Chapter 3 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

This tone... I'm so familiar with it. During the past seven years, every time I had a slight difference of opinion, he used that voice. There is only one meaning. You just need to be obedient and stay still, don't cause any more trouble. I didn't answer him.

"Nguyen Nhien."

I turned to her.

"Distribute materials to everyone."

Wei Nhien had prepared in advance. She took more than ten sets of documents carefully stapled in folders and distributed them to each person in turn. Tham Minh took it, and as soon as he opened the first page, his face immediately changed. Tham Tue flipped to the third page, then returned to the first page and read it again.

"This is..."

Tham Minh raised his head, his voice unable to hide his surprise.

"...Shareholding agreement from the early days of the group's establishment. Niem Vien Fund holds 51% of the shares..."

"White paper and black ink."

I said calmly.

"Signed seven years ago."

Tran Thieu Quan's hands clenched into fists. In the meeting room, someone gently inhaled a cold breath. Lam Hieu San suddenly raised his head, his eyes became sharp. This time she no longer called me "To" anymore.

"Do you think just relying on these few pieces of paper can turn everything around today?"

She took a step forward, lowered her voice, her words carried an undisguised threat.

"You know who, over the past seven years, has gradually built this company."

"You should also know..."

"Here, what exactly are you?"

I looked straight at her.

"What is it?"

"He's someone who only knows how to take benefits."

She emphasized every word.

"General Manager Tran took care of you for seven years and gave you the most beautiful title. All you have to do is stay here and enjoy yourself, you'll be idle."

"Now hold the papers in your hand..."

"You already want to usurp power?"

She took a step closer.

"Who do you think you are?"

I still didn't move.

"Is the controlling shareholder."

I calmly replied. I looked at her.

"Three months ago."

I said slowly.

"You and General Director Tran have started discussing removing my position as Strategic Advisor, right?"

Lam Hieu San's face immediately turned a little whiter.

"That internal email..."

I calmly looked at her.

"I've seen it too."

That email was sent three months ago. The sender is Lam Hieu San, sent to Tran Thieu Quan, the subject is "Proposal to adjust the position of Strategic Advisor". In the content, she wrote that To Niem had not participated in the company's actual work for a long time, and that retaining the title would only be a waste of administrative resources, so she proposed to cancel this position and readjust the company's organizational structure. Tran Thieu Quan's answer only had exactly three words.

"Okay, go ahead."

They forgot one thing. All emails on the corporation's intranet system are backed up by the legal records storage department according to authority.

"How could you..."

Lam Hieu San looked at me.

"You don't have access rights..."

"But the legal records department does."

Wei Nhien calmly replied.

"That's the extent of record keeping for compliance."

Lam Hieu San immediately turned to Tran Thieu Quan, panic clearly showing in his eyes. Tran Thieu Quan closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes, walked in front of me, and lowered his voice.

"What happened today..."

"Let's close the door and talk."

"This is the company."

"It's not your place to lose your temper."

"I'm not angry."

I'm calm replied.

"I'm just in a meeting."

"General Manager Tran."

Tham Minh spoke again.

"I have a suggestion."

"Regarding the equity incentive plan just approved at today's meeting, based on the current situation, I propose to temporarily suspend its implementation."

"Wait for the controlling shareholders and the board of directors to reconfirm before continuing the procedures."

He stopped for a moment.

"That is the correct procedure according to regulations."

On the opposite side, Deputy General Director of Sales Tu Nhien nodded.

"I agree with General Director Tham's opinion."

Tran Thieu Quan's eyes slowly moved back and forth between Tham Minh and Tu Nhien, the corners of his lips pursed tightly. Lam Hieu San stepped up.

"General Manager Tham, this..."

"Understood San."

Tran Thieu Quan suddenly raised his hand to stop her. He looked at me. In his eyes was the coldness of someone who had been cornered. He raised his voice.

"A pause is a pause."

Having finished speaking, he turned back to the chairman's position, his voice regained composure.

"Today's meeting ends here."

"The specific plan will be discussed another day."

No one stood up. They are all looking at me. I stood still, folded the authorization paper and put it in my pocket.

"Let's end the meeting."

I said calmly. In the conference room, the sound of chairs being pulled echoed continuously. The leaders walked out one by one. When passing by me, some people nodded slightly, some avoided eye contact, and some moved their lips as if to say something but eventually stopped. When it was Tham Tue's turn to pass by, she stopped for a moment and lowered her voice.

"Mr. Su, if it's convenient another day, I'd like to talk to you about the technical aspect."

I nodded slightly. Soon, the meeting room was more than half full. Only Tran Thieu Quan remained sitting motionless in the chair. Lam Hieu San stood next to him. The distance between the two people is half a step closer than a normal superior-subordinate relationship. I don't stay. Turn around and walk out. Wei Nhien quietly followed behind. The hallway was so quiet that only the sound of footsteps could be heard. Arriving at the elevator door, Wei Nhien raised his hand to press the button and said softly:

"Lin Hieu San will not let this matter go."

"I know."

The elevator door opens. I walked in, pressed basement B1.

"About backing up an encrypted copy of that email."

"By the way, help me investigate Lam Hieu San's background file before joining the company."

Wei Nhien nodded.

"Within three days, I will send it to you."

The elevator door slowly closed. When I got home it was eight o'clock at night. The living room has no lights on. The kitchen is so clean it looks like no one has ever used it. In the refrigerator there was only a box of expired yogurt and half a withered broccoli. I stood in the kitchen thinking for a moment then took out a package of noodles. Noodles are dropped into the pot. I cracked another egg. It's been seven years. In the first year after getting married, Tran Thieu Quan once said:

"You don't need to go to work, I'm already at home."

At that time, my grandfather had just passed away. I alone finished arranging the funeral and signed all the documents related to the trust fund. The whole person seemed to be drained of strength. Tran Thieu Quan received everything. Company story. Family story. Internal and external affairs are all handled by him. He said:

"Just rest."

I really rest.

"Just rest" gradually becomes a habit.

Habits turn into labels attached tightly to my body.

"She didn't do anything."

"The company relies on Thieu Quan for support."

"Her fate is really good, she just needs to stay at home and be the boss."

Such words... I've heard them all before. After finishing the bowl of noodles, I washed the bowl and chopsticks. The phone screen suddenly lit up. Tran Thieu Quan sent me a message.

"What happened today, I overdid it."

I don't answer. A few seconds later, another message.

"If you're not satisfied with that plan, just tell me directly. Do you think it makes any sense to make such a fuss in front of so many people in the company?"

I looked at the screen, the corner of my lips slightly raised. Type two words.