Chapter 2 — Thirty Million And One Man's Worth

It took me all morning to divide thirty million into three parts. Ten million to buy a safe investment package, interest rate 4.5% per year, annual profit 450,000. Ten million to buy an apartment in the school district, full payment. On the book there is only my name. The remaining ten million, keep 2 million in cash, invest 8 million in a private fund introduced by you. Leaving the bank, I went to the basement of the shopping center to eat a bowl of noodles for 18 yuan. After eating, he wiped his mouth and sent Chu Minh Vien a text message.

“The interview is over, I feel fine.”

He answered immediately.

"That's great! Tonight I'll cook your favorite braised ribs."

I stared at that message. This man. Monthly salary 8,500. Because of me, I paid my sister's deposit. Because of me, I'm patient at the dinner table. Because of my bowl of braised ribs, I'm busy worrying. As for me… I have thirty million. It's not that I don't want to tell you. But I don't dare. Not afraid of him changing, but afraid of the people around him changing... then he couldn't stand it. The following week, I "looked for a job" very seriously. Every day, I leave the house at eight o'clock in the morning and return at six o'clock at night. I actually do three things. One is to see the floor plan. The city center has a new commercial area, beautiful location, rent has not increased yet. Second is learning to invest. Thirty million is not a small number, I can't just throw money away. Third is observation. Observe the faces that appear when I "fall". On the third day, my mother-in-law called.

“Hieu Hieu, how are you finding a job?”

“I'm still sending my CV, mom.”

"Sigh, you really are... your job is getting better and better. Look at your sister - your brother-in-law's spa is doing very well now, last month's revenue was two hundred thousand."

I said nothing. I already looked it up. Thai Quoc Cuong's three spa salons, two of them are losing money. The so-called "revenue of two hundred thousand", excluding rent, labor, and products, the profit is less than twenty thousand. Furthermore, I still owe the supplier 1,200,000 for the goods. But I won't say these things.

“Mom, I will try.”

"You have to learn from your sister. Minh Le married Quoc Cuong, she doesn't need to work, she lives comfortably."

Chu Minh Vien came home from work and saw that my face was not okay.

“Did your mother say something again?”

"No. Just asking about work."

He sighed and hung up his coat.

“I told her not to rush you.”

"No problem."

He went into the kitchen. I heard the sound of cutting knives. Then the sound of boiling oil crackling. Then his voice rang out.

“Understanding.”

"No matter how long you search, don't rush to accept it. You deserve better."

The knife fell onto the cutting board, each stroke clicking loudly. For some reason, my eyes suddenly became hot. Thirty million, I can't tell anyone. But this man… sooner or later, I have to give you an answer. Friday night, Chu Minh Le called again. This time it's not for Chu Minh Vien. Which is for me.

“Hieu Hieu, are you home?”

“Yes, sister.”

“Have you found a job yet?”

“Not yet.”

"Oh my god, it's been almost half a month, right? Is there a problem with your major? Or go to Quoc Cuong's place to work, there's a shortage of people there to do odd jobs—no, a shortage of assistants. Monthly salary of 3,500 yuan, lunch included."

She spoke very seriously.

“Let me find out more.”

"Don't criticize too much. Now I have no income, it's very difficult for Minh Vien to pay the house bills alone. I'm doing it for the good of both of us."

“Thank you.”

“Ah yes,” her voice changed tone, “week After my birthday, will you two come?”

“What day?”

“Next Saturday. Quoc Cuong and I booked a seafood restaurant, a table costs 3,800 yuan. When the two of you come, Minh Vien will contribute some money to celebrate, 600 is enough. It's okay if you don't come, it's up to you."

She offered a meal for 3,800, then forced her brother to contribute 600.

“Let me discuss it with Minh Vien.”

“Yes, tell him.”

Chu Minh Vien came out of the bathroom, drying his hair.

“Who called that?”

“My sister. Next week for my birthday, ask me to come eat and donate 600 coins to celebrate."

His movement of wiping his hair paused for a moment.

“Are you sure?”

"It's my birthday, it's no good if I don't go."

I looked at him.

“Minh Vien, how much savings do you have left?”

He didn't answer.

“How much?”

“…more than ten thousand.”

