Chapter 10 — Five Missed Registrations

“Senior, how long will it take for the results to come back?”

“The fastest is two weeks.”

“Okay. Two more weeks —”

I thought for a bit.

“Two weeks from now, just in time for the press conference calling for mid-year investment capital of Co Dien Chu company.”

Luc Tu on the other end of the line was silent for a while.

“Do you want to take action right at the press conference?”

“That's right.”

"Nien Duong, are you sure? On such occasions, the media will attend."

“What I want is the media.”

My voice is very even.

“He's been playing the nice guy in front of everyone for four years. Then let him show his true colors — right in front of everyone.”

Luc Tu did not object. He only asked one question: “What do you need me for?”

“Help me get the list of attendees for the press conference. I need to confirm which investors will be present. Also —”

I hesitated for a second.

“Help me look up Bach Linh's recent schedule and spending history. I want to confirm something.”

“What?”

“Has she been coming to Co Dien Chu's company often in the past two weeks?”

Results are available the next day. In the past two weeks, Bach Linh has entered and exited Co Dien Chu company's office building seven times. While her workplace — is at the design institute in the East. The two places are half a city apart. Seven times. It's not a visit, it's not a passing by. It's plotting. They are discussing countermeasures. Unfortunately - the countermeasures they came up with were probably just "Take Tham Niem Duong on a trip" and "Coax her more". Because this weekend, Co Dien Chu, while on vacation at the beach, brought a ring to me.

“Nien Duong, marry me.”

Sunset. Sea breeze. The diamond ring reflects gentle light under the setting sun. I looked at him kneeling on one knee on the sand. The knees of his trousers were covered in fine sand. There was genuine expectation in his eyes. There was even a hint of tension. How ironic. A married man, holding a ring, proposed to another woman. And the tension on his face — is it fear that I will refuse, or fear that this play cannot continue anymore? I don't want to know the answer anymore.

“Co Dien Chu.”

I squatted down, holding his hand with both hands holding the ring. Palms are slightly sweaty. I'm not sure if it's yours or mine.

“I agree.”

He laughed. A radiant smile, a burden relieved. Put the ring on my ring finger. Then he pulled me into his arms and hugged me very tightly. His heartbeat transmitted through his chest. Very fast.

“Nien Duong…” He buried his face in the crook of my neck, his voice deep. "Waiting for this busy period to pass, let's go register our marriage. This time I promise."

I placed my chin on his shoulder, looking at the red-yellow sea behind him. The corner of the mouth slightly raised. Promise. Okay. I want to see what you will promise at the press conference in two weeks.

—

【Chapter 8】 June 15. Mid-year capital calling press conference of Co Dien Chu company. The venue takes place at the International Convention Center right in the city center, with a capacity of three hundred people. Those present included directors of the city's three leading investment funds, two directors of the bank's credit department, and seven or eight financial press agencies. This is the most important event of the year for Co Dien Chu company. Phase two of the East area project needs a new round of capital calling. If successful in raising capital, his company will be among the top real estate businesses in this city. At ten o'clock in the morning, I sat in the third row of the auditorium. I was able to get in here thanks to the press card that Luc Tu got for me - a business card worn on my chest with the name of a financial weekly magazine printed on it. I wore a black vest dress. Hair tied in a high bun, makeup sharp but not too much. Looks just like a normal female reporter.