Chapter 5 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

At two o'clock in the afternoon, all employees in the company simultaneously received an internal email. The sender is Tran Thieu Quan. The content is very short.

"After discussion, the board of directors decided that from today onwards, the process of implementing the year-end share incentive plan will be restored. The original plan remains unchanged. It is recommended that departments coordinate to complete the next signing procedures."

I finished reading the email and quietly put down the phone. Ten minutes later, Wei Nhien called.

"Boss Su, he's taking his time."

"If before the controlling shareholder officially issues the veto document, they complete the signing of the plan, and then complete the procedure to change the business registration..."

"It cannot be changed."

I calmly interrupted her.

"Article 14 of the company's charter clearly stipulates that any plan related to changing 5% or more of shares must have the written approval of the controlling shareholder."

"Even if he signed it, it would be useless."

Wei Nhien was silent for a few seconds.

"So... why is he still sending this email?"

"Do it for others to see."

"Let Lam Hieu San see."

"It's also for the entire board to see."

"He's trying to tell everyone that..."

"The person who really has the right to decide is still him."

"So we..."

"No rush."

I hung up. Evening, seven o'clock. I cook a pot of porridge at home. Outside the door suddenly sounded the sound of a key turning in the lock. Tran Thieu Quan returned. It's been a long time since he's come home at this hour. He changed his shoes at Xuan Quan, went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Don't turn on the lights. I brought a bowl of porridge from the kitchen.

"Eat?"

He looked at me. Silence for a long time. Finally spoke up.

"What do you want in the end?"

"Do you eat porridge?"

"I cooked a little extra."

His voice suddenly rose.

"Can I talk seriously?"

I put the bowl of porridge on the table and sat across from him.

"Seriously?"

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Cancel Lam Hieu San's 18% shares."

"The entire equity incentive plan must be reworked."

"And it is mandatory to submit it to the controlling shareholder for approval."

"Cannot."

He answered emphatically.

"Then there's nothing more to say."

I picked up the bowl of porridge and slowly took a sip. Tran Thieu Quan stared at me. His fingers gripped the sofa armrest until they turned white.

"Don't force me."

"I'm not forcing you."

I calmly replied.

"You're forcing yourself."

"The past seven years."

"I saved your face."

"But you don't need it."

"Today, in front of eighteen senior leaders of the company."

"You give an assistant 18% of the shares."

"And my wife only gets 1%, and she says it's pocket money."

"Tran Thieu Quan."

"You are the one who doesn't need face first."

He jumped up.

"Do you think just because you have 51% of the shares, you can do whatever you want?"

"Do you understand how to operate a business?"

"Do you understand corporate governance?"

"What have you done in the past seven years?"

"Besides staying home and watching TV, what else can I do?"

I put down the bowl of porridge.

"I know how to sign."

I looked at him.

"All your resolutions..."

"Everyone needs my signature."

Tran Thieu Quan's face immediately darkened.

"Please remember carefully the words you just said today."

Having finished speaking, he turned and left. The door was slammed shut, a sound rang out loud noise. I'm still sitting on the sofa. Calmly eat the entire bowl of porridge. The phone suddenly rang. It's a strange number. I pressed listen.

"I'm Tham Minh."

"General Manager Tham."

"You still called me this late, what's wrong?"

"There's something I want to tell you."

He lowered his voice.

"This afternoon, General Director Tran met with me privately."

"He asked me to speed up the implementation of the plan."

"Skip the approval step of controlling shareholders, directly submit documents to the business registration agency."

"How did General Manager Tham respond?"

"I said..."

"Let me think more."

"And then what?"

Tham Minh was silent for a moment.

"Right after that."

"Lin Hieu San found me."

"She said..."

"If I don't cooperate, when the contract is renewed next year..."

"I'm afraid some problems will arise."

I was silent for three seconds.

"General Manager Tham."

"Thank you for telling me."

He sighed softly.

"I worked in Thua Thinh for seven years."

"I just want..."

"Just do the right thing."

I hung up.