct." I nodded. "In his eyes, Thu Thach Capital's involvement in Luc Thi... is evidence of 'using public affairs to serve private matters'."

“Using public affairs to serve private matters?”

"I used Thu Thach's resources to help a family business... and the heir of that business is my boyfriend." I said leisurely. "If he attacks this point, saying I don't distinguish between public and private... the entire results of the council's evaluation will be overturned."

“But it's obviously a normal investment—”

“Normal investment…” I smiled slightly, my eyes cold.

“No one can do it all at once in two weeks: pouring capital, changing the supply chain, raising the stock flag, and then even getting the provincial level involved.”

I breathed out softly.

“In the eyes of outsiders… that is not an investment.”

“But… power.”

Khuong Tieu Ngu fell silent.

“So from the beginning you knew this step was risky?”

“You know but still do it?”

“Because if Luc Thi collapses… Luc Dien Chu won't be able to handle it.” I speak very softly. “I don't want him to fall.”

Khuong Tieu Ngu glanced at me.

“Diep Tri Thu, you're really hooked.”

“Shut up and drive.”

When we got back to the bookstore, it was already dusk. In front of the door was parked a black Audi, with a very discreet design. The license plate is clean. I pushed the door and walked in. In the shop... there are people. Over forty, slightly overweight, wearing a dark blue polo shirt. On his face was a smile that made people uncomfortable. Diep Trong Thanh.

“Tieu Thu.”

He saw me and stood up.

"I almost didn't recognize you. You're so big."

“Since when?”

"Yesterday. Came back for a visit."

“Visit what?”

“Visit… the things dad left behind.”

He slowly walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a book, and flipped a few pages.

"Your father—ah, I mean your grandfather—has passed away eight years ago. The past eight years I've been managing Thu Thach Capital quite well. But in recent months... I've been a bit too reckless."

“Are you interested in Thu Thach Capital's activities?”

"Of course." He smiled faintly. “After all, it is the property of the Diep family.”

“The will has my name on it.”

“The will also has conditions.” He put the book down and looked straight at me. "Twenty-six years old... four years left. In these four years, if there's just one problem—"

“Uncle, take over?”

“You are next.” He shrugged. "Of course, I still want you to do well. I don't want to compete with you."

“So why did you come back?”

He laughed.

"Go back and remind me. Recently you used Thu Thach's resources to interfere with the Luc family... the commotion is too big. If this matter is considered by the family council—"

"It's only considered once a year. The next time is March of the following year."

“But if someone complains… they can request an early inspection.”

I looked at him.

“Are you planning to complain?”

“Considering.”

“Diep Trong Thanh.”

“Before returning country... have you contacted Tong Anh Kiet?"

His smile paused for a second.

“Why do you ask?”

“My fund in Cayman last year bought a private placement product from Tong Dat.” I said very calmly. "The amount of money is not large... but it is enough to prove that you have money flowing back and forth with the Tong family."

His hand twitched slightly.

“You investigate uncle?”

"You investigated me... then I investigated again, what's wrong?"

The smile on his face disappeared.

“Tieu Thu… you have changed.”

“Everyone changes.”

“If your grandfather saw you now—”

“You will be pleased.” I interrupted. “Because what you fear most… is that I become like you.”

Diep Trong Thanh's face immediately changed. He stood still, his chest heaving.

“Diep Tri Thu, don't be too arrogant. Do you think having a will is enough? I remember every word in the additional terms and conditions clearly. Before the age of thirty, if you don't pass the evaluation once... Thu Thach Capital will belong to me."

“The condition is that you must find a reason.”

"Reason?" He smiled coldly. “You used 80 billion yuan of family funds to save your boyfriend's company—is that reason enough?”

“It is a legal investment.”

"Legal?" He curled his lips. “500 million yuan in exchange for 15% of shares, is Luc Thi's valuation worth it? Any audit would say this account is problematic.”

I was silent. Because he's right. In purely financial terms... that deal had a high price.