Return 12,000 deposit, get 8,000. Adding up this month's salary, minus housing and living expenses... there's more than 10,000 left. More than ten thousand... is all his "support". Meanwhile, my investment, in just half a month, made a profit of 15,000.

“Go.” I said.

“Going to my sister's birthday party. I want to go too.”

He was a bit surprised.

“Do you think you've got it figured out?”

“I want to see.”

“See what?”

I smiled softly.

“Look at that 3,800 yuan seafood restaurant… is it worth it?”

Saturday, seafood restaurant. Chu Minh Le booked a private room on the second floor. When we arrived, Thai Quoc Cuong was standing outside the door welcoming guests. Next to him was a man in a suit, over thirty years old, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking quite elegant. Thai Quoc Cuong leaned closer and lowered his voice.

“Minh Vien, this is your new partner, general manager Trinh. People work in the cosmetic supply chain, earning five hundred thousand. I'm discussing cooperation, don't talk nonsense later."

Chu Minh Vien nodded. We entered the room. The round table already seated seven or eight people. Chu Minh Le's close friend, Thai Quoc Cuong's friends, and Vuong Tu Phan's mother-in-law. Seeing me, Chu Minh Le raised her eyebrows.

“Hieu Hieu, how simple is your dress today?”

I wore a sweater I bought last year and jeans. It's really simple.

“Looking for a job, saving a little.”

“That's right.” She turned and smiled at you.

Not long after sitting down, Thai Quoc Cuong started ordering. King crab, Boston lobster, live abalone, geoducks... Call the whole table. I looked at the prices on the menu. One king crab 1,280. His spa profit is less than 20,000 a month, but one meal costs 3,800. Where does the money come from? The answer is obvious - over the years Minh Vien "helped", his sister never considered it a loan. Halfway through the table, Chu Minh Le raised his glass and stood up.

“Thank you everyone for coming to wish me a happy birthday. I would like a drink, please.”

Everyone clinked glasses. Then she turned to the other General Trinh.

“Mr. Trinh, it's a pleasure to meet you today. Quoc Cuong has already said that his cosmetic supply chain is doing very well. If we cooperate, both sides will definitely benefit."

General Trinh smiled and nodded.

"Mr. Thai's spa has a good reputation, I also look forward to this cooperation."

Thai Quoc Cuong quickly responded.

“President Trinh, I have already prepared a cooperation plan. It's just that the first phase requires a revolving capital, roughly—"

He glanced at Chu Minh Vien.

“About 500,000.”

Under the table, Chu Minh Vien's hand tightened. I looked at Thai Quoc Cuong's face. Every family gathering is a scenario. First boasting, then complaining about poverty, finally reaching out to Chu Minh Vien. Chu Minh Le put the glass down.

"Little brother, Quoc Cuong really has a good project this time. If you can manage it—"

"Sister," Chu Minh Vien interrupted, "I can't manage it. Hieu Hieu hasn't found a job yet, and now I can't save much each month."

Chu Minh Le's face changed.

“I can't get it out even if I get fifty thousand?”

“Not even fifty thousand.”

“Chu Minh Vien!” Her voice rose high, "You are my biological younger brother! I asked you to give fifty thousand to help your brother-in-law's career, but you refused?"

Mother-in-law put down her chopsticks.

"Minh Vien, what your sister said is not without reason. We are all family—"

“Mom,” Chu Minh Vien's voice was very low, “I really don't.”

The private room was silent for a few seconds. President Trinh awkwardly took a sip of tea. Thai Quoc Cuong smiled wryly twice.

"It's okay, it's okay, don't force it. Oh right Minh Vien, when will my sister-in-law find a job? It's not okay if it continues like this."

I put down my chopsticks.

“Mr. Thai.”

“How much revenue did your spa make last month?”

Thai Quoc Cuong paused.

“Two hundred thousand, what?”

“So after deducting rent, labor, product costs, electricity and water management fees... how much is the net profit?”

His face turned pale.

“This… business is not just looking at net profit.”

"Your three stores, the Nam Thanh branch lost 140,000 last year, the Bac Thanh branch lost 80,000, only the walking street store is profitable, more than 20,000 per month. Currently you still owe the supplier 1,200,000 for goods, right?"

The whole room was as quiet as paper. They all looked at me. Chu Minh Le reacted first.