Chapter 18 — Thirty Million And One Man's Worth

“It's Hieu Hieu's money, right?”

“I spent money.”

I leaned against the door frame, speaking very softly as if I was just repeating a small matter.

“My salary is 5,000, where do I get 150,000?”

Chu Minh Le looked at me, his voice full of doubt.

"Save."

"Saving? Salary 5,000, saving for several years to get 150,000, do you think I'm stupid?"

"Are you done asking? Do you want a bowl of noodles?"

I don't bother explaining further.

"I'm not eating, I'm here to see what my little brother is like when you lead him around."

Her mother-in-law gently pulled her hand.

"Okay, when you're here, let's eat a bowl of noodles."

Chu Minh Vien returned to the kitchen. The two of them sat down. Two bowls of minced meat noodles were brought out, the hot steam rising up was fragrant. The mother-in-law took a bite and her whole body stopped.

“This taste…”

“Dad's recipe.” Chu Minh Vien stood next to him, his voice low.

Her eyes turned red very quickly, tears kept falling, she put down her chopsticks to wipe them away.

“Your father's skills… if he were still alive, he would be happy to see you like that.”

Chu Minh Le also ate a bite, without saying anything, then another bite, still silent, finished almost the entire bowl before putting down his chopsticks.

“The taste is okay.”

For the first time, she complimented without sarcasm. But the next sentence is still familiar to Chu Minh Le.

“But how much do you earn selling noodles? 18 yuan a bowl, selling a hundred bowls a day is 1,800, minus expenses, you earn more than 10,000 a month, but you still have to go to work.”

“You mind your own business.”

Chu Minh Vien spoke very calmly.

“I only care about you.”

“You should pay off your 1,200,000 first.”

Her expression immediately changed.

“That's your problem.”

“So the noodle shop is also my thing.”

The air freezes for a few seconds. Mother-in-law quickly intervened.

"Forget it, Minh Vien just keep making noodles well, your sister won't bother prying too much, it's fine as a family."

She stood up to prepare to leave. When she walked to the door, she saw the store "Khom Nho" next door.

“What shop is this?”

“Bakery, where Hieu Hieu works.”

She muttered then pushed the door open and entered. The 160 square meter space is bright, the shelves are full of cakes, the smell of butter spreads from the baking area, and the experience area has a few customers making their own cakes under the guidance of To Dinh. Right next to the cashier counter was a large poster—

“‘Mach Thoi Quang’ × ‘Small Space’ – upcoming joint venture product.”

Her mother-in-law stood watching, Chu Minh Le also walked in.

"Joint venture? What is it?"

To Dinh walked over, smiling professionally.

"Hello."

“This is my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.”

I introduce. She paused for a moment and then laughed.

“Hello ladies, do you want to sit down and have some tea?”

"No need." Chu Minh Le stared at the poster.

“Are you guys cooperating with Hoa Ngoc?”

“Yes, the joint venture product line will launch next month.”

“Hoa Ngoc…how many billions does the group have in revenue?”

Chu Minh Le turned to me. Her eyes were different. It's no longer a top-down view. It's… reassessment.

“I have a salary of 5,000 and this shop can cooperate with Hoa Ngoc?”

To Dinh was about to open her mouth when I gently touched her hand.

"It's because To Dinh is good, his skills were noticed by Mr. Tran. It has nothing to do with me, I'm just running errands."

“It's really irrelevant?”

“I'm just an extra.”

Chu Minh Le looked at me for five seconds, said nothing, then pulled her mother-in-law and left. Waiting for them to leave, To Dinh turned to me.

“Why don't you let me speak?”

“Say nothing, say this shop is mine, then she'll be sure I have it money, then come back and ask for it?”

“How long are you going to hide it?”

“Until she no longer needs the money.”

“When is she not needed?”

“When Thai Quoc Cuong's debt is over, when she learns to stand up for herself.”

To Dinh shook his head.

“You are so generous.”

"It's not about being generous, it's about not wanting to waste energy on useless things. If you have time, it's better to make money."

The day the joint venture product was launched, I decided to tell Chu Minh Vien everything. That night, the noodle shop closed, the two of us sat in the shop, he drank beer, I drank apricot juice.

“Minh Vien.”

“There's something I haven't told you yet.”

“‘Khoa Nho’ is not owned by To Dinh, he and I opened it together.”

He put down the beer can.

“I am a major shareholder.”