Chapter 22 — The Day You Abandoned My Mother and My Child in the Middle of the Airport

Ly Minh Trach asked.

“Not that I want to.”

Trieu Vien Son looked at him.

"It's Tham Niem's wish."

The tea cup in Ly Minh Trach's hand almost fell down.

“Tham Niem?”

Trieu Vien Son leaned back in his chair.

“She said.”

“In this whole industry.”

“Someone who can handle the project to clear the northern area.”

“There are only two people.”

“One is her ex-husband.”

“One person remains.”

“In prison.”

“She doesn't want to go to jail to find someone.”

“So I can only find you.”

Ly Minh Trach didn't know what to say.

“General Manager Ly.”

“Do you know what that means?”

Trieu Vien Son looked at him.

“Meaning.”

“Tham Niem is willing to cooperate with you.”

“Not going back.”

“Not forgiveness.”

“Purely is cooperation in work.”

“She is a businesswoman.”

Trieu Vien Son said calmly.

“She makes very clear distinctions.”

“Private matter.”

“And work.”

“What you owe her.”

“She won't forget.”

“The power you have.”

“She won't waste it either.”

Ly Minh Trach raised the tea cup. The tea has cooled. He thought for a long time. Just ask one question.

“Are you okay?”

Trieu Vien Son looked at him.

“Better than any time.”

Ly Minh Trach nodded. He held the file. Flip to the North area project page. Look for a long time.

“He told Tham Niem.”

“This project.”

“I accept.”

Trieu Vien Son stood up. Hold out your hand.

“Welcome to join.”

“General Manager Ly.”

Ly Minh Trach raised his hand. Hold that hand. Trieu Vien Son's hand is very warm. Unlike the hands of the businessmen that Ly Minh Trach had previously shaken. And fake.

“General Manager Trieu.”

Ly Minh Trach suddenly spoke up.

“Thank you.”

“Took care of her.”

Trieu Vien Son paused. Then burst out laughing.

“General Manager Ly.”

“It's not me who takes care of her.”

“She takes care of me.”

“At this company.”

"Everyone."

“She takes care of everything.”

“Even you.”

Ly Minh Trach said nothing. After Trieu Vien Son left. He sat alone in the tea room for a long time. The sunlight shines in from the window. Falling into a cup of tea. Reflecting a small piece of sky. He suddenly remembered. The day before. Tham Niem often says something.

“Minh Trach.”

“Are you tired?”

“Let me massage your shoulders.”

Answer every time.

“Don't bother me.”

He wanted to hear those words again. There is no more chance. He put the documents away. Leave the tea shop. The sunlight outside was so bright it was blinding. He squinted his eyes. Take a deep breath. Project to renovate the old northern quarter. Not for money. Not because of Tham Niem. It's not because of Niem Niem. For myself. You need to prove it. That Ly Minh Trach. Besides being a failure as a husband. A father who is always absent. There is still other value. Just a little. ________________________________________ First month. After Ly Minh Trach took over the Northern Old Quarter project. He met a stubborn householder. Not the usual stubborn type. It's the type. Been struggling with local authorities for three years. Drive away seven relief groups. Install eight cameras around the roof. The old man surnamed Chu. Seventy-three years old. Retired teacher. Son lives abroad. Alone in a two-story house. The people in charge of the previous clearance. Tried every method. Midnight knock on the door. Hire gangsters to threaten you. All useless. In the old man's hand. Have a hunting gun. It's a real hunting gun. Licensed for legal use. Who dares to climb the wall in the middle of the night? He immediately fired a shot into the air. Gunfire echoed throughout the neighborhood. Ly Minh Trach came for the first time. The old man stood on the second floor balcony. Looking down at him from above.

“Who are you?”

“I am Ly Minh Trach.”

“The person in charge of this project.”

“Another person has come to die.”

The old man turned around. Go into the house. The door slammed shut. Ly Minh Trach did not go. He stood downstairs. Light a cigarette. Slowly suck it all out. Take out your phone. Call Lao Chu.

“Help me investigate someone.”

“Chu Duc Minh.”

“Seventy-three years old.”

“Retired teacher.”

“Son abroad…”

“General Manager Ly.”

