Chapter 4 — The Day They Forgot Me

Your older brother’s company has a decent team, but as for the man himself...

Phuong Hoanh Vien paused briefly.

Too visionary. The last time we met, he painted such a grand and sweeping picture for me that I almost stood up and walked out right then and there.

I did not reply. He continued.

This contract was secured entirely thanks to you. You are professional, reliable, and have never once fed me any meaningless nonsense. This twelve million yuan contract is yours because I trust you, Tran Bai, not because of Tran Hang’s PowerPoint presentation.

I raised my cup and took a sip of tea.

Director Phuong, once the contract is signed, I will closely oversee the entire implementation process. You can rest assured.

Of course I rest assured.

Phuong Hoanh Vien smiled.

Otherwise, why would I have waited for you until now? My flight tomorrow had its ticket changed once already.

I was stunned.

You changed your ticket?

Originally, it was for three o'clock this afternoon, but I moved it to tomorrow noon. Just to wait for you today.

A client. A business partner. He was willing to change his plane ticket just to wait for me. Meanwhile, my own family members could not even be bothered to take a second look to confirm whether or not I had boarded the car. The contrast was bitterly ironic. I did not let my emotions show on my face. I conversed with Director Phuong for another ten minutes, clearly organizing the designated personnel and the future execution schedule. At eight-thirty, Phuong Hoanh Vien stood up.

Alright, that is enough for today. I have signed the contract; take it back, have your older brother stamp it, and just send it to me after the holiday.

He handed the signed contract to me. Three sheets of paper. Twelve million yuan. The lifeblood of my older brother’s company. I received it with both hands.

Have a safe trip, Director Phuong.

You as well.

Phuong Hoanh Vien patted my shoulder.

Little Tran, with your capabilities, you do not need to constantly make wedding dresses for others. When you have thought it through, come find me. There is always a position here for you.

With that, he turned and left. I sat alone in the private dining room. The tea had grown cold. The fish head soup remained untouched. I lowered my head and looked at the contract. Tran Hang’s company name was printed in the Party A section. Twelve million yuan. A contract that took me four months to win. The proposal written by me, the quotation calculated by me, and the client relationship maintained by me. My older brother had appeared only once and had nearly offended the client in the process. My family knew nothing about this contract. They did not know that my older brother’s company was on the verge of collapse. They did not know that I was saving him. And they certainly did not know that if I had not managed to hitch a ride here by myself today... this twelve million yuan would have vanished completely. I folded the contract and tucked it into my inner jacket pocket. I pulled out my phone. Eighty-three missed messages. I did not even bother counting the WeChat notifications; the notification bar was completely full. I opened it to check the latest messages. Older brother:

Tran Bai, I am begging you, call me back! What on earth is going on with Phuong Hoanh Vien’s side? His assistant said the contract is about to be signed? What contract? Why do I know nothing about it?

Mother had sent a voice note, and I pressed to play it.

Tran Bai, you listen to me carefully right now. Your older brother is extremely anxious out of his mind. What kind of games are you playing? If you have something to say, come back and explain it clearly! Why are you always making people worry more and more?

Making people worry. I was left behind at the rest stop, yet I was the one who made them worry. I did not answer their calls, and I was the one who made them worry. I was out here chasing a twelve million yuan contract to save his company's life, and I was still the one who made them worry. It was always my fault. I closed WeChat. I stood up, walked downstairs, and stepped outside. The night wind at Thousand Island Lake was bitterly cold, carrying the fishy scent of the lake water. I stood outside the doors of the Wanghu Pavilion, wondering where I should go next. I knew which hotel my family had booked. But I had no desire to go there. I unlocked my phone and booked a different hotel. Five kilometers away from them. To stay by myself.

The moment I stepped into the hotel room and closed the door behind me. Fatigue finally washed over me. It was not a physical tiredness. Rather, it was a profound exhaustion seeping out from the marrow of my bones. I took a shower and lay down on the bed while my hair was still damp. I turned off the silent mode on my phone. One hundred and seventeen missed calls. I scrolled down the WeChat messages to the very latest ones. My sister-in-law had sent a private message:

Little Bai, are you alright? We have arrived at the hotel, and I just found out what actually happened. I am sorry.

It was her. The only person in the entire family who spoke the words I am sorry. I replied:

Sister-in-law, I am fine. I have already reached Thousand Island Lake. I booked a hotel myself.

Three seconds later, she replied:

Have you eaten?

I have eaten.

I had not eaten. But I did not want her to worry. Sister-in-law wrote again:

Your older brother is currently worried out of his mind. He keeps asking about the situation with Phuong Hoanh Vien... If you do not want to talk to him, I understand. But you must take care of your own safety.

Thank you, sister-in-law. As for my older brother, I will speak with him tomorrow.

Alright. Sleep well, Little Bai.

I put my phone down. Then picked it up again. The latest message in the group chat had been sent by my older brother half an hour ago:

Tran Bai, are you at Thousand Island Lake? Which hotel are you at exactly? Send me your address.

Father added a single line: