Chapter 13 — Salary 9,000 Yuan, Husband Asks to Support Younger Sister to Study Abroad?

The first big project after I took office as deputy general manager—Hac Vien New Retail's nationwide expansion plan. Budget 300,000,000 yuan. The two-year goal is to open 50 experience stores and upgrade the online platform. I led the team for four consecutive months. On the opening day of the first store in Guangzhou, the line was two hundred meters long. First day revenue exceeded 5,000,000 yuan. Three months later, all ten stores were profitable. During the year-end meeting, Chairman Hac Vien personally awarded me the "Outstanding Contribution Award". Bonus 1,000,000 yuan. Amid the applause, I remembered an evening a year and a half ago. I held a bowl of cold chicken soup and stood in Tran Hao's dining room. The whole table was happy and celebrating. No one looked at me. And now, three hundred people look at me and clap for me. The difference is not in quantity. But this time, I'm standing here for myself. After the award ceremony, Co Tu Vien came over.

"Congratulations."

"Are you free tonight? I want to invite you to dinner."

“Work meal or private meal?”

“What do you think?”

“If it's private, I'll consider it.”

“How long to consider?”

“Three seconds.” I said. “Okay, let's go.”

He chose a very quiet private restaurant. There are only two people. Halfway through his meal, he put down his chopsticks.

“Lam Van Thu, I have something to clarify.”

“You say it.”

“I admire your ability, that is one thing. But this meal is not about ability.”

“So what for?”

"Because I want to understand you. Not as a colleague, not as a partner. But as a person."

“You've known me for less than a year.”

"Enough." he said. "Some people I've known for ten years still don't understand. Some people just know at a glance."

“What do you know?”

"She is very strong. But she was not born with it, but was forced into it. She has suffered a lot, but has never used it as capital. She treats everyone fairly, even those who have hurt her."

“How do you know I've been hurt?”

“Because people who have never suffered will not have eyes like yours.”

I don't say. But I know—this person sees me. Not General Lam, not Deputy General. It's Lam Van Thu. The woman had been forgotten for three years, and finally came out. One and a half years later. The annual revenue of Heyuan's new retail department exceeds 500,000,000 yuan. I was promoted from deputy general to senior deputy general. Annual salary plus shares, income more than 4,000,000 yuan. Two houses are in my name. A Porsche Cayenne. Seven-digit bank deposits. My mother moved into the new house I bought. Three bedrooms, two living rooms, open in both directions. My father walks in the garden every day, and his blood pressure also drops. One evening, I came to pick up my mother for dinner. She met Vuong Tu Lan in the garden. Vuong Tu Lan is much thinner and has gray hair. Looking at my Porsche parked on the side of the road, then looking at me, she opened her mouth several times, unable to speak. Finally try to form a sentence.

“Tieu Thu… long time no see.”

“Aunt Vuong.”

I call her aunt, not mother. The corner of her face twitched slightly.

“Have you… been living well lately?”

“It's okay… it's okay…”

She stood in place, rubbing her hands. Exactly like Tran Hao's appearance the day before, standing outside the hotel hallway.

“Tieu Thu, there is something… mom… ah, I want to ask you—”

"Auntie Vuong," I interrupted, "your family and I no longer have any relationship. If you have any business, please find Tran Hao."

“Tieu Hao… is delivering food now…”

I don't say.

“It… it really knows what's wrong Already. Every day you say it's your fault..."

"Aunt Vuong, that day at the dinner table, she said it was my blessing that I married into her family."

Her face was white.

“Auntie told me not to come back if I walked out the door.”

“Tieu Thu, at that time aunt—”

“I remember every sentence and every word. But I don't hate my aunt. Hating you is wasting my time.”

I opened the car door.

“Please take care of your health.”

My mother got in the car and I started the engine. In the rearview mirror, Vuong Tu Lan stood alone. Shorter, thinner, older. The old spirit of banging on the table and cursing people is no longer there at all. I don't feel gloating. Don't feel pity either. Just see—it's gone. It's really over. My mother looked at me.

“Is your heart light yet?”

“So that's okay.”

She clapped my hand.

“Is Mom right? With my parents here, even if the sky falls, it won't be my turn to bear the burden."

“Let's go, your father is waiting. Today he cooked braised meat himself.”

“Can you cook?”

"We'll find out if it's okay or not."

I laughed. Turn on the turn signal, drive.