Kim Hải's question hit Van like an icy boulder. The office pressure was suffocating. Kim Hải's sharp gaze pinned him, radiating anger at the challenge.
"Sir, not challenging you," Van forced calm, voice tight. "I'm responsible for cement quality. Test report is clear: strength inadequate. Safety risk. Principle." He held up the report like a shield.
"Principle?" Kim Hải scoffed, standing, pacing to the window, back turned. "Your principle's worth? Thousands need paychecks! Owner fines are millions per day! Contract deadline looms! Supplier gave a guarantee! Future batches get tighter checks! Risk managed! You? For your 'principle,' halt work? Who pays? You?"
Van watched Kim Hải's broad back, feeling immense pressure. He knew the real pressures: delays cost dearly. But he knew worse: quality failures meant disaster – not just money, but lives and reputation!
"Sir, losses can be calculated; safety can't be priced," Van insisted. "Main structure failure isn't just rework; it risks collapse! Unthinkable loss! Backup suppliers cost more, delay a day or two, but safer!"
"Backup? How much more? Can we afford delay?" Kim Hải whirled around, eyes fierce. "Van! Think you're above site realities now? Schedule is life! Owners don't care about 'slightly low strength'! They see progress! Results! I repeat! Use it! Tighten future checks! I'll handle consequences!"
"Sir..." Van tried again.
"Enough!" Kim Hải barked. "Out! Follow orders! Remember your place!"
Van saw the finality. Arguing was futile. Heart heavy with disappointment, he silently gathered the report and left. The door clicked shut; a heavy sigh echoed – his or Kim Hải's?
Back in the Cost Unit, Thu waited, expressionless.
"Van, Mr. Kim called. Cement issue... follow his directive. Sign the receipt," Thu handed him the form, voice flat but hinting sympathy. "We... follow procedure."
Van stared at the form like hot iron. Signing meant betraying his principles, endorsing substandard material. He hesitated long, finally signing as "Inspector," but added clearly in the notes: "Tested: 28-day pressure resistance ~10% below standard. Usage risk. Recommend: restrict to non-critical/temporary works only. Enhance future batch checks." His final stand.
Signing felt draining. He walked to the window, watching the busy site below – cranes lifting rebar, workers bustling. That bad cement might already be mixed, pouring into the building's bones. A sense of foreboding gripped him.
Leaving work, Van felt heavy. Dũng appeared, grinning widely.
"Van! Off work? Drinks! Celebrate your promotion!" Dũng threw an arm around Van's shoulder.
Van, irritated, tried to pull away. "Dũng, tired, heading home."
"Don't be boring!" Dũng steered him firmly to a small eatery. "Just a chat!"
Beer and snacks ordered, Dũng filled Van's glass.
"Van, heard... you clashed with Mr. Kim over that cement?" Dũng whispered, eyes shifting.
Van eyed him warily. "Dũng, you're well-informed?"
"Project's small, nothing's secret!" Dũng waved dismissively. "Listen, Van, you're too rigid! Mr. Kim's right! Schedule matters! Strength a bit low? Used before! Fine! Guarantee given, checks tightened, what's the fuss? You pushing back just makes trouble!"
Van stayed silent, sipping beer.
"Besides," Dũng leaned closer, voice lower. "Know who recommended that supplier?"
Van tensed, staring.
Dũng smirked. "A... friend of a friend. Reliable! Cheap price! Small hiccup, but they'll compensate! Mr. Kim considered my input... Van, help me out, drop this? Later, during checks or payments, smooth things? I won't forget!" He patted Van's shoulder, implying a deal.
Van understood instantly! Dũng had connected this bad supplier! That explained his earlier pushiness! Kim Hải's firmness wasn't just cost pressure; it involved Dũng's "favor" and likely kickbacks!
Rage and disappointment surged. He looked at Dũng's ingratiating face, finding it repulsive and alien. He remembered their Grab days, Dũng lending him small sums. Now, Dũng risked safety for profit, trying to drag him down!
"Dũng," Van put down his glass, voice icy. "You recommended this supplier?"
Dũng's smile faltered. "Uh... a friend..."
"You knew the cement was subpar?" Van pressed.
"Me? How would I know... supplier said it passed..." Dũng avoided eye contact.
"Passed?" Van scoffed. "Report's on my desk! Black and white! Failed! Your 'friend' is that 'reliable'?"
"Van! What's your problem?" Dũng snapped, standing. "I tried helping you... helping the company save! You repay me with suspicion?"
"Help?" Van's anger flared. "Save money? Plant landmines! Dũng, we were brothers! Remember the hard times? Now, for profit, you push dangerous stuff? Know people will live here?! If it fails, can you bear it?!"
"Stop pretending!" Dũng yelled, rising. "Van! Who do you think you are? Without Mr. Kim's favor, you'd still be hauling cement! Playing hero? Afraid I'll outshine you? Listen! Without me Dũng, you're nothing!"
Dũng's words stabbed Van's heart. He hadn't realized Dũng saw their bond so cheaply. Seeing Dũng's twisted face, he felt a deep chill.
"Dũng," Van stood, voice weary. "Different paths. I'll handle this by the book. You... watch your step." He threw money on the table and walked out, leaving Dũng fuming.
Outside, the cool air calmed Van slightly. But disappointment and anger lingered. Brother turned foe, boss's pressure, project risks... dark clouds gathered.
He pulled out his phone, instinctively wanting to call Linh. He needed her voice, understanding, support. It was late, maybe she was asleep. He hesitated, then dialed.
"Hello? Van?" Linh's voice was sleepy but alert. "Late? What's wrong?"
Hearing her concern, Van nearly choked up. He took a breath. "Linh... I... need to talk."
"Of course! What happened? You sound..." Linh's worry deepened.
Van found a quiet corner, leaning against a wall, pouring out everything – the cement, Kim Hải's pressure, Dũng's betrayal and accusations. His voice cracked. "Linh... did I... mess up? Sticking to my guns... angered Mr. Kim, lost a brother... I..."
Silence for a beat. Then Linh's voice, firm and gentle: "Van! You're not wrong! Not at all! You're right! Dũng... he changed! Mr. Kim's too impatient! Building isn't just business! Can't be shortsighted! Quality is conscience! You held the line! For people's safety! Van, trust yourself! I... I support you! Always!"
Linh's words were a lighthouse in his dark. Tears welled. Throat tight. "Linh... thank you... really... thank you..."
"Silly..." Linh's voice trembled slightly. "No thanks... You... be okay, don't be sad... Tomorrow... tomorrow night school? I... want to see you..."
"Yes! Tomorrow!" Van nodded fiercely, as if she were there.
Hanging up, Van looked up at the night sky. Hanoi's light pollution drowned the stars. But a light shone within him. He knew the road ahead was perilous, storms brewing. Kim Hải's displeasure, Dũng's hostility, project risks... swords hung over him. But he wasn't alone. He had Linh's trust, Chen Qiming's principles, and his own unwavering line.
He clenched his fist, resolve hardening. No matter the hardship, he'd hold this last defense. For those who'd live in that building. And for... the girl who always believed in him.