“Why are you investigating him now?”

“I want to resolve this.”

Old Chu was silent for a few seconds.

“General Manager Ly.”

“You are no longer the CEO now.”

“Something like that…”

“I know.”

Ly Minh Trach interrupted.

“Is there an investigation?”

Old Chu was silent again for a few seconds.

"Investigate."

Three days later. Old Chu sent all documents to Chu Duc Minh. Actually, he's not a difficult person to deal with. Don't want to move. This house. It was built by him and his late wife together. Brick by brick. Each piece of tile. All made by two people. Five years ago. Before death. Just say one sentence.

“Don't sell this house.”

The old man remembered that sentence. All my life. Ly Minh Trach finished reading the document. Extinguish cigarette in ashtray. The next day. You come again. He's not wearing a suit. Which wears an old coat. In his hand he carried a bag of fruit. The old man was still standing on the balcony. See you coming again. Eyebrows furrowed.

“What are you doing here?”

“Master Chu.”

“I bought some fruit.”

“Please taste it.”

“I don't eat.”

Ly Minh Trach placed the fruit bag in front of the door. Take three steps back. Raise your hands.

“I have no malice.”

“Just wanted to talk to the teacher.”

The old man stared at him for nearly half a minute. Ly Minh Trach walked in. The house is very clean. On the wall. Hang pictures of the old man and his wife. There is also a family photo. The boy stands in the middle. Smile very brightly.

“What is your son doing abroad?”

Ly Minh Trach asked.

“Working in information technology.”

The old man poured him a glass of water.

“In Silicon Valley.”

“Annual salary several hundred thousand dollars.”

“Then why don't you come live with me?”

“I'm gone.”

“How does this house work?”

The old man sat down on the sofa. His eyes darkened a bit.

“This house.”

“It was me and her who built it together.”

“She's gone.”

“But the house.”

“Can't go.”

Ly Minh Trach was silent for a long time. Ly Minh Trach suddenly remembered a sentence Tham Niem once said.

“It's not just reinforced cement.”

“It's a home.”

I don't understand. In your eyes. A house is just an asset. It's an investment. It's a tool to make a profit. Tham Niem Day said that. He is busy reviewing data for a new real estate project. Didn't even bother to look up. I understand.

“Master Chu.”

Ly Minh Trach put down the glass of water.

“I won't destroy your house anymore.”

The old man was stunned.

“What did you say?”

“No more breaking.”

Ly Minh Trach stood up.

“I will adjust the planning plan.”

“Keep the teacher's house.”

“For it to become an iconic building of this area.”

“The government side.”

“I will go exchange.”

“Planning Department.”

“I will handle it myself.”

“No need to transfer Go."

The old man opened his mouth. But couldn't say a word.

“I have one condition.”

Ly Minh Trach said.

“You must help me.”

“Convince the remaining households.”

“In this area.”

“You are the most prestigious person.”

“What the teacher said.”

“Heavier than me.”

The old man was silent. Exactly two minutes. He stood up. Go in front of the photo of the deceased wife. Look for a long time. When Ly Minh Trach walked out of that two-story house. It was dark. He stood on the side of the road. Light another cigarette. The phone vibrates. It's a message from Tham Niem.

“I heard you solved Mr. Chu Duc Minh?”

Ly Minh Trach's fingertips paused. This is the first time. Since he took over the project. Tham Niem proactively contacted him.

“Not yet.”

“But soon.”

“How do you do it?”

“No more destroying his house.”

“I adjusted the planning.”

Silence for a long time. Ly Minh Trach looked at the chat box.

“The enemy is entering…”

Then disappeared. Then it appeared again. Tham Niem only sent one sentence.

“Ly Minh Trach.”

“You have changed.”

Ly Minh Trach looked at those six words. Don't know how to answer. You have changed. He has also changed. It's too late. Progress of the Northern Old Quarter project. More favorable than everyone predicted. Ly Minh Trach died a month. Visit each household. He no longer uses the same tricks as before. No intimidation. No threats. No power cuts. Do not cut off water. He knocked on every door. Patiently listen to each person speaking. Some people don't want to move. Because I lived there for decades.