Chapter 15 — Thirty Million And One Man's Worth

"Mom, I'm not hard of hearing, I'm telling the truth, he owes a million and two, closed two stores, his assets are frozen, if he doesn't start over again, then why will he get up, study for a few months and then open a store, where will the money come from, where will the machinery come from, where will the raw materials come from, where will the rent come from?"

The mother-in-law was silent, her eyes clearly wavering as if she had just been pulled out of a familiar belief that she had kept for many years.

“Let me guess… do you want Minh Vien to spend money again?”

I spoke, my voice not high but clear enough.

“Mom didn't say—”

I interrupted, looking straight at her. She looked back at me, a bit unfamiliar with this way of speaking frankly.

"Minh Vien has just been promoted, his salary is 12,000, every day he leaves at six in the morning and only returns at ten at night. He is taking care of this house. My salary of 5,000 doesn't help much, but at least I won't let others continue to waste him."

“Quoc Cuong is not an outsider.”

She still tried to maintain the old argument.

“He is your son-in-law, not your son, his career should not be built on sacrificing your son.”

I speak very slowly. Mother-in-law stood up. Then sit down again. There was a long silence.

“What you say… makes sense.”

First time. She said that. I was a bit surprised.

“But with my sister…”

"On my side, let her handle it herself. She's not incapable, she's just used to relying on Minh Vien, that habit needs to be broken."

Mother-in-law sat for a long time. When she stood up, she turned around at the door, her voice low.

“Hieu Hieu, mother treated you poorly in the past...don't take it to heart.”

“No mom.”

I closed the door and leaned my back against it. Don't keep it in mind? But at least— She was starting to listen to me. That's enough. Thai Quoc Cuong's story does not follow her mother-in-law's script. But it hasn't stopped yet. Because he changed his target. Not me. It's To Dinh. The second week after the exhibition, To Dinh received a call.

"To Dinh, right? I'm Thai Quoc Cuong, Chu Minh Vien's brother-in-law."

“I know you, what's the matter?”

“I heard that your side is discussing cooperation with Hoa Ngoc?”

To Dinh's face immediately changed.

“Where did you hear it?”

“Just in the industry, I also worked in supply chain before, wanted to talk to see if I could join.”

“Join what?”

"Hoa Ngoc's order is big, isn't it? A small store like you probably can't handle it all. I have connections, channels, and can help with distribution."

To Dinh almost threw the phone.

"Thai Quoc Cuong, you are on the discredit list, your account is still frozen, what qualifications do you have to work as a distributor?"

“Well… it's okay to use someone else's name—”

She hung up straight, then immediately called me.

“Hieu Hieu, Thai Quoc Cuong found me.”

“I knew this day would come.”

“He said he wanted to become a distributor, what does a guy with bad debt do?”

“He didn't do it, he just wanted to follow along to share the share.”

“So what now?”

"Don't pay attention. When he came looking for you, he said everything had to go through me. He didn't dare to face me directly."

“Because in front of me, he doesn't have any cards.”

To Dinh was silent for a few seconds.

“Hieu Hieu… do you think Chu Minh Le will be like this all his life?”

“I don't know, that's her choice.”

“Don't you hate her?”

I thought a bit.

“I don't hate it, but I won't let her touch the things I value.”

“What do you value?”

“Chu Minh Vien, this store, and uncle."

The other end of the line said nothing. A moment later, a hoarse voice was heard.

“I'm not moved.”

"Yes, if you don't feel moved then go knead the dough, you have to send the sample to Hoa Ngoc tomorrow."

“I know… madam.”

“I'm a partner, not a boss.”

Cooperation with Hoa Ngoc officially started. The first month, the order included 5,000 soft cinnamon rolls, 3,000 handmade croissants, 2,000 boxes of French macarons, total value 380,000. To Dinh brought two new workers, working in shifts, with almost no days off to keep up with the schedule. I take care of the back end: importing ingredients, working with shipping, handling finances, and also looking at premises for the second store. A month later, a response was sent from Hoa Ngoc. Cinnamon flower soft cakes trial sold at high-end supermarkets achieved very good results, selling 1,200 pieces in three days, priced at 28 yuan each, and the customer return rate reached 32%. Tran Ngoc Hoa personally called.

“Hieu Hieu, next month I want to double my orders, can you keep up?”

“Keeping up, we are expanding production.”

“Okay, as for the brand association—”

“Three months, one million per month, I remember.”

“You're quite calm.”

“If you don't calm down, you have to stay calm.”

She smiled and hung up. I sat down, took out my pen, and started calculating.