Chapter 1 — From the Day No Longer Belongs to You

The day my boyfriend fired me, I bought a lottery ticket worth 10 yuan... The next morning, my account suddenly had an additional 120 million yuan. My boyfriend himself put my name on the dismissal list. Three years of love, at the end, he just calmly said:

"Quan Ninh, the company is cutting staff. I have no other choice."

I don't argue. Don't hold back either. That night, on the way home, I conveniently spent 10 yuan to buy a lottery ticket. Come the next morning. My bank account suddenly received an additional 120,000,000 yuan (about 480 billion VND).

"Ha Quan Ninh, this is the resignation handover record. Sign it."

Luc Chieu pushed the stack of documents in front of me. His expression was calm as if he was just processing a normal business document. I bent down to look at the paper. Employee code. Inauguration Day. That was also the day three years ago, the day we officially fell in love.

“You fired me?”

I looked up at him. Luc Chieu is Director of Marketing Department of Thinh Hang Group. At the same time, he is also the boyfriend who has been with me for three years. He sat leaning back in his chair, his tie was flat without a crease, his hands clasped together on the table, his eyes looking at me coldly as if he were evaluating a job candidate.

"This year the company's business performance did not meet expectations. The headquarters requested to streamline personnel."

“The Marketing Department had to lay off three people.”

"Your KPI is ranked last, I have no choice."

I laughed.

“My KPIs are last?”

“Who planned the Hoanh Dat real estate project last month?”

“Who is the customer designated to be directly in charge?”

“Who signed that contract worth 4 million yuan?”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Luc Chieu, yet you still say my KPI is ranked last?”

He was still as calm as ever. Just slowly lift the cup of coffee, take a sip and then put it down.

“A comprehensive assessment cannot be based on just one project.”

At that moment, the office door opened. A girl wearing a milky white dress, pointed high heels, and holding two cups of coffee in her hands walked in. As soon as she saw me, she paused for a moment and then immediately smiled.

“Director Luc, your coffee.”

New employee joined the company last month. I heard that the company hunted for a competitor, but I once looked into her profile. At her old company, she had no outstanding achievements. Putting the coffee cup down on the table, she gently looked at me. That look... I'm so familiar with it. Those are the eyes of someone who thinks he has won.

“Ha Quan Ninh, haven't you signed yet?”

Luc Chieu urged. I pointed at On Khoi.

“She has only been in the company for less than a month and doesn't have any achievements yet.”

“You didn't fire her, but you chose to fire me?”

Luc Chieu frowned slightly.

“On Khoi's matter has nothing to do with you.”

“There is no need to explain how the company arranges its personnel.”

On Khoi lowered his head. But the corners of his lips could not hide a faint smile. Only now do I understand. KPI ranked last. Streamline personnel. It's all just an excuse. What he really wants... Is to push me out of the company to make way for this woman. I picked up the pen. Don't hesitate to sign. Maybe Luc Chieu didn't expect me to be so decisive so he was stunned.

“Quan Ninh, don't think too much.”

“Whenever I'm free, I'll invite you to dinner and we'll talk decorum."

"No need."

I placed the file firmly on the table.

“Director Luc, work follows the job.”

“When will the severance compensation be transferred?”

“Follow the process, about fifteen working days.”

Having finished speaking, I turned and left the office. Walking past the work area, everyone bowed their heads and worked as if nothing happened. But I know. Their eyes were still quietly following me. News travels faster than anything. The whole floor probably knows now. Director Luc's girlfriend was just fired by him. I packed my things. Everything is packed in exactly one carton. Three years of youth. In the end, there's only so much left. In the elevator, I met Tieu Chu of the Administration Department. The girl looked at me, hesitated for a long time before softly saying:

“Miss Ha... there's something I think you should know.”

“Miss Wen Khoi and Director Luc... seem to be more than just colleagues.”

“Last Friday, when I worked overtime, I saw her get off Director Luc's car with my own eyes.”

My hand holding the carton suddenly tightened.

“Thank you.”

As soon as I stepped out of the company gate, it started to rain. I don't carry an umbrella. Just holding a cardboard box and standing quietly under the eaves, took out my phone. The WeChat notification appears. It's a message from Luc Chieu.

“Stop being angry. I will explain to you another day.”

I straight up block him. The past three years. I went with him from an ordinary employee to the position of Department Manager. More than half of his customers were brought in by me. On the night of my promotion, we sat and ate hot pot in a small restaurant. He once held my hand, swearing that he would never betray me in his entire life. But today... He was the one who pushed me out of the company, to make way for another woman. The rain is getting heavier and heavier. For some reason, my feet unconsciously turned to a roadside lottery shop. The boss was still attentively watching the replay of the prize drawing results on TV. He didn't even bother to raise his head.

“What kind to buy?”

“Let me take one at random.”

I pulled out a 10 yuan bill and gave it to the boss. He conveniently printed out a Song Sac Cau lottery ticket and gave it to me. Holding the lottery ticket that was still warm, I quietly walked in the rain to my room. That's the room Luc Chieu and I used to rent together. To be more precise... It's my name that rents it. He only comes over to sleep occasionally. The rent, from start to finish, is paid by me.