Chapter 16 — I Returned After 18 Years and Found Mother's Lifelong Secret

“I found the coordinates.”

“But before I tell you, I need you to answer a question.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

“Who are you anyway?”

I heard him take a sharp breath. I know, I guessed right.

“Tonight, twelve o'clock.”

I read the name of a place near the coordinates — an abandoned quarry.

“I think you are not unfamiliar with that place.”

“Bring your people with you.”

“I only trust you once.”

I hung up. Immediately, I called another number. The number that that "ghost" - Giang Chan Dong - once left for me. I know he's eavesdropping.

“Lam Dao already knows the coordinates.”

I deliberately let my voice tremble.

“He took me to the quarry tonight.”

“He said he wanted to take everything.”

“He… he still wants to kill me to cover my mouth…”

“If you just save me, I will tell you everything I know!”

There was no sound on the other end of the line. But I know — he heard. The bait has been released. Now we just have to wait for the two greedy fish to take the bait themselves. I left the hotel. Buy a sturdy hiking outfit. And some types of “flares” can produce loud explosions and blinding lights. Then I took the car to the coordinates. A deserted mountain area, far from the city. According to the map, I found an abandoned quarry. A huge deep hole like a scar on the ground. Under the night, it looks fierce and scary. But I don't go down there. I climbed the highest mountain next to it. From here, the entire quarry is in sight. I put on binoculars. Two car lights turned on almost at the same time from two different directions. One is Lam Dao's off-road vehicle. The other was a black sedan so ordinary that it was easy to miss. They're here. I pulled out my phone and made one last call. Some I haven't clicked in eighteen years. The number of the lawyer I trust most in Paris.

“I just sent you an encrypted file.”

“If you don't receive my call in twelve hours…”

“Please turn that file over to Interpol.”

I stopped for a beat. Looking down at the pitch black stage below.

“And book me the earliest ticket back to Paris tomorrow morning.”

“One way.”

"Thank you."

I hung up. Tonight… must end everything. Exactly midnight. The quarry was as silent as a grave. Ly Wei and his men hid behind the eastern rocks. Giang Chan Dong stood alone in the darkness of the west, like a ghost. Both sides are waiting. Wait for me - the only prey to appear. But I was on the mountaintop above them. Quietly observe the play you staged yourself. I opened my phone. Send them both a message.

“He has arrived.”

“What you want is under the red rock in the middle of the mine.”

“Whoever gets it first, it's theirs.”

As soon as the message was sent, both sides immediately took action. Ly Vi's men moved quickly toward the center. Giang Chan Dong stepped out of the darkness. He went alone. In his hand is a gun. Under the moonlight, metal reflected cold light. He took slow steps towards the red rock. Ly Vi's men arrived first and joined forces to pry the rock. At that moment, Giang Chan Dong stood behind them. He raised his gun.

“Stand still.”

Voice hoarse and cold. The others immediately stopped.

“Put your things down.”

“If you want to live, leave.”

Ly Vi walked out from behind. He looked straight at Giang Chan Dong, without fear.

“Jiang Chan Dong.”

He called me by my real name.

“Thirty years later, you are still so overconfident.”

Giang Chan Dong's pupils shrank.

"Correct." Ly Vi smiled.

“I'm not dead.”

“That year you thought you buried me under the foundation with a pile of iron and steel.”

“But I survived.”

“I waited for you thirty years.”

“Waiting for today's right day.”

Giang Chan Dong was momentarily stunned. But he quickly regained his composure. He smiled coldly.

“You still have to die today.”

“No one can leave here.”

Ly Vi also laughed. He clapped his hands. Immediately, from all four sides of the quarry, a series of car lights turned on. White light ripped through the night. Dozens of people walked down and surrounded Giang Chan Dong. That is Ly Vi's real card. Giang Chan Dong's face finally changed.

“For the past thirty years, I have not only been a debt collector.”

“I accumulate little by little.”

“Waiting for you to reveal yourself.”

“It's over now.”

Giang Chan Dong's eyes became crazy. He knew he had lost. But not committed.

“Even if I die, I will take you all with me!”

He pointed the gun at Ly Vi. The moment his finger squeezed the trigger — I pressed the control button in my hand. A loud explosion rang out at the quarry entrance. The flare I had buried exploded. Air waves rolled up, dust filled the air. Bright light covered the entire valley. Everyone reflexively turned their heads to look towards the explosion. In that chaotic moment — Ly Vi gave orders. Gunfire rang out. When the dust gradually settled, Giang Chan Dong was controlled. The gun fell from his hand. The man who had been manipulating for thirty years… Was finally taken down right where he had caused the tragedy. I stand on the top of the mountain. Looking down at it all. Not excited. Unsympathetic. There was only cold silence. The chess game my mother left behind. I made the final move. Everything is truly over. Blocking the only way out. Everyone was stunned by that unexpected turn of events. They became fish caught in the net. Right after that, from the top of the mountain came the recording I had prepared through the amplified speakers. It's my father's confession. With his own mouth, he clearly stated every detail - how Giang Chan Dong killed Lam Phong, how he was falsely accused. The sound echoed throughout the valley. Giang Chan Dong's face lost all blood. He knows he's done. Ly Vi looked at him, his eyes filled with hatred deep to the bone.

“Jiang Chan Dong.”

“Go down there and apologize to Mr. Phong.”

He waved his hand. His men rushed in like a tide. Gunfire. Tearing through the night. I don't look anymore. The outcome is determined. Whether it was Jiang Chan Dong or Ly Wei — They were both consumed by greed and hatred. I turned away. Step down the mountain. Disappear into endless darkness. The next morning. I sat on the flight to Paris. Outside the window is a sea of white clouds. The phone vibrates. Message from Henry. He said police had sealed off the quarry. Jiang Chan Dong and Ly Wei were both arrested. Both sides were seriously injured. Records of mineral veins have been handed over to the authorities. That huge wealth will belong to the nation. Does not belong to anyone blinded by desire. And my father. He will live the rest of his life in a nursing home. With my sins. Giang Minh. I heard that his legs were broken and he was dumped in a remote place. The next half of his life will pass in begging and regret. It's all over. Eighteen years of resentment. Thirty years of blood debt. Disappeared like smoke after the explosion that night. I took out a small mahogany wooden box from my pocket. The rough diamond rests inside. Under the morning light, it reflected a brilliant light. That is the true legacy my mother left me. Not money. Not revenge. It's a pure love that was once betrayed. And a resilience that refuses to bow to fate. I looked at it. Smiling softly. Eighteen years ago, I bought a one-way ticket to escape. Eighteen years later, I bought a one-way ticket to start again. I am no longer anyone's daughter. No longer anyone's sister. I'm just Giang Vi. The plane passed through the clouds. Sunlight flooded the passenger compartment. My new life — begins.