Chapter 20 — Three-Year Savings Book and Fraudulent Marriage

Spring next year. I received a letter. The sender is Chu Thuy. Delivery address from another city. I was originally planning on throwing it away. But in the end, I still opened it. Inside there was only a sheet of paper. Familiar handwriting. By the time you read this letter, I'll probably have already left town. Your mother is gone. Not because of illness. But because of the years she spent destroying herself. After being released from prison, she lived a very lonely life. No more company. No more money. No one wants to listen to her talk anymore. Perhaps this is retribution. I thought for a long time. I just realized that what he lost was never one million five hundred thousand yuan. The only person who was ever honest with him. But when I realized it, it was too late. I don't expect you to forgive me. Just want to say one thing. I finished reading. Fold the letter. Then put it in the shredder. The sound of paper being crushed was very faint. It's like a piece of the past has finally completely disappeared. I don't hate him. There are no longer any emotions. There are people. Only suitable to appear in a certain stage of life. When that road ends. They should leave too. Afternoon. I attended the opening ceremony of a new company. The sign in front of the door clearly states: Tri Y Financial Consulting Company. I stood in front of the glass door. See your own reflection. Thirty years old. Stable career. Assets exceed ten million yuan. Healthy parents. Friends nearby. No longer have to rely on anyone. There's also no need to prove anything to anyone. The host brought the microphone over.

“General Lam.”

“Can I share a sentence with the young women who are following your journey?”

I took the microphone. Think for a few seconds. Then smile.

“Don't put your future in other people's hands.”

“The same goes for money.”

“Love is the same.”

“Because the most trustworthy thing in this world…”

“It's the ability that makes you stand up at any time.”

Applause rang out. I gently squeezed his hand.

“Because I understand the value of every penny.”

To Man invited me out to eat. She brought a bottle of wine.

“I heard that.”

“CEO?”

“Your news is really fast.”

“A wide relationship.”

“Come on, finish your glass.”

We clinked glasses.

“Now it seems like you've completely turned the tables.”

"Three years ago, when you stood in the bank and looked at Chu Thuy's pale face, did you ever think this day would come?"

I thought a bit.

“Never.”

“So what did you think at that time?”

“I thought about what my mother used to say.”

“I keep this money myself.”

“Don't give it to anyone.”

To Man raised his glass.

“Respect your mother.”

“Dear my mother.”

Two more years passed. I am thirty years old. The financial consulting company under Minh Vien achieves revenue of more than 80,000,000 yuan per year. As for the value of my personal assets... No need to say specific numbers anymore. In this city anyway. Also considered very respectable. About Chu Thuy's news. Over the past two years, I've only heard it a few times. His house was eventually repossessed by the bank. He had to move back to live in Chu Kien Quoc's old house in the old neighborhood. The guaranteed debt has been paid for more than three years. But there are still more than 600,000 yuan outstanding. Salary 18,000 yuan per month. 30% deduction. Plus personal debts. Life is quite difficult. After the probation period expires. Trieu Phuong is no longer in business. I heard the spirit is not be stabilized. All day long, I'm suspicious and afraid. I happened to meet Chu Kien Quoc on the street. He was riding an old tram. Stop before the red light. Saw me driving by in a new Volvo. His eyes followed the car for a long time. But didn't say hello. I didn't stop either. There are people. Once has become a thing of the past. It's forever in the past. My thirtieth birthday. The whole company held a small party. On the cake there are only four words written:

“Happy birthday.”

Director Luu arrived. Tran Kien Minh arrived. To Man also came. There is also Phuong Vien. She has returned from the South. Currently working as a customer manager at a formal financial company. Just saw me. She brought a gift box.

“Ms. Tri Y.”

"Happy birthday."

Inside is a bracelet. Not expensive. But very beautiful.

“Thank you.”

She smiled.

“Thank you for not pursuing me that year.”

“You made the right choice.”

Phuong Vien nodded slightly. Say nothing more. After the birthday party ended. I stood alone in front of the company's floor-to-ceiling glass door. Thirty years old. Have your own company. Have trustworthy friends. Having parents who always love me. Have a life that is completely your own. The phone vibrates. A strange phone number. I didn't pick up the phone. At moment later. There is a message sent.

“Hello, Ms. Tri Y.”

“I am Co Ngon, the person introduced by Director Liu.”

“Sorry for bothering you.”

“I want to buy you a cup of coffee, I wonder if it's convenient?”

I looked at the message. Think for a few seconds. Then answer:

“This Saturday afternoon.”

“Coffee shop in Area One, south of the city.”

Put the phone down. The sunlight outside the window is just beautiful. I walked to the desk. Open the plan for the next project. The first page has a line of text.

“Every choice will ultimately lead you to the path that truly belongs to you.”

That sentence was written by me. Not a quote. Nor are they the words of famous people. Just something I realized after those years. There are people who appear to teach us how to love. There are people who appear to teach us how to stay awake. There are also events that seem like abyss. It's another stairway that leads us to a better life. I closed the file. Outside the glass door. The city is still glowing. And life ahead. END OF STORY.