Chapter 17 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

Life continues. After Due Hang Technology stabilized the supply. The remaining three alternative suppliers also completed the entire process one after another. During a period of supply chain transformation. Tham Tue led the whole research team to work overtime continuously for three weeks. The day came when the last batch of localized sensor modules passed the mass production test. She just dropped a line in the workgroup. I answered with exactly two words.

"Salary increase."

Right away. The group exploded. Messages appear one after another.

"General Manager Tham invites guests!"

"Must eat a big meal!"

"Finally got a raise!"

Shortly after. Uncle Phuong came to see me for tea. By the way, ask about upcoming plans.

"Thua Thinh will launch a new product line."

"The Tham Tue side has started a pre-feasibility study."

"What about capital?"

"After Lam Hieu San left."

"Only the intermediary costs."

"The company saved nearly 30,000,000 yuan."

Uncle Phuong nodded.

"My grandfather used to be."

"Say one word at a time."

"Today I want to remind you again."

"Tell me."

Uncle smiled. He once said:

'This girl Niem...'

'Just don't get in its way.'

'It will find the right path on its own.'

I smiled slightly. I smiled softly.

"Uncle Phuong."

"Don't always speak for grandpa anymore."

"He is no more."

Uncle Phuong replied slowly.

"So..."

"Someone needs to speak for him."

Thua Thinh held an all-employee meeting. The host... is no longer Tran Thieu Quan. I stand on stage. Facing more than two hundred employees below. No PowerPoint. There is also no data display screen. I just said calmly.

"The past two months."

"The company has gone through a lot of changes."

"Someone left."

"Someone joined."

"There are suppliers being replaced."

"There are also customers who continue to renew cooperation."

The whole hall was silent. I look at everyone. Continue speaking slowly.

"What I want to say is..."

"No matter who comes."

"Or someone left."

"Thua Thinh will not collapse."

"Because the foundation of Thua Thinh..."

"It's never about one person's own ability."

"It's the technology of a whole group."

"It's the principle of an entire system."

"And it's a belief that we all uphold."

"I have never studied management."

"I'm not good at saying beautiful words either."

"But there's one thing."

"I will definitely do it."

"All the efforts of each person."

"It will all be seen."

"Respected."

"Rewarded handsomely."

There was silence below for two seconds. The first person stood up and applauded. It's Tham Tue. It's Tham Minh. Then comes Tu Nhien. Applause was sporadic. Spreads quickly. Until it echoed throughout the entire hall. I'm still standing on stage. No bowing. Don't step down either. Wait until the applause gradually subsides. I just say the last sentence.

"Everyone works well."

Thua Thinh's new product line officially launched. It is a handheld diagnostic device. Core algorithm. It is the fifth generation upgraded version from the platform built by my grandfather in the past. All hardware. All have been localized. During the product launch. I stood next to the display area. Quietly looking at the first group of customers surrounding the model machine. Constantly asking about technical specifications. Among the crowd. Someone came out. It's Tham Minh. He holds a cup of coffee. Come and stand next to me.

"How does it feel?"

He laughed.

"Pre-orders for this product..."

"It's already exceeded last year's sales."

"That's good."

Tham Minh looked at me for a moment.

"There's something."

"I've always wanted to ask."

"General Manager Tran..."

"How have you been?"

I was silent for a few seconds.

"He didn't contact me."

"I just heard..."

"He went to a biotech company elsewhere as a consultant."

"And how specifically..."

"I don't know either."

Tham Minh nodded. Ask no more.

"What are you going to do next?"

I raised the glass of water in my hand.

"Continue working."

He also laughed. Then turn around and return to the product display area. That evening. The launch ended earlier than expected. I drove home. Pass by a wonton shop that is still lit. Immediately stop the car. Come in and have a bowl. The owner is a woman over sixty years old. See me walking alone. She smiled gently. Quietly add two wontons.

"Why are you alone today?"

"Alone..."

"It's okay."

She laughed. Don't ask any more. I walked out. Street lights spread a soft yellow color across the street. The wind is not big. The temperature is also moderate. The phone vibrated slightly. It's a message from mom.

"Let's come back for dinner tomorrow."

"Mom bought fish."

I answered with one word. Put your phone in your pocket. I walked towards the parked car. Old car. Every startup. The engine sound is still quite loud. It still runs very well. I drove far away. Open the glass door slightly. Let the wind rush in. Blow up your hair. The road is not crowded. The light reflects on the windshield. Undulating like a golden river flowing quietly forward. I do not know. How long is the road ahead? But I know... Where I'm going.