Chapter 18 — I Don't Cancel the Marriage, I Cut My Losses

I looked at the girl. Like seeing myself many years ago. I smiled. The girl's eyes immediately turned red.

"Everyone said..."

"If you're a family member, don't calculate too clearly."

I gave the girl a tissue.

"One family..."

"It's not an excuse to take away what belongs to you."

Finally... The girl burst into tears. I sat next to it. Patiently wait for her to say everything in her heart. Late afternoon. I stood alone on the balcony. The sunset shines on the old house. The height measurement mark on the window sill shows up very clearly. Giang Nghien brought the last set of documents.

"President Tang."

"The results of phase one of the asset recovery process are available."

I take it. Deputy Group completed restructuring. Pho Minh Te completely left the executive board. Tang Group entered the liquidation phase. The case related to Tang Hoai Tu continues to be investigated. The Zhou family's overseas business failed. Zhou Kai Liang was banned from leaving the country. Chu Niem Duong returned all the remaining relics found, took responsibility according to regulations, and left the city. Luong Tinh Nghi moved out of the main villa of the Pho family. All problematic real estate in Tang Ngung's name has been recovered. Everything finally ended. Giang Nghien asked:

"President Tang."

"Is it necessary to publish the summary to the outside?"

I closed the file.

"Just hand it out according to the legal department's form."

"No need for more emotions."

Giang Nghien nodded and left. I was the only one left in the old house. I opened the box my mother left me. There aren't many things inside. Some photos. A fountain pen. An old diary. A letter written to me. The envelope has turned yellow. But the handwriting is still very clear. Dear Tri Van. I gently opened the letter. In the future, if many people tell you to understand things, to be patient, to think about the big picture... Then first, ask yourself a question. In that so-called "big picture"... Have children or not? If there isn't... Then leave. I quietly read it over and over again for a long time. The sky outside the window gradually darkened. The phone suddenly vibrated. This is Pho Minh Te's last message. He wrote: I will leave the Vice Group for a while. What I owed you before... If I have a chance in the future... I can't read it all. I raised my head and looked out the window. Pho family's house. Tang family. Or the Chu family... They have all become old debts behind me. Old debt has been paid. Then there's no need to turn it over again. The next day. Tan Thi Capital officially announced the announcement. Tan Van Ninh Charity Fund officially came into operation. Below the notice... Is a photo. In the photo... I stand in front of the old house. Behind is a sign that has just been hung up. Tan Van Ninh Women's Rights Support Center. I wear a white suit. Hair tied in a bun. Peaceful spirit. Someone left a comment: Does she really not regret doing something so drastic right at the annulment party? Very quickly after that... Tan Thi's official account left a comment. Not an annulment. It's about cutting losses. Three months later. The old building of the Vice Group was dismantled for reconstruction. The Tang Group's former office building has also changed owners. The Chu family's overseas project... is just a backdrop in news reports about unfinished projects. I'm not Go back and look one more time. I'm busy running Tan Thi. Also busy with charity funds. Every day... There are new sets of documents on my desk. Some people have their husbands set up fake debts to usurp their assets. Some people have their compensation money taken away by their parents for the reason of "keeping it for them". Some people are bound by a marriage contract. The one who sacrificed the most... But in the end, he was said to be someone who wanted to cling to wealth. I read each set of documents very slowly. Each page... Carefully noted. One afternoon. The support center picks up a young girl. Seeing the newspaper clippings hanging on the wall... She asked me in a low voice:

"Miss Tang..."

"Is this what happened at your annulment party that year?"

I raised my head. The headline on the newspaper clipping still stands out. Right at the annulment party, she cut off the cash flow of three families. I looked at that text. Smiling softly.

"Title..."

"Not written correctly."

The girl was bewildered.

"Where's the mistake?"

I gave her a consultation form.

"What I cut..."

"It's not their money."

I looked out the window. Sunlight penetrates the balcony of the old house. Gently cover the engraved height line that mother once left behind.

"I just cut..."

"The way for them to continue sucking the blood of others."

The girl looked at me silently. I bowed my head. Sign the new application for assistance. The tip of the pen glides across the paper. In an old box placed in the corner of the room... Mother's letter still lies quietly. I don't put it on exhibition. Never given it to the media. There are things... Everyone doesn't need to know. I know it's enough. At sunset. Giang Nghien stepped forward.

"President Tang."

"The restructuring unit of the Vice Group is holding a party tonight."

"They sent out invitations."

I didn't even bother to look.

"Pho Minh Te will also be present."

"I'm not involved."

Giang Nghien nodded. Quietly take the card away. I stood up. Step out onto the balcony. Downstairs... Someone carried a bag of documents and walked into the support center. The steps were still full of hesitation. Never turned around and left. I suddenly remembered myself many years ago. Thirteen years old. Holding the small box my mother left behind. Standing in front of the Tang family's gate. I thought I finally had a home. Only later did I understand. There are doors that open... Not to protect anyone from the rain. Let people come in and then be divided little by little. I was able to walk out. Also take all those debts out with you. Night gradually falls. The lights in the old house turned on one after another. The Tan Van Ninh Women's Rights Support Center sign in front of the door radiates a gentle light. I stood by the window. Saw the young girl from earlier walking out of the consulting room. The girl's eyes were still red. But his hand held the document tightly. Like... Finally grasping what truly belongs to me. I returned to my desk. A new set of documents has been neatly placed. The cover clearly states: Case of misappropriation of assets from a family trust fund. I opened the first page. Outside the window... The night wind gently shook the curtain. I bowed my head to take notes. On the back wall... The Pho family is no longer there. There is no more Tang family. There is also no more Chu family. Only a very small line of text remains. Take back what belongs to you... No need to apologize. I put the final stroke of my pen. Close the file.