Chapter 10 — The Scales Are Finally Balanced

When it was time to sign, the strokes of the pen were even askew. The bank manager used a tone of voice reserved only for large customers, asking Mom if she needed to arrange a separate wealth management specialist. Mom shook her head.

"Let's leave it at that first. I need to think more."

On the train ride back, my mother leaned on the chair and closed her eyes to rest.

“How do you plan to talk about this with the Qin family?”

“Not talking for now.”

“Because I want to see…” I looked out the train window. “When they don't know these things, how will they treat you?”

Mom opened her eyes and looked at me, but didn't say anything else. After returning, I continued to stay at my mother's house. Every day when I take Noan Noan to school, I still do the things that should be done, and absolutely do not touch the things that are not my responsibility. Tan Hao calls at least twice a day. I only listen to it once in a while.

“When will you come back?”

“Wait until I'm ready.”

“Prepare what?”

“I don't need to know.”

I hung up the phone directly. Tan Duc Hau has been discharged from the hospital and is said to be recovering well. The eldest uncle-in-law called and said he sat at home every day sighing and kept asking:

“Tieu Dao, why hasn't she returned yet?”

I didn't have any reaction. On the twelfth day, lawyer Tran called again.

“Miss Tham, I have investigated further about Tan Duc Hau's debt.”

“I found something very interesting.” Her voice carries the sharpness of someone who has been in the profession for a long time. "In the business registration documents of the construction materials company founded by Tan Duc Hau in 1988, the start-up capital section is clearly stated as thirty-five thousand."

“It means that all of the initial capital of his company… was borrowed from your grandfather.” Lawyer Tran stopped for a moment. "If he didn't have that amount of money that year, Tan Duc Hau basically wouldn't have been able to start a business."

I laughed coldly.

“Using the Co family's money to build the Qin family's business.”

"Correct." Lawyer Tran continued. “Furthermore, according to some provisions of the Enterprise Law, if at that time this money is considered an investment instead of a loan…”

“Even though your grandfather did not sign an official investment contract that year, if we can prove that the nature of the money is closer to startup investment capital…”

I immediately understood what she meant.

“You mean… a part of Tan Duc Hau's company shares should have belonged to my grandfather?”

“I'm just offering a line of reasoning.” She said calmly. "Of course this direction will be very difficult to pursue because the time is too long. But just the debt alone, plus interest and inflation compensation, conservatively estimates..."

“Qin Duc Hau must repay at least eighteen million to thirty million.”

“Eighteen million to thirty million…”

“That's right.” Lawyer Tran replied. “And that's still the most conservative calculation.”

"Okay." I looked out the window. "Don't touch it for now. Wait until I tell you to do it."

"I get it."

After hanging up the phone, I sat by the window looking at the garden under the apartment. An old man was walking the bird, and the nightingale in the cage sang loudly. Tan Duc Hau. He used my grandfather's money to start a business. Then he called his benefactor's daughter and grandchildren "outsiders". This debt... It's time to count it. On the fifteenth day, Tan Hao suddenly appeared at my mother's house. In his hand he held a thermos with chicken soup inside.

“I stew it myself.” He stood in front of the door, his voice a bit hoarse. “Mom… I came to visit everyone.”

Mom took a look at him Then step aside and let it in. As soon as Noan Noan saw her father, she rushed forward.

"Dad! Why are you here?"

Tan Hao picked her up and kissed her cheek. Then he put the child down and turned to look at me.

“Dao Dao, can we say a few words in private?”

I went with him to the balcony.

“My dad…” He leaned against the railing, looking tired. “After being discharged from the hospital, I stayed home to rest, but my health was much worse than before.”

“He asked me to pass the message to you.”

“He said… about the group chat and the will, he can think again.”

I laughed faintly.

"Ruminate?"

“He said he could add you back into the family group.” Tan Hao looked at me. "The will can also be amended to save a part for Noan Noan."