Chapter 25 — Ex-Wife Takes Power

“He wants to sell shares.”

“Sell to whom?”

“Miss.”

“What are the conditions?”

“Sold at market price. No inflated prices, no discounts. Only one condition attached.”

“Say it.”

“He requested to add a clause to the transfer contract: 'For the next three years, Hang Nghiep Group retains the right to hire Mr. Luc Canh Tham as a technical consultant, with an annual salary of one million two hundred thousand yuan (about 4 billion VND)'."

I thought for a moment. “He still wants to keep in touch with Hang Nghiep?”

“It's not about keeping in touch. It's about keeping your way out.” Ha Thanh Duong's voice was calm.

"He has no other company. Hang Nghiep is the only career he has ever had. He doesn't want to leave completely."

I closed my eyes for two seconds.

“Agree with him.”

“Are you sure?”

"Sure. If he wants to keep a reputation, give it to him. One million and two a year, Hang Nghiep can pay."

“Aren't you afraid that he will use this identity to cause trouble in the future?”

“He won't.”

“How do you know?”

“Because even Tham Nhuoc Huyen can't keep up with one person, how can he have the mind to cause trouble anymore?”

Ha Thanh Duong burst out laughing. “You won.”

“It's not about winning.”

“It's over.”

The share transfer contract was signed a week later. By the time I held the contract and walked out of the lawyer's office, it was already dark. The streetlight turned on, shining down on the sidewalk, casting a long shadow. I bowed my head and looked at the ring finger of my left hand. The faint white mark is still there. But it's almost so blurry that I can't see it anymore. Chapter 29 Three months later. Van Cam project officially launched. The first phase of the project broke ground by the joint venture of Hang Nghiep and Thien Thinh. I stood on the podium presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony, in front of reporters, partner representatives, government officials, people in the industry, and the entire middle and senior management team of Hang Nghiep. Ms. Lam stood on the side of the podium, holding a bouquet of flowers, her eyes red. Phuong Dich Than stood half a step to my right, wearing a dark gray suit, looking just like the first time we met. He said softly: "President Co, the road ahead is still long." I nodded. “Yes, take it step by step.” After the groundbreaking ceremony ended, Ha Thanh Duong ran over and showed the phone screen to me.

“Look at this.”

It's financial news. The headline read: *"Hang Nghiep Group's capitalization surpassed 4 billion yuan, new Chairman Co Van Ninh reached the top of Influential Businesswomen of the Year."* I finished reading and returned the phone to her.

“Aren't you excited?” She frowned.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because this is not the destination yet.”

When I got home at night, I sat alone in the living room. Not a penthouse in Phi Thuy Loan area. I moved out of there a long time ago. Where I live now is a three-bedroom apartment, not too big, but every piece of furniture was chosen by me, every light bulb was changed by me. On the living room tea table is a porcelain cup, with a white jasmine flower printed on the cup. It was sent by my mother from the countryside. Next to the cup was a note, my mother's handwriting was shabby: *"Van Ninh, I'm proud of you. Remember to eat well."* I folded the paper and put it in the inside compartment of my wallet. The phone rings. Is a number strange. I picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello Ms. Co, I am the owner of the 'Time Passes Slowly' cafe in the southern part of the city."

I froze. “Time Passes Slowly”, is the coffee shop that half a year ago, when I followed Luc Canh Tham to that luxury apartment complex, I sat all night opposite.

"When she left that day, she left a napkin next to her coffee cup, with a note written on it. When we were cleaning, we discovered it, and kept it for her, not throwing it away."