Chapter 13 — After my engagement was canceled, I went to Shenzhen and lived the most brilliant version

Come Saturday. My legal team officially sent out a lawyer's letter. Recipient... Request: publicly apologize and compensate for damage to reputation. Lam Duyet did not respond. But since then, she hasn't harassed me again. In February, “Son Hai” celebrated its first anniversary. On the day the third batch of collaborative products went on sale, sales across all channels surpassed the 5 million yuan mark. Just for one day. When the data was sent back, the whole office burst into cheers. Trieu Minh sent a red envelope to the group: "The whole team is partying tonight! I'll pay!" I don't go to parties. Because that afternoon, I received a text message. Sent by Tran Duy. I don't know whose account he used.

"To Niem. You are wrong."

There are only five words. I glanced at it, didn't reply, and deleted the conversation. In the evening, Co Dien brought documents to my office.

“Have you seen the data today?”

“Not going to celebrate?”

“I don't like socializing.” He walked in, conveniently placed the documents on the table and looked at my computer screen. I'm painting a new work. Dark blue background, a golden Con.

“New painting of the Son Hai Kinh series?”

"Yeah. Just drawing for fun."

He stood by for a moment, saying nothing.

“What do you want to say?” I still don't lift my head.

"There's a Design Week in March. In Shanghai. 'Shan Hai' won a place in the exhibition, there's an independent brand display area."

“I want you to be the curator.”

I stopped writing.

"Curator? Not director of photography?"

"Yes. You are in charge of all the space design of the exhibition space, the way of displaying works, and the interactive items. The budget is 1.5 million yuan."

1.5 million yuan to build an exhibition booth.

“Are you sure?”

“It's been a year since you came to Shenzhen.” he said. "For this year, she has proven all her abilities, from design, branding to commercial judgment. But there is still one thing she has never done."

"Stand in front of the stage. Let everyone see your face, not just your work."

I put down my pen and turned to look at him.

“Is this a work need or your personal desire?”

He smiled softly. Very light, but definitely smiling. I looked at him. Been to Shenzhen for a year. From running away to putting down roots. From concealment to openness. From being alone to having a team. Every step he takes is by his side. Don't push, don't pull away, simply always be there.

"Okay." I said. “I accept.”

In March, at Shanghai Design Week, the exhibition booth of “Shan Hai” became the focus of the whole event. In a space of one hundred and twenty square meters, I created an immersive world inspired by the Shan Hai Jing. The entrance is in darkness. When guests enter, the walls and floors will light up with each step, revealing different creatures in the illustrations. At the end of the walkway is a giant LED screen, continuously displaying the Son Hai Kinh cave painting that I drew. During the three-day exhibition, there were times when visitors had to line up for two hours to get in. The total views of check-in videos on social networks exceeded 20 million. The number of searches for the "Son Hai" brand increased tenfold. On the last day of the exhibition, I stood in front of the exhibition space to receive an interview from a media agency. The reporter asked: "Miss To Niem, as Niem Bach, the first time you step out in public, how do you feel?" I thought for a moment.

"In the past, I always thought that as long as my work was good enough, I didn't need others to know who I was. Now I see that stepping into the light is not to be recognized by others, but so that I can do greater things."

"Before coming to Shenzhen, you had just ended a relationship. How did that experience affect your writing process?"

“It helps me understand something.” I looked straight into the lens. "The feeling of true security doesn't come from anyone else. It comes from knowing for sure that you can stand on your own."

After the interview, Co Dien stood waiting for me outside the exhibition booth.

“I watched the livestream.” he said.

“The last sentence is very good.”

We walked out of the exhibition area side by side. The air in Shanghai in March is still a bit cold, but the sunlight is very bright.

“Last time you said you wanted to learn more about a person.”

“So now…”

“How much have you learned?”

He tilted his head and looked at me.

“I have understood something.”

“You're even better than I thought.”