Chapter 14 — The Creator Cannot Be Erased

Chu Dinh Son's hand tightened.

"Speak in moderation."

"I'm just telling the truth."

"Your truth..."

"It's just putting personal feelings above the company."

"My name."

"My shares."

"My future."

"Not emotions."

Chu Khai Minh said:

"General Manager Trinh."

"No one takes away your future."

"The company compensated her very fully."

I turned to look at him.

"If that compensation is truly satisfactory..."

"Then you transfer five percent of your shares to me..."

"At the same price as six years ago."

"At the same time, sign a ten-year non-compete agreement."

Chu Khai Minh's face completely sank.

"There can be no such comparison."

"Because of my responsibility..."

"It's about taking the company to the next stage of development."

"So..."

"Your future needs to be protected."

"And my future..."

"Could it be sold cheap?"

"You're swapping concepts."

"I didn't."

I pushed all three files to the middle of the table.

"My name..."

"No fix."

"Shares..."

"Not for sale."

"Commitment not to compete..."

"I didn't sign."

No long speeches. There was also no fierce argument like I had imagined so many times. I only said exactly three sentences. Those three sentences just ended... The rope that has tied me tightly for nine years... Still hasn't broken. It's still very painful. I still remember... The night five million yuan was transferred to the account. Remember Chu Dinh Son once squatted next to a model machine that was leaking water... Asked me if I could fix it. Even... For a moment... I thought... If it's just a name... Or should I give in again... Like all the times before. Three files on the table... Don't just want to take away my name. They have decided for me... Where should I stand in the next ten years? What can be done? Can't meet anyone. Chu Dinh Son looked at me for a long time.

"Are you sure?"

"Just for a name..."

"And let sixteen hundred people bear the consequences?"

"You can absolutely submit your application according to the truth."

"What is the truth..."

"Who defines?"

"At least..."

"You can't let new people join the company for three months..."

"Redefining all of history again."

That sentence just ended. The last bit of gentleness on Chu Dinh Son's face also disappeared. He did not shout. Also don't bang the table. Just pick up the internal phone receiver.

"Notify the human resources department and the Information Technology Center."

La Man raised his head.

"President Chu?"

"From this moment on..."

"Temporarily suspend all foreign affairs work of Trinh Thu Ninh."

"Client."

"Communication."

"Investor."

"Supplier."

"She no longer represents the company."

"But the listing application is still being worked on."

"The information disclosure part is in charge of her..."

"Khai Minh will accept."

La Man did not immediately respond. Chu Dinh Son looked at her.

"What else matters?"

"There needs to be a decision to adjust the official position."

"It will be there in half an hour."

He put down the phone. Then turned to me.

"Didn't you always think you were irreplaceable?"

"Then just look..."

"Without you..."

"It's up to the company to continue moving forward."

"I never said..."

"I can't be replaced."

"But what you're doing right now..."

"It's using the whole company to force me to acknowledge you."

I stood up.

"I don't need you anymore accept."

The corner of Chu Dinh Son's lips moved slightly. In his eyes... There was no longer a trace of laughter. It was the first time in nine years of knowing... I saw such clear contempt on his face.

"So what do you want?"

"I just want..."

"Don't keep fixing my life."

I picked up my laptop. Do not touch the three files on the table. Going to the door... Chu Dinh Son called again.

"Trinh Thu Ninh."

I turned my head.

"Today you walked out of this room..."

"Responsibility for slowing down the listing progress..."

"It will be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting."

I looked straight at him.

"Then..."

"Please write all three of these documents in there as well."

"You think..."

"Just relying on procedure can protect you?"

"At least..."

"It's more trustworthy than your verbal promises."

I pulled the door out. Outside... Securities company representative. Auditing unit. Administrative staff. Person of the Office of the President. Everyone is waiting for the final signing page. Someone just saw me leaving... Instinctively looked down at my hand. In my hand... Only the laptop. 11:06 a.m. The listing document version must be locked on time... It still cannot be completed. 11:20 a.m. A notification appeared in the company's management group. Due to internal assignment adjustments, from today, Ms. Trinh Thu Ninh temporarily stops all work as the company's external representative. All related work will be directly in charge of Deputy General Director Chu Khai Minh. Notice... No explanation of the reason. Fifteen minutes later... Zhou Kaiming's assistant sent me a handover list. Customer list. List of strategic suppliers. Product decisions. Media orientation. Along with the entire explanation of the capital listing documents, I am in charge.