Chapter 9 — Check for Twenty Million and Trillion Billion

"It's not bad. Tong Anh Tai comes forward to force Tong Anh Kiet to step back, Luc Thi's supply chain problem will be completely resolved. Furthermore, the shares we hold in Tong Dat... can choose the time to withdraw and earn a difference."

“Sounds okay?”

"Sounds good. But Tong Thanh Man..." I stopped for a moment. “I'm not sure about her.”

“How well do you know her?”

“That's enough.” I said casually. "In Chu Ngan's report, she has two degrees abroad, one in finance, one in law. Not the type of vase."

“So what are you worried about?”

“I'm worried her goal… isn't just to help her father.”

“What do you mean—”

“She still wants Luc Dien Chu.”

Khuong Tieu Ngu's eyes widened.

“Still thinking about that at this time?”

“There are people… business and love can operate in parallel.”

I closed my laptop.

“Help me make an appointment.”

“Lu Yanzhou's sister—Luc Tu Lam.”

"Her? She hates you so much."

“That's why we had to meet.”

The next afternoon, I met Luc Tu Lam at a coffee shop in the East of the city. She is three years older than Luc Dien Chu, has short hair, a neat demeanor, and wears rimless glasses. Married to a foreign trade person, she is in charge of marketing for Luc Thi. As soon as she saw me, her face turned cold.

“Diep Tri Thu, why did you invite me out here?”

"Talk."

"You and I have nothing to say. If you're going to tell me the story about my mother—"

“I don't count suffering.” I looked straight at her. “I came to talk business.”

She was stunned.

“What business?”

“Business related to Tong Thanh Man.”

Her eyes immediately changed.

“What do you mean?”

"Tong Thanh Man's father wants to let the Luc family cooperate with a large branch of the Song family. Luc Dien Chu will probably agree. But I want to know... what you think."

Luc Tu Lam leaned back in his chair, his eyes cold.

"You are an outsider, what right do you have to interfere with Luc's decision?"

“Because Tong Thanh Man is a time bomb.” I speak slowly. "You are the head of marketing. If the Song family infiltrates, your position will be the first to be replaced."

Her fingers stopped on the table.

“You know about that?”

"Tong Thanh Man has two degrees—finance and law. If she joins Luc Thi, she will definitely start with marketing. That is the department that directly controls the brand and sales. Her goal... is not only Dien Chu, but also the power in her hands."

Luc Tu Lam looked at me for a long time.

“You… are not as simple as I thought.”

“I accept that compliment.”

“Don't be too quick to be complacent.” She took a sip of coffee. “You didn't come just to remind me.”

“I also want to confirm one thing.”

“What?”

"If one day you discover my true identity... far beyond what you see, are you willing to stand by my side within the Luc family?"

She put down the coffee cup.

“Your true identity?”

"You don't need to know right now. But very soon... you will know."

“Diep Tri Thu, are you tired of talking so vaguely?”

“I can't say clearly.” I looked at her. "But I can promise—as long as you stand by my side, the position of Luc Thi's marketing manager... will always be yours. Regardless of whether Tong Thanh Man comes in or not."

She was silent for a long time.

"Where can I trust you? A person who opens a bookstore... what guarantee can I have?"

“Because the person behind blocking the Song family's house for Luc Thi... is me.” I speak very softly. “The first 500 million yuan investment, supplier replacement plans, the review by the Provincial Department of Construction, and even Thu Thach Capital raising the Tong Dat flag... are all me."

Her pupils shrank.

“No way. Those things need resources—”

“Those resources, I have.”

“You are—”

“I'll only say it once. Believe it or not… it's up to you.”

She let out a long breath.

“I need time to think.”

"Okay. But don't take too long. Tong Thanh Man acted faster than she thought.”

I stood up, picked up my bag.

“Ah, Ms. Tu Lam.”

She raised her head.

“If you go back and repeat this conversation with your mother, I won't stop you. But it's best... you should verify what I said first, then decide.”

I left the shop. Khuong Tieu Ngu's car parked opposite.

“Fifty fifty.”

“That doesn't sound right.”

"No problem. Smart people... will choose the option that is most beneficial to them.”

When I returned to the bookstore, it was late afternoon. My phone vibrated. Not Luc Dien Chu. It's a strange number. I picked up the phone.

“Is that Diep Tri Thu?”

Deep, steady male voice.

“I am Tham Truong Ha.”

My hand tightened.

“What's wrong with Mr. Tham?”

“Because I'm investigating you. Instead of me secretly investigating, we could talk directly. I'm a person who likes to be straightforward.”

“What interest do you have in me?”