Chapter 10 — Selling the Shop for Two Million Yuan, I Made Them Go Bankrupt

“Worry about what?” I spoke slowly but surely. "When soldiers come, they block them, when water comes, they lead. If they have money, they can burn it, but we have our own advantages."

I turned to Uncle Vuong: "From today, the Tham family's restaurant opens to sell one hundred lunches at preferential prices every day, using the best dishes you make, enough meat and vegetables, priced at twelve yuan per portion. No need for profit, just need to keep the regular customers." Uncle Vuong nodded without hesitation: "Don't worry, I'll take care of this." I looked at Lam Nguyet Hien's manager again: "This place keeps the price the same, doesn't reduce a penny. But open a membership program, top up one thousand yuan, get three hundred, get three thousand yuan, get one thousand. Members have priority to try new dishes and enjoy special birthday deals." I paused for a moment then continued: "We don't bid. We fight for quality, service and customer loyalty." Those words calmed the atmosphere. But Dinh Thinh doesn't just stop at war. Day three. One of my best grill chefs didn't come to work. When calling, turn off the phone. I immediately had a bad feeling in my heart. At noon, the resignation message arrived.

"Sister, I'm sorry... Dinh Thinh will pay me three times more... I can't refuse."

Immediately after that, two more waiters and a kitchen assistant also resigned for the same reason. Just like Lam Phong said. They started digging my people. Three times, five times the salary. This is a public attack. Use money to destroy my team from the inside. Although the remaining people did not say anything, their eyes began to waver. I knew if I didn't react immediately, in less than a week, my team would be depleted. That evening, I summoned the entire staff.

“I know everyone has their own thoughts these days.” I speak frankly. "The other side offers very attractive conditions, I understand. Everyone wants better, that's normal."

I looked at each person: "So today I give everyone the right to choose. Whoever wants to go, just say. I won't keep it. This month's salary I will pay in full, another month's bonus is considered a farewell." The whole room was silent. No one expected me to say that.

“But…” I changed my voice. “Whoever chooses to stay, I also give a promise.”

“From next month, the basic salary will increase by 50%.”

“Year-end bonus, in addition to one month like before, I added two more months.”

“I'm still here for one day, and I won't let anyone who accompanies me suffer.”

I looked at them, my voice firm:

“Dinh Thinh has money.”

“But I…”

“There are people.”

“Whatever route you choose, you choose yourself.”

After I finished speaking, I quietly looked at them. The entire meeting room was silent, no one spoke. Some people lowered their heads to think, others' eyes wavered. This is a very difficult choice. On one side is a high salary right in front of your eyes. On one side are promises and seemingly vague feelings. I don't know how much time has passed. A young waitress, who was very quiet, stood up first. Her eyes were red, looking straight at me.

“Sister, I'm not going.”

“When I first came to the city, you gave me a job.”

"When something happened to your family and you needed money urgently, I also gave you three months' salary in advance."

“I will remember this grace for the rest of my life.”

“As long as you don't fire me, I'll work here for the rest of my life.”

Those words were like a stone thrown into still water. The ripples spread endlessly.

“Sister, I'm not going either!”

"That's right! At best, let's take a risk!"

"What about three times the salary? That year I almost lost my life, it was you who sent me to the hospital! I owe my life older sister!"

The air flared. Nearly everyone stood up. By their actions, they chose. I looked at those faces. Chest slightly tight. That's my foundation. It's what makes me dare to confront Dinh Thinh. But just as I stabilized the situation. Another fatal blow came. The next morning. My largest meat supplier called. His voice was full of guilt:

“Madam… sorry…”

“From today… I can no longer deliver to you.”

My heart sank.

“Dinh Thinh… they have collected all the supplies in this area…”

“The price they offered, we couldn't refuse.”

“To be clear… whoever dares to sell to you is like confronting the entire corporation.”

"We're just a small business... we really don't dare..."

I hung up. Head spinning. A blow straight to the roots. No ingredients. Everything seems to be over. Not forced. It's strangulation. He really wanted to corner me. Less than a minute later. The phone vibrates again. A sarcastic voice:

“I heard your kitchen… is running out of food?”

I don't answer. Just listen silently.

“How does it feel?”

“Difficulty breathing?”

“I said, the first choice is still valid.”

“Sell everything, then take the money and leave the city.”

“Last chance.”

I clenched my fists. Nails dug into palms. But the voice remained calm:

“You think you won?”

He smiled slightly:

“Isn't that right?”

“Without ingredients, no matter how good a chef is, it is useless.”

“No matter how loyal employees are, they can only stand by and watch.”

“Your shop… is just an empty shell now.”

“Within three days, you will lose all your customers.”

“At that time, the price you had to pay… was not just 8 million.”

“Thank you for reminding me.” I interrupted. “But I don't like other people making decisions for me.”

“In three days, will my shop close or not…”

“Let's wait and see.”