Chapter 6 — Fire Race

Going to Giang Nam, searching for a vague and nihilistic "Calm Mind"? Continue to investigate your grandfather's disappearance? Or... Accept reality, let go of the past? I looked at the computer screen. His eyes stopped at the last line of the DNA report. 【Haplogroup X2z】 【Anonymous sample】 【Origin: Southeast Europe】 This information is like a small pebble thrown into a pond. New waves ripple in my heart. My mother - Tham Hue Nhu - is just an ordinary woman in the Jiangnan region. So why is my mitochondrial DNA so rare? And an almost perfect match with an anonymous sample from Southeast Europe? Could it be that... My identity is more complicated than I ever imagined? My mother's identity... is there also something hidden? That thought sent chills down my spine. "Dad... you..." I changed the way I called him again, but no matter how I addressed him, it felt awkward. “I think… I need some time。” “To digest it all.” “Okay。” His voice was full of understanding. “Van Van。” “No matter what decision you make。” “Dad will support you.” “And…” He paused for a moment。 “Even though… I am not your biological father。” “But in my heart —— you will always be my daughter.” “That… will never change。” My tears flowed once again。 This time — tears piled up with thousands of emotions。 “Yes。” I nodded vigorously。 Turned off the phone。 I sat motionless for a long time。 The truth was revealed。 But at the same time… many new mysteries opened up。 Grandpa's final disappearance. What exactly is that "talisman"? Is "Tinh Tam" a person, a place, or a code? And also... The DNA chain with distant origins beyond the border - flowing in my veins. Ahead —— are all unknown things. I picked up the jade pendant engraved with lotus flowers. A cool feeling passes through your fingertips. It was as if he was feeling his old determination —— and also his helplessness —. I don't know what the road ahead holds。 But I know… I — can't stop. Searching for “Tinh Tam”， is not only to fulfill his will—— but also to… find himself. Perhaps, the beginning of all answers—— lies there. I called Chu Hao. “Chu Hao.” “Help me book a plane ticket to Suzhou。” “The soonest possible flight。” “Suzhou?” Chu Hao was stunned for a moment。 “Are you planning to go to Jiangnan, looking for that thing called 'Tinh Tam'？” “Yes。” “That's the only clue my grandfather left。” “I have to go.” “It's very dangerous, Ms. Van!” Chu Hao's voice was full of worry and urgency。 "Think about Mr. Chu Chinh Tuong's matter!" “Just leaving a clue for you, you lost your life!” “That is absolutely not a coincidence!” “They… most likely have already started following you!” “I know。” I calmly replied。 “But just sitting still here is the most dangerous。” “I need to proactively strike first。” “At least know, what are they looking for——” “And you, what were you trying to tell me。” “But…” “Chu Hao。” I interrupted him。 “Help me with this too。” “While I leave here。” “Continue to investigate that anonymous DNA sample。” “Southeastern Europe…” “This clue could be very important.” “And also——” “Please pay attention to the situation of my father… my brother。” “I'm worried… they will also be in danger。” The other end of the line was silent for a moment。 “Okay。” Chu Hao's voice carried reluctance, but even more determination。 “I will do it.” “And you... you must be careful。” “If anything happens, you must report it immediately.” “Yes。” Turn off the phone。 I started packing my luggage immediately。 A few clothes, necessary documents。 There was also the report, the diary my mother left behind —— and the brocade and jade bag that my grandfather left behind。 These are all my weapons。 Also —— a burden. Before leaving， I sent Lam Kien Quoc a message。 【Brother, I'm going to Giang Nam Thu

