Chapter 2 — Mom's Real Chess Game

I didn't take a nap. Sitting in the small room where my mother has lived for eighteen years. I opened each drawer. Search each item. In the wardrobe. There are only four coats. Two have been patched in many places. On the shoe shelf. There are exactly three pairs. Two pairs of canvas shoes. A pair of plastic slippers. The soles are worn out and almost punctured. Go to the bottom drawer. I discovered a neatly cut stack of old newspapers. All related to Luc Thi Group. Earliest newspaper clipping. Fifteen years ago. Only takes up a small corner.

“Young businessman Luc Vien Chau was awarded the title of outstanding private entrepreneur at the provincial level.”

It was an article from seven years ago. Takes up half a page.

“Luc Thi Group expands into the medical field.”

“Investment in third-class hospitals.”

Nearest piece. It's a full-page interview from two years ago.

“Luc Thi Group's market value exceeds the hundred billion mark.”

“Chairman Luc Vien Chau's business empire.”

What makes me cold... Is that all those articles... Mom used a red pen to underline. In some places, there are even hidden lines of notes. I leaned closer. Read each line.

“2016: real estate expanded too fast, debt increased.”

"2019: there are strategic investors, how much are shares diluted? Look up the annual report."

“2022: Luc Canh Sam joins the management board. Three loss-making projects. Unusual cash flow.”

My fingers trembled slightly. A person who has not finished middle school. Analyzing the financial statements of a listed corporation. I opened my phone. Search for the name Luc Vien Chau. Information immediately appeared on the screen. Luc Vien Chau. Chairman and General Director of Luc Thi Group. Business in three areas. Real estate. Estimated personal assets... I looked down at my account balance. That's all the money I earned after working extra shifts at the milk tea shop. I continued scrolling down. A family photo appears. Luc Vien Chau stands next to a luxurious woman. Sparkling jewelry. Ears wear a pair of emerald flowers. Perfect smile like on a magazine cover. Tong Minh Chau. Next to them. Is a young man. Sharp face. The corners of the lips always look proud. Luc Canh Sam. Deputy General Director of Luc Thi Group. MBA Columbia University. Twenty-six years old. Already a deputy general. Have a luxury car. There are villas. Eighteen years old. Work part-time at a milk tea shop. Salary 15 yuan an hour. I clicked the watch on his wrist. Patek Philippe. Nautilus series. Market price... 1.9 million yuan. My mother... has never been able to wear a gold necklace in her entire life. I turned off the phone. Pick up the business card again. Truong Duy Vien. Duy Vien Law Office. Finance Building. I whispered softly.

“In the end, what kind of game did Mom prepare?”

The next morning. I wore the nicest shirt my mother ever bought for me. It's a discounted item in a shopping mall. Just getting ready to go out the door. To Kien Quoc called me back.

“Nem Niem.”

“Before I died…”

“Your mother sent me a message.”

I stopped walking. He spoke slowly.

“My mother said…”

“If Niem Niem goes to find that person in the future.”

“Don't stop her.”

“But tell him something.”

“Don't beg him.”

“Don't kneel before him.”

“Don't let him belittle you.”

The bridge of my nose is stinging. I didn't turn back. Just replied softly.

“I know.”

I sat on the bus for nearly an hour and a half. Crossed nearly half of the city. At the end of the busy financial street, the headquarters of Luc Thi Group stands tall rise high. Forty-six floors. The entire exterior is glass. Under the sunlight, the building reflected a cold, sharp light like a golden blade tearing through the sky. The revolving door is shiny without a trace of dust. Large lobby paved with pure white marble. As soon as I stepped on my old canvas shoes, they made a dry squeaking sound. The receptionist raised her head to look at me. That look... Maybe I won't forget it for the rest of my life. It's like watching a lost creature accidentally crawl into a place where it doesn't belong.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

"I want to see Luc Vien Chau."

The corners of her lips curled slightly. Not a smile. It's the look on the face of someone who's used to situations like that.

"President Luc does not receive guests without prior appointment. May I ask which unit are you from?"

I calmly replied:

"I'm his daughter."

The smile on her face stopped for just a second. Right after that, she picked up the walkie-talkie.

"The security guard comes up to the lobby to help me."

"Someone claims to be Chairman Luc's daughter."

"Processing support."

Less than half a minute later. Two guards stepped forward. Each person held one of my arms. Pulled it straight out like carrying an ownerless item.

"I'm really his daughter!"

"Just tell him to come out here and look at me once!"

A guard laughed.

"Every month there are a few people who come to receive their goods."

"Last time, there was someone claiming to be Chairman Luc Co's lost twin sister."

"Go home."

"This is not where you should be."

They pushed me out the turnstile. I staggered. Knees hit the marble steps hard. The skin is torn. Blood quickly gushed out. Something that hurts me more than my knee. It's the chest again. Right at that moment. A matte black Porsche Cayenne slowly stopped in front of the door. The car door opens. A pair of shiny leather shoes placed on the red carpet. Luc Canh Sam. He's even taller than in the photo. Also thinner. His eyes were much colder. Behind is the secretary. The whole group walked with the spirit of people who are used to standing at the top. Luc Canh Sam looked down at me. Then turned to ask the security guard:

"What's wrong?"

"Deputy General Luc."

"Someone came to cause trouble."

"Claims to be Chairman Luc's daughter."

"We're done with it."

Luc Canh Sam looked at me still kneeling on the steps. The corners of the lips slightly raised. Not laughing. It's contempt.

"Come to confess again?"

He opened his wallet. Take out some bills. Bend down and lay down in front of me.

"Don't come back again."

He stood up straight. Adjust the cuffs. Then told the secretary:

"Tell the receptionist to remember this face."

"Next time you show up, call the police."

The sound of leather shoes echoed step by step on the marble floor. Farther and farther away. From beginning to end... He never turned his head to look at me once. I still knelt silently on the steps. A wind blew. A bill was blown away. Gently landed on the back of my hand. I stared at it for a long time. Then slowly stand up. Blood flowed from the knee down the leg. Dye white canvas shoes red. But I didn't run away. Just quietly turned around. Step by step leave that place. The back remains straight. I stopped by the nearby public restroom. Wash off blood stains. Apply two band-aids. Then take the business card out of your pocket. Truong Duy Vien. Duy Vien Law Office. Finance Building. Only about eight minutes walk from Luc Thi Group headquarters. I was surprised stopped. Even the lawyer's office chose to live right next to Luc Thi? I took a deep breath. Then push the door and step in. The receptionist raised her head to look at me. The look in her eyes was completely different from the person on Luc Thi's side. No contempt. Not even investigating.

"Who do you need to see?"

"I want to meet lawyer Truong Duy Vien."

"What's your last name?"

The receptionist was momentarily stunned. Immediately picked up the phone and called inside.

"Lawyer Truong."

"A Miss To came looking for her."

"Okay, I understand."

Her attitude changed dramatically. Become extremely respectful.

"Lawyer Truong is in the office at the end of the hallway on the 38th floor."

She stopped for a few seconds. Looked at me and said softly:

"Lawyer Truong also left another message."

I raised my head.

"He said..."

"He's been waiting for you for a long time."