Chapter 21 — I Overturned My Own Sentence

“This year Bang Vien Dinh established a separate legal department.”

“Operates independently, reporting directly to me.”

“I want to come and manage this department after you graduate.”

“I haven't graduated yet.”

“Plan ahead.”

"Condition?"

“Five salary eight hundred thousand yuan or more.”

“Private office.”

“The team was chosen by me.”

“What else?”

He looked at me.

“See me every day.”

I raised my head to look at him.

“What kind of conditions?”

“Benefits included.”

I couldn't help but laugh. During the past two years, he has never stepped over that line. The relationship between us— Boss and employee. Occasionally eat a meal together. But there are some things... Even though they have never crossed the boundary, they still quietly exist there.

“Let me think.”

"Wait until I get my law practice certificate and then I'll figure it out."

He nodded.

“Then I'll wait for you.”

He turned around and walked towards the parking lot. Walk a few steps and turn around.

“Your mother will be proud of you.”

The wind blew through the hallway of the lecture hall, blowing my hair. I stood still, watching the black Maybach gradually disappear from the school gate. Mom, have you seen it? My daughter is in college already. In the future, no one will be unjustly imprisoned, unable to find a lawyer, or unable to tell the truth. My daughter is a lawyer. I turned around and walked into the library. On the desk is a thick book "Summary of Criminal Law" that is half open. Next to it was an old photo— My mother standing in front of a vegetable stall in the market. She laughed very happily. Still wearing rubber gloves on his hands. The apron even had vegetable leaves stuck to it. I propped the photo up on the corner of the table. Turn to the next page. Continue reading. Five years later. I stand on the forty-fifth floor of the new building belonging to Bang Vien Group. Outside the ground-level glass window is the entire city skyline. On the office nameplate is written: Director of Legal Affairs — Lam Van. The wall next to me hangs my law license and law degree. On the table was a stack of documents— The final agreement on Bang Vien's acquisition of all of Hoa Kien's remaining assets. Hoa Kien officially completed the bankruptcy and liquidation process. All assets were bought back by Bang Vien at the floor price. Including Cam Bang Center. The commercial center building was once Tran Kien Hoa's greatest pride... Now it belongs to Bang Vien. I signed my name on the last page of the contract. Just as he closed the file— The office door opened. Co Tham walked in.

“Are you done signing?”

"Done."

He sat down opposite me.

“Hua Jian's story is finally completely over.”

“How do you feel now?”

“I don't feel anything.”

He raised his eyebrows.

"Really?"

“The hateful people are all in jail.”

“What needs to be done has been done.”

“The rest…”

I looked out the window.

“It's just living a decent life.”

He looked at me and laughed.

“So about living a decent life…”

“How are you going to live?”

“Work hard.”

“Make lots of money.”

“Visiting my mother on the weekend.”

He stood up, walked around the desk and stopped in front of me. From his pocket he took out a small box. Inside is a ring. Simple platinum ring. No big diamonds. No elaborate design.

“I've been waiting for you for five years.”

“From the time at the milk tea shop until now.”

I looked at the ring.

“I never told you to wait.”

“I know.”

He laughed softly.

“But I want to wait for myself.”

"Older brother Don't you really see it?

“Are you sure?”

"I'm difficult, stubborn, and have a criminal record..."

I stopped for a moment.

“Even though the sentence was cleared.”

“Stubborn like your mother.”

“His temperament is like my grandfather's.”

“It's all our genes.”

I laughed. The girl five years ago stood in front of the prison gate, with only three hundred yuan in her... She probably never thought in her wildest dreams that this day would come. But I have never come here just because I wanted today. I move on... It's because I have to move on. I held out my hand. He gently put the ring on my ring finger. Not wide. Not tight. The office phone rang just in time. I picked up the phone.

“Director Lam, on the first floor there is a girl applying for the position of legal assistant.”

“It says in her records that she had a criminal record…”

“You see…”

“Let her come up here.”

I hung up. Co Tham looked at me.

“Are you accepting someone again?”

“It has nothing to do with you.”

He laughed, shook his head and went out. I stood in front of the ground-level glass door. Far away on the mountainside, my mother's new tombstone is reflecting the pale sunlight. My daughter is alive. A truly dignified life. The wind blew in from the half-open door, scattering the papers on the table. The old photo still stands on the corner of the table. She was still smiling. Still wearing rubber gloves on his hands. The apron still has vegetable leaves stuck to it.