Chapter 5 — Reborn to Love the Perfect One

Three weeks after the honor ceremony, Ánh Vy clearly noticed changes in Chu Bách Nam's attitude. No longer the obedient younger brother who always thanked him every time he received help, Bách Nam now showed obvious discomfort every time she refused requests that she had previously always responded to immediately.

On the first Monday morning of the week, Bách Nam knocked on her office door, holding a thick file in his hand, his face somewhat tense. "Ms. Ánh Vy, I need you to sign and approve the additional budget for the Eastern urban area project. Our partners are putting pressure on us. If we don't disburse money in time this week, we may lose the opportunity to cooperate."

Ánh Vy took the file and flipped through each page slowly, much more carefully than the habit of quickly signing and approving based on blind faith in her previous life. She immediately realized that this additional budget was much larger than what the project actually needed, and the accompanying explanation was quite sketchy, lacking detailed analysis of capital efficiency.

"I'll give you more time to carefully review this file. I will respond in the next two days," she said, her tone calm but decisive.

Bách Nam's face suddenly changed color. "Sister, the partner is pressing very hard. If there is a delay, it could affect the company's reputation. You have always trusted me, why this time..."

"It's because I trust you that I want to consider carefully, to make sure every decision is right, protecting both you and the company," Ánh Vy interrupted, her eyes looking straight at Bách Nam, not avoiding at all. "If the project is really urgent, you can contact dad directly for advice. I believe he will consider it fairly."

That sentence made Bách Nam silent. He knew clearly that if he gave this file to Vệ Thành Lâm, a person who was cautious and had extensive experience in the real estate finance industry, the possibility of irregularities being detected would be much higher than if he just had to convince Ánh Vy, whom he always thought was easily softened by sisterly love.

"Okay, let me review the file and add more detailed explanation," Bách Nam replied, his voice somewhat curt, took the file back and left the room without saying another word.

Ánh Vy looked at his back, an indescribable sadness welling up in her heart. She knew, this was when Bách Nam's true nature began to reveal itself, much earlier than what she remembered in her previous life, when unconditional indulgence had hidden these signs for a long time.

That afternoon, Tiêu Gia Hạnh, the personal assistant and only close friend that Ánh Vy truly trusted, walked into her office, carrying a cup of hot tea and a worried look on her face.

"Ánh Vy, are you okay? I saw Mr. Bách Nam walk out of your room with an unhappy look on his face." Gia Hạnh put the cup of tea on the table and sat down in the chair opposite.

"I'm fine, Gia Hạnh. I'm just reviewing some of his budget expenses and found some unreasonable points," Ánh Vy replied, picked up the cup of tea and took a small sip, feeling the warmth spreading in her chest.

"You're so different these days." Gia Hạnh looked at her, eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "Up until now, you've always had absolute trust in Mr. Bách Nam. You didn't listen to anything anyone said. Now you're suddenly more cautious. Did something happen?"

Ánh Vy looked at her close friend who had accompanied her throughout her college years, the only person in her previous life who believed in her unconditionally even when the whole world turned its back on her. She wanted to share the truth, but she knew, the story of reincarnation, of a past life, was too unbelievable for anyone to accept immediately.

"Maybe I'm just more mature," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "I realize that kindness in the wrong place can sometimes cause more harm than help, Gia Hạnh. I don't want my relationship with Bách Nam to be destroyed just because I'm too easy-going, causing him to gradually lose his ability to be independent and appreciate what he has." Gia Hạnh nodded, her eyes somewhat in agreement. "I think you're right. Actually, not only me, but many people in the company also secretly thought that Mr. Bách Nam was favored by you too much compared to his real ability. A few times I heard the guys in the Finance department whispering about him spending quite freely with the project budget."

That information caught Ánh Vy's attention. "Do you remember any specific expenses?"

"I don't know the details, but can I ask you more? I know a few people in the Accounting department. I can ask to look at some internal reports," Gia Hạnh suggested, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Thank you, Gia Hạnh. But remember to be discreet, don't reveal anything that could make Bách Nam suspicious." Ánh Vy advised, her tone serious. "I don't want to make things more tense without having enough clear evidence."

"Don't worry, I understand." Gia Hạnh nodded firmly, then suddenly remembered something, her tone turned mischievous. "Ah, I heard you talked for a long time with Mr. Dịch Phong in the Strategy Department during the recent honor ceremony. Is there anything special?"

Ánh Vy blushed slightly, but tried to keep her composure. "Just a business exchange. He seems to have a pretty deep understanding of the company's financial situation."

"Yes, I believe so." Gia Hạnh smiled, her eyes full of meaning. "But I noticed, until now you have never proactively started a conversation with an ordinary employee like that. There must be something special about him, right?"

"Don't think nonsense." Ánh Vy glared at her friend, but in her heart, the image of Dịch Phong's calm face appeared clearly. She knows that the relationship with him will take time to develop naturally, and cannot be rushed, especially when he is still keeping his true identity a secret.

After Gia Hạnh left the room, Ánh Vy sat alone, looking out the window at the sunset gradually falling over the city. She knew that the road ahead was still very long and full of thorns, but at least this time she had trustworthy allies by her side, and most importantly, she had the sanity that she had to pay the price of her life to obtain in her previous life.

That evening, when returning to the villa, Ánh Vy found her father sitting alone in the reading room, holding a cold cup of tea, his eyes looking far away at the family photo hanging on the wall, where there was a picture of his late wife. She gently walked in and sat down next to him.

"Dad, aren't you sleeping yet?" She asked, her tone gentle.

"Dad is thinking about the company," Vệ Thành Lâm replied, turning to look at his daughter, his eyes somewhat thoughtful. "Lately, I see that you have changed a lot, being more cautious and mature than before. I'm happy about that, but I'm also a little worried, I don't know what's causing you to change so much."

Ánh Vy smiled slightly, holding her father's hand, which had many callouses. "Dad, I'm just trying to become more mature, so I can shoulder the responsibility that you have worked so hard to build over the years. I don't want to forever be a young lady who only knows how to rely on kindness without understanding the potential risks around her."

"You say that, Dad, I feel somewhat reassured." Vệ Thành Lâm nodded and gently squeezed his daughter's hand. "I know, since the day your mother passed away, I haven't had as much time to spend with you as a father should. I've always felt guilty about that, and sometimes I think, perhaps because of the lack of family affection, you've poured all your love into Bách Nam, treating him like a younger brother."

Those words from her father made Ánh Vy's heart choke. She never thought that even her father, who was as busy with business as he was, silently realized and partly understood the deep reason behind her unconditional kindness to Bách Nam.

"Dad, there's no need to feel guilty about anything," she replied, her voice choked. "I'm just learning how to love better, dad. Loving someone doesn't mean giving everything without keeping any boundaries for yourself."

Vệ Thành Lâm looked at his daughter, his eyes shining with both pride and sadness. "My daughter has really grown up. I believe that no matter what happens, you will know how to handle it well."

Leaving her father's reading room, Ánh Vy walked up to her own room, her heart heavy with many mixed emotions. She knows that there are still many challenges waiting ahead, but at least, she feels more clearly than ever that her family's love, although quiet and rarely expressed, is still the strongest support for her on the arduous journey ahead.