Chapter 23 — The Empty Rescuer and the Female President Hide a Will

The secret clause says that if the riverfront floods twice in a year, the contract automatically converts to a buyout.

Quoc Thanh intentionally created a second flood.

I looked at the old tube map. If the valve is opened incorrectly, water will flood into the temporary settlement area.

Vy called Thien Ha's technical force, but they were short of people because workers were repairing another warehouse. Khang brought kitchen staff to help distribute sandbags.

“I'm not a rescue,” I said.

“I know how to distribute rice before the water rises.”

Nam issued a live warning, asking people not to go near the sewer. Quan and Tuan went into the pipeline.

I opened the valve manually. The gear is stuck because it is welded in place. I used a hammer to break the weld, water sprayed strongly, pulling me down.

Vy tied the rope around my waist, like I used to do for her.

“Don't let go.”

“This time I keep it.”

We were able to open the outlet, diverting the water to the abandoned land. Land sale contract not activated.

Quan found a small camera in the tube, recording footage of people from the real estate fund welding the valve.

Evidence is sent to the court. The contract was declared invalid.

After the water receded, I sat on the steps, my hands scratched. Vy brought a bandage.

“I don't need you to save me.”

"I didn't save you. I bandaged the wound."

“It's the same.”

"No. To rescue is to pull out of the water. To ice is to help someone stand up on their own."

I looked at her, realizing that sentence was about both of us.

That night, a young shareholder asked Vy to hold the position of permanent chairman, while I headed the fund.

I refuse personal voting rights, transferring my share to the community fund.

“Don't you want power?” Vy asked.

“I want power to lie with many people.”

Vy nodded and suggested dividing council seats between resident and worker representatives.

Ms. Nhu no longer has the right to vote, but becomes a public advisor.

Tan Ha began restructuring.

When I thought everything was over, the lawyer informed Quoc Thanh that he still had one last asset: my original birth certificate.