Chapter 4 — Check for Twenty Million and Trillion Billion

He looked at me for a long time. In the end, don't ask any more. Day four. Thu Thach Capital's investment proposal letter appeared on time on Luc Dien Chu's desk. 500 million yuan, in exchange for 15% shares. Accompanying that is a plan to replace all suppliers—all of which are businesses with equity links with Thu Thach Capital. The news spread throughout the business world in just half a day. Luc Dien Chu's phone was almost burned out. Phuong Cam Hoa couldn't sit still anymore. At three o'clock in the afternoon, she appeared in front of my bookstore. This time there was no Maybach, nor was there a legal director with him. She was alone. When she pushed open the door and walked in, her eyes were completely different from three days ago. Three days ago it was contempt from above looking down. And now... it's about investigation, consideration, and a little bit of hard-to-hidden caution.

“Diep Tri Thu, Thu Thach Capital's investment... is you behind it?”

“It can be understood that way.”

"Thu Thach Capital in the industry has never invested in family businesses before. How can you convince them?"

“I have friends there.”

Phuong Cam Hoa sat down opposite me.

“Who are you anyway?”

“I'm just someone who opened a bookstore.”

"A person who opens a bookstore and knows the leadership of Hung Hoa Bank can still mobilize hundreds of millions of Thu Thach Capital. Diep Tri Thu, do you think I'm stupid?"

I turned another page of the book.

“Didn't you come to thank me?”

Her facial muscles twitched slightly. These two words came out of her mouth, hard to hear as if she had just swallowed something very unpleasant.

"Nothing."

“But my attitude hasn't changed.” She stood up. "Next week is the Luc family's grandmother's birthday party. Tong Thanh Man will come. It's best you don't show up."

“Because that place… I can't handle it.”

"Uncle." I closed the book. "Whether I go or not is for Luc Dien Chu to decide."

She took a deep breath, turned and left. The door slammed shut behind. The wind chimes vibrated violently. Khuong Tieu Ngu poked her head out from behind the bookshelf.

“How did you know she was coming?”

“Let's bet.”

“How many times have you won?”

“Since I met you until now, have I ever lost?”

“Okay, you're good.” Khuong Tieu Ngu walked over and placed a glass of milk tea on the counter. "But are you sure you will go to the Luc family's birthday party? That's a dragon's den."

“Let's go see what the dragon and tiger look like.”

“What if Tong Thanh Man causes trouble at the party?”

“She will.”

“Aren't you worried?”

"What are you worried about? What can she do? At worst, she'll make me lose face in front of the crowd. But she doesn't know—"

I took a sip of milk tea.

“This face of mine… is not easy to lose.”

Three days later. The eightieth birthday party of the Luc family's grandmother was held at Phuong Minh Son Trang in the south of the city. Almost half of the business community was present. I wore a light blue dress and a simple ponytail. At his feet is a pair of flat shoes. Standing in front of Phuong Minh Son Trang gate, surrounded by Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Ferrari. As for me... take a taxi. The taxi wedged between the supercars looked especially out of place. The security guard at the door looked at me a few more times.

“May I ask you?”

"Diep Tri Thu. Luc Dien Chu's girlfriend."

He flipped through the list and found my name. Entering the hall, crystal chandeliers, red carpet, on both sides were waiters carrying champagne. Everyone is dressed neatly. Still I... was lost in the crowd. A few ladies saw me and whispered in each other's ears.

“Is that the girlfriend of the second young master of the Luc family?”

“Heard about opening a bookstore?”

“It's so simple, isn't it…”

I pretended not to hear and went straight inside. Luc Dien Chu saw me and immediately walked back quickly.

“Tri Thu.” He took my hand. "Why didn't you say you were coming? I'll send someone to pick you up."

“It's convenient to take a taxi.”

He looked down at my skirt and flat shoes, didn't say anything, just squeezed my hand tighter.

“Come on, I'll take you to see grandma.”

The Luc family's grandmother sat in the backmost position, on a red wooden chair, with white hair and a gentle face. Surrounded by people. Phuong Cam Hoa stood on her right. When she saw me, her lips pursed tightly. Tong Thanh Man stands on the left, her long wine-colored dress, her diamond necklace sparkling under the light. She looked at me, smiling.

“Grandma, this is Dien Chu's girlfriend, Diep Tri Thu.” Luc Dien Chu introduced.

The old lady looked at me for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Good child, Dien Chu mentioned you. Come here, sit next to me."

Phuong Cam Hoa's face became even more unsightly. Tong Thanh Man still kept smiling.

“Miss Diep, we meet again.”

“Miss Tong.”

“I heard you opened a bookstore?” She glanced around the crowd, deliberately raising her voice. "Very artistic. People here probably don't need to go to bookstores, but the cultural industry is also valuable."

A few people smiled socially. In that smile there was something... one level higher. I didn't reply.

“Ah yes.” Tong Thanh Man took out a box. "Grandma, this is my gift. A painting 'Thu Son Do' by Truong Dai Thien, 1948."

She opened the box. A sound of admiration arose.

“Real painting!”

“At least three or four million!”

“Miss Tong is truly generous.”

She smiled modestly, her eyes glanced at me. Clearly waiting for me to reveal my weakness.

“Where is Miss Diep's gift?” one person asked.

All eyes turned to me. The corners of Phuong Cam Hoa's lips curled up. Luc Dien Chu squeezed my hand.

“Tri Thu, it's okay—”

I let go of his hand and stepped forward. From his pocket he took out a thin envelope.

“Grandma, my gift is a bit simple.”

I opened it and pulled out a piece of paper.

"This is a certificate confirming that I donated to the nursing home in the south of the city on your behalf. 800,000 yuan, congratulations on your eightieth birthday."

The whole hall was silent for a second. Then there started to be whispering.

“800,000 yuan…”

“Can't compare to paintings…”

But the old lady looked at the paper, then laughed.

“This child… has heart.”

She gently patted my hand.

"You've lived for eighty years, what have you never seen before? This gift from me... is more thoughtful than any famous artist."

Tong Thanh Man's smile paused for a moment. Phuong Cam Hoa coughed softly.

"Mom, the children are young, let them sit first. The banquet is about to start."

The old lady nodded. I followed Luc Dien Chu back to the table. As soon as he sat down, a man in his forties walked over holding a glass of wine.

"Second young master, congratulations. I heard that Thu Thach Capital has invested capital in you guys? 500 million yuan? It's not simple."

Luc Dien Chu stood up.

“General Lam is too talkative.”

The man glanced at me.

“Is this your girlfriend?”

“Diep Tri Thu.” Luc Dien Chu introduced.

“Hello Ms. Diep.” He raised his glass. “I heard that you have a relationship with Thu Thach Capital?”

"No relationship. Just know the people there."

“Thu Thach Capital…” He breathed one hour long. "Who in this city doesn't want to get to know their people? It is said that the founder has never appeared, in the world called 'Mr. Thu'. Some people say he is a sixty year old man, some say he is an expatriate living abroad. Is the person you know... close to 'Mr. Thu'?"

“Not close.”

I raised my glass of juice. The banquet officially begins. The dish has been through a few rounds, the wine has also been through a few rounds. I don't know when, Tong Thanh Man sat down next to me.