Chapter 23 — Forty Billion And People Only Ask For A Kitchen

Two years later, Moc Bep has five points of sale and a central kitchen.

Thao is the co-founder, Ngoc Han is in charge of chain operations, and I am in charge of finance and strategy. We have clear payroll, grievance procedures and leave policies. I intentionally keep the company transparent, because I know someone who has been pressured for money will understand the value of a fair contract.

Nha Khang Kitchen has three restaurants. Minh Khang still heads the kitchen himself on the opening day of each branch, even though there are enough staff. He said he wanted to remember the feeling of cooking the first dish for guests.

The day she moved into the new house, Mrs. Huong stood in the middle of the living room, asking where her room was. Minh Khang opened the door to the room facing the sun.

"Mom's here. There's a window looking at the trees."

Mrs. Huong turned to me.

“Have you decided?”

“The two children decide.”

She sat down on the bed, placing her hand on the new sheet.

“I'm sorry.”

I'm not saying "it's okay". I said:

“I heard.”

She told me the times she told me to give in, the times she sided with Ngoc Han because she was afraid her daughter would suffer. I didn't correct her, didn't say I had forgotten. When she finished speaking, I just poured more tea.

Minh Khang paid all the money to repair the house with his profits. He didn't want people to think he was raised by his wife.

“Do you need proof?” I asked.

“No. But I want to know I can do it.”

I nodded.

That night, we sat outside on the balcony. He asked how much money I had left.

“About 47 billion, not including long-term investment.”

He whistled.

“The more you spend, the richer you become.”

“Because I don't use money to buy people.”

“So what do you use to buy?”

"Buy time. Buy the right to say no. Buy opportunity for those who know how to keep it."

He held my hand.

"And you?"

“I just asked for a kitchen.”

“Now you have three apartments.”

“Then give me one more trip.”

I laughed. After two years, he asked for something unrelated to work for the first time.

We booked tickets to go to the beach next month. Mrs. Huong kept Thao's nephew, Ngoc Han managed Moc Bep Kitchen, and Minh Khang closed the shop for a day.

No one dies from taking a day off. But many people have lived their whole lives without daring to take a break.