Chapter 14 — Women Don't Need To Be Chosen

A concept that in twenty-six years, I have never had. An hour later, I stood in front of the presidential suite of Kim Lang Hotel, my heart beating slowly but clearly. A woman over seventy years old sat on the sofa, wearing a red sweater, white hair but bright and warm eyes. As soon as she saw me, tears fell from her eyes.

“Is this Niem Niem?”

To Cam Hoa helped her stand up, her voice light.

“Mom, this is Niem Niem.”

The old woman walked over, her trembling hand grabbed my hand, touching it over and over as if afraid this was just an illusion.

“Similar, so similar… exactly like your mother when she was little.”

I stood there, held by a stranger's hand, but I didn't feel strange at all. Somewhere in my heart, it softens. As soon as those two words came out, my throat trembled. She pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly.

"It's miserable, my child."

To Cam Hoa turned away and quietly wiped her eyes. That afternoon, I stayed for three hours, listening to my grandmother tell me everything, the To family's story, my mother's story, and the entire twenty-six year journey to find a child who had been taken away.

"My mother named me To Niem, the word 'Niem' means to remember, to hope, to never forget for a day."

I always thought that name was given by my adoptive parents. Turns out it wasn't. It was the only thing my mother left me the day she left. When I stepped out of the hotel, it was already dark, the street lights lit up like stars falling on the city. To Cam Hoa saw me out the door.

“The story of the Co family…”

“You don't need to worry, I'll handle it myself.”

"Even though they have weakened, Co Thanh Cuong is still there. He is not like your father. He is the type of person who remembers his enemies for a long time. That year, he always doubted that you were still alive."

“Does he know who I am?”

“No, but sooner or later we'll find out.”

I looked straight at her, my voice cold and calm.

“Then let him come.”

To Cam Hoa looked at me, then burst out laughing.

“This trait of yours… is exactly like your mother.”

A week later, everything moved so fast that there was no time to stop. Luc Canh Tham officially filed for divorce in court, there is no turning back, no more beating around the bush. When Tien Ngoc Hoa heard the news, she immediately broke all the dishes in the house. The sound of broken porcelain sounded like the last crack of the so-called power she once held. Mr. Luc personally called her over, his voice heavy as if it weighed down the whole family.

"Aren't you enough? The company's stock dropped 12%, that video had tens of millions of views, how much more do you want to ruin it?"

“Dad, it's because of To Niem…”

"That person is To Cam Hoa's daughter. What do you use to fight? How many heads do you have to play with?"

Tien Ngoc Hoa was silent, but there was still a stubborn look in her eyes that refused to go away. She only temporarily backed down, but never gave in. At the same time, the medical AI project between Tham Mac and I officially started. Dinh Huy and Tinh Than Capital jointly invested, the first phase was 1,000,000,000 yuan, large enough for the entire financial world to watch. The signing ceremony was held very large, leaders at the provincial and city levels were all present, the lights flashed continuously like rain. Tham Mac and I stood in front of the signing table, pen touching paper, everything almost reshaped my position in the world. During the question and answer session, a reporter stood up.

"Mr. To, does your cooperation with Mr. Tham make Mrs. Luc unhappy? After all, the two sides had an investment relationship before?"

I held the microphone, my voice calm.

“Tinh Than Capital's investment decisions are always based on commercial logic, not related to personal relationships or projects. Luc Thi's project is currently in the audit stage, after which there will be a clear solution plan."

Another reporter immediately asked again, his eyes lit up as if he had caught the thread of the story.

“General To, there are rumors that you are the daughter of Mrs. To Cam Hoa, is this true?”

I glanced down at the front row, where To Cam Hoa was sitting. She nodded slightly at me, a very light nod but enough for me to understand. The whole hall erupted as if it were exploding, whispers rose into waves, flash lights flashed continuously like white rain filling the entire space.

“General Su! So do Tinh Than Capital and To Thi have a plan to merge?

“General Su! How is the divorce with Luc Thi progressing?

The constant questions seemed to want to rip through the atmosphere, but Tham Mac stepped forward and blocked them all.

"Today is the project signing ceremony. Please wait for other issues outside the content."

His voice was calm but carried pressure, causing others to automatically quiet down. The reporters quickly withdrew their microphones. After the signing ended, he and I met in the break room, the space was much quieter than outside.

“Thank you just now.”

"Nothing." He handed me a glass of water, "I have news, perhaps you should know."

"Co Thanh Cuong, a member of the second room of the Co family, arrived at Giang Thanh yesterday."

My hand paused for a moment.

“What did he come for?”

"I've asked someone to investigate. Last week he was in Shenzhen, met a few people related to To Thi, and was inquiring about Su Jinhua's 'missing daughter'."

“Does he know it's me?”

"It's not confirmed, but he knows To Cam Hoa is in Giang Thanh, and the hottest news here is you, sooner or later the pieces will be connected."

“Then let him continue.”

“To Niem.” He put down the glass of water, his eyes became serious, "Co Thanh Cuong is not like your father. Your father at least has limits, but he doesn't."

He paused for a moment, then continued, his voice deeper.