Chapter 5 — Mom's Real Chess Game

"Three o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Tea room on the second floor of the Hilton Hotel. Come alone."

The next day, I wore an 89-yuan white shirt and arrived on time. Tong Minh Chau was already sitting in the room. A woman in her fifties but maintains her skin like she's thirty-five. Luxurious Chanel outfit, sparkling emerald earrings. On the table is a Dai Hong Pao teapot worth 6,000 yuan. She looked at me, her eyes scanning from head to toe. This time it's not a worm, it's a dead person.

“Is your mother dead?”

“Come to ask for money?”

She raised her eyebrows: "So what do you want? Recognize your father? Do you want Luc Vien Chau to accept an abandoned child like you? If this story spreads out, the person who will lose face the most is you." I didn't answer, just looked at her. She took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and pulled out a check.

"Two million yuan. Sign a confidentiality agreement and from now on disappear from my sight. This is the best condition I can offer."

I looked at the check. Two million yuan. My mother's life, in her eyes, was only worth two million yuan.

“Mrs. Tong,” I said.

“I don't need money.”

A crack finally appeared on her face: "So what do you want?"

“I came to give you a chance.” My voice was so calm that even I found it strange.

"Before leaving, my mother left some things behind. She told me to meet her first to give her a choice."

Tong Minh Chau narrowed his eyes: "What?"

"For example, the drug test report. The medicine my mother took long-term contained lead compounds."

Her little finger moved slightly. Very slight, but I see it.

"For example, the bank statement of a person named Vuong Que Hoa. The person transferring the money is her cousin, Trieu Bang Trinh."

Her chin tightened.

“And for example…” I stood up, approaching so close that I was only half a meter away from her, “A DNA test proves that Luc Canh Tham is not Luc Vien Chau's biological child.”

The tea cup in her hand fell and broke into pieces. Hot tea splashed onto the Chanel dress. She didn't even look, but glared at me, her pupils constricted like needles. I bent down, picked up the check for two million yuan, tore it in half, and then gently placed it back on the table.

“This is my chance for you.”

"From the moment I step out of this door, you have 30 seconds to decide: Tell Luc Vien Chau yourself, or let me tell you for you."

Tong Minh Chau's lips trembled: "Who do you think you are? An eighteen year old child..."

“I am a shareholder holding 8.3% of Luc Thi Group shares.”

I pushed the door open and walked out: "Your 30 seconds begin." Tong Minh Chau did not choose to confess. She chose to act first. That same night, I received three phone calls. First, the landlord said someone would pay three times the rental price to buy the house, and asked me to move out within three days. Second, my father said two "community workers" came to ask about my whereabouts with an aggressive attitude. Third, lawyer Truong Duy Vien called: "To Niem, someone is investigating your trust account. The methods are very professional, they must have hired a private investigator. Tong Minh Chau is looking for your weakness." I sat on a bench at the bus stop, the night wind blowing into my collar carrying the bitter smell of dust and smoke. Eighteen years ago, she led people into the factory to beat my mother. Eighteen years later, the tricks have upgraded, but the essence is still the same: Bullying the weak.

“Lawyer Truong, Luc Vien Chau has any public schedule tomorrow Are not?"

“Tomorrow morning there will be business activities at the International Convention Center, with many media attending.”

“Help me get an entrance ticket.”

"No need. My mother left one behind.”

It's my mother again. 10 a.m. the next morning, at the banquet hall of the International Convention Center. The check-in staff looked at my VIP invitation ticket, then looked at the 89-yuan white shirt lost in the crowd. But the number on the ticket doesn't lie.

“Miss To, your position is in the third row.”

I found Luc Vien Chau among the crowd. He is much older than in the photo, his hair is more than half white, but his back is still very straight. Surrounded by a group of people shaking hands, offering drinks, and handing out business cards. I didn't rush forward. I sat silently in the third row, waiting. Wait until he accidentally glanced across the stands... His eyes stopped on my face. I saw his lips move, no sound, but I read two words: "Hue Lan?" As soon as the event ended, he almost rushed forward, pushing everyone around him away. He stood in front of me, looking closely. I could smell cedarwood perfume on him. His eye rims were red.

“I am… Hue Lan's child…”

“My name is To Niem,” I said. “My mother's name is Chu Hue Lan. She passed away last week.”

His body staggered, people around him had to rush to catch him.

“Lost? What do you mean… gone?”

“Liver and kidney failure. Died at home, not hospitalized.”

His throat moved violently: "Dad... you transfer money every month..."

“I know. Eighty thousand per month. Eighteen years. The first item is the day I was born.”

He gasped, speechless. I pulled out a file. Not Luc Canh Tham's version, but the DNA assessment between me and Luc Vien Chau arranged by lawyer Truong. Bloodline index > 99.99%.

“I am your daughter.”

“But I didn't come here to recognize my father.”

He was stunned. I slapped the second document in front of him – the drug test report.

“I came to tell you that my mother was killed by your wife.”

When the people around heard it, their expressions changed. Luc Vien Chau lowered his head to look at the report. His hands finally began to tremble.