Chapter 2 — Unforgettable Taste

Waiter comes to order. The story also ends like that. That evening. Luc Chinh returned home. Change your slippers and walk into the living room. Everything remains the same. There's just one thing... To Niem is no longer there. Half the wardrobe is empty. On the sink, only his own toothbrush remained. The canvas shoes that were always covered in flour... also disappeared. So clean that... it was as if there had never been a second person in this house. He stood in the middle of the living room for nearly half a minute. Unmoved. Then turn on the TV. Switch to the financial channel. Lie down on the sofa, scroll through your phone. Everything… remains the same. Just a little quieter. He thought to himself — this is what I always wanted. A quiet place that is not disturbed by anyone. The next day. Luc Chinh came to the company as usual. As soon as he entered the door, assistant Tieu Vuong ran out to greet him, his expression a bit strange.

"Mr. Luc... a customer called this morning, wanting to terminate cooperation."

“Which guest?”

“Nim Chi Vi.”

Luc Chinh's footsteps stopped. This name… he was so familiar. The bakery brand has nationwide coverage and has expanded wildly in the past three years. At the end of last year, it just completed capital raising round B, valued at 800 million yuan. The investment management contract was worth 30 million yuan — his company had to fight extremely hard to get it.

"The other side didn't say anything. Just said it was the founder's decision. Effective immediately."

Luc Chinh frowned.

“Who is the founder of Niem Chi Vi…?”

"They are very secretive. The world only knows that person is extremely mysterious. Even his real name has never been made public, only using an English symbol - S.N."

Those two letters flashed through Luc Chinh's head. But he didn't stop.

"Contact them again. Ask clearly the reason. This business relationship cannot be lost."

Tieu Vuong nodded and immediately left. And Luc Chinh... Still standing there. For some reason, he suddenly felt a... very strange feeling in his heart. Something is slowly slipping out of reach. He walked into the office, temporarily putting that aside. He didn't know — S.N, was the abbreviation for Su Nian. It's also To Niem... the woman whose contact he just blocked yesterday. His mother, Mrs. Lam Tu Lan, called.

“A Chinh, are you divorced?”

The news spread really fast.

“Mom, I was originally planning to come home this weekend before I said…”

“Are you crazy?” Her voice suddenly rose high, sharp as a knife, "To Niem, what is wrong with you? You—"

“Mom, calm down.” Luc Chinh leaned back in his chair, his voice still steady, "You and her are not compatible. Divorce is just a matter of sooner or later."

“Not suitable?” She almost laughed out of anger, "Have you forgotten how he took care of me over the past three years? When I was in the hospital, it was he who was on duty 24/7, not me!"

"I know those things. But I also understand that living together is not just about taking care of the elderly—"

"So tell me, what do you criticize about it?"

"Mom..." He let out a breath, his voice starting to show annoyance, "She only earns 6,000 yuan a month. I took her out, people asked her what she did for a living, and she said she opened a bakery. What is your son's status in the financial world, and she—"

“Shut your mouth, Mom!”

The sound exploded in my ears.

"Did you forget that in 2019, you owed 800,000 yuan and who helped you pay? I thought it was the money your father left behind? I'll tell you, that money belongs to your father—"

She suddenly stopped again. Like I almost said something.

“What do you mean by dad?”

"… Nothing." She lowered her voice, but still coldly, "You just need to remember - you are sorry to To Niem."

The call was cut off. Luc Chinh sat still. An unexplained feeling of uneasiness arose in my heart. That debt of 800,000 years... he always thought he would use his late father's savings to make up for it. But mother's attitude just now... What is being hidden? He shook his head. Don't want to think more. Anyway... that woman selling bread no longer had anything to do with him. Tien Vi moved in. After Luc Chinh erased all traces of To Niem, she carried two suitcases and entered this house. She changed the curtains. Change sofa covers. Replace the entire set of dishes. The living room has been completely "renovated".

"Who designed this kitchen? The flow is terrible." Tien Vi opened the cupboard, inside there were still a few jars of jam made by To Niem, "What are these? Throw them all away, okay?"

“Yes, throw it away.”

Tien Vi conveniently picked up a jar of blueberry jam. Flip to the back. The slender handwritten text appears:

“Blueberry jam — March 15, 2024

Use within 3 months For Luc Chinh” She did not hesitate. Throw it straight into the trash. Dull sound. Like throwing away a piece of memory.

"Oh right, how's the contract with Niem Chi Vi? Can you get it back yet?" Tien Vi asked while wiping the table.

"Not yet." Luc Chinh replied briefly, "That side is very tough. They withdrew all 30 million."

"Don't say. Just telling is the founder's personal decision."

Tien Vi frowned.

"What kind of work is that arbitrary? But... how big can a bread maker's vision be?"

Luc Chinh said nothing. The three words "making bread" fell upon his ears... making him feel unreasonably uncomfortable. Like being pricked by needles. But can't ignore it. He lost sleep. Tien Vi lay next to him, sleeping soundly, breathing steadily. Just look up at the ceiling. The image of To Niem appeared in my mind. For the past three years, she has always slept here. And always wake up at four in the morning. The bakery opens at six o'clock. She had to be there at five o'clock to prepare. Not a single day of interruption. Never once did I wake up early because of her. He turned over. Tell yourself not to think anymore. But the more I try to forget... the clearer the memory becomes. Monday morning. Something happened to the company. During the briefing, boss Chau - the major shareholder - turned pale.

“Everyone, the chain reaction from Niem Chi Vi withdrawing capital… has begun.”

He stopped for a beat. Voice hoarse.

“Their affiliated brands — ‘Dao Yu Mo’ and ‘Dieu Thoi Quang’ — also ended their cooperation.”

“Together… the total value is 80 million yuan (~308 billion).”

80 million yuan. For a mid-range investment fund like them, this is absolutely not a number that can be taken lightly.

"The most important thing is..." Boss Chau glanced at Luc Chinh, his voice lowered, "A news is spreading in the world - the founder of Niem Chi Vi has directly spoken out, personally refusing to cooperate with us. Luc Chinh, who have you offended? These three brands are all under your responsibility."

“I have never offended anyone.” Luc Chinh stood up, his voice determined. “The founder of Niem Chi Vi, I have never met him.”

“So why are they pointing out your name?”

Luc Chinh... couldn't answer. After the meeting, Tien Vi stopped him in the hallway.