Chapter 9 — Five Missed Registrations

“It's… Co Dien Chu seems to be hiding from me to meet a woman lately.”

Bach Linh's pupils shrank for a split second.

“What?”

“I'm not sure.” I lowered my eyes and rubbed the hem of my shirt. "It's just that there were two times he said overtime, but I looked at the location and saw that it wasn't at the company. I'm afraid I'm thinking too much... Tell me, am I being too suspicious?"

Bach Linh was silent for two seconds. Then he reached out and held my hand.

"Nien Niem, don't think too much. Men, socialize a lot. Sometimes it's just to meet a customer. If you're really uneasy, I'll help you ask and find out, okay?"

“Really?” I raised my head, my eyes filled with gratitude. “So I'm sorry to bother you, Linh Linh.”

“Why are you being polite to me?” She patted the back of my hand. "I look at you two being together today, I won't let you suffer."

She smiled sincerely. Just like the look every best friend should have. I also laughed. My heart is as calm as water. The purpose of this move is very simple — to give her a signal to "reassure". Let her think: Tham Niem Duong's suspicion is "adultery", not "married". As long as she thinks I don't know about the existence of that marriage, she won't raise the defense to the highest level. At the same time — "helping me inquire" would force her to proactively contact Co Dien Chu to discuss "if Tham Niem Duong has discovered anything recently". Once they communicate more frequently, it will be easier for loopholes to be revealed. Indeed. That night, Co Dien Chu called me half an hour earlier than usual.

"Nien Duong, have you been tired from work lately? How about we go on a relaxing trip this weekend?"

The interest is too sudden. Like a patching measure after someone reports the situation.

“Yes.” I leaned back on the sofa, my voice was sweet. “Where are you going?”

“You can go anywhere you want.”

"Then let's go to the beach. The place I promised to take you last time."

“Okay. Let me book the tickets.”

I hung up the phone and tossed it aside. Tourism. Take me out for a ride, make me happy, then I won't think so hard anymore. This is a familiar trick of Co Dien Chu. In the past, every time I was unhappy, he used "giving candy" to make it up to me. Travel, gifts, surprises. Like taming a pet. If you perform well, you will be rewarded. I stood up and walked out to the balcony. I forgot to water that pot of hydrangeas the other day and the leaves were a little wilted. I took a spray bottle and slowly poured water onto the leaves. No problem. Let them think I'm still that obedient pet. Wait until they completely lower their guard — That's when I turn the cards over.

—

【Chapter 7】 Another two weeks passed. My layout is basically completed. Luc Tu's side conveyed a key piece of information - Co Dien Chu's company last year, when it won the East area project, had a shady financial transaction. Simply put, through a shell company, he obtained the right to use that eastern land at a price three-tenths lower than the market price. And the actual controller of that shell company — was his college classmate, who at that time held the position of department head at the city planning department. In other words — there is doubt bribery issue. Luc Tu said: "If we get the transfer history or contact history between that department head and Co Dien Chu, this chain of evidence will be established."

“Can I have it?”

"You are following the correct process. That department head was transferred at the end of last year, and recently the Disciplinary Inspection Committee is investigating several projects he was involved in. Co Dien Chu's East Area project is on the list."

I took a deep breath.