Chapter 5 — Father Wants to Divide His Estate, But the Whole Group Is in My Name

In the past, when my grandfather was still alive, he relied on that mouth to create factions within the company. Two years after his grandfather passed away, the entire corporation was almost destroyed by him. It took me three years to clean up the messy books and network of contacts he left behind. I thought... Everything was taken care of. Unexpectedly now... He came to Uncle Tran again. What was he going to do anyway? I pondered for a few seconds then opened my phone book. His eyes stopped on a name. Tran Bach Chu. Tran Bach Chu, Tran Duc Minh's son, is also my college classmate. The phone only rang two times before someone picked up.

"Tri Du? That's really rare. You took the initiative to call me?"

"Bach Chu, is Uncle Tran at home?"

"Yes. What's going on?"

"My dad came to look for him today. Do you know what happened?"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. After a while, Tran Bach Chu lowered his voice.

"Tri Du, actually I was about to tell you this."

"Your father came to find my father..."

I was stunned.

"Yes. He cried until his eyes and nose were dirty. He said your mother and I bullied him, wanted to kick him out of the house, forced him to leave empty-handed, even his own children wouldn't let him accept it."

I didn't know whether to cry or laugh for a moment.

"And then what?"

"Then..."

Tran Bach Chu's voice clearly showed awkwardness.

"...my father is a bit soft-hearted."

"He kept saying 'after all, we are all family', and 'no father and son have an overnight feud'."

"He agreed to help?"

"Not really."

"He just said he wanted to make an appointment with you to talk, to mediate."

I gently closed my eyes and took a deep breath. That's right, Tham Quoc Luong. He wasn't looking for an ordinary person to help. It's my grandfather's close friend. As an elder, I must respectfully call you Uncle Tran. He is using morality to force me. If Mr. Tran stands up, if I don't respect him, I will become someone who doesn't know how to respect superiors and subordinates. And if I show respect... I will definitely have to give in. What a great move.

"Bach Chu."

I said calmly.

"Help me send a message to Uncle Tran."

"Let's invite him to dinner tonight, so we can explain everything clearly."

"Are you going to directly meet your father?"

"...Okay."

Tran Bach Chu sighed softly.

"But Tri Du, don't be too nervous later."

"You know my father, he has a good heart but is very soft-hearted. Your father's performance today really touched people's hearts."

"I know."

"That's why I had to tell him directly."

I told Tan Tu to book a private room at the restaurant. Not the type of restaurant that specializes in welcoming business guests. It's a restaurant specializing in Hunan dishes that Mr. Tran likes the most. The boss there has known him for more than twenty years. Take him to a familiar place. Let him relax. I will lay the whole truth before him. I don't need Uncle Tran to help me. I just need... He doesn't help Tham Quoc Luong, that's enough. Seven o'clock in the evening. When I entered the private room, Tran Duc Minh was already waiting. He was over sixty. Greyheaded. But the spirit is still very clear. As soon as he saw me walk in, a gentle smile appeared on his face like an elder for his children.

"Tri Du is here."

"Hello, Uncle Tran."

I politely said hello and sat down. The dish has been served available. Tran Duc Minh took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Tri Du, today your father came to find me..."

"I know."

He looked at me, a bit surprised.

"Bach Chu told me."

I said calmly.

"Uncle Tran, please don't beat around the bush anymore."

"What did your father tell me?"

Tran Duc Minh sighed softly.

"He said... you and I want to kick him out of the house."

"Tell me to revoke all his powers, not even his living expenses."

"And he said he had a child outside, but his mother and I wouldn't accept him."

He stopped for a moment.

"I know your father has done a lot of things wrong."

"But after all, he is my father."

"I'm old again..."

"Uncle Tran."

I gently interrupted him.

"Can I show you something?"

He stopped. I opened my bag and took out a folder of documents. That's what Tan Tu just completed this afternoon. Inside... is the entire list of times Tham Quoc Luong embezzled public funds over the past twenty years. One account at a time. Intended use. Everything is clear, not a single detail is missing. I pushed the documents in front of Tran Duc Minh.

"Uncle Tran."

"Please see."

He put down the teacup and hesitantly opened the first page. Just looking at it for three seconds... His eyebrows immediately furrowed. Turn to the fifth page... His hand clearly stopped. Turn to page twelve...