Chapter 15 — Live towards the light

A ray of light finally flashed in Co Thanh's eyes. He looked at me like a drowning person who suddenly grabbed a lifeline. That night, we prepared until morning. I helped him organize all the evidence into clear files. Re-cut audio and video recordings, keeping only the most important parts. I even asked him to write a report himself. No emotions. No resentment. Just calmly, objectively, recount everything over the past ten years. Since getting married. As for Luu Ngoc Mai, he took over financial power. From the parasitic brother's family. When the conflict broke out, the red book was hidden, deceived, and forced to death. Finally… was the bill for 150,000 yuan. And the agreement to buy out the service obligation. All combined into a complete chain of evidence. It's so clear that it's... undeniable. The next morning, Co Thanh wore his most formal suit. Shave beard, adjust hair. Although his eyes still have dark circles, they no longer look depressed. He stood in front of the mirror, taking deep breaths. I walked over and adjusted his tie.

"I'm here."

He nodded and hugged me tightly. Then took the USB containing all the evidence... walked out of the house. Like a soldier going to war. 9 am. Company meeting room. The air was as tense as a piano string. Senior leaders and the human resources department were all present. Everyone's eyes turned to him when the door opened. There are doubts. There's even contempt. Co Thanh did not avoid it. He walked straight into the middle of the room, bowing once.

“Dear leaders, I know the anonymous letter has had a very bad impact.”

“Today, I did not come to make excuses.”

“I just want to present the truth.”

Having finished speaking, he plugged the USB into the projector. Don't say a word about yourself. Just let the evidence speak. First, his father's voice rang out in the conference room. Deep, clear, straightforward. Everyone was stunned. Next is the capital contribution documents. It's a video of Luu Ngoc Mai going crazy. Each expense is full of discrepancies. Finally… was the bill for 150,000 yuan. During that process, Co Thanh did not explain another sentence. Just standing there. Let the truth speak for itself. When everything ends. The room was absolutely silent. The leader's face changed little by little. Serious words. Surprising. Then finally… a little sympathy. They are experienced people. Looking at it once... is enough to understand. Who is right, who is wrong... no need to say more. Co Thanh's immediate superior, a man in his fifties, was the first to break the silence. He sighed. Pat him on the shoulder.

“There are no difficult things to talk about in every house.”

“Tieu Co, all these years... you have suffered a loss.”

“The company believes in your character.”

“This matter stops here, no one will mention it again in the future.”

“You go home and rest for a few days, take care of your family matters, then get back to work.”

A crisis capable of destroying his entire career... just like that, he used evidence and calmness to turn it around neatly. Co Thanh walked out of the company building, his whole body seemed to be drained of strength. But inside... I felt relief like never before. For the first time in his life, he didn't shy away. No patience. But counterattack directly. He… won. He took out his phone, intending to call me to tell me the news. But at that moment, a strange number called. He hesitated for a second then picked up the phone. On the other end of the line, Vuong Le's voice rang out, distorted in panic.

"Try Wall! Please go home quickly!”

“Something big happened!”

“My brother… he… he sold the house!”

“He took the money and ran away!”

“Mom was left alone in the hospital, no one cares anymore!”

19 Hitting straight to the source Vuong Le's scream seemed to come from another world. Brings the feeling of the end of the world. Co Thanh stood dumbfounded. On his face… there was no anger, no pain. Only emptiness remains after all emotions have been burned away.

“Sold the house… and what?”

He repeated softly, as if asking me, as well as asking himself. I looked at those empty eyes. There are no waves in my heart. This… was bound to happen sooner or later. People like Co Vi are rotten from the beginning. When he can no longer smoke anything, he will choose the most cruel way. He sold his last residence. Take all the money. Leaving behind his bedridden mother and his first wife lying on her knees. That... that's him.

“Are we… going back?” Co Thanh turned to look at me.

His eyes were no longer pleading. Only obscurity remains. He… didn't know what to do anymore.

“Back for what?” I asked again.

“About taking on the debt for his younger brother?”

“How about bringing a person abandoned by his own son… back to our house?”

"Co Thanh, he told me, what are we going back... for?"

My voice is very cold. So cold that it completely cut off his last illusions. He was silent. Come back for what? To be pulled back into the abyss? Letting the life that had just begun... fall apart again? On the other end of the phone, Vuong Le was still crying.

“Co Thanh! Say something!”

“Go home quickly! Only you can save us!”

“Mom is still in the hospital and hasn't paid yet! The landlord is about to evict us!”

“We really have no choice left!”

Co Thanh took a deep breath. Like putting all my strength into it. He brought the phone to his ear.

“Wang Li.”

His voice was… terrifyingly calm.

“It's your husband, it's your choice.”

“Also my mother's son, her choice.”

“Aren't you all one family?”

“Now that something happens, you take responsibility.”

“This matter… has nothing to do with me, nor does it have anything to do with Khuong Nghien.”

“Not related?” Vuong Le shouted, “Co Thanh! You can say that!”

“That's my mother! Your biological mother!”

“We have already paid 150,000 yuan.” Co Thanh interrupted.

“That's the last payment, because of the previous relationship.”

"As for the house, Co Vi sold it, you should go find him."

“He broke the law, you should call the police.”

“Don't call me.”