Chapter 25 — Late Table Lady

The contract with small text appeared during the family meeting, under the section "temporary space use plan". An read the part allowing the lessee to terminate the contract after three months if no revenue is achieved, then stopped.

“If Pham Gia signs, they could be pushed out after three months,” she said.

Her father held the paper. “That is a contract form from the sales department, not an official proposal.”

“But it was sent to them.”

“Who sent it?”

An said the representative's name. Father immediately called and asked to withdraw it. He did not blame Khang or say she interfered too deeply.

“Where did you get this copy?”

"Khang let me see it. He didn't want to sign without understanding."

Father nodded. "Correct."

“Dad, can you give me a contract without the trap lines?”

“No contract should have traps.”

“But the small print still exists.”

Father looked at her, his fatigue evident. “You're making me see things we're used to not seeing.”

“I don't want bad company.”

"I know. But the company can create bad results even if the executives don't want it."

An brought the contract back to Khang, and her father and legal representative held a public meeting with his family. The new contract clearly states the lease term, price, repair rights and renewal terms. No mandatory advertising, no use of An's image, no unilateral changes allowed.

Khang read each page and asked each question. His grandmother sat next to him, reminding everyone to drink tea. Father An patiently answered. Finally, Khang said: "I need one more day to think."

The legal representative was a bit surprised, but An's father nodded. “That's your right.”

On the way home, An asked Khang if he felt pressured.

“Yes. But pressure is different from coercion.”

“Are you going to accept?”

"If conditions remain the same, maybe. The shop needs a better space, the hotel needs car repair services for employees. Both sides benefit."

“You don't need to refuse just because you're afraid of what people will say.”

Khang laughed. “Are you teaching me?”

“I'm returning the lesson.”

At school, news of the contract spread. Some students said Khang was favored because he knew An. Khang wants to temporarily withdraw from the project team to avoid impact. An objected.

“You can't withdraw just because people guess.”

“I don't want the yard to be tied to the contract.”

"So publicize that the two things are independent. You are still a technician because you have the ability, not because you know me."

“My abilities do not need your certification.”

An was hurt by the words. "I'm not certifying. I'm protecting your right to continue."

Khang im. Mai stood in the middle and said: "You two are saying the same thing in two different voices."

Huy raised his hand: "I can translate."

“No,” they both said.

The group created a notice: the car repair shop contract is a separate business agreement, does not use project funds, and does not affect the school's decision-making rights. Khang himself signed his name in the related person section, An only helped check the presentation.

After posting, comments decreased. Not gone, but no longer intense.

In the afternoon, An and Khang set up a board "Who is responsible for what?" An is in charge of data, Like calendar, Mai images, Huy communication, Khang engineering. At the bottom is the line: “No one can represent another without being asked.”

Khang read and said: "You keep this sentence."

“I'll print an extra copy for the last table.”

During the activity, Mr. Hoang let the group role-play a negotiation meeting. Huy is in charge business, Mai is the tenant, Nhu is the resident, Khang is the technician, An is the observer. Huy demanded a rent increase because of his "brand vision", Mai pretended to faint, Nhu tapped the ruler to request data return.

“I am a businessman at heart,” Huy said.

“The heart does not replace terms,” Khang replied.

An realized that the class was learning things that were not in the textbook: reading contracts, talking about rights, listening to fears, separating emotions from decisions. The schoolyard becomes the largest classroom.

At the end of the week, Khang decided to sign a new contract. The grandmother put pen to paper, the uncle signed, and An's father signed as a company representative. An did not sign. She stood outside the table, smiling as Khang reread the last line himself.

“You didn't sign for me, which is very commendable,” Khang said.

“I'm trying.”

“I will give you a snail.”

“Is it expensive?”

“No. But you have to screw it yourself.”

An accepted the snail. They laughed, then together moved the shop to move some tools to a new warehouse near the hotel. The service area has a roof, good lighting and access from the market. It does not erase the fear of relief, but it gives Khang's family time and the right to choose.

