Chapter 13 — Twenty Years of Reclaiming Justice

I looked out the window. The sun gradually sets. The afternoon clouds were as red as blood. I took out my phone. Dial a number that has been buried for twenty years. That number sequence has never changed. The phone rang three times. Then connected. On the other end of the line, a man's low, magnetic voice rang out. It's a voice that I can't forget for the rest of my life.

“Luc Khiem.”

My voice was calm and scary. The other end of the line immediately fell silent. Dead silence. I even heard his breathing suddenly become rapid. A long time later. He trembled and called my name.

“On... On Qing?”

"Tomorrow."

“Ten o'clock in the morning.”

“Abandoned textile factory south of the city.”

“I'm waiting for you.”

“Come alone.”

I hung up the phone directly. He will definitely come. Because it's in my hands. There's what he wants most. There's also the thing he's most afraid of. First move. I'm gone. It's his turn. The next morning. I arranged everything well. Tham Chu stayed at the hospital. Don't leave Nguyet Nguyet even half a step away. Luc Minh is in charge of working with Giang Ha's family. Handle all legal procedures behind the scenes. Tieu Nhien continued to use his communication system. Pushing the Duc Tai school scandal even higher. Put maximum pressure on schools and management agencies. And Co Bac. Become my most secret card in this action.

“Take this with you.”

Before going out the door. Co Bac gave me a brooch. At first glance, it looks like a normal piece of jewelry.

“This is a navigation device.”

“Also a recording device.”

“Within five kilometers.”

“I can pinpoint your exact location.”

“And heard the whole conversation.”

“If anything happens.”

“Your people will appear within three minutes.”

His eyes were calm and professional. I looked at my quietest son. Suddenly I felt warm inside. I put the pin on my collar.

“If there is no signal from mom.”

“No one can act.”

I drive a normal family car. Going south of the city alone. The abandoned factory is located on the edge of the urban area. Like an old steel monster sleeping. This place used to be the largest textile factory in the city. Then went bankrupt because of business losses. Twenty years ago. Tham Chan Hoa used all his assets to save it. In the end, everything was lost. The end of his career. It was also the end of his life. I stopped the car in front of the factory gate. Step down. Tall buildings covered with rust. Through broken glass. A scene of devastation can be seen inside. A wind blew. Rolled away with dust. At the same time, it brings a familiar perfume scent. The scent that Luc Khiem likes the most. He's here. I pushed open the half-closed iron door. The hinges squeaked. Echoed throughout the empty factory. In the middle of the factory. A man wearing a tailored suit was standing with his back to me. Tall figure. Back straight. Even if only seen from the back. One can still feel the aura of someone who has stood at the pinnacle of power for many years. Heard noise. He slowly turned around. Twenty years. Time seemed to favor him especially. Only a few more wrinkles appeared on the face. Deep eyes. The bridge of the nose is high and straight. Almost no change changed compared to previous years. Just in those eyes. There has been more experience. And also terrifying sharpness. He looked at me. The eyes are extremely complicated. And also greed.

“Thanh Thanh.”

He called softly. The voice was hoarse.

“I finally agreed to meet you.”

I looked at him. There are no waves in my heart. The man in front of me was once the brightest light of my youth. It was also the first hand that pushed me into the abyss.

“Luc Khiem.”

“Don't call me so intimate.”

My voice was colder than the air in the factory.

“Between us.”

“Not that close.”

Luc Khiem paused. The pain was clearly visible in his eyes. A long time later. He just spoke.

“It's been twenty years.”

“Do you still hate me?”

I laughed.

“Why should I hate you?”

“I should also thank you.”

"Thank you that year, with Tieu Chinh Duc and Co Truong Phong, you joined forces to chase me out of the capital."

“If it weren't for you guys.”

“How did I get here today?”

“How did I have four such excellent sons?”

I deliberately emphasized the word four people. Luc Khiem's face immediately changed. His eyes became hot and impatient.

“They…”

“Where are they?”

“Luc Minh…”

“Your son... is he alive and well?”

Look at that fake deep affection. I just feel nauseous.

“What does how he lives have to do with you?”

“Don't you have another son named Luc Vien?”

“One child is not enough?”

“Do you still want to adopt another child to inherit your dirty fortune?”

My words are like sharp blades. Stabbed straight into his heart.

“Thanh Thanh...”

“Do you have to talk to me like that?”