Chapter 12 — No Longer Waiting For Someone To Remember Me

I know you are busy with work, but you still need to eat.

I looked at the thermal food jar in her hands. It sat there like a warm, thick cloth draped over the complaint letter from yesterday. On the outside, it held soup. On the inside, it held a blade. I asked, Did you come to the office today to deliver soup or to continue snooping into my affairs?

Liu Quefen’s tears fell instantly. How could you think of me that way?

The receptionist behind the desk sat pale-faced. Manager Ngo stepped forward. Ma'am, this is a workplace. If you are here to see Man Tinh about personal matters, please take it outside the company premises.

Liu Quefen acted as if she had just noticed him. She immediately changed her tone. Leader, I am not here to make a scene. I am just worried she isn't eating well while she is away from home. This child is so stubborn; her own family cannot get through to her.

Manager Ngo’s voice remained calm. If you continue to discuss an employee's private information within this building, we will call security to escort you out.

The look of injury on Liu Quefen’s face stiffened. She looked at me, and finally, a hint of impatience flickered in her eyes. Man Tinh, do you really want outsiders to treat me like this?

I asked, When you sent that complaint letter to the company’s inbox, did you think about the outsiders then?

Her lips trembled. What complaint?

I stared straight at her. Wasn't that anonymous email sent by you?

She shook her head immediately. I don't know how to do those kinds of things.

Just then, the revolving door of the lobby swung open. Tran Hao walked in quickly. Sweat beaded on his forehead, as if he had rushed here in a panic. He saw Liu Quefen first, then spotted me and Manager Ngo. His expression immediately soured. Mom, why did you come here again?

Liu Quefen gripped his sleeve. I only came to bring her some soup.

Tran Hao lowered his voice. Go back home first.

I did not move. Tran Hao, was the anonymous complaint letter sent by you?

He looked at me sharply. You suspect me?

I replied, The email contained my clock-out time, the location where I eat dinner, and the very things your mother was asking about yesterday. If I don't suspect the two of you, who else am I supposed to suspect?

His face went ashen. It wasn't me.

Manager Ngo spoke up. The company will cooperate to investigate this matter. We also ask that you both refrain from entering the work area and disturbing our employees.

Tran Hao’s throat moved as he swallowed hard. My apologies.

Having said that, he pulled at Liu Quefen. But she refused to leave. She held the thermal jar out toward me. Tinh, take the soup.

I glanced at the container. Take it back. I do not drink soup from unknown sources.

Liu Quefen’s face went white. Tran Hao suddenly furrowed his brows. Man Tinh, that remark was uncalled for.

I stared at him. Was the anonymous complaint letter not uncalled for? Was storming the office not uncalled for? Was asking where my manager’s office was yesterday not uncalled for?

His eyes wavered. Upon hearing this, Manager Ngo’s expression darkened even further. They even asked for the manager’s office?

Liu Quefen hurriedly explained, I was just asking for directions.

I didn't listen to any more. I turned and walked into the elevator. Before the doors closed, I heard Tran Hao call my name. For the first time, his voice held a note of genuine panic. But the elevator doors had already sealed shut.

Not long after I returned to my desk, the HR department sent me a message. They requested that I come to the conference room in the afternoon to provide a supplementary statement regarding the incident. I replied with a single word: Agreed. As the screen faded to black, it lit up again. It was a notification from the bank. Twelve thousand had just been withdrawn from our joint account. The recipient was Liu Quefen. The transaction note contained only two words: Keep safe.

I stared at that bank notification for a long time. The phone screen went dark, and I tapped it to wake it again. Twelve thousand was not a small amount. That joint account held the funds intended for the mortgage and next month’s management fees. Now, the balance was only a few hundred left. I opened the transaction history. The time of the transfer was ten forty-seven—the exact moment Liu Quefen had been standing downstairs, weeping and offering me soup. I could almost picture Tran Hao with his head bowed, tapping away on his phone. On one hand, he denied sending the complaint; on the other, he was funneling money to his mother.

Tieu Duong walked over to my desk holding a cup of water. Why do you look so pale?

I handed her my phone. She took one look and nearly spilled her water. Is he insane?

I took the phone back. Perhaps in his eyes, this is what they call protecting the family assets.

Tieu Duong lowered her voice. Don't carry this burden alone. Do you want me to go to HR with you?

I shook my head. I’ll handle HR myself. But when we get off work, come to the bank with me.

She nodded immediately. Agreed.

At three in the afternoon, I arrived at the conference room. The HR director and Manager Ngo were both there. On the table lay a printed copy of the anonymous email. The HR director, whose surname was Han, was known for being direct. She opened her notebook. Man Tinh, we need you to clarify a few points. First, does this family conflict affect your work performance? Second, is the content of the anonymous email based on fact?