Chapter 12 — Forty Billion And People Only Ask For A Kitchen

Ngoc Han brought the story to Mrs. Huong's house.

"Mom, I think An Nhien really won the lottery. She opened a kitchen, bought an apartment, and trades every day. Minh Khang has no money but still owns it."

Mrs. Huong was confused, but not completely convinced.

“Maybe it borrowed from you.”

“Who lends so much?”

Ngoc Han showed a photo of Nha Khang Kitchen's floor plan. She asked someone to take the photo from the street. Ms. Huong looked at the unfinished sign, then called Minh Khang.

“You opened a shop without telling me?”

"I'm testing. I'll invite you when it's okay."

“Where is the money?”

“You and Nhien contribute.”

Mrs. Huong was silent. Ngoc Han grabbed the phone and asked directly:

“Is it An Nhien's lottery winnings?”

Minh Khang hung up the phone.

That night, he told me. I said I could tell the truth right away, but he shook his head.

“I want to choose when to speak.”

“Are you afraid of your mother?”

"No. I'm afraid my mother will find out and think my money is a lifeline for Han."

I hugged him.

“You don't need to stand in the middle anymore.”

"I know. But getting out there also requires learning."

Three days later, Ngoc Han came to Nha Khang Kitchen while the workers were installing the sign. She walked in like the host.

“Your brother's shop?”

“My husband's restaurant.”

“Whose money?”

“In what capacity do you want to ask?”

Ngoc Han was speechless. Minh Khang came out of the kitchen and took off his gloves.

"When you come to eat, sit down. When you come to ask for money, then leave."

“Is that how you talk to me?”

“You're talking very normally.”

Duc Tai called, urging her to get the money. Ngoc Han looked at Minh Khang, then looked at me. She understood that he knew the secret.

“You two are hiding it from the whole family.”

“Yes,” I replied. “Because our money is not the family's common property.”

She threw out the sentence "one day you'll regret it" before leaving.

Minh Khang did not chase. He went back to adjusting the kitchen temperature.

“The fish stock is about to run out,” he said.

I looked at him and laughed. A big war had just begun, but he still knew the fish needed to be cooked at the right time.