Chapter 14 — 20 Million Yuan Buys Freedom, Not Marriage

After the opening day, three design magazines sought me out for interviews. Including "Design Space", the most prestigious magazine in the industry. They wanted to do some custom covers for me. I agree. The interview aired, the response was huge. In the world, people began to remember the name To Niem. Director Truong called me to talk.

"To Niem, your market value is now beyond what the company can retain. Will you participate in the director recruitment exam at the end of the year?"

"Yes. But no matter the result, I'll be out next year."

“Open a studio?”

He nodded.

"I guess it's been a while. You're not the type to stay in one company forever."

“Thank you for guiding me all these years.”

"No need to thank me. While you're gone, I'll introduce you to some customers."

At the end of the year, I participated in director selection. Council of five people, I presented for twenty minutes. From project experience to design thinking, from team management to industry trends. Finally, I show the actual image of Duyet Lan Phu. The Council passed in its entirety. I became the company's youngest design director. During the congratulatory party, Lam Van drank a little too much and leaned on my shoulder to talk.

"To Niem, you know, I've known you for eight years. In college, you were the quietest person in the room. You drew the hardest, didn't argue when you were scolded, and were also the most tolerant in love."

“And then what?”

"Then you met Tran Hao. During those three years, you became more and more careful. Whatever he said, you listened, whatever you needed, you gave. I looked impatient, but you refused to listen."

“Isn't it okay now?”

“It's okay. You're okay now.” she raised her glass, "But what I want to say is, the most valuable investment in your life is not the 20,000,000 yuan house. It's that you learned how to spend money on yourself."

I clinked glasses with her. That night when I got home, I met Co Tham in the hallway. He was wearing pajamas, holding a cup of hot tea.

“Are you done celebrating?”

“Congratulations, Director To.”

"Thank you."

I looked at him.

“Do you like me?”

His hand holding the cup of tea stopped. Warm yellow hallway light. He looked at me.

“You drank too much.”

"I'm not drunk. I'm sober. Answer me."

He put down the cup.

“To Niem, from the first day we moved in, I liked you.”

“Then why didn't you say it?”

"You just broke up. You're in a lawsuit. You're working hard on your career. You have too much to deal with. I don't want to be a distraction."

“What now?”

“Now you asked.”

"So you like me. Since the day I stood in the elevator and pressed the 17th floor."

The hallway is very quiet.

“I like you too.” I said.

He walked closer, standing in front of me. No hugs, no kisses. He just raised his hand and gently touched my hair.

“Tomorrow when you're awake, tell me again.”

“I'm awake now.”

“Then it won't hurt to say it again tomorrow.”

I laughed. Go back to your room, close the door, lean back there for a while. Phone vibrates. Message from Co Tham.

"Good night. See you tomorrow."

The following spring, I quit my job. Use your accumulated money plus the Duyet Lan Phu project bonus to open an independent design studio. The name is "White Space". On opening day, three customers arrived. Two people were introduced by Tong Minh Vien, one person was introduced by Director Truong. The studio has five people. Besides me, there are two designers, one project manager, one administrative. Very first year difficult. Low-profit projects, lack of human resources, I often draw late at night. But I follow each project to the end. No fuss, no cutting, no compromise. At the end of the year, the studio made a slight profit. Minus expenses, the profit is less than 300,000 yuan. But customer satisfaction is 100%. Of the five projects, three won industry awards. The second year, the number of projects doubled. In the third year, “White Space” became one of the most popular independent design studios in the city, the team expanded to twenty people. Co Tham and I officially got together in the fall of our second year. There was no big confession, no ceremony. Just one morning, he knocked on the door and said: "I made breakfast." Then everything happened naturally. He never interfered in my work, nor did he use his resources to support me. I do my job, you do yours. After work, we cook together, watch movies, and drink tea on the balcony. Very normal. But very real. My father visited the house once. He sat in the living room for a long time, looking at the house I completed myself, looking at the blueprints posted on the refrigerator, looking at the trophies on the bookshelf.

“Nien Niem, dad can rest assured.”

“Dad, that 20,000,000 yuan—”

"It's for you. You can use it very well."

He did not say more. That night, he and Co Tham drank a bottle of white wine together. The two men said little and sat outside on the balcony for two hours. I don't know what they said. But when my father returned, he patted Co Tham on the shoulder. Say nothing. But like I said everything.