Chapter 11 — After Being Evicted From Home, I Inherited 30 Million Yuan

I looked at the lotus branch wrapped around the branch on the embroidery frame, which was one-third completed. There are twenty-three days left until the exhibition. I need to finish this work first. Other things... At that time, count at the same time. Fifteen days before the exhibition, Phuong Tri Vien came to Cam Hoa. I met him in Aunt Chau's office. He was in his forties, wearing a dark gray suit, rimless glasses, and a very calm demeanor. Unlike the rough-tempered businessman like my uncle. On the contrary, he is more like an educator. He came to see Cam Hoa's situation and said he accepted someone else's request. Aunt Chau took him to the fourth floor to introduce the current situation of the factory. When I came out of the embroidery room to get some water, I just happened to encounter him. Phuong Tri Vien saw me and stopped walking. He gently pushed his glasses.

“I once heard Tham Ba Chau mention you.”

“I thought you didn't intend to take care of Cam Hoa's affairs.”

“I didn't care before.”

“It's under control now.”

He assessed me for a few seconds.

“Your mother's reputation in the arts and crafts world... carries a lot of weight.”

“Twenty years ago I saw her work at a provincial exhibition.”

“To this day, I still remember that embroidered screen.”

As he spoke, he gave me a business card.

“I'm not here to help you.”

“I just want to see if… Cam Hoa is still worth investing in or not.”

“If you really want to take over this place, I could consider making an investment personally.”

“I am not involved in management, only financial support.”

I received the business card.

“Mr. Phuong.”

“You also see Cam Hoa's current situation.”

“I don't need investors to save me.”

“But if you really take this industry seriously…”

“Then wait until after the exhibition and then let's continue talking.”

He smiled slightly.

“I'll wait and see.”

After he left, Aunt Chau looked at me.

“This person has a clean background, working in local commercial real estate for more than ten years.”

“My uncle wants to get him on his side, but he's not the type to be easily manipulated.”

“The way you talk to him is very good.”

“Not arrogant, not self-conscious.”

“This personality… is exactly like your mother in the past.”

There are twelve days left until the exhibition. The work is half completed. The lotus branch wrapped around the branch on the embroidery frame gradually shows its shape. On a warm gray fabric background, pink and light yellow silk threads are intertwined to form a blooming lotus flower. Each petal uses five layers of color-changing silk. When light shines on, the embroidered face looks like it is breathing. That afternoon, an old man with white hair pushed open the door of the embroidery room and entered. He wore a gray long shirt, carried a wooden cane, and had extremely sharp eyes.

“This embroidery… you made it?”

I nodded. He walked to the embroidery frame, bowed his head and looked for a long time. Fingertips gently touch the edge of the lotus petal with silk thread.

“Corner down the needle.”

“Silk separation technique.”

“Autumn rhythm only.”

He raised his head to look at me.

“Are you Tham Jinhua's daughter?”

“My name is Bui Duc Xuong.”

“Your mother calls me Master Bui.”

“When she was eighteen years old, her mother took the provincial exam, and I was one of the judges.”

I once heard my mother mention the name Bui Duc Xuong. One of the top five people in the list of heirs to the intangible heritage To Embroidery.

“Mr. Bui, why are you here?”

“Your Aunt Chau called me.”

“Say it girl Tham Cam Hoa's wife is back, tell me to come and take a look."

He looked at the embroidered face again.

“This work… are you planning to exhibit it?”

He patted my shoulder.

“Worth a look.”

After he left, Aunt Chau appeared at the door.

“Mr. Bui said my work is worth seeing…”

“He hasn't said this to any of you in his entire life.”

I didn't reply. The thread returns to the front of the embroidery frame and continues moving the needle. Twelve days left. Mom in heaven, look at me. Mom's skills... I will bring it to everyone in front of everyone. On the day of the exhibition, the sky was dazzlingly clear. The venue is the largest exhibition center in the city. All halls one to four are open. Cam Hoa's booth is located at the intersection of the main hallway number two. The three sides of the board form a small space. In the middle of the display platform is an embroidered screen about sixty centimeters square. This is the work I've been embroidering for a month now. Lotus flowers wrap branches. Warm gray fabric background. The main tones are lotus pink and light yellow. Lotus petals use a five-layer silk separation technique to change color. The thinnest layer is almost invisible to the naked eye. Only when the light moves can we see the colors gently flowing as if breathing. At nine o'clock in the morning, the exhibition officially opened. Aunt Chau and two old embroiderers stood to help me look after the booth. The crowd gradually increased. I stood inside the exhibition booth, wearing a white linen shirt, my hair tied back. Most of the people passing by are professionals, collectors and purchasing representatives. Someone stopped to look at the screen for a moment. Someone took pictures and then left.