Chapter 17 — Your Own Face

"Don't say nice things."

Pho Nghien Tu suddenly took out a file bag from behind.

"Not easy to hear..."

"...also."

I take it. Inside is the entire declaration of his personal assets. Same ownership structure diagram of Thanh Lam Investment Fund. I looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

He smiled softly.

"I once asked you..."

"...in the end, there are still so many things hidden from me."

"I don't want..."

"...leaves me guessing."

I flipped through a few pages. Then she raised her head and looked at him.

"You gave all of this to me."

"Aren't you afraid that I will divide your property?"

Pho Nghien Tu looked at me. His eyes were extremely serious.

"If you want."

I closed the file.

"Pho Nghien Tu."

"I still haven't forgiven you."

"I know."

"We can try..."

"...get acquainted again from the beginning."

His eyes immediately flashed with joy. I looked at him.

"From today."

"Don't arbitrarily decide for me."

"Don't use money to pressure me."

"No way..."

"...every time I don't open my mouth, I rush out to be a hero."

He paused for a moment.

"This..."

"...I'll try."

I glared. He immediately corrected his words. I slightly curled the corners of my lips. One month later. Van Hoa's new brand line officially operates independently. First batch of orders. Exceeded the 120 million yuan mark. The Board of Directors also officially confirmed the number of shares my mother left behind. I became... One of the youngest female board members of Van Hoa. Khuong Thanh Hai was asked to return all the profits he had seized for many years. He didn't go to jail. There was also no noisy ending. No one in the business world invites him to sit at the table anymore. For someone like him who values face all his life. That hurts more than any punishment. Every time Khuong Thanh Hai is mentioned. Everyone only said one sentence.

"Even the biological daughter's shares are accounted for."

Khuong Van Van could not find a decent job. Every time I go for an interview at a different company. People just need to ask about the time they worked at Van Hoa. She was confused and couldn't answer. There was one time. I ran into her in the mall. I just finished the cooperation discussion with Ms. Luong. And Khuong Van Van. Wearing staff uniform. Stand behind the counter. We looked at each other from afar. She reflexively bowed her head. I didn't step forward either. She didn't call me either. It's not reconciliation. But she finally understood. There are roads. You can't just cry... ...and come back. Half a year later. Van Hoa's new brand line is valued at 1.2 billion yuan. Thanh Lam Investment Fund does not hold controlling power. Only participate as a strategic investor. During the signing ceremony. Tong Hoai An sat opposite me. When I brought the pen over. He said softly.

"If that year..."

"...you did not sign the dismissal decision..."

I raised my eyes to look at him.

"There are no ifs."

He laughed to himself.

"That's right."

Next to me. Pho Nghien Tu sat very quietly. Quiet... To the point where it doesn't look like him at all. After signing, applause rang out. Director Vuong smiled and said:

"President Khuong, congratulations."

I corrected it.

"Just call me Khuong Nam So."

Mrs. Luong raised her glass.

"Nam So, women have to be like that. You have to sit firmly on your own position."

I smiled.

"Dear to all those who refused to give up their seats."

The applause grew louder more resounding. That night, Pho Nghien Tu took me to the noodle shop we used to go to often. The boss still remembers us.

"It's been a while since you two stopped by. Still two bowls of beef noodles?"

Pho Nghien Tu looked at me. I nodded.

"A bowl without onions."

The boss laughed.

"Remember, this girl doesn't eat onions."

Pho Nghien Tu paid. I looked at him.

"Do you still eat this dish, General Manager Deputy?"

He gave me chopsticks.

"General Manager Deputy can eat anything."

"Pho Nghien Tu just wants to eat with you."

I bowed my head to eat noodles. The rising heat blinds your eyes. He asked softly:

"Can we start again?"

I put down my chopsticks.

"Where to start?"

"From your honesty."

"And you choose."

I looked at him.

"Then answer me one question first."

"You should ask."

"If one day I don't need you anymore, what will you do?"

He did not hesitate.

