Chapter 5 — I Don't Wait For Them Anymore

Elder brother: "It's very urgent! Do you know boss Phuong Hoanh Vien? His company is calling!" The eldest brother sent a voice message (I clicked to listen)...

"Tran Bai! What do you know about Phuong Hoanh Vien's application? His assistant called and asked to find you! Why did he find you? What is your relationship with him? Call me back right away!!"

His voice turned from calm to impatient, and by the last sentence he was almost shouting. Mother's message:

“Call your brother back right away, it's an official matter.”

“Tran Bai, are you dumb?”

“Where are you?”

Tran Dao's message:

“Brother, if you don't answer anymore, we'll report you to the police.”

I finished reading everything. Then turn off Wechat. Open Phuong Hoanh Vien's number and call.

"Boss Phuong, I'm here. Give me the location."

"Okay! Old place, Vong Ho building. I'll come over right now."

I hung up the phone. Adjust the collar. Catch a taxi. On the way to Vong Ho, my phone rang a few times. I glanced. It's your call. I turned it off and put the phone in my pocket. The taxi driver is a local woman who drives very well. At ten past seven, arrive at Vong Ho tower. I've been to this place three times already. Boss Phuong loves the fish head soup at this restaurant. Every time he comes to Thien Dao, he books the same VIP room. I walked in and announced my name, and the waiter immediately led me to the second floor. Pushing the door open, Phuong Hoanh Vien was already sitting inside. In his fifties, his hair is neatly combed without a single strand of tangle, his shirt is buttoned to the second button. In front of him is a Long Tinh teapot and two cups. Seeing me come in, he stood up: "Tieu Tran, you're here."

“Boss Phuong, I've kept you waiting for a long time.”

“Not long, not long, sit down.”

He poured me a cup of tea and pushed it over.

"I've read the contract three times, there are no problems. There's only one point - the payment schedule I want to adjust a bit."

I sat down, my brain immediately switched to work mode. For the next forty minutes, we finalized each of the three details of the contract. The payment cycle changed from quarterly to monthly, the first payment rate increased to 35%, and the penalty clause was revised to balance both sides. Phuong Hoanh Vien was very satisfied. He put down his pen and picked up the cup of tea: "Tieu Tran, I'll tell you the truth."

“Just keep talking, boss.”

"Your brother's company, the team is okay, but his personality..." Boss Phuong paused for a moment, "So flighty. Last time we met, drawing a deer and drawing an ape gave me a huge drawing cake, I almost left on the spot."

I didn't answer. He continued: "This application can be closed, 100% because of you. You are professional, trustworthy, never talk to me at length. For these twelve million yuan, the person I believe is Tran Bai, not Tran Hang's Powerpoint paper." I picked up the tea and took a sip.

"Boss Phuong, after signing the contract, I will closely follow the entire implementation process. Don't worry, boss."

“Of course you can rest assured.” Phuong Hoanh Vien smiled, "Otherwise, why would I wait for you until now? Tomorrow's plane ticket will have to be changed again."

I was stunned: "Boss, have you changed your ticket?"

"It was supposed to be 3 o'clock this afternoon, but I changed it to noon tomorrow. Just waiting for you to come today."

A customer. A partner. Because I was waiting for me, I was ready to change my plane ticket. Yet, my family members were not even willing to wait for me to get in the car. How ironic this contrast is. I don't show my emotions on my face. Continue to discuss with boss Phuong for another ten minutes, clarifying the working process and the person receiving the handover. At 8:30 p.m., Phuong Hoanh Vien stood up: "Okay, let's come here today. I've signed the contract, you take it home and tell your brother to stamp it, and then send it back to me after the ceremony." He gave me the signed contract. Three pages of paper.