Chapter 25 — The Day I Revoke Eighteen Patents, Is Also the Day I Let You Go

Ket Tien Chinh Hai sat in the audience and nodded slightly at me. Chu Ngan stood up and clapped his hands. Even Van Khai's representative area had people proactively giving me a round of applause. Only Co Thua Nghien was still sitting quietly in the corner, not moving at all. But at this moment... Whether he witnessed it or not, it no longer mattered. After the award ceremony, Luc Tri Hanh stood waiting for me at the exit. He gave me a cup of warm water.

"Congratulations, Mr. Tham."

I took it and smiled.

"Didn't you say 'protecting client rights' today, Lawyer Luc?"

He looked at me, his eyes calm.

"Today... I want to congratulate you personally."

I raised my eyes to look at him. He did not avoid that look. Hua Minh Duyet suddenly stuck his head out from behind.

"I didn't hear anything."

Tham Nghien Chu also just walked over.

"But I can hear it clearly."

My parents also came. Mom held my hand and gently said:

"Chi Chi, let's go home for dinner tonight."

I nodded. At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind. Everyone turned their heads. Co Thua Nghien stood a few steps away, holding a business card in his hand. He looked at me for a long time before saying:

"Today... you were great."

I calmly replied:

"You're great as always."

He stopped. After a while, he laughed to himself.

"It's because I... have never seen it."

I won't say more. He quietly put the business card back in his pocket.

"I wish you... always happiness in the future."

I nodded slightly. This time, he turned and left. Never looked back. Mom asked softly:

"Is it... still coming to bother you?"

I smiled.

"No."

Tham Nghien Chu immediately said:

"If you still dare to disturb me, let me handle it."

Luc Tri Hanh glanced at him.

"Tried... according to the law."

Hua Minh Duyet burst out laughing.

"The two of you should work together to open a team that specializes in treating men."

I looked at the people standing next to me, and I suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of peace. Not because anyone is replacing anyone. Finally, I'm back where I belong. One year later. Nam Minh moved into the new headquarters building. The meeting room on the top floor faces the sparkling river. The business value has surpassed the fifty billion mark, even earlier than the goal I once set. The team expanded to three hundred people. Engineer Tran became Project Director. Hua Minh Duyet officially joined Nam Minh as Co-General Director. Luc Tri Hanh is still a legal advisor. It's just that in addition to the office at the law firm, he also has an access card from Nam Minh. The last news I received about Bach Tieu Hoa was the day she completed her first installment. She only texted one sentence:

"Mr. Shen, I'm about to leave Beijing."

I don't answer. Vuong Que Phan followed Co Thua Nghien and moved to another city to live. I heard you changed a few jobs. Van Khai is no longer mentioned. There is also no mention of Nam Minh anymore. Under the management of Tien Chinh Hai, Van Khai gradually stabilized. In the end, it just became a normal partner of Nam Minh. So normal that... there's nothing worth mentioning. Inauguration day of new headquarters. Hua Minh Duyet insisted on organizing a small celebration party. She raised her glass, smiled and said:

"Tham Nam Chi, now you are truly Mr. Tham."

"Before, it was also Mr. Tham."

She turned on laugh out loud. Luc Tri Hanh stood next to him and slowly said:

"It's just that before... the name tag wasn't put up yet."

I turned to look at him.

"Lawyer Luc, your answers are getting better and better these days."

He calmly replied:

"Learn from General Tham."

Everyone immediately burst into laughter. My parents sat at the main table, their bright smiles never fading. Tham Nghien Chu raised his glass.

"Wish Nam Minh reaches one hundred billion next year!"

Hua Minh Duyet immediately responded:

"I like this number!"

Engineer Tran shouted loudly:

"General Shen, please speak!"

Everyone looked towards me. I raised my glass of wine. Smiling said:

"May we all... be able to regain our own names."

Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. After the party ended. I stood in front of the ground-level glass wall, looking at the bright lights of the city. Luc Tri Hanh walked over and stood next to me. He asked softly:

"Remember that night when you called me?"

"Of course I remember."

"I said... it's over."

He looked out the window.

"So what now?"

I smiled.

"Now..."

"It's a new beginning."

He took out a small box from his pocket. I raised my eyebrows.

"Lawyer Luc, it seems like this is not within the scope of legal services, right?"

Rarely have I seen him a little stressed.

"This is...a personal trust."

I opened the box. Inside is not a ring. It's a keychain shaped like the Nam Minh building. On the back is engraved an inscription:

"Shine only for yourself."

I gently clasped the keychain in my palm.

"When did you prepare?"

He looked at me.

"Since the day you said... I want my life back."

I looked at him for a long time.

"Luc Tri Hanh..."

"I know how to wait."

He smiled.

"An important case..."

"Always worth the wait."

I laughed. I no longer refuse when he steps closer. Outside the glass window, countless lights still shine brightly. I suddenly remembered the celebration party that year. Remember the piece of paper that forced me to give up the bonus. Remember the words of the late Thua Nghien:

"I'll save your face."

Only today did I understand. Face... It's never something others give. But it's something... I took back myself. What about the people who have hurt me? Forgot it a long time ago.