relax a bit, don't worry. Remember to take care of your health.】 I don't know what reaction you will have when you read it。 Maybe you will be worried。 Maybe... something else。 But I can't tell you the truth about the purpose of this trip。 I don't want to drag you again into this mud. The plane landed in Suzhou。 It was just dawn, drizzling。 The air was humid, carrying the gentle breath typical of Jiangnan。 But I was in no mood to enjoy。 “Calm Mind.” Those two words were like a mantra, lingering in my head the whole way. What is the name of the temple? Suzhou has many famous temples—— Han Son Tu, Tay Vien Tu, Linh Nham Son Tu… Where should I start? Or is that… a human name? In the vast sea of people, it's even more impossible to find. I rented a small hotel to rest. Open your laptop and start looking up. Type in: “To Chau”, “Tinh Tam”. The results come out in all sorts of shapes and forms. There is a tea shop called "Tinh Tam Cac"。 There is a bookstore called "Tinh Tam Trai"。 There is even a psychological consultation room called "Tinh Tam"。 None of them have clear signs. I decided to start from the most likely direction —— the temples. Anyway, the jade pendant in the brocade bag is shaped like a lotus flower. The light scent of agarwood also has a flavor very similar to that of a temple. The next two days. I went to all the large and small temples in Suzhou. Ask about monks and see stone stele. Hoping to find some clues related to "Tinh Tam"。 But—— Didn't get anything. Most of the monks shook their heads and said they didn't know. There are also people who say some vague and unclear sentences. I felt my heart sink little by little to the bottom. Could it be that—— The clues he left behind are really as fragile as smoke? Or —— Did I go in the wrong direction from the beginning? That afternoon. I dragged my tired body back to the hotel. Suddenly, the phone rang. It's Chu Hao. “Miss Van!” His voice carried undisguised excitement. “There is a clue!” “It's about that anonymous DNA sample!” I was immediately wide awake. “What did you find out?” “I broke into some private genetic database in Europe!” “After cross-checking——” “I found an account related to that DNA sample!” “Even though the information is very strongly encrypted.” “But I decoded part of the diary!” “Found out that the account is linked to a biotechnology corporation headquartered in Switzerland!” “The name is——『Ouroboros』——『Self-Biting Snake』!” Snake Biting Its Tail... That name... Brings a mystery and ominous feeling that is hard to put into words. “On the surface, this company specializes in advanced genetic research and anti-aging.” “But its background is extremely shady, and the source of capital is also unclear.” “And —— I discovered some unusual records。” “They seem to be… secretly conducting some… illegal human experiments!” “Using an extremely rare… gene sequence!” Rare gene sequence? Could it be—— Is it my haplotype X2z? “Miss Van!” Chu Hao's voice suddenly became tense. “I just… activated their system alert!” “My IP has been exposed!” “It's very possible... they already know someone is investigating!” “How are you over there?!” “Are you okay?!” “I'm okay!” I immediately replied. “Still in Suzhou, safe for now.” “Chu Hao, disconnect now!” “Erase all traces!” “Stop looking!” “Too dangerous!” "Impossible!" Chu Hao is very stubborn. “Just got a clue, can't stop!” “Furthermore… I suspect this company is most likely involved in the assassination of your grandfather, and also Mr. Chu's death!” “Even… it has to do with your mother…” He didn't continue. But I get the idea. If my rare DNA fragment is this company's target. Then mom… “Sister Van.” Chu Hao's voice rang out again. “I found out that Ouroboros company has an important contact in the European region

Ah.” “It is…Hong Kong.” “The person in charge is named… K.” “There is only one code.” “Gender, age, nationality… completely unknown.” Hong Kong? Code K? This clue… seems to go one step further. But it also means... danger is near. “Chu Hao!” “Listen to me! Stop immediately!” “You must protect yourself!” “I…” The phone made a noisy “hiss” sound. Then —— the call suddenly disconnected! “Chu Hao?!” “Chu Hao!!” I screamed into the phone. But there was only the cold sound of the machine busy. A strong insecurity surrounded me. Something happened to Chu Hao? Or... was the signal cut off? Ouroboros… Their reaction was so fast! That proves —— the direction of investigation is correct! It also proves that - danger is near! I must quickly find 'Calm Mind'! Found what he left behind! That might be my only trump card! Calm down! Lam Van, you have to calm down! The clues he left behind cannot be a dead end. “Tinh Tam”。 If it's not a temple, it's not a person's name... Then what is ——? I took out the brocade bag again. Bring it up to your nose and smell carefully. That faint scent of agarwood... Very special. Unlike the strong smell of incense and smoke in the temple. It's like... a rare flavor. Fragrance?! I suddenly remembered —— my mother once wrote in her diary! 【He looks a lot thinner.】 【He carries a slight... cold scent on him.】 A cold scent?! Is it the smell of incense? What if this fragrance was called "Tinh Tam"? I immediately took out my phone and looked up "Tinh Tam - Aromatherapy - Suzhou"。 This time —— the results were no longer a jumbled mess. A line of news immediately caught my attention. 【Old incense shop in Suzhou - "Luc Ly Trai"，hundred years of inheritance，secretly crafted the famous incense "Tinh Tam Tram"，deep cool scent，helps calm the mind and calm the mind.】 Luc Ly Trai! Calm the Heart!