Chapter 9 — The Final Nod

The new company name has finally been finalized. Very simple. Tri Ha Tech. An Hop is the first unit to sign a memorandum of cooperation. Tham Nghien's side also quickly sent people over. The other party asked me:

"In the capital raising documents, how will the founding team be recorded?"

"Just write me down first."

"So the founding shepherd will leave it blank?"

"For now leave blank."

It's not that I no longer trust others. Any space that needs to be left blank, just leave it blank. As for any place that needs to be clearly stated... A word cannot be missing. That night. I went back to my old office to pick up a few more items. The drawer was empty. Only one cardboard box left. Inside there are several notebooks. A ballpoint pen has run out of ink. Old employee card. Lam Tri Ha. No position. I put it in my pocket. But don't rush to throw it away. New company just established. Everything is very messy. The tables and chairs still have the smell of new wood. The printer keeps jamming paper. The whiteboard in the meeting room is wiped clean and still has ink stains. Even the drinking water dispenser... Also brought by an employee from home. However... People are once really busy. My heart feels more peaceful than ever. It's past eleven o'clock at night. The administrative staff knocked on the door and entered.

"General Lam."

"Khai Minh Tech had a few old customers calling."

"They want to ask who to contact if they need warranty or support in the future."

I replied very calmly.

"Just follow the contract."

"What is the responsibility of Khai Minh Tech..."

"Let them take responsibility for themselves."

The little girl asked softly:

"What if they can't handle it?"

Seeing me looking at her, she quickly explained:

"I don't want to help General Chu."

"It's just... I'm afraid customers will be affected."

That's the old receptionist of Khai Minh Tech. In the past, she was very afraid of Chu Khai Minh. Up to now... When talking, we still keep the habit of apologizing first. I pushed a chart towards her.

"Here is a list of customers we can accept."

"Before signing a new contract..."

"No work, no pay."

"No verbal guarantees."

"Nor do we clean up the aftermath for anyone else."

"If the customer agrees to switch to the correct process..."

"We accept."

"And if you just want to find someone to put out a fire for free..."

"Tell them to go find Zhou Kaiming."

The girl looked at the form. The eyes gradually brightened.

"Do we all have to keep records?"

I nodded.

"Previous disadvantages..."

"A lot of it comes from this."

"What I do."

"The contract I signed."

"To the end..."

"My name is not on the documents."

She nodded vigorously. Take a few steps to the door. Turned around and asked again:

"General Lam."

"Send email to customers later..."

"Whose name should I write in the signature at the end of the letter?"

She was stunned. I smiled.

"Customers are in charge of me."

"The problem is handled by me."

"Then just write my name correctly."

"Don't learn from me."

"Everything is just word of mouth."

"To the end..."

"There's nothing left."

She held the documents and stood silently for a few seconds. Then he smiled very brightly. The door closed. I opened my email box. Emails from Chu Khai Minh were sent continuously. The original title was: Tri Ha, can we talk? Then changed to: Khai Minh Tech really can't stand it anymore. The last email... There was only one sentence. Tri Ha, out of respect for the past eight years... can't you help me one more time? I looked at that line for a long time. Screen phone is dark. On the glass, my own face is reflected. I no longer want to turn back. The day the new company officially opened. The weather is strangely beautiful. The receptionist walked into the office holding a box of business card samples. It was the girl who had quietly brought me a cup of warm water when I called, only to be reprimanded by Chu Khai Minh:

"Don't call me random."

She placed the business card box on the table.

"Tong Lam, please help me see."

"In the position part..."

"Should it say Founder or Co-Founder?"

I picked up one. Tri Ha Tech. Below there is only one line. Founder: Lam Tri Ha. So simple that it couldn't be simpler. The receptionist was a bit nervous.

"Isn't it a bit monotonous?"

"The designer said we could add a yellow border to make it look more luxurious."

I shook my head.

"No need."

"What about the position?"

"Should it say Co-Founder?"

"This will make the company feel more open."

I smiled.

"Founder."

"Just those three words?"

"Just those three words."

She nodded, hugged the business card box and was about to leave. After walking a few steps, I suddenly remembered something.

"General Lam."

"There's someone downstairs who wants to see you."

No need to ask... I know who it is.

"Zhu Kaiming."

"He said he wanted to personally congratulate you."

I walked to the window. Under the flower bed in front of the building. Chu Khai Minh is still wearing the suit on the day of the capital call. It's only been a few days. But his body has become noticeably thinner. In his hand he also held a bouquet of flowers. I withdrew my gaze.

"No see."

The receptionist hesitated.

"So... how about a bouquet of flowers?"

"Tell him to bring it back."

She just walked to the door. I spoke up again.

"Wait."

I opened my bag. Take out your old employee card. The plastic layer has turned yellow. The three words Lam Tri Ha also faded over the years. The receptionist watched me walk to the paper shredder.

"General Lam..."

"Is this canceled too?"

I replied very softly. I inserted the card into the machine slot. The machine stopped a bit. The receptionist quickly said:

"This machine is so old."

"Let me tell the administrative department to change a new one right away."

I looked at the card... Little by little... Little by little... Being swallowed by the machine. The machine continued to run. The three words Lam Tri Ha were cut into small pieces of paper. Fall into the trash below. The new business cards are not yet boxed. The paper edges are still a bit rough. I took the first one. Gently place it into the business card holder. The receptionist held the business card box and walked out. Before closing. She poked her head in again and asked in a low voice:

"General Lam."

"If anyone asks later..."

"What is your relationship with General Chu..."

"How should I answer?"

I calmly replied:

"Just say..."

"Not familiar."

Her eyes immediately lit up. The bouquet of flowers downstairs... In the end, Chu Khai Minh still brought it back. Right at that moment. My phone vibrated. It's a message from the General King. Tong Lam, the contract has completed the entire process. Just waiting for her to nod. I looked at those four words. Wait for her to nod. No one forces me anymore. No one takes advantage of my nod anymore. I opened the lid of the coffee cup. Wait for the heat to slowly dissipate. Then I texted back a word.