Chapter 15 — 20 Million Yuan Buys Freedom, Not Marriage

The fourth year after founding “White Space”, I received a call. It's Luu Duong — Tran Hao's college friend.

"To Niem, long time no see. There's something I want to tell you."

“What?”

“Tran Hao was fired from the company.”

“What does it have to do with me?”

"I know it's not related. But I think you should know. He's lived very badly these past few years. His salary was deducted by the court every month to pay off his debt. After changing three jobs, he couldn't last long. After selling his mother's house, the whole family moved to the suburbs to rent. His father's health is also poor."

I said nothing.

"There's one more thing. Tran Quoc Cuong — his uncle — two months ago was sentenced to four years in prison for fraud."

"It's that fake commercial land project. Not only did she trick you, but there were many others. Being denounced, this time it can't run anymore."

I put down the phone. There is no clear feeling. No gloating. No pity either. Just a very cold clarity. Each choice has its price. He chose to deceive. Then you have to accept the outcome of being overturned. No one forced him. That night, I told this story to Co Tham. He was washing dishes in the kitchen and wiped his hands after listening.

“How do you feel?”

“I don't feel anything.”

“So that's right.”

“What do you mean?”

"No more hatred, no more thinking about it. That means I've really moved on."

I walked over and hugged him from behind.

"Thank you."

“Thank you for what?”

“Thank you for showing up at the right time.”

He turned around, bowed his head and looked at me.

"To Niem, it wasn't me who appeared at the right time. It was you, at the right time, who made the right choice."

“What do you choose?”

“20,000,000 yuan, I chose to buy a house for myself, not to give it to someone else.

I chose to break up, not continue to suffer. I chose to sue, not just stay silent and let it go. I chose to open a studio, not to stay in the safe zone forever.”

“Every step I take on my own.”

“So you didn't do anything?”

“I only do one thing.”

“Be my neighbor.”

I lightly punched his chest. In the fifth year of "White Space", the studio took a leap forward. We took on an international project — collaborating with a Japanese architectural firm, designing a boutique hotel in Kyoto. The project lasted half a year. After completion, a Japanese design magazine created a separate topic. Title: “New wave of design from China — To Niem and Bach Khong Space.” After that article, international invitations kept coming. Singapore. Bangkok. Melbourne. The team expanded to 45 people. Annual revenue exceeds 30,000,000 yuan. That year, at the Asia-Pacific Design Award, my Kyoto project won the gold award. From silver award every year... finally became gold. When he was up to receive the award, there was Co Tham under the stands. He wore the dark gray suit I chose, sitting in a corner. No clapping. No photography. Just quietly looked at me and smiled. After the awards ceremony, back at the hotel, I placed the trophy on the table.

“Why don't you clap?”

"Because you've had enough. My share... I'm for something else."

He took out a small box from his pocket. A ring. The platinum base is simple, the diamond is just right.

“To Niem, marry me.”

“Didn't you ask if I agreed?”

“If you didn't agree, you wouldn't have asked that question.”

I held out my left hand. He put the ring on.

“When did you know my size?”

“When you sleep.”

“You really are—”

“Everything is enough.”

Five years later.

“White Space” became one of the unique design studios most influential establishment in the region.

Team of 80 people. Turnover exceeds 100,000,000 yuan per year. There are branches in Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore. The third year after getting married, Co Tham and I had a baby girl. My name is Co An. My father's birthday gift to him... was a wooden puzzle. Not expensive. But he only said one sentence.

"Nim Niem, let her build it herself. She can build anything."

When she was two years old, I took her to the house in Hoc Nhien Uyen. The house was bought for 20,000,000 yuan that year. Now it has reached 35,000,000 yuan. But I never thought of selling. Those were the coordinates of the turning point in my life. Standing on the balcony, she pressed against the railing and watched the children in the yard riding bicycles. Co Tham walked over and picked up the child.

“What are you looking at?”

“Watching my little friend ride.”

“Do you want to go?”

“Dad will teach tomorrow.”

I leaned against the door frame, looking at the two of them. The sunlight is very beautiful. The phone rang. Lam Van called.

“To Niem, have you seen the news?”

“Tran Hao posted a long article online.”

"Sorry. Said I did a lot of things wrong that year, I'm sorry. I wrote more than two thousand words."

"There are people cursing below. Say he's trying to get your fame."

I laughed.

“How is he now?”

"I heard that he works at a small company, the salary is about 7,000–8,000 yuan. His mother divorced his father. And his uncle... just got out of prison and is under investigation for illegally raising capital."

“How did you react?”

“There was no reaction.”

“Really?”

"Lam Van, those people, those things... I forgot a long time ago."

I hung up. On the balcony, Co Tham was holding his daughter, pointing up to the sky and counting the clouds.

“One group, two groups, three groups.”

“Dad, those guys look like rabbits.”

"Like? I think it looks like a dog."

"It's not the same! It's a rabbit!"

“Okay, rabbit.”

I walked over, resting my head on his shoulder. He bent down to look at me.

"It's okay. It's just... it feels good right now."

“It will be even better later.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you will get better and better.”

Ten years later.

“White Space” is valued at more than 5 billion yuan.

I can't do it alone. It's the whole team, partners, and everyone I've ever met... who created it together. But the starting point… is 20,000,000 yuan. More precisely, the moment I held 20,000,000 yuan and made my own choice. On my father's 70th birthday, the whole family sat down to eat together. There are Co Tham, Co An, Lam Van and her husband, director Truong — who after retiring as a consultant for “White Space”. He is much older, but his spirit is still very good. Halfway through the meal, he raised his glass.

“No one should cry today.”

“Who's crying?” I said.

“I see your eyes are red.”

"No. It's just spicy."

“Nian Niem, when dad gave you that 20,000,000 yuan, do you know what dad was thinking?”

“Dad wants you to live better.”

"Are not." He put down the glass, "I just think... if you meet the wrong person, then you have to have a way out. With money, you have the right to say 'no'."

The whole dining table was a bit quiet.

"But you did better than I thought. Not only did you have a way out... you also opened another path for yourself."

"Okay, let's eat. Don't be cheesy."

He took a piece of food and ate it with great appetite. After eating, Co Tham and I took our child home. In the car, Co An sat in the back playing with the tablet. I looked at the city outside the window. Ten years ago, I stood in front of a real estate transaction center, having just signed a direct payment home purchase contract. At that time, I didn't know where that decision would take me. I don't know if I will win a lawsuit. Don't know if it will open private studio. I don't know if I will meet a kind person. I don't know if I will become a mother. I don't know if I will stand on stage to receive an award, sit at the negotiating table, or walk on unfamiliar streets. I only know one thing. That 20,000,000 yuan... was my father's last confession of love to me.

“I make my own decisions.”

Those four words... are heavier than any promise. Because it means — You trust me. And I... didn't betray that belief.