Chapter 5 — The Last Word Is Myself

Returning to the main store, I locked myself in my office. On the table were all the contracts of eight stores. Eight supply contracts. All signed under the personal name "To Niem Chan". The lease contract is also signed by me. Certificate of ownership of recipe. Documented recipes for thirty-six featured dishes. It's all in my safe. Co Dinh Phong has never touched these things. He was bothered. What he likes more... Is sitting outside in the front lobby bragging to his friends:

“My chain of stores.”

“I opened eight stores.”

“My wife is only in charge of the kitchen.”

I took photos of all the documents and sent them to Trieu Man's husband. He's a lawyer. Then I picked up my phone and opened my contacts. The eight-store chain has a total of eleven core suppliers. Sauces, meat, vegetables, seafood, spices... I ordered them one by one. Not to discuss canceling the contract. Simply asking about the recent situation. Ask how the family is doing. Let's talk about contract extension when it's about to expire. Every supplier that received my phone call was very happy. There were three bosses who called me "little sister Tieu To". The other two people called them "Mrs. To". Among them, the largest meat supplier is Mr. Vuong. That year, I rode a three-wheeled bicycle to look for each house before meeting him. I ran up to eleven times before he agreed to give me the goods. Old Vuong said over the phone in a loud voice:

"Little sister Tieu To, if you change places, I will also follow you. Where is the provision that is not a provision?"

I laughed lightly.

"Mr. Vuong, there's no rush. We'll continue talking in two days."

I hung up the phone. Lean back in your chair. The white light on the ceiling was so bright it hurt my eyes. Eleven suppliers. It is the lifeblood of those eight stores. There are no more of these supplies... Co Dinh Phong's eight-store chain is nothing more than eight empty shells. Even a plate of food... I can't even bring it up. Knock knock knock. There were three knocks outside the door. Old Chu peeked his head in.

“Sister To, there is something I have to tell you.”

Old Chu closed the door, his hand unconsciously rubbing the old burns.

"Today, Mr. Co told Tieu Ly at store number two, from now on just send the book reconciliation directly to him, no need to go through me anymore."

I opened the lid of the water bottle and took a sip.

“What else did he say?”

"He said that from now on, everything in the stores would be directly in charge of him. He said I was too tired, let me rest."

He is gradually removing me from the management system.

“What did Tieu Ly say?”

The corner of Mr. Chu's mouth twitched slightly.

"Tieu Ly said that for the past four years she has only worked with her sister, but suddenly changed people so she is not used to it. President Co scolded her and told her to go away if she didn't listen."

I put down the glass of water.

“Old Chu, these past few days have secretly helped me do something.”

He immediately stood up straight.

“Say it.”

"Make a list of all the employees who have been with me for over three years in eight stores. Especially the head chef and main chef."

"Also, back up all the signature recipes for me. One electronic copy, one paper copy."

Old Chu looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed. He followed me for six years. He understood clearly that once I used this tone... I was truly determined.

“Sister To… what are you planning to do?”

I looked out the window. It's getting dark. The street lights were on up all over the street.

“Doesn't he want these eight stores?”

“I give it to him.”

“But how much can we keep…”

“It depends on how good his bravery is.”

Old Chu did not ask any more questions. Just nodded and turned around to go out. The moment the door closed, I pulled the drawer out. At the bottom there is a business card pressed underneath. It's the business card a commercial area investor gave me half a year ago. On it is written the address of a new premises. Six hundred square meters. Opposite the main road of the city. Both sides of the glass are close to the ground. At that time I didn't have enough money to rent. Now that's not enough. But very quickly... I put the business card back. The phone rang again. It's a message from Co Dinh Phong.

“My mother will cook dinner tomorrow night, you can come over and eat.”

Not asking if I want to come or not. It was an announcement that I had to come. I only answer with one word.