Chapter 8 — Check for Twenty Million and Trillion Billion

Twenty years ago, my grandfather defeated his master in a competition, indirectly causing the other person to go bankrupt. From then on, he considered the Diep family an enemy. He always tries to find out the true identity of the founder of Thu Thach Capital. If he participates in the defense of the Song family this time, he will most likely track me down.

“Has he received it yet?” I asked.

"Received. Very high price. Tong Anh Kiet gave 3% of Tong Dat shares as compensation."

“When will it start?”

"It's already started. Yesterday he requested all transaction data related to Thu Thach Capital raising the Tong Dat flag, reviewing our 'unified action group' structure."

Unified action structure. That is one of the fastest paths to my true identity. Thu Thach Capital's shareholding system was designed by me personally—three layers of nested BVI companies, the ultimate beneficiary being a trust fund. In theory, it is impossible to trace me personally. But Tham Truong Ha... is not an ordinary person.

“Chu Ngan, how long do you think it took him to track me down?”

“At his previous pace… two weeks at most.”

Faster than I expected.

“Is there a way to delay?”

"Yes. But the cost is huge. We have to re-adjust the structure at the BVI layer, which could affect our three funds in Southeast Asia."

"No way. Those three funds are at a critical stage."

“Then the only way is a direct confrontation.”

“Or…” I stood up and walked to the window. “Proactively show up first.”

Chu Ngan and Khuong Tieu Ngu looked at me at the same time.

“What did you say?” Khuong Tieu Ngu reacted first. "Reveal yourself first? Your grandfather's will is that you must not reveal your identity before the age of thirty—"

“Grandpa said, standing under the light too early will ruin your character.” I said calmly. "But now if I don't take the initiative, Tham Truong Ha will pick everything for me. If the cards are turned over, it's better to turn them over yourself first."

“Besides, going public doesn't mean being completely public.” I turned back to look at Chu Ngan. "I can be selective. For example, only announce that I am a major shareholder of Hung Hoa Bank, and one of the co-founders of Thu Thach Capital. Do not mention my founder status."

Chu Ngan thought for a moment.

"It's possible. It explains your relationship with Thu Thach while also preserving the core layer. But—"

“But what?”

“Luc Dien Chu and Phuong Cam Hoa side… how do you plan to explain?”

That is the most difficult point. Three years of concealment… cannot be explained with a simple “I have a reason”. Especially with Luc Dien Chu. He always thought of himself as someone in a "protective" position. Suddenly discovering that my girlfriend was a hundred times richer than me... That shock was not small.

“Let me think more.”

That afternoon, Tong Thanh Man appeared. Not at the bookstore. It's in the lobby of the Luc Thi building. Khuong Tieu Ngu livestreamed me every second.

“Dien Chu, I didn't come because of something between us.” Tong Thanh Man's voice is very sincere. “It's because of you.”

“You know what my uncle did?”

"I know. And I also think it's too much. So I came to clarify—what my uncle did has nothing to do with me. I already talked to him and told him to stop."

“Will he listen to you?”

"He won't listen to you. But he will listen to your father."

A silence.

"Your father has agreed to appear. The condition is—"

“What conditions again? again?"

“It's not intermarriage. This time there is no such thing.” Her voice lowered. “My dad just wants to meet you in person. Talk about the direction of cooperation between the two families. Forget the past.”

“How can I guarantee that what my father said is true?”

“I use myself to make sure. If something goes wrong this time, I will leave city A and never appear in front of you again."

The words... are so beautiful. But I don't believe it. Tong Thanh Man is even more dangerous than Tong Anh Kiet. Tong Anh Kiet is a knife—clearly visible. And she is water—seeping little by little, without sound.

“What do you think?” Khuong Tieu Ngu asked.

“The Song family is internally fractured.” I speak slowly. “Tong Thanh Man's father—Tong Anh Tai—is the eldest brother. Tong Anh Kiet is me. These two people are not compatible. Thu Thach Capital raised Tong Dat's flag to disrupt Tong Anh Kiet's plan, and also let Tong Anh Tai see the opportunity."

“What chance?”

"Taking advantage of the chaos... kicked Tong Anh Kiet out of the power center of the Tong family."

"So Tong Thanh Man came to find Luc Dien Chu... was paving the way for her father?"

"YES. Her father needs an outside ally to restrain Tong Anh Kiet. Luc Thi is the most suitable chess piece.”

“What about Luc Thi?”