That night, Father asked An if this had changed the way she viewed the company.

"Yes. The company is not a good or bad person. People in the company must constantly check what they are doing with others."

Father nodded. “Do you want to study business?”

“Maybe. But I also want to learn space design.”

“You can learn both.”

“I want to choose my own school.”

"Okay."

An looked up. “Father agreed so quickly?”

“I'm practicing asking first.”

An burst out laughing. The contract had small text that caused many people to reread their roles. To her, it was a quiet sign of maturity: knowing that a signature could make or lose a family's peace of mind, and that no one should put pen to paper without understanding.

Khang showed the new contract to the class during a skills lesson. He covered up the family's private information, keeping only the structure: term, price, repair, termination and renewal. Like asking why the old condition line is placed at the bottom of the page. Khang said it was because the writer wanted readers to ignore it.

An recommends that everyone read it from the end once. Huy tried it, then said he saw the cookie clause. Mai explained it was because he was reading the wrong document.

Mr. Hoang offers a hypothetical situation: renting a booth is cheap but the lessor has the right to change the price at any time. Students divide into groups to negotiate. One group only pays attention to the price, another group asks for the right to repair, and the third group asks if the tenant has unexpected work.

An listened to the questions and saw that the whole class saw the contract as a conversation, not just paperwork. Khang says a good deal doesn't make all risks go away; it makes everyone know who the risk belongs to.

After the class, a friend asked Khang if he was afraid of signing a contract with a big company. Khang said yes, but he was more afraid of signing without reading. An stood next to him, not interrupting. She wants that answer to belong to you.

Pham Gia Shop began serving hotel employees, but remained open to students. Khang's grandmother put up a board with clear prices. An helps with the design, but lets her decide on the colors. She chose green because it "looks less tiring to the eyes".

Khang said they should have a free car repair fund for disadvantaged students, but only do it when there is a process. Like offering to acknowledge the need without embarrassing the recipient. I miss those days I wanted to pay for everything, now she asked: "Who will ask, and how?"

Khang replied: "You can let the teacher introduce you privately. No need to reveal your name."

An notes the idea, not that it comes from him. A good initiative doesn't need the first writer to stand in the spotlight.

After the contract lesson, a parent asked the group to help look at the small booth rental form. An intended to send it to his father's legal department, then stopped to ask first. Parents agree to receive general information, but wish to consult their own attorney. As if giving a list of questions to ask, Khang reminded them not to advise on the law.

An finds herself changing: before she would connect with acquaintances right away, now she asks what people need before opening the door.

Pham Gia Shop started a free car repair fund. The value of each turn is small, but the process is clear: teacher introduces, car is checked by the shop, name is not disclosed. Khang records each turn, his grandmother keeps the book. An does not participate in operations, only helps design the recording form.

A 10th grade boy got his brakes repaired for free, then asked to help clean the floor as a thank you. Khang said he didn't need it, but the boy wanted it. They agreed that he could spare an hour if it didn't affect his studies. An look, understanding and thanks also need to be chosen.

Father An asked if the company should sponsor the fund. Khang said the shop wants to try operating on its own first. I respect it, but suggest that if it is lacking in the future, please state clearly. An does not interfere.

During class, Mr. Hoang let the class role-play how to handle conflicts of interest. One group had to choose between free material with a logo and old material without a logo. Huy chose the logo because it "looks good", Mai asked for the right to use the name, Nhu asked for conditions. In the end, they chose old materials because they fit the project principles.

An sees the lesson not to always choose the cheapest option. Sometimes choosing the less restrictive option gives people more freedom later on.

At the end of the day, Khang asked her if she wanted to eat sweet soup. An asked the price, then divided the money. Huy calls it an appointment with a bill. Khang said the invoice helps no one misunderstand.

An smiled and accepted the bowl of tea. They sat in the yard, no longer talking about contracts, just looking at the people who came to borrow books. Life can be serious and still have room for a bowl of sweet enough tea.