Chen Qiming's arrival was a balm. The medical loan finally got Văn's mother hospitalized. The cost was still crushing, but hope flickered. Mai called: medication eased the cough, sleep came easier. Relief uncoiled some of Văn's tension, sharpening his focus.
Chen stayed over a week. He roamed the site daily, chatting casually with workers, observing workflows, inspecting material storage. Văn became his shadow, seizing every learning moment. Chen shared freely: management philosophy, business acumen, even life insights.
"See the rebar tying?" Chen pointed at a floor under construction. "Skill's there, efficiency isn't. Why? Sequence needs optimizing. Rebar crews wait for carpenters, carpenters wait for rebar. Interlace tasks, maybe prefab some elements – efficiency jumps 30%. That's management value."
"Look at the stockpile," he indicated a cluttered area. "Outdoor, yes, but zones could be clearer, labels sharper. Less double-handling saves cost. Gold hides in the details."
Văn absorbed it like parched earth. He felt saturated.
Chen brought Văn to project management meetings. As advisor, he offered sharp suggestions: optimizing workflows, tightening cost control, improving material handling. His clarity impressed even Kim Hải. Văn sat back, listening, noting, watching how leaders thought and decided. He gained a bird's-eye view.
Before leaving Hanoi, Chen spoke with Văn again.
"Văn, I leave tomorrow." Chen regarded him. "This week, I saw your progress. Strong foundation, quick learner, responsible – crucial when it counts. Good."
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!" Gratitude and loss warred in Văn.
"The path ahead is yours." Chen was earnest. "Project Assistant is just the start. Look further. Materials are base camp; project management is the peak. Cost, schedule, quality, safety, contracts… learn it all. Keep up night school; theory matters. Learn from Hải; he's seasoned. Kim Hải…" Chen paused, meaningful. "He's a businessman, a shrewd judge. He values your ability, but values the value you bring more. Remember: show strength, deliver results. Don't expect unconditional trust; earn it with greater effort."
Văn absorbed this. Kim Hải's "favor" wasn't kindness; it was transactional.
"Understood, Mr. Chen!" Văn nodded firmly.
"And," Chen smiled slightly, "personal matters… if the right person comes… don't let it pass. Building a life and building a career go hand in hand." His glance held a hint.
Văn flushed, knowing he meant Linh. A ripple stirred within.
After Chen left, Văn held his words close. He worked harder, learned more proactively. He looked beyond materials, tracking overall progress, costs, quality. He asked Hải to help with weekly/monthly reports, learning data analysis. He used night school knowledge to build detailed material consumption logs and cost models.
Hải noticed his drive. Kim Hải noticed too. But Kim Hải's response wasn't pure praise.
A crisis hit. The masonry subcontractor for Block 1, Mr. Lưu, claiming a payment error (he insisted the project miscalculated), stirred his crew to slow work, threatening a full stop. Tension crackled.
Hải intervened, but Lưu was obstinate, accusing the project of cheating. Deadlines loomed; Hải was frantic.
"Brother Hải, let me try?" Văn volunteered. Chen's lessons echoed: Find the key. Use data.
Hải hesitated, saw Văn's resolve, nodded. "Alright. Try. Be careful. Lưu's slippery."
Văn didn't confront Lưu. He buried himself in records. He pulled every material requisition, delivery note, invoice for Lưu's crew, plus project consumption norms and contract clauses. He worked through the night, cross-referencing, calculating, analyzing.
Next day, Văn met Lưu, thick folder in hand.
"Mr. Lưu, we take your payment concern seriously. Here's a full recalculation of materials used and costs, based on source documents. Please review." Văn offered the file, calm but firm.
Lưu took it skeptically, flipped through. Văn's tables were crystal: requisition date, material, spec, quantity, unit price, total cost, contract allowance, actual use, variance, variance cause (waste, change, etc.)… Every entry was documented.
"See here, Mr. Lưu," Văn pointed, "Contract states 0.25 cubic meters of M5 mortar per cubic meter of masonry. Records and site checks show your crew used 0.31 cubic meters – 24% over. This overrun, per contract clause 3.2, is abnormal loss, borne by the subcontractor. Here, block wastage also exceeds allowed rates…"
Văn was methodical, data-rich. Lưu was speechless. His bluff was called with hard evidence.
"This… this…" Lưu sweated. "Norms are rigid! Site's complex! Your norms are unfair! Some waste is normal!"
"Mr. Lưu," Văn remained calm, "Norms are contractually binding. If you disputed them, you should have raised it during contracting or requested adjustments based on conditions. Raising it now, mid-project, lacks basis. Also, site supervisor logs note mortar mixing and application waste by your crew, contributing to the overrun."
Lưu was cornered, face reddening.
"Mr. Lưu," Văn shifted tone, conciliatory, "Delays hurt everyone. How about this: Overrun costs stand per contract. But acknowledging prior cooperation, the project can prioritize partial payment for your crew at the next milestone, easing your cash flow. We compromise, keep the project moving?"
