Chapter 20 — I Bring My Grandparents to Celebrate Tet

When grandmother and grandfather got out of the taxi, grandmother was still wearing the red shirt she bought in Sanya. She stood under the office building, raised her head and looked up.

“Which floor?”

“Ninth floor.”

“Is there an elevator?”

“That's good.”

“Grandpa's legs are not comfortable climbing stairs.”

My dad drove over. Trieu My Phan sat in the passenger seat. Trieu Uyen Tinh sat in the back. Three people got out of the car. Trieu My Phan's face is not good. Not angry. It's stress. On the contrary, Trieu Uyen Tinh is still very calm. She was wearing a khaki trench coat, her hair was styled beautifully, and she was carrying a small, delicate bag in her hand. Entering the meeting room, the two sides automatically sat apart. Grandmother, grandfather and eldest son sat on one side. My father, Trieu My Phan and Trieu Uyen Tinh sat on the other side. The eldest girl sat in the middle. And I stand.

“Call everyone here today.”

“Just to say two things.”

I put a file on the table.

“First thing.”

“Notarized inheritance of the house in my mother's name.”

“I have already confirmed with the lawyer.”

"According to the inheritance law, my father and I each get half."

“This set of papers is a notarized power of attorney.”

“As long as my father and I sign, the inheritance procedure can proceed.”

"Later, the money will be released and divided clearly."

My father looked at that stack of papers but did not reach out. Trieu My Phan's eyes scanned the documents, the corners of his lips curled slightly.

“Second story.”

I opened my phone and turned on the notes section.

“Trieu Uyen Tinh.”

“On the twenty-eighth of December last year, you called my company.”

“Claims to be my older sister.”

“Ask the receptionist to transfer the project I'm in charge of to someone else.”

Trieu Uyen Tinh's face immediately changed.

“In early January this year, someone posted on an industry forum.”

“Insinuating my award-winning project is plagiarism.”

“That account was created on the fourth of January.”

“That afternoon…”

“I'm still sitting at this table having dinner with you.”

Trieu Uyen Tinh did not speak.

“February this year.”

“Tran Dong called me.”

“Using a non-existent real estate project as a condition of exchange.”

“Want me to give up my right to inherit the house.”

“He couldn't even make up the company name.”

Tran Dong is not here. But Trieu Uyen Tinh's hand on the table remained motionless.

"March."

“Someone started spreading rumors among relatives.”

"I said my mother married my father for money."

“Speaking of my mother and me in the same way.”

The eldest girl lowered her head. Grandma's hand tightened on her knee. The eldest boy turned his head to look at Trieu Uyen Tinh.

“When you do these things…”

“Thought I didn't know.”

I looked straight at her.

“But one thing at a time.”

“I know it all.”

The meeting room was so quiet that you could clearly hear the sound of the air conditioner. The first person to speak up was Trieu My Phan.

“Tieu Niem.”

“Do you have evidence to say these things?”

“You cannot arbitrarily slander others like that.”

“Evidence?”

I put the phone on the table.

“Call history at the company reception desk.”

“The number calling is Trieu Uyen Tinh's phone number.”

“Account registration information on the forum.”

“I asked you to look it up.”

“The registered phone number ends with 7643.”

I looked at Trieu Uyen Tinh.

“Ms. Uyen Tinh.”

“What is the ending number of your phone number?”

Her lips moved slightly.

“What about spreading rumors?”

“Who did you tell me to say, what did you say…”

“The relatives who passed on the message all saved it again."

I opened each screenshot and placed it on the table. Second uncle's wife's message to the eldest aunt. The "heard" words that my cousin told me. Origin of each sentence. I marked them all clearly. Trieu Uyen Tinh sat on the chair, not moving. But under the table, her fingers were clenched. She was silent for a few seconds. Then burst out laughing.

“Tieu Niem.”

“You misunderstood.”

"About calling your company, I was just interested so I asked."

“The forum post has nothing to do with you.”

“And that phone number…”

“It could just be a coincidence.”

“About what the relatives talked about…”

“Everyone has their own thoughts.”

“I can't count it all on you.”

Her voice is still very stable. His expression was also calm as before. That is Trieu Uyen Tinh. Will never admit it. And always leave a way out for yourself. I looked at her.

“Ms. Uyen Tinh.”

“You're right.”

“I can't count it all on you.”

“So I didn't come today to argue.”

“I just brought the truth out.”

“Leave everyone here…”

“Judge for yourself.”

I turned to dad.

“Dad saw it too.”

“Dad, if you want to sign, sign.”

“If you don't want to sign, you can also wait.”

“But that house…”

“It's your mother's.”

“Whatever you decide, Dad.”

“My part…”

“I will not give in.”

My father looked at the documents on the table. On his face was an unprecedented tiredness. Trieu My Phan next to him gently touched his hand.

“Kien Quoc…”

“Don't talk anymore.”

My father's voice was cold. Trieu My Phan was stunned. This was the first time I heard my father say that to her in front of others. He reached out and picked up the pad of paper. Flip through two pages. Then he raised his head and looked at me.

“Give me the pen.”

I gave him the pen. He bowed his head and signed in the confirmation box. To Kien Quoc. After signing, he put down his pen. Didn't look at Trieu My Phan once. Grandma sat opposite from beginning to end without saying anything. But the hand that was clenching on the knee... Finally loosened. The eldest boy stood up and walked over to collect the papers.

“Tomorrow I will bring it to the notary office.”

Trieu Uyen Tinh stood up. The smile on her face finally disappeared. Not angry. But something colder than anger. She carried her bag and looked at me.

“Tieu Niem.”

“I won.”