Chapter 19 — My Cousin Used My House To Swindle 11,800,000 Yuan, But Didn't Know The House Was Cleared

“Maybe a lot of people here have heard some bad rumors about me recently.”

“Someone said I owe money.”

“Some people say my family members are scammers.”

"Some people canceled cooperation with me because of those rumors."

The hall was quiet. General Manager Liu lowered his head.

“The truth of those rumors is…”

“My cousin stole my identity, forged my signature, and used a house deed that no longer existed to fraudulently borrow more than ten million yuan.”

“The case has been reported to the police and is being processed according to legal procedures.”

“I am the victim.”

“Not a participant.”

All three hundred people did not make a sound.

“But that's not the point today.”

“The important thing is…”

“During the most difficult time, it was Te Cu, Mr. Luc Thua and a few friends who were here…”

“Gave me confidence and opportunity.”

“I believe that good design can change people's lives.”

“I believe that a good platform can make designers' talents visible.”

“That's why I joined Te Cu.”

I bowed my head. The applause this time was even louder than before. After getting off the stage, Lam Chieu walked over.

“Not bad said.”

“It's okay for now.”

“It's not temporary.”

He looked at me.

“Dare to say my most unsightly story in front of the biggest place…”

“It takes a lot of courage.”

“But after you said it…”

“No one will be able to use this to attack you anymore.”

He's right. In front of more than three hundred people in the industry… I told the whole truth myself. From that moment on... The little tricks Vuong Tu Lan secretly played behind his back were completely ineffective. The scariest rumor isn't because it's difficult to explain. It's because the people involved don't dare to come out and say it clearly. After the event ended, my phone had more than thirty new friend requests. There are designers. There are investors. There are investors. There are media reporters. Among them were two people... Those were the people who had followed the discussion under the anonymous post about me. They don't text. Just quietly send a friend request. This thorn… Finally pulled out. But there's still one last thing. Two days later. Lawyer Ha sent me a message.

"After appearing, Tham Tu Hien revealed all the details."

“The idea of borrowing money was given by Vuong Tu Lan.”

"The signature on the power of attorney is Vuong Tu Lan imitating your handwriting."

"The house book is from a year and a half ago when she borrowed your documents, she secretly photocopied it in color and kept it."

“Then Tham Tu Hien took the photocopy to find the person who made the sophisticated fake documents.”

“She admitted it?”

“It was all said in Tham Tu Hien's testimony.”

“Currently Vuong Tu Lan is still denying it.”

“But plus Trieu Bang's testimony and camera photos…”

“Basically enough is enough.”

“What about Hang Thai side?”

"Hang Thai has officially sued Tham Tu Hien."

“Request for compensation of 11,800,000 yuan plus interest and violation fines.”

“But under his name there are almost no assets to execute.”

In other words... Tham Tu Hien will have to bear a huge debt. Then spend many years later to pay it off in installments. As for the crypto coins he threw in... They've long since evaporated.

“There's one more thing you should know.”

Lawyer Ha said.

“If the prosecutor decides to prosecute Vuong Tu Lan…”

“The nature of the incident could be quite serious.”

“But considering the age her actions and health condition…”

“In reality it will likely be mitigated.”

“You should prepare yourself mentally first.”

“If it is mitigated, it will be mitigated.”

I said very calmly.

“Who did…”

“That person can bear it.”

Lawyer Ha was silent for a few seconds.

“Tham Nhuoc An.”

“Among the people I've met over twenty years old…”

“You are the calmest person.”

Final scene. One month later. That fall, Cam city started to get cold. Ginkgo leaves are bright yellow, covering the road surface. I moved house. Not a villa at all. Just a two-bedroom apartment of about eighty square meters. But it's a place I chose myself. Balcony facing south, very nice light. I placed two oleander pots on it. Same variety as the one my mother planted in the past. The day I moved into the new house, Chu Man came to help me arrange. She walked around the living room.

“Not bad.”

