Chapter 26 — The Day You Pulled Your Lover On Stage, I Recovered All My Investment

I gave her the pen.

“Don't say thank you too soon.”

“Money is not a reward.”

“It's a responsibility.”

She nodded vigorously. The sunlight outside the window fell on the conference table. Strangely clean and clear. I suddenly remembered the night of the listing bell that year. At that time I stood in a hidden corner. Watching Co Trach drag another woman onto the stage. Look at the rolling applause like ocean waves sweeping across the hall. At that time I thought... I was drowned. Only later did I understand. When the tide goes out. Who is swimming naked in the ocean? Will be the one seen most clearly. The third anniversary of the founding of Thanh Hoa. We don't hold lavish parties. I just told the administration department to set up a small lobby. All employees are invited to bring their family members to dine. Co Man brought her boyfriend. He's a quiet doctor. Before entering the door, she seriously advised:

“Less talk.”

“Take care of your food.”

“Don't act smart in front of Khuong Le.”

The doctor nodded very seriously. Lam Man also brought his mother there. Her mother is a gentle woman. As soon as I saw it, I was about to bow my head and say thank you. Lam Man quickly blocked it.

“This is my boss, not Bodhisattva.”

Her mother lightly hit her daughter's hand.

“Shut up.”

“I did so many wrong things before.”

“They even gave me the opportunity to work.”

“Mom, you should thank me.”

Lam Man's face turned red. I smiled.

“She's doing great now.”

Lam's mother's eye sockets immediately turned red. Lam Man frantically handed over a tissue.

“Mom, don't cry.”

“If not, Co Man will laugh at you.”

At that moment, Co Man passed by.

"It's late."

“I've been smiling all this time.”

The whole group burst into laughter. Chu Du also brought his wife and newly born child. The baby is in the stroller. His face was wrinkled like a small ball of dough. But it's the loveliest look of a new beginning. Co Man leaned closer to look at the baby.

“So much like Chu Du.”

Chu Du's wife immediately hugged her chest.

“Don't scare me.”

The whole table burst into laughter. Halfway through the meal, the hotel manager came over and said someone was looking for me outside. I stood up and went out. At the end of the hallway, Co Trach was standing there. He was wearing a clean shirt, holding an envelope in his hand. Compared to a year ago, his whole body was much calmer.

“Are you bothering me?”

"What is up?"

He gave me the envelope.

"Confirmation of final payment. Ms. Tuong has already signed for it."

I take it.

"Congratulations."

He smiled softly.

“In these two years, I've learned a lot of things I didn't want to learn before.”

“Carrying goods.”

“Compare the list.”

“Eat a boxed lunch with the workers.”

“Before, I always thought those things were too low.”

“Now I know... the inferior is you.”

I said nothing. He continued:

“My mother asked me to pass on a sentence.”

“She said sorry.”

“So why didn't she say it herself?”

“She has no face left to come.”

“Then wait until you have face to speak.”

Co Trach nodded.

“I will pass on the message.”

A waiter pushed a food cart across the hallway. The wheel rolls on the carpet, making a very soft sound. Co Trach looked towards the banquet room. The laughter inside continued to ring out.

“Now I live very well.”

“It will be even better later.”

He bowed his head and smiled. He turned around to leave. I call back:

“Try Trach.”

He turned his head.

“From now on, don't write notes like that anymore.”

He stopped. I quickly understood which paper I was talking about. The corners of the eyes are slightly red. He bowed his head and adjusted his cuffs. Adjusted and readjusted several times.

“No more writing.”

After he left, I went back to the banquet room. Co Man asked:

“Come deliver the invoice.”

“Bad luck?”

I sat down and picked up a piece of fish.

“The debt has been paid.”

Lam Man looked at me, but didn't ask further. At the end of the party, the administrative office pushed out the cake. On the cake is written: Three-Year-Old Thanh Hoa. As soon as Co Man looked at it, he criticized it.

“Who ordered this cake?”

Chu Du raised his hand. Co Man immediately said:

“Next time, change to someone else.”

Chu Du's wife burst out laughing.

“He chose for half an hour.”

Co Man immediately corrected his mouth:

“Okay then.”

“Bad in a very thoughtful way.”

The whole room burst into laughter again. I looked at the people in front of me. Suddenly I felt this moment of relief. Not the feeling of being lifted up by applause. It's the feeling when each old burden on your shoulders is put down little by little. Many years later. Old Luong's granddaughter actually came to Thanh Hoa to practice. The girl was able to walk on her own. Just walking for a long time will still be tiring. On the first day of work, the girl wore a white shirt and carried a backpack on her back. So tense that I kept clutching my backpack strap. Lam Man gave her employee card to the girl.

“Thanh Hoa doesn't eat people.”

Co Man passed by.

“Mainly eat the plan.”

The girl immediately turned to look at me. I laughed.

“She scared me.”

Co Man shrugged.

“This is called pre-education.”

The girl also laughed. Her desk is next to the window. From there the rehabilitation center can be seen outside. Every afternoon, someone holds the railing to practice taking steps. One time a girl asked me:

“Miss Khuong, have you ever regretted helping Co Trach?”

I thought for a moment.

“So will you still help others in the future?”

I looked towards the meeting room. That young girl has now built her own brand. Bringing new products to report today. Standing on the presentation podium, the first sentence she said was:

“This is the result of our entire team.”

I laughed.

“It will still help.”

The girl didn't understand. I looked at the girl.

“Because you can't use the mistakes of a bad person…”

“To punish all the worthy people who appear later.”

The girl nodded. As if he had memorized that sentence in his heart. That evening. I was the last person to leave the company. The elevator goes down to the first floor. The hall is lit with soft lights. The four words "Thanh Hoa Capital" hang on the wall. Not dazzling. Don't hide yourself either. It's drizzling outside. The raindrops fell softly on the umbrella's surface. The phone vibrates. It's a message in the company group. Co Man texted:

“Khuong Le, tomorrow morning meeting at nine o'clock, don't be late. Lately, you're looking more and more like the boss who's brushing her hands off.”

Chu Du replied:

“Director Co, I have a staff interview scheduled at eight thirty tomorrow morning.”

Lam Man continued:

“I have left the documents in the meeting room. Co Man, don't forget to bring your laptop."

Co Man immediately replied:

“Lam Man, do you want to work overtime?”

The intern sent a raised hand emoji. Then hastily withdrawn. Then change it to text:

“I will come soon.”

I looked at the screen. Gently type two words.

“See you tomorrow.”

When I put the phone away, it started raining smaller. The advertising screen across the street is broadcasting a news report summarizing the old year. In the frame, Co Trach stands on stage and rings the bell. Hold Lam Man's hand. Smiling brightly amid the lights and applause. But that image was quickly replaced by the next news report.

“The domestic brand supported by Thanh Hoa Capital has completed a new round of expansion.”

“Founder Khuong Le said:”

“Faith is not a grant.”

“It's a choice.”

I stood on the side of the road waiting for the green light. Someone passing by recognized me.

“Is that Khuong Le?”

The person next to him replied:

“Seems right.”

“She's much quieter in real life than on the news.”

I didn't turn back. The green light turns on. I held my umbrella and walked into the rain. I no longer stand in anyone's shadow.