Chapter 18 — People Whose Achievements Are Stolen

Right in front of Tien Duy Quoc, Ly Phong, Dao Vien and all the researchers present... Co Hoai An clearly stated La Xuyen's identity and purpose of the trip once.

“La Xuyen is my research assistant.”

“Three months ago, I sent him to Hoa Thanh Institute to verify Tham Niem's situation.”

"Your deputy director told him that Tham Niem has left the research line and is preparing to get pregnant."

“He can't meet Tham Niem directly.”

“After returning, he reported this situation to me.”

He stopped for a moment.

"Someone anonymously accused Tham Niem and La Xuyen of having an improper relationship."

“Tham Niem and my assistant colluded to cheat me of being eligible to participate in a national project?”

He glanced at Dao Vien. Dao Vien seemed frozen in place. His hands clutched the edge of the table. Ten fingers raised up against the edge of the wood until they turned white.

“Academician Gu, I didn't… I didn't mean that…”

“So what do you mean?”

“An employee on an official business trip for a national project…”

"You said you were the object of an illegal relationship again."

“Do you know who you are slandering?”

Dao Vien's mouth opened and then closed again. Just like a fish thrown onto the chopping board. He turned his head to look at Ly Phong. But Ly Phong didn't look at him. From beginning to end, Ly Phong just stared at the table. There is a ring of very pale water there. Perhaps because the previous person placed the tea cup without using a coaster. He didn't say a word. Dao Vien turned to look at Tien Duy Quoc again. Tien Duy Quoc sat very straight, his hands clasped his tea cup. Not even a sip yet.

“Dao Vien.”

His voice was dry.

“That anonymous letter…”

"Go personally to the disciplinary inspector and explain clearly and then withdraw."

“Director Tien, I…”

“Go now.”

When Dao Vien stood up from the chair, his whole body staggered. The knee hit the table leg hard. He bent down and rubbed it twice, not daring to look at anyone else. Just bow your head and quickly walk out. The phone in his pocket slid to the ground. Screen facing up. I sat closest to the door. See content on screen. It's a WeChat message. Sent by Ha Uyen Thanh.

"Brother Dao, what happened? Did something happen in the hospital?"

There are three unread messages below.

“Brother Dao, why don't you answer me?”

“Don't scare me.”

"Mr. Phong also doesn't answer my calls anymore."

When Dao Vien bent down to pick up the phone... His hand was shaking so much that he could barely hold it. He turned off the screen, without stopping for a second, immediately left the meeting room. I withdrew my gaze. Chu Man stood in the corner of the meeting room. I don't know when she snuck in. His arms were folded across his chest, his eyes behind the glass stopped at the door where Dao Vien disappeared for a few seconds. The corners of her lips pursed slightly. Then he came and sat down next to me, lowered his voice and said four words.

“It's not over yet.”

The next three days. On the outside everything is calm. Ly Phong has had his administrative rights suspended but has not been officially dismissed. The investigation is still in process. Every day he still goes to the research institute. Sitting in the vice president's office, which has been cleared of computers. No one knows what he is doing. Dao Vien went to the inspector's side to withdraw the anonymous letter. After returning, his whole body was completely withered. No more talking to anyone. Every day I just stay alone At work, doing some experiments no longer had any meaning. Tien Duy Quoc was busy dealing with questioning documents from his superiors. The story of the invitation being blocked was reported above. The superiors asked the institute to write an explanation report. Move back to your lab. The access card is a newly issued card. Attach a small white paper label.

“Tham Niem — Coating materials laboratory.”

When I pushed the door open... Everything inside was exactly the same as the day I left. Two months ago I packed my things. But no one touched the equipment on the laboratory table. Even the glass cups in the ventilated cabinet... Still in the same corner where I put them down the last time I finished washing them. I put down my bag, opened the ventilation cabinet, and took out my gloves and goggles. Things to do... Still have to continue. All morning, I ran data for a new set of samples. That was my first assignment as the senior research team leader of the Thu Quang Plan. Verify core parameters in previously submitted performance reports. At noon... Someone knocked on the door. I thought it was Chu Man. But it's not. The person standing outside is Ha Uyen Thanh. Shouldn't she be in Berlin? But now she was actually standing in front of my laboratory door. Wear a long beige coat. Inside is a dress and sneakers. His face was a bit gray, like he had just been on a flight for more than ten hours without being able to sleep. On the ears are still those pearl earrings.

“Miss Tham.”

Her voice was softer than I remembered.