Chapter 21 — When I Was Forced to Quit My Job at the Age of 40, I Became the President of a Hundred Billion Company

It's a strange number.

"Hello, is that Dr. To Vy? I'm a reporter for Finance Magazine. I heard that you left Hoa Thuy to start a business, we want to interview..."

"Sorry, I'm inconvenient right now."

"So can we meet you another time?"

"Wait until the day the company opens."

"Okay, okay."

"Ah yes, what is the name of your new company?"

I looked at the busy traffic in front of me. People pass by non-stop.

"The name is still undecided."

"But the direction has already been determined."

"What direction?"

"Research on therapeutic drugs based on extracellular technology and stem cells."

"Making medicines that can actually cure diseases."

I called a taxi.

"Where to?"

the driver asked.

"High-tech startup zone."

Three years later. Biological Microbiology completes funding round C. Company valuation reaches eight billion yuan. The company's self-developed targeted drug using extracellular technology has entered phase III clinical trials. If successful, this will be the first exosomal treatment drug licensed in China. I stood on the top floor of the new office building. Quietly looking at the city outside the glass window. Secretary Tieu Luu knocked on the door and entered.

"The meeting with investors this afternoon has been prepared."

"One more thing."

"Academician Tran just called. There's an academic forum next week, he wants to invite you to be the main speaker."

"How can I refuse?"

"Tell him I will participate."

Tieu Luu turned around to go out, then suddenly stopped.

"President Su, someone wants to see you."

"He said he was your old friend."

"Ha Van Xuyen."

I paused a bit. Two minutes later. Ha Van Xuyen appeared in front of the office door. Three years no see. He has aged quite a bit. The sides of his hair are streaked with silver.

"Dr. To."

He smiled.

"Congratulations."

"Mr. Ha, please sit down."

"No need."

"I just came to tell you something."

He took out a file of documents from his briefcase.

"Last year Thien Hop Duoc Nghiep was acquired."

"The new owner is an American pharmaceutical corporation."

"I left too."

I looked at him.

"So I want to ask..."

"Is Microbiology still lacking people?"

I quietly looked at him.

"You know I don't trust people that easily."

"I know."

He nodded.

"But I also know that you are a person of principles."

"If I really had bad intentions, you would never give me a second chance."

I was silent for a few seconds. Then he spoke up:

"Send your CV to my email."

Ha Van Xuyen was momentarily stunned. Then burst out laughing. He turned to leave, but stopped.

"Dr. To."

"There's something I've always wanted to say."

"That year..."

"What's going on?"

"Everything."

I watched his back disappear behind the door. There are stories. An apology is not enough. But there are also people. If you really want to change. Can still give them another chance. Not forgiveness. It's letting go. The meeting with investors that afternoon went smoothly beyond expectations. Three investment funds jointly invested five hundred million yuan. The terms are very good. During signing. An investor suddenly asked:

"General Su, what is your goal?"

"Five more years of listing."

"Valuation of one hundred billion."

"What if we can't achieve it?"

I put down the pen.

"Then ten years."

"I have a lot of time."

Everyone laughed.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

"Me too."

After the meeting ends. I sat alone in the office. Outside the glass window is the sunset. Still the same color. Just like the afternoon three years ago, when I left Hoa Thuy. The phone suddenly vibrated. It's a message from a girl.

"Mom! I received the acceptance letter!"

I looked at the text on the screen. The nose bridge suddenly.

"Congratulations, baby."

The message was immediately sent back.

"In the future I will be as good as mom!"

I smiled. Type each letter.

"You don't have to be like your mother."

"You just need to be yourself."

I put down the phone. Slowly walk to the window. Three years ago. At the age of forty-three. I left Hoa Thuy. Start again from the beginning. Three years later. My company is valued at eight billion yuan. The first drug we researched ourselves is about to officially hit the market. But what makes me most proud... It's not those numbers. The thing that made me most proud was when I was forty years old. When cornered. I did not accept my fate. I choose to protest. Choose to prove yourself. Choose to walk the hardest path. But it is also the path that retains the most self-esteem. I stand on a stage that I built myself. Look at the sunset in the distance. People who looked down on me. Used to hurt me. Once wanted to trample me underfoot... How are they doing now? Tien Duc Minh is on probation. Tien Dat Pham does odd jobs abroad. Tu Bac's whereabouts are unknown. Ha Van Xuyen is now a candidate for my company. I'm standing here. Live very well. The phone rang again. It's Tieu Luu.

"It's time to go home."

I hold my bag. Leave the office. I was alone in the elevator. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Forty-six years old. The corners of the eyes have a few wrinkles. But his eyes were brighter than ever before. This is my life. Take it with your own hands. Every step. All worth it. When walking out of the building. The sky was dark. I raised my head and looked up. Each star in turn lit up in the middle of the night. Suddenly I remembered that afternoon six years ago. Day Tien Dat Pham threw the salary reduction agreement in front of me and sneered:

"Who out there would want to accept a forty-year-old woman like you?"

I am now forty-six years old. There are a lot of people out there who want me. But I don't need anyone to choose me. I chose myself. I called a car. Read the home address. The driver looked through the rearview mirror.

"Overtime until now?"

"Almost the same."

"Being a boss is awesome."

I watched the street lights pass by outside the window.

"Not extreme."

"Doing what you love is not extreme."

The car stopped in front of the residential area gate. I got off the car. Raise your head and look up. The lights in the house are still on. Mom is waiting for me. My son is also waiting for me. That's my life. Not perfect. But complete. There is regret. But no regrets. There are injuries. But it's more than just power. I walked into the hallway. Press the elevator button. I walked inside. Press your floor. The elevator slowly went up. The road ahead is still very long. But I'm not afraid anymore. Because the hardest part of the road... I've already passed it. Front. All are scenery.