Văn upheld principle while offering a face-saving exit. Lưu weighed it, agreed. Work resumed.
The incident resonated. Even Hải clapped his shoulder: "Kid! Impressive! Solid data, smart negotiation! Better than me!"
Kim Hải summoned Văn.
Văn entered. Kim Hải stood with his back turned, gazing at the bustling site. He didn't turn immediately.
"Văn. Lưu's issue. You handled it?" Kim Hải's tone was neutral.
"Yes, Mr. Kim. Resolved. Crews are back." Văn replied.
"How?" Kim Hải turned, sharp eyes fixed on Văn.
Văn summarized, emphasizing data and negotiation.
"Hmm." Kim Hải nodded, expressionless. "Data was thorough. Chen taught you well. But…" His gaze turned probing. "Did you consider why Lưu dared to cause trouble? Just a calculation error?"
Văn paused; he hadn't dug deeper.
"He has dozens of men. Causing a stir during crunch time puts us in a bind; we often cave to keep things moving, letting him skim extra profit." Kim Hải's voice was flat, coldly pragmatic. "You held firm this time. Correct. But next time? Time after? Managing subs isn't just data and clauses. You must make them understand: trouble gets them nothing; playing by the rules pays. That requires finesse. And teeth. This time," he concluded, "you solved the symptom, not the disease."
Văn absorbed the lesson. He'd focused on fixing the immediate problem, missing the deeper power play.
"Thank you, Mr. Kim! I understand!" Văn accepted the critique.
"Good." Kim Hải sat behind his desk. "Project's halfway. Materials are under control. Ready for a heavier load?"
Văn braced himself. "Mr. Kim?"
"We're forming a dedicated Cost Control Unit, reporting directly to me." Kim Hải stated. "Focus: project-wide cost tracking, analysis, and containment. I want you in this unit. As Materials Cost Specialist."
Elation surged – Cost Control Unit! Materials Cost Specialist! Another massive leap!
"However," Kim Hải's tone hardened, "This position has eyes on it. Senior material handlers, estimators – they think you're too green, too inexperienced. Think I'm promoting you too fast." He locked eyes with Văn. "I'm pushing you forward not because you're a countryman, or Chen's protégé. I see potential. Learning agility. The cool logic you showed with Lưu. But potential isn't proof. This role has immense pressure. You'll dissect material costs, find savings, curb waste, deliver tangible efficiency gains. And," he emphasized, "you'll face skepticism from veterans, maybe even sabotage. You need material knowledge, yes, but also people skills. Management sense. Tell me: Do you want it? Can you handle it?"
Kim Hải's words doused Văn's excitement but ignited fiercer resolve. This wasn't a gift; it was a trial. Kim Hải was testing his mettle. Succeed, and he was a valuable asset. Fail, or buckle, and he'd be replaced.
Văn stood tall, meeting Kim Hải's scrutiny head-on. "Mr. Kim! I want it! I can do it! Pressure? Demands? Bring them! I'll speak with data and results! I'll prove your decision right!"
"Good!" A challenging smile touched Kim Hải's lips. "I like that grit. Prepare. Unit starts next week. Pay adjusts accordingly. Remember: The position and pay are investments. Expected return: greater value. Don't disappoint."
"Yes, Mr. Kim! I'll give it everything!" Văn's voice rang firm.
Leaving the office, sunlight felt brighter, but the weight on his shoulders was unprecedented. He thought of Chen first, then remembered he was gone. He hesitated, then called Linh.
"Linh, it's me."
"Văn? Calling now? Site okay?" Linh's voice held concern.
"Linh," Văn's voice vibrated with excitement and a hint of nerves, "I… I'm moving to the project's Cost Control Unit! Materials Cost Specialist!"
"Really?! Amazing! Văn! Congratulations!" Linh's joy was pure, effervescent. "I knew you could!"
"Thanks, Linh." Warmth filled him. "But… Mr. Kim said… it's high pressure. People are watching…"
"Don't worry!" Linh cut in, fiercely. "You're smart! You work hard! You'll nail it! I believe in you! Like Mr. Chen does!" Her faith was a shield, deflecting his anxiety.
"Tonight… night class? Got a lot to tell you." Văn's voice softened.
"Yes! Tonight!" Linh's reply held a shy note.
Hanging up, Văn gazed at the vibrant site. Cranes pierced the sky, structures rose. He saw himself mirrored – emerging from Grab bike mud, through warehouse aisles, past project coordination hurdles, now stepping onto the demanding platform of cost control. Each step was hard-fought, each foundation solid.
He was no longer a leaf in the storm. He had knowledge, skill, purpose, and the courage to navigate complexity. Kim Hải wasn't a benevolent patron; he was a shrewd investor. His "favor" demanded doubled effort and stellar returns. And that was the ultimate proving ground.
He felt like a butterfly breaking free, wings damp but unfolding towards a vast sky. Sunlight awaited, but so did storms. He was unafraid. He clenched his fist, vowing silently: Mom. Mai. Mr. Chen. Linh. Watch me. Nguyễn Văn will soar higher. No matter the thorns.