Chapter 15 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

Chu Dinh Van said slowly.

"Inside."

"Your husband personally admitted it."

"He knows clearly the relationship between Hieu San and me."

"Simultaneously."

"There's also the whole conversation."

"About how to..."

"Please leave the company with dignity."

He observed my expression. The smile at the corner of his lips became deeper.

"Recording time..."

"It was half a year ago."

"In other words."

"Long before you acted."

"Your husband..."

"Planning has begun."

"How to get 51% of your shares."

I still didn't speak up. Chu Dinh Van went one step further.

"Could it be..."

"Do you really think..."

"Your opponent..."

"Is it just me and Lam Hieu San?"

He pointed to the USB on the table.

"Her biggest rival..."

"From start to finish."

"Still sleeping next to you."

I stood in front of my desk. Quietly look at the USB. For five seconds. Then raise your head.

"Is the recording real?"

"If you listen, you'll know."

"No need to listen."

I calmly replied.

"I know it's real."

Momentarily. Chu Dinh Van's expression paused.

"I understand what kind of person Tran Thieu Quan is."

"It's clearer than you."

I pushed the USB back in front of him.

"You brought this today."

"What ultimate goal do you want to achieve?"

The smile on Chu Dinh Van's face disappeared. He became serious.

"Divorce him."

"When a stock dispute turns into a marital dispute."

"The longer it takes."

"More chaos."

"Stock price."

"And the value of Thua Thinh."

"Everyone will be affected."

"Until then."

"I will come back to take over the company."

He looked straight at me.

"That's the most dignified outcome you can accept."

I quietly looked at him.

"You came here today..."

"A mistake was made."

"What mistake?"

"You think..."

"I still care about Tran Thieu Quan."

Chu Dinh Van's eyes narrowed slightly.

"He supposes."

"I'm not divorced yet."

"It's because I can't bear to let go."

I picked up the USB on the table. Put it back in his hand.

"I'm not divorced yet..."

"Not because of nostalgia."

"The time has not yet come."

Chu Dinh Van's expression immediately changed.

"And now..."

"That's the time."

"Almost here."

I walked to the door. Open the room door.

"Sending guests off."

Chu Dinh Van stood still in place. Look at me for three seconds. Then burst out laughing.

"You're even more cruel than your grandfather."

He turned around and left. That afternoon. I made a phone call. The listener is lawyer Trieu of the law office.

"Lawyer Trieu."

"Draft divorce agreement..."

"Are you ready yet?"

"I sent it to you last week."

"Haven't you seen it yet?"

"I saw it."

"There's something that needs fixing."

"Property division clause."

"32% of Tran Thieu Quan's personal shares in Thua Thinh..."

"I don't accept."

Lawyer Trieu was silent for two seconds.

"With current valuations."

"That 32% stake is worth nearly 2,000,000,000 yuan..."

"I know."

"But I don't take it."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

"Can I ask why?"

"That 32% stake."

"It's the result he built himself over the past seven years."

"I don't lack that money."

"I don't want anyone to think..."

"I divorced just to get his property."

"...I got it."

"So what about the other terms?"

"Stay the same."

"The house belongs to me."

"Bank deposits split in half."

"The two cars in his name still belong to him."

"There is no custody dispute."

"There is also no shared debt."

"I will edit it again."

"I'll send you a confirmation tomorrow."

Hang up the phone. I stood in front of the window. Sunlight passes through the glass. Dye the entire floor a warm white. Right from the day he discovered the relationship between him and Lam Hieu San. I already know. Sooner or later, this day will come. It took that long. Just got to this step. But it's good. Let me get everything ready. I hold the phone. Send a message to Wei Nhien.

"After completing the final version of the divorce agreement."

"Help me make an appointment with Tran Thieu Quan."

"The time is next Monday night."

"Location..."

"Right at home."

Wei Nhien answered very quickly. Saturday afternoon. I returned to my grandfather's old house. The key is still the old brass key. You have to turn the lock once to open the door. The inside is covered with a thin layer of dust. His photo still lies in the same position in his office. Black and white photo. The corners of his lips are still smiling as calmly as ever. I sat down on the rattan chair he usually sat in. On the table were several discolored notebooks. They are all his pen strokes. There is one page. Draw a design sketch. That was the first draft when he built Thua Thinh's core algorithm. The lines are still very messy. But the core thinking... Is exactly the same as the version that was later put into the application. I sat on the rattan chair for a long time. Hold the phone. Call mom.

"I haven't called in a while."

"What are you busy these days?"

"A bit busy."

"But it's almost done."

"After work, go home to eat."

"Mom made braised meat for you."