Chapter 19 — My Daughter Was Robbed of Her School Placement, I Made Both Families Pay

Pho Thanh Nghi stepped forward.

"President Tham, the association contracts of the six school districts have been prepared."

She changed her address, calling me Chairman Tham. I received the pen. The moment the pen was lowered, applause rang out everywhere. The first phase of Thanh Hoa new school area invested 1,500,000,000 yuan, covering all six districts of Giang Thanh, reserving 3,000 places for children. Among them is a public service scholarship named after Niem Niem.

"The Tham Niem Growth Plan."

Mr. Tham looked at me.

"Are you satisfied?"

"That's OK."

He laughed and scolded her:

"The appetite is growing."

I looked at the kids in the stands.

"I'm not ambitious."

"I just know that..."

"The door should open a little wider."

Pho Thua Nghien heard it and said softly:

"You're always better than I thought you would be."

I looked at him.

"It's not that I'm good at it."

"It's because you've never looked at me seriously before."

He bowed his head. I didn't reply. There are apologies that do not necessarily receive a response. The old villa of the Tham family. Niem Niem hugged a stuffed bunny and ran in the garden. Mr. Tham sat in a chair, watching his grandson laugh. Uncle Chau gave me a set of documents.

"On Tong Van Tinh's side, the dispute has finally been resolved. Her store's sign was revoked by her partner, and there is no one in the circle who stands as a guarantor anymore."

I nodded.

"What about Tong Trach?"

"Mr. Tong found a normal school for the boy. Right now the boy is staying temporarily with Mrs. Tong."

I was silent for a while.

"The boy's tuition comes from the public fund."

"Not through the Song family."

Uncle Chau looked at me.

"Don't tell them."

"I don't help Tong Van Tinh."

"Children should not have to pay debt for adults."

Uncle Chau nodded.

"I get it."

Niem Niem ran over.

"Mom, grandpa said I can eat two servings of pudding tonight."

Mr. Tham immediately coughed.

"When did you say?"

Niem Niem blinked.

"You told me."

He had to surrender.

"Okay okay."

I laughed and shook my head. The phone lights up. It's a message from Pho Thua Nghien.

"I sent photos of the exhibition. Niem Niem's smile is very beautiful today."

I open the photo. Niem Niem stood in front of a colorful painting, smiling brightly. Pho Thua Nghien does not appear in the frame. I replied: A moment later he texted again.

"Van Duong, will you get married again in the future?"

I looked at that text for a few seconds. Then answer:

"Don't know."

"But I won't get married just because I need to rely on someone."

He answered very quickly.

"Originally I don't need it either."

I don't text back anymore. Mr. Tham saw me put down the phone.

"Deputy Thua Nghien?"

"Do you still like it?"

I laughed.

"I like work more now."

Mr. Tham nodded with satisfaction.

"That's just like my daughter."

Niem Niem ran over carrying pudding.

"Mom, everyone has a share."

I take it. The child asked:

"Are you happy, Mom?"

I looked at the baby. Look at Mr. Tham. Look at the Black Whale model placed under the light. The child asked again:

"What about the people who bullied us?"

I think a bit.

"Almost forgot."

Niem Niem smiled brightly.

"Then forget it."

I also laughed. Half a year later. Six new schools in Thanh Hoa opened simultaneously. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Tham did not go on stage. He said today is my stage. Pho Thanh Nghi led the team of the Deputy Mayor to attend. Pho Thua Nghien also came. It's just that he sat in the area reserved for relatives. Niem Niem sat next to him, occasionally chatting a few words. The father and son are like any other normal father and son pair. Keep a sufficient distance. Mrs. Tong brought Tong Trach over. She stood at a distance, not daring to come closer. In Tong Trach's hand was a public service admission notice. The boy saw Niem Niem. Niem Niem thought for a moment.

"I won't be friends with you."

"But I accept the apology."

Tong Trach nodded. Ms. Tong's tears immediately fell. She looked at me, her lips moving slightly. I didn't step forward. There are injuries that do not need to be constantly confirmed. The host invited me to cut the ribbon. The red ribbon is cut down. The sound of applause drowned out all other sounds. Right on the opening day, Thanh Hoa announced its next three-year plan. Invest 5,000,000,000 yuan. Open 10,000 additional study slots combining universal education and high-quality education. A reporter asked me:

"President Tham, what was the initial motivation that made you carry out this project?"

I looked towards Niem Niem under the stands. The girl was waving at me. I smiled.

"Because my daughter was once stopped outside the school gate."

"I hope from now on, no more children will be kept outside that gate just because of the selfishness of adults."

Applause rang out again. Pho Thua Nghien stood up and applauded. Mr. Tham also stood up. Uncle Chau's eyes were red but he still tried to stay calm. After the ceremony. Mrs. Tong stepped forward.

"Van Duong, can I say something?"

I nodded. She said softly: This time she did not ask me to accept her mother. Also did not mention Tong Van Tinh.

"I heard it."

She cried and laughed at the same time.

"That's good then."

She took Tong Trach and left. Pho Thua Nghien walked next to me.

"I've really given up."

I looked at the children running and jumping in the schoolyard.

"Not letting go."

"It's just that I have more important things to do."

He nodded.

"Congratulations."

Niem Niem ran over. One hand held my hand. One hand held Mr. Tham's hand.

"Grandfather."

"Let's go home."

I laughed.

"Going home?"

She doesn't need to think.

"The house has mother and grandfather."

Mr. Tham laughed until he couldn't close his mouth. Not far away is my new car. A spacious silver MPV, enough to accommodate all of Niem Niem's easels and toys. The driver opens the car door. Niem Niem climbed up first. Then stick your head out.

"Mom, hurry up."

I turned my head to look back one last time. People of the Pho family. People of the Song family. Along with those who stood coldly watching that year. They used to think I should be patient. You should give in. Should be grateful. But now. They could only stand there and watch me walk my own path. Mr. Tham asked:

"What are you looking at?"

I smiled.

"Nothing."

"Those people?"

I held Niem Niem's hand.

"I forgot a long time ago."