Chapter 14 — Thirty Million And One Man's Worth

“Second, we are not just a supplier, if after three months the sales meet the standards, we want to co-brand, ‘Mach Thoi Quang’ and ‘Khanh Nho’ under the same name.”

She looked at me, her eyes a little deeper.

“You're ambitious.”

"It's not ambition, it's the value of To Dinh's skills that is worthy."

She thought for about ten seconds, then nodded.

“Okay, but the sales standards are set by me.”

"No problem."

“One million in revenue a month, three consecutive months.”

One million, the number made To Dinh gently pull my sleeve and whisper: "One million? We only have 150,000..." I didn't look at her, just looked straight at Tran Ngoc Hoa. She stood up and held out her hand.

“Happy cooperation.”

I shook her hand, briefly but firmly, feeling like a door had just opened, not for an opportunity, but for a bigger game. After she left, To Dinh fell down on the chair, his whole body seemed to be drained of all strength.

“Chu Hieu Hieu, you're crazy, that's one million a month, do you know what that means? We have to triple production, buy more machines, hire more people, find bigger premises…”

“Money is not the problem.”

I speak very softly.

“I know you have money, but—”

“Do you trust my skills?”

I looked straight at her. She paused for a second.

“That's enough, I'll take care of the rest.”

That evening, when I returned home, Chu Minh Vien had finished cooking the rice. The familiar smell of food calmed my heart after a stormy day. I ate two bowls of rice. He looked at me, a bit surprised.

“Are you in a good mood today?”

“Is there something funny?”

“It was very fun.”

“What is it?”

“Let's talk about it another day.”

“Another day, I've only talked to you with three words lately—another day.”

I laughed.

“So let's talk about one thing today.”

"For your noodle shop, I've started looking for a premises."

The chopsticks in his hand stopped in mid-air.

“Right next to 'Small Space', there is an empty space, sixty square meters, rented for eighty thousand a year.”

He put down his chopsticks.

“Are you serious?”

“Do you want to go see it tomorrow?”

“I… I haven't quit my job yet.”

"Let's see first, settle the ground then slowly work, when you're ready then stop."

He looked at me for a long time, his eyes seemed like he had just touched a dream.

“Understanding.”

“Are you sent by God to save me?”

“You are the twenty-two thousand wedding ring I bought.”

“I bought that ring in installments.”

“…paying in installments is also buying.”

He smiled, a smile from the bottom of his heart, light but bright. I looked at him. This man deserves a noodle shop. Deserve a better life. Worthy knows that his wife has thirty million, but still chooses to stay in the house with four and a half thousand installments and eat meals with him. But there are people who don't think so. Three days later, the mother-in-law came again. This time it's not to cause trouble. It's to "apologize".

"Hieu Hieu, what happened the other day was my fault. Don't listen to what your sister says."

I poured tea for her.

“It's okay, mom.”

"I work at a bakery. The salary is small but stable. Mom supports me."

“Thank you mom.”

She took a sip of tea, put it down, and her voice began to change direction.

“But mom has something to discuss with you.”

I knew right away. It's time.

“Mom, tell me.”

"Lately, my sister has been having a hard time. Quoc Cuong was put on that list. She closed two stores and had no income. I think..."

“Mom, my salary is five thousand.”

I interrupted gently.

“I know, it's not I asked you to give me money, I just want you to help me with something."

"Quoc Cuong wants to reopen from scratch, change industries. I'm working at a bakery. He wants to learn a trade and later open his own shop."

I looked at her, but didn't say anything right away.

“He wants to learn baking?”

"That's right, he said before that business was too good, now he wants to do it again slowly. Can you help me talk to my friend?"

If To Dinh heard this sentence, he would probably throw a tray of croissants in his face.

"Mom, baking is not something you want to learn. To Dinh worked for six years to graduate."

“It doesn't take that long, just learn the basics.”

“If you learn a little, who will buy the cake?”

“So tell me what to do?”

“If he really wants to do it, then go apply for another job as an apprentice and start from scratch.”

“Working for hire? He was always the boss!”

“First he was the boss, now he is the one who has lost credibility, does he still have a choice?”

The mother-in-law's face changed.

“Hieu Hieu, why are you speaking more and more difficult to hear?”