Chapter 13 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

"It's not just a list."

"That year my grandfather also signed a memorandum of understanding of strategic cooperation with four of those businesses."

"It's just..."

"Never activated."

"What are the conditions for activation?"

"Beneficiaries of the Memorial Fund..."

"Sign it personally."

I gently closed my eyes.

"Uncle Phuong."

"I'll come see you tomorrow."

"I'll wait for you."

Uncle Phuong, whose full name is Phuong Thua Vien, is a business partner who has accompanied my grandfather for thirty years. After retirement, he lived in an old Western-style villa in the suburbs. Early the next morning, I went to see my uncle. When he opened the door, he was wearing cotton house clothes, his gray hair was neatly combed, and he was in good spirits.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I've eaten."

"Then drink tea."

His office is filled with documents. On the wall hangs a calligraphy handwritten by my grandfather.

"Hold on and win."

Uncle Phuong opened the safe. Take out a kraft paper file bag. Place it in front of me.

"Year 2016."

"Your grandfather once told me something."

"What question?"

"He said..."

'Little Niem has a slow temper, but in her heart she always knows what she is doing. It either doesn't attack, or if it does, we have to save enough bullets for it.'

He pushed the file bag towards me.

"Inside there are four memorandums of strategic cooperation."

"Corresponds to four product groups."

"Sensors."

"Chip module."

"Optical components."

"And precision mechanical components."

"All four are top-three suppliers in the industry."

"My grandfather had a very close relationship with them."

"Just later."

"Thinh Dat side quoted a lower price."

"So in the end, the two sides did not sign an official contract."

"These letters of intent for cooperation are always retained."

"Waiting for you to sign."

I opened the first version. The partner is Shenzhen Due Hang Technology Company. The enterprise ranks second in the country in the field of sensors. The terms are clearly stated. Just need the beneficiary of the Memorial Fund to sign and confirm. Due Hang will launch the supply process within 30 days. First three months. Offered at original price.

"The first three months are sold at cost price?"

I raised my head to look at him.

"My grandfather once helped their boss with a big favor."

Uncle Phuong took a sip of tea.

"That debt of gratitude..."

"It's only today that it's considered to be paid."

I read all four minutes. Chip module. Optical components. Precision mechanical components. Just right... Covers all component groups currently provided by businesses related to Chu Dinh Van. Not a single item is missing.

"Uncle Phuong."

I raised my head to look at him.

"Grandpa..."

"I've prepared everything for you for a long time."

Uncle Phuong smiled.

"Just hoping I'll never have to use it."

"I'm scared again..."

"It's time to use it."

"I will suffer."

I put all four minutes in my bag.

"I will sign today."

Uncle Phuong raised his hand to stop me.

"There's something."

"I need to know first."

"What's going on?"

"Of these four suppliers."

"There is a company that specializes in precision mechanical components."

"The name is Hoanh Thai Precision."

"On their current customer list."

"There's a name."

"It's Dang Due Medical."

"Chu Dinh Van's?"

"If you sign with Hoanh Thai."

"It means directly taking partners from Chu Dinh Van's supply chain."

"Counter His response..."

“It would be even more intense than a supply cut.”

I closed my bag.

"I understand."

Uncle Phuong called me. The voice is much more serious.

"When my grandfather passed away."

"The thing he worries about most..."

"It's you."

"He said."

"You are too honest."

"Soft-hearted again."

"I'm afraid I can't compete with the people out there."

He looked at me for a long time.

"But today."

"Look at you."

"I see..."

"Maybe he worried too much."

I stood up.

"Uncle Phuong."

"Thank you, uncle."

"If anything happens, call me anytime."

Leave Uncle Phuong's house. I sat in the car for about five minutes. Then take photos of all four memoranda of understanding. Sent to Wei Nhien.

"Before this afternoon."

"Complete signing all four copies."

"At the same time, immediately transfer to the legal department for stamping."

Wei Nhien's message was replied almost immediately.

"Understood, President To."

"One more thing."

"Last night Lam Hieu San posted a post to his friends circle."

"Attach a photo of her having dinner with a group of people at a high-end restaurant."

"I asked someone to verify."

"Among them, three are middle managers of Thua Thinh."

"Han Loi shopping department manager."

"Head of commercial department Liu Vy."

"Driver and personal assistant of General Manager Tran."

"Trinh Khai."

I stared at the phone screen.

"She's manipulating people."

"That's right."

Wei Ran replied.

"They are all people who hold the customer base."

"Or important inside information."

"Trinh Khai..."

I said slowly.

"It's Tran Thieu Quan's personal assistant."

"Follow General Manager Tran for six years."

I thought for a few seconds.

"This."

"Don't touch it for now."

"Just keep watching."