Chapter 18 — My Nameless Occupation

He stated that the management of Hang Vien would be temporarily exercised according to an emergency contingency plan that Mr. Ha had drafted beforehand.

What emergency contingency plan?

Tran Loi’s voice became even softer.

Ms. To, last week, before being admitted to the hospital, Mr. Ha revised a document regarding corporate governance. The interim chairperson of the Emergency Management Committee—

He paused for a beat.

It is your name.

Chapter 20. I held the phone, standing still for a long time.

Tran Loi, say that again.

Mr. Ha wrote in the revised governance document that if he himself were unable to fulfill his management responsibilities, an Interim Management Committee of three people would be established, with the chairperson position held by To Van. The other two are Co Vien Chu and Lam Vi.

I am no longer an employee of Hang Vien.

The exact words Mr. Ha used in the document were: To Van, although she has resigned, is the person who most profoundly understands the operational system of Hang Vien. In the event that the company falls into a state of emergency, she has the authority to represent and execute management functions in the capacity of an external advisor.

I slumped into a chair. Ha Kien Quoc. It turns out that since last week, before his heart attack, he had already arranged this. Had he sensed that his health was failing even back then? On the other end of the line, Tran Loi continued: Ms. To, the company is currently in a state of great confusion. Three client projects are currently underway, and there is a receivable payment due at the end of the month. If the management remains stagnant, the clients will lose faith.

Does Co Vien Chu recognize this arrangement?

Mr. Co said he holds a copy of Mr. Ha’s governance document, and the legal validity is not an issue. He agrees.

And what about Lam Vi?

Lam Vi said that as long as you agree, she will do her utmost to cooperate.

I looked out the window. It was already dark. To Niem heard my phone conversation from the living room. She stood at the doorway.

Mom, do you have to go back?

It is not going back. It is going to help.

Is there any difference?

I looked at her without answering. Early the next morning, I went to the hospital first. Ha Kien Quoc lay behind the glass doors of the intensive care unit, his complexion gray, his body connected to various breathing tubes. His wife stood outside in the corridor, her eyes red and swollen.

To Van, thank you for coming.

How is Mr. Ha’s condition?

The doctor said he is out of immediate danger, but he must rest for at least three months. He cannot concern himself with work anymore.

I nodded. Stepping out of the hospital, I drove to Hang Vien. When I stood before the main gate, the young receptionist almost did not recognize me.

Boss… Boss To?

Two months ago, she had called me Ms. To. Now, she called me Boss To.

Notify the department heads. A meeting at ten o'clock in the conference room.

Yes, Boss To.

At exactly ten o'clock, the heads of all seven departments were present. Manager Trieu, Tran Loi, Old Vuong from the finance department, Engineer Lam from the technical department, Little Chu from the administrative department, Ms. Truong from customer service, and HR manager Lam Vi. They looked at me. I looked at them. I sat right in the seat that Ha Kien Quoc usually occupied during meetings.

Everyone, for the current period, I have received a mandate from Mr. Ha to act as an external advisor to temporarily coordinate the company’s management. Mr. Co and Lam Vi will assist. There will be no changes to the current organizational structure of the departments, and no personnel adjustments. There is only one goal—to ensure the company operates normally until Mr. Ha recovers.

Manager Trieu was the first to speak: Boss To, I have no objections. Tran Loi added: I have even fewer objections. Old Vuong from the finance department adjusted his glasses: Boss… Boss To, I have just finished the report for last month; would you like to review it?

Send it to my email.