Chapter 5 — The Final Nod

He put down his cup of tea.

"Four years of cooperation with Khai Minh Tech..."

"The system had a problem at midnight. The person who picked up the phone was Lam Tri Ha."

"The warehouse needs to urgently change the connection port, the person leading the team to handle it is also Lam Tri Ha."

"Compensation cannot be negotiated..."

"The person who sits in my office until eleven o'clock at night is still Lam Tri Ha."

"Now you're telling me..."

"She's just a consultant?"

Hua Man immediately choked up. Chu Khai Minh's face also became extremely unsightly.

"General King."

"Collaboration is between company and company."

"It's not based on personal relationships."

The General nodded.

"So..."

"We have to see more and more in that company who can really do the job."

He pushed the Strategic Cooperation Upgrade Plan back in front of Zhou Kaiming.

"General Zhou."

"I've met a lot of people in charge."

"But the person who actually solves the problem..."

"I only recognize one person."

The entire meeting room was so quiet that only the sound of the air conditioner could be heard. Chu Khai Minh slowly turned his head to look at me. Those eyes seemed to be blaming. Do you have to look at me with such shame? I didn't reply. The General Vuong turned to ask:

"Tong Lam, what do you mean?"

I took out a prepared document from my pocket. Notice of suspension of guarantee. I placed it before the General King.

"For the contract extension between An Hop and Khai Minh Tech..."

"From today, I will no longer stand as a guarantor based on my personal reputation."

"If Khai Minh Tech can later prove that their team is capable of receiving and implementing projects independently..."

"Your company should evaluate and decide for yourself."

The General Vuong read the entire document. He nodded slightly.

"I get it."

Chu Khai Minh was immediately impatient.

"Tri Ha, let's go back and talk."

Only then did I look at him.

"Tell me how a consultant like me will continue to sell your life to you?"

His lips were pressed into a straight line. The General Vuong calmly added another sentence.

"General Zhou."

"Before, your company was poor."

"But there is always someone standing behind to support."

"Now it looks like it's grown up..."

"But that supporting foundation..."

"Not anymore."

That one sentence... Is heavier than any scolding. Chu Khai Minh's face instantly became as white as ashes. Eight o'clock in the evening. Chu Khai Minh stood waiting for me under the apartment. After leaving An Hop Group, I even stopped by the bank once. The guarantees from the early days of establishing the company... I have to check each one again. He stood under the light at the entrance to the stairs, holding a paper bag in his hand. With just a glance, I realized it. That's my old employee card. This is the first batch of cards from Khai Minh Tech. The edge of the card is cut very rough, the outer plastic layer has turned yellow after a long time of use. On my card there is only one line. Lam Tri Ha. No position. That day I asked Chu Khai Minh:

"Why doesn't the card have a position written on it?"

He laughed and replied:

"You're not an employee."

"It's not appropriate to write down any position."

"Once the company is stable, I will make you the most beautiful one."

The company is truly growing. The employee card was also changed three times. The receptionist has a position. Interns also have department names. Only my old card is still there quietly in the drawer. No one added even a single word. Chu Khai Minh handed the paper bag to me.

"I found it in your old drawer."

I don't accept.

"If something happens, say it."

His eyes were slightly red. I don't know if it's because I'm tired... Or because I'm angry.

"Tri Ha..."

"I admit."

"I said something wrong today."

I calmly asked:

"Which sentence is wrong?"

He stopped.

"...I told you to just help out a little."

"What else did I say wrong?"

His throat moved slightly.

"...I said you're not the founder."

I nodded.

"And then what?"

As if I had cornered him, he finally lowered his voice.

"From now on... you've always been the founder."