"Then I'll stand somewhere not too far from you."

"When you need me, I'm there."

"When you don't need me, I won't bother."

I nodded slightly.

"Meets requirements."

He laughed.

"Just met the requirements?"

"Pho Nghien Tu."

"Eight years of hiding..."

"...it's not easy to get good grades."

"So you take the test again."

I couldn't help but laugh. He also laughed. One year later. Van Hoa's new brand line was separated from the group, establishing Nam Hoa Brand Company. I hold 32% of the shares. Thanh Lam holds 15% of the shares. Van Hoa retains the right to cooperate. First year revenue reached 1.8 billion yuan. The staff increased from thirty people to two hundred and sixty people. Lam Thu became head of the marketing department. At the year-end party, she drank too much and hugged me and cried.

"I finally have a business card."

I patted her shoulder.

"Don't be late tomorrow."

Lam Thu immediately sobered up.

"Boss, you're so cruel."

The whole hall laughed. Pho Nghien Tu stepped onto the stage. This time, he did not appear as founder Thanh Lam. The presenter introduces:

"Please invite Mr. Pho Nghien Tu, strategic advisor of Nam Hoa Brand."

Below, someone immediately shouted:

"Also a family member of General Director Khuong!"

Pho Nghien Tu held the microphone, his eyes fell on me.

"The identity of this family member..."

"I asked for an official transfer a long time ago."

The whole hall clapped and howled loudly. I stood under the stage, arms crossed, looking at him.

"Where is the official transfer application?"

Qi Vien immediately handed over a bag of documents. I was stunned. Pho Nghien Tu stepped in front of me. Inside the file bag are not shares. Nor is it property. It's a very thick album. The past eight years. The noodle shop we used to eat at. The small room we used to live in. The restaurant the day I got promoted. A note in the hospital hallway while my parents were in the hospital. Each page is clearly dated. The last page is blank. He gave me the pen.

"This page..."

"I decide what to write."

I looked at him.

"Is this a proposal?"

"We're already married."

"Then..."

"I beg you to give me one more time..."

"...to be my husband."

Downstairs was immediately quiet. I hold the pen. Write four words on a blank page. Probation for one year. The whole hall burst into laughter. Pho Nghien Tu looked at those four words. Trinh solemnly nodded.

"I accept."

Two years later. Khuong Thanh Hai sold the last villa under his name. No one calls him Chairman Khuong anymore again. Lieu Van took Khuong Van Van to another place. Hearing from relatives, Khuong Van Van changed several jobs. Finally decided to start from a normal position. Someone asked me:

"You don't hate her anymore?"

That person asked again:

"What about those people from the Khuong family?"

I just laughed.

"Those people?"

"I forgot a long time ago."

Five years later. Nam Hoa Brand's annual revenue exceeds 6 billion yuan. We moved into a new office building. The top floor does not have a separate elevator for the president.

"Everyone takes the same elevator."

Lam Thu asked:

"Boss, aren't you afraid of standing in line?"

"Wait in line to see the company alive."

She laughed. Pho Nghien Tu stood at the door. In her hand she holds a pot of betel. I looked at that potted plant.

"Why did you buy this?"

"That year I carried the potted plant and left Van Hoa..."

"...can't live."

"I'll make it up to you with a pot."

I received the betel pot. Green leaves. Just like many years ago... When I left that building holding a cardboard box. I never thought that one day... I would stand at a higher place. It's not because anyone pulled me up. It's me... Step up step by step. Pho Nghien Tu asked:

"General Manager Khuong, what to eat tonight?"

I thought for a moment.

"No action."

"This time you pay."

He laughed.

"It's always been you who pays."

I held a pot of betel and walked into the office. Sunlight falls on the table. The new nameplate has been placed neatly. Khuong Nam So. Founder of Nam Hoa Brand. I placed the betel pot next to it. The phone lights up. It's a message from Pho Nghien Tu.

"General Manager Khuong, I'll wait for you after work."

I answer you.

"I know."

After those two words. I added a smiley face.