Chapter 9 — The day I signed the divorce petition, I won the bid for a 30 billion VND project

Elegant oval face, big clear eyes, white skin that seems to glow. She wore a light yellow dress, her long hair hung loosely on her shoulders, and her whole body looked like a gardenia flower that had just bloomed. Makes others want to protect you just by looking at it. It's her weapon.

“Ms. Nghien Thanh.”

As soon as she walked in the door, she spoke sweetly as if nothing had ever happened between us.

"Long time no see."

I pointed to the chair opposite.

“Why are you looking for me?”

Khuong Niem sat down, her hands neatly placed on her knees, looking dignified as if she were participating in an interview.

“It's really nothing important.” She smiled. “I just wanted to come see how you're doing these days.”

I calmly replied.

“I…” She lowered her head and bit her lip, looking like she wanted to say no more. “Sister Nghien Thanh, I came today to apologize to you.”

"Yes." She raised her head, her eyes were slightly red. "The story of the East area renovation project was because I didn't do it well, causing you to be misunderstood. Tu Hanh told me that he called to question you. At that time, I wanted to call you immediately to explain, but I was afraid that you didn't want to listen..."

A drama... Beautifully performed. First admit the error. Then appeared weak. In the end, he pushed everything to the point of saying "I'm afraid you don't want to listen". At first glance, every sentence sounds like you're blaming yourself. But in fact... Every sentence is implicitly saying that she is innocent, it's just that Luc Tu Hanh was too nervous so he misunderstood me. If you change to someone else... Maybe you'll really be fooled by her. But I lived in the Luc family for three years. Words like that... I've heard it too much.

"No problem."

I smiled.

“Everything has been investigated clearly.”

“Mrs. Nghien Thanh is really kind.” Khuong Niem curled her eyes and smiled. “You know I won't blame you.”

“Is there anything else?”

“What about…” She hesitated for a few seconds. "Tu Hanh has been under a lot of pressure lately. Company matters, project matters... all are on his shoulders. I came today to ask you for help."

“Van Gian Project.”

She looked at me expectantly.

"Luc Thi Group is also one of the investment units. Can you... give a little priority in the design stage? It doesn't need too much, just a little respect is enough."

I looked at her, only now did I truly understand the purpose of her appearance today. Not here to apologize. It's not like we're here to talk. Go to the conditions table. She wanted me to create conditions for Luc Thi in the Van Gian project, using so-called gratitude in exchange for benefits. She also knows very well... Luc Tu Hanh will absolutely not open his mouth to beg me. His pride wouldn't allow it. But Khuong Niem is different. She is a woman. A woman who always puts on an innocent appearance. If she opens her mouth and I refuse... Then the unintentional person will be me. Indeed... This move is very beautiful.

“Khuong Niem.”

I calmly looked at her.

"The Van Gian project is a public bidding project. The appraisal council has more than thirty experts, each process is supervised by a third party."

“I cannot favor anyone.”

“I don't want to favor anyone.”

The smile on her lips stiffened in the blink of an eye. But very quickly it returned to the way it was.

"Sister Nghien Thanh... I didn't mean that..."

“So what you mean is What?"

Khuong Niem bit her lip, her eyes turned red again.

“I just hope... our relationship isn't so tense. After all, before... we were also family."

One family. Those two words... How ironic. Three years ago, the day I married into the Luc family, the first gift Khuong Niem gave me was a photo taken between her and Luc Tu Hanh. On the back of the photo were written four words:

"I wish you two happiness."

At that time I didn't understand. Only later did I find out... It was never a blessing. It's a declaration of sovereignty. For her... The so-called family has never been something to cherish. Which is to calculate.

“Khuong Niem.”

I stood up and slowly walked to the window.

“You and I have never been family.”

“Not before.”

“Not now.”

“Afterwards... it's even more impossible.”

“Ms. Nghien Thanh...”

“The purpose of your coming here today, I understand.”

I didn't turn back.

“I can't help with the project matters.”

“There are other things…”

“There's nothing to talk about between us.”

“I still have work to take care of.”

“You go home.”

Khuong Niem slowly stood up. The gentle smile that always hung on her face... Finally, she couldn't hold it anymore. Khuong Niem's face flashed with all sorts of emotions. Not satisfied. In the end, it all stopped at a meaningful half-smile.

“Tham Nghien Thanh.”

This time, she no longer called me Ms. Nghien Thanh.

“Do you know what your biggest failure point is?”

“I'm listening.”