Chapter 3 — Husband Takes Little Tam to Party, Big Screen Shows My 31 Million Yuan Project

I didn't speak up.

"When we checked the information of the owner, we discovered that the entire core algorithm and system architecture of the plan were completed by her alone."

"That's right."

"Where are you working now?"

"...I'm not working anywhere right now."

General Director Tran paused. The young man sitting next to him also raised his head.

"So your plan is..."

"I do it in my free time."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds. General Director Tran laughed, put his glasses back on and opened the file in front of him.

"So let's talk frankly about the conditions of cooperation. The first phase technical transfer fee is 31 million yuan, divided into two payments. 40% of the deposit will be transferred within fifteen working days after signing the contract, the rest will be paid in full within sixty days after handover and technical acceptance. There is also an annual profit sharing clause..."

He pushed the file in front of me. I looked at that series of numbers, still calm on the outside. But inside, there was a stir. 31 million yuan. I stayed at home to wash dishes, clean the house, and take care of the whole family for seven years. I have to report to Chu's mother how much money it costs to buy food each month. Even when I want to buy a lipstick worth 50 yuan, I have to hesitate again and again. 31 million yuan.

"Our legal department has finished drafting the preliminary contract. If you have no comments, you can come and sign next week."

My voice is very steady. When I walked out of that building, it was already four thirty in the afternoon. The sunlight was still there, shining warmly and comfortably on my face. I was standing on the side of the road waiting for a taxi when my phone rang. It's Chu Yen.

"Have you finished the examination yet?"

"Almost done."

"Don't cook mine at home tonight, I have a party."

Hang up and the taxi has just arrived. I sat in the back row, watching the tall buildings outside the window recede one by one. Sign the contract next week. Deposit 12.4 million yuan. I suddenly wanted to laugh. Just because we borrowed 20,000 yuan, Wei Man humiliated us for half a year. Truong Van Phan told my family's story to the whole workshop as a joke. Vuong Que Chi at the police station looked at me with those eyes. Every month, Chu's mother calmly held out her hand and asked for money, even criticizing me for not being able to do this or not doing that. Chu Yen hugged another woman and returned, even though she was too lazy to hide it. I bowed my head and looked at my hands. These hands have been chopping vegetables for seven years, washing dishes for seven years, and cleaning the house for seven years. Also typed on the keyboard for two years, writing a plan worth 30 million yuan. The taxi stopped in front of the residential area gate. I got out of the car, swiped my card inside, went upstairs and opened the door.

"Are you back? Why so late?"

Chu's mother turned back from the sofa.

"Many inspection items, long queues."

"What was the result?"

"There's no problem, just a little anemic. The doctor said to eat more red apples."

Chu's mother said "oh" then turned back to continue watching TV.

"Ah yes."

She suddenly spoke up.

"Tomorrow Chu Yen company is holding a mid-year party, I will go with you. Lately the company is doing very well, the development prospects are also quite good. At that time, dress a little more neatly, don't be too casual. After all, Chu Yen is also the deputy general director."

I went into the kitchen and closed the door. Leaning my back against the door, I raised my head and exhaled deeply. Tomorrow is the company's mid-year party Chu Yen. Next week is the contract signing ceremony worth 31 million yuan. The corner of my lips slowly curled up. Thursday evening, I stood in front of the bedroom closet, searching for ten minutes. In the end, I chose a light gray one-piece that I bought three years ago. The skirt's neckline has a small fold, not too prominent but still quite elegant when worn. Chu's mother walked in and took a look.

"Are you wearing this?"

"Can't you dress up a bit? The wives of the deputy chiefs are no different without carrying designer bags and wearing high heels. Look at you..."

She shook her head and went out. I bent down to look at myself. No problem. At half past six, Chu Yen drove to pick me up. He wore a neat suit, his hair was neatly gelled without a single strand of tangle. The car still smelled of perfume, not the kind he usually uses. I sat in the passenger seat, Chu's mother sat in the back. During the whole journey no one spoke. Arriving at the hotel door, Chu Yen got out of the car first and went to greet her colleagues waiting outside. I helped Chu's mother get out of the car and followed behind inside. The large lobby is decorated extremely bustlingly. On the banner was written: "Mid-year festival of Le Hang Construction Materials Group", in front of the registration desk there was a long line. Chu Yen walked in front, occasionally turning around and smiling at me. That smile carries a very subtle meaning that needs me to understand and coordinate. Show him well, don't make him lose face. I followed inside and was seated at a table quite close to the stage. After sitting down, Chu's mother looked around at the wine and snacks on the other tables, muttering:

"This is a good scale. My son really has a future."

"Sister-in-law is here!"

I turned my head. Lu Pham, Chu Yen's subordinate, brought his wife over. Lu Pham's wife's name is Tien, she has curly hair, and is carrying a sparkling bag in her hand. As soon as she sat down next to me, she started talking.

"Sister-in-law looks really good. She takes good care of herself at home, right?"

"No, I'm just normal."

"Oh, I'm comfortable at home, I don't have to worry about work."

She smiled, the corner of her eyes glanced at me.

"But sister-in-law, you're being too secretive. After all, General Manager Chu is also a deputy general manager, isn't it too simple for you to dress like this?"

Another woman sitting next to her, apparently the wife of the purchasing department director, also chimed in:

"That's right, in exchange for me, I will dress beautifully and swipe my husband's card until he runs out of money!"

The two laughed as a group. I also laughed and didn't answer. Chu's mother spoke again:

"My daughter-in-law doesn't know how to take care of anything. No matter what I say, she doesn't listen. Everyone, look at her nails. They don't even have a little color."

I was about to interrupt.

"You just don't know how to take care of yourself! Look at Ms. Tien, how spirited she looks dressed like this!"

Director Tien's wife was praised so much that she squinted her eyes, the proud look on her face was not hidden. I held the cup of tea in my hand and said nothing. The program begins, on stage someone is speaking. I couldn't hear much, my eyes occasionally glanced at the brightly lit stage, but in my heart I was thinking about something else. Next Tuesday, Due Hang Technology Group. Transfer money.

"Sister-in-law? Sister-in-law?"

Wife of director Tien Push gently my arm.

"Look over there."

She pointed her chin toward the rest area next to the stage. I followed. Chu Yen was standing there, holding a glass of wine, talking to a woman. The woman wore a yellow dress, long hair, and was very young. When smiling, the corners of the lips have a dimple. It's her. The person that Ms. Trieu saw in Ngan Thai. She stood next to Chu Yen, her body slightly tilted towards him. Every time we talk, we come very close. Chu Yen bowed her head and smiled, that smile... I was so familiar with it. When pursuing me, he also smiled like that.

"That's the head of the planning department who just came to the company, his last name is Qin or something..."

Director Tien's wife lowered her voice.

"I heard that all the plans for major projects in the first half of this year were done by her with General Manager Chu. The two of them worked overtime until midnight."

"Stop saying a few words."

Someone next to her lightly kicked her. I withdrew my gaze, lifted the cup of tea in front of me and took a sip. The tea was just lukewarm and had no flavor.

"Sister-in-law, don't take it to heart."

Director Tien's wife continued to talk a lot.

"When men go out to socialize, it's hard to avoid getting a little close with female colleagues. It's unlikely that anything will happen..."

I smiled.

"I'm going to the bathroom for a moment."