“Finally, you're no longer in that old, 3,200 yuan rented room anymore.”

“That place is fine.”

“What's okay?”

Chu Man threw the pillow on the sofa.

“Come winter, there won't even be enough heating.”

After speaking, she turned to look at me.

“Ah yes.”

“How is your brother Lam Chieu?”

“What is what?”

“You know what you're asking.”

“Just a business relationship.”

Chu Man prolonged his voice.

“We're in a business relationship and bring late night food over every night?”

“Convenient.”

“Conveniently seven times?”

I don't answer. She laughed. Outside the window, ginkgo leaves fluttered in the wind. A moment later, the doorbell rang. It's Lam Chieu. Carrying two bags in hand.

“New home gift.”

“One bag is snacks.”

“One bag is coffee beans.”

"Thank you."

He stood at the door and looked around the apartment.

“What are you growing on the balcony?”

“oleander.”

Behind him, Chu Man deliberately cleared his throat.

“Let's go back first.”

“You two just keep talking.”

As she passed me, she leaned close to my ear and whispered:

“Convenient.”

The door closes. Lam Chieu walked to the balcony and stood looking at the scenery outside for a while. This apartment complex is not far from Cam Hoa center. In the distance, you can still see that glass-covered shopping center building.

“That is the old location of Bich Lan Dinh?”

“Have you ever thought about going back to see it?”

“No need anymore.”

I looked at the lights in the distance.

"The old things... are all over."

He nodded slightly.

“Tham Nhuoc An.”

“My future path…”

“No need to go alone anymore.”

I looked at him. He also looked at me. A long time later. About two years. Te Cu completed the fifth round of capital raising. The company's valuation is up to 400,000,000 yuan. The shares in my hand after many rounds were diluted to 5.6%. But 5.6% of 400,000,000 yuan… Is 22,400,000 yuan. Plus more than 1,200,000 yuan in profit sharing from Cam Hoa center in two years. Plus the salary I received at Te Cu. At the age of twenty-seven... My assets exceeded 30,000,000 yuan. That number has never appeared at any family gathering. Nor has he ever appeared in any family chats or social parties. Because it's not necessary. Money is to build life. Not to show off. New Year's Eve that year. Lam Chieu and I took a trip back to Cam city. When passing through the old neighborhood, he drove very slowly. The lights of Cam Hoa center shine brightly in the night. The front door is filled with red lanterns, written above:

“Happy New Year.”

I rolled down the window and took a look female.

"Nothing."

I rolled up the window. How will Tham Tu Hien be in the future? The debt under his name has grown to more than 14,000,000 yuan. Bank account frozen. In the name there are no assets left to execute. Personal credit was put directly on the blacklist. He found a job sorting goods at a courier station. Monthly salary 4,000 yuan. Every month pay Hang Thai 2,000 yuan. Pay for fifty years. What about Vuong Tu Lan? She was shunned by all of the Tham family. No one invites her to any gatherings anymore. Tham Quoc Luong lives separately from her. Then it was said that the two had mutually agreed to divorce. She lives alone in that old two-bedroom apartment. One time I passed by the old neighborhood. Saw her from afar in the market. Back bent down. White hair. Carrying a bag of discounted vegetables in hand. She didn't see me. I didn't step forward either. One time Tham Quoc Luong called me.

“Nhuoc An.”

"There's nothing wrong, big uncle."

“Just wanted to ask if your life is good.”

“I live very well.”

“So that's good.”

“So that's good.”

He repeated that sentence twice and then hung up. I stood on the balcony of my new house for a long time. The oleander flowers have bloomed. Light pink. The tree my mother planted that year... It's also the same pink color. That evening, Lam Chieu asked me:

“Do you still remember what happened before?”

I thought for a long time.

“I still miss it sometimes.”

“But it's becoming less and less.”

Outside the window, the city lights form a long strip. I raised my cup of tea and took a sip. The tea is still hot. And my life... I have finally truly entered a new spring.