Chapter 9 — After my engagement was canceled, I went to Shenzhen and lived the most brilliant version

“Do you care what others think of you?”

That question came too suddenly.

“Yes before.” I replied. “It's better now.”

“I just wanted to say…” He looked at me. "You don't need to hide to protect yourself. Your work is the best armor."

I didn't answer, just pushed the door open and walked out. The sunlight outside is very bright. Winter in Shenzhen is not cold, the air still has the salty taste of the sea. I cannot deny what he said. But should I take off that mask or not... That decision only I can make. In November, the second batch of products of "Son Hai" was officially opened for sale, still in the form of limited release. This time it increased to ten thousand sets, but it was sold out in just two hours. At the same time, the brand's social media account also grew to one hundred and twenty thousand followers. Users post photos to share on many different platforms, with many videos reaching more than a million views. One blogger analyzed:

"The image design of 'Son Hai' is completely different from the way ordinary brands do. Who is the designer behind? The style is very similar to Niem Bach."

Below the comments section, someone guessed:

“Could it really be Niem Bach?”

"No way. Niem Bach has never accepted a commercial project."

“But look at these drawings…”

I read all those discussions. The pressure is building up little by little. In mid-November, something happened that forced me to make a decision. That day, I still worked at the company as usual. The phone suddenly showed up with a message. The sender is a completely unfamiliar account.

"Is To Niem Niem Bach? I am a reporter for a media site. We received news that you are Niem Bach. Can you confirm?"

I stared at the screen for ten seconds. Who revealed it? Right after that, another message was sent.

"The informant gave us a comparison between your works at Guan Zhi company and the works Niem Bach has published. We will post the investigation tomorrow and want to give you the opportunity to respond."

I exited the conversation and opened social media. Search for the phrase "Niem Bach's true identity". Someone started talking. A small account in the design world posted a series of photos comparing the plan I made for Thanh Tu and the work that was commercially licensed by Niem Bach last year. From color schemes to layout logic, everything is placed next to each other for comparison. The post had thirty thousand views. And the number is still increasing. I took a deep breath. Open a chat with Co Dien.

"Someone wants to make it public that I am Niem Bach."

A minute later, he replied:

"I see. What are you going to do?"

"I do not know."

"If you want to stop it, I can let the public relations team handle it. But that can only take a while."

"I know."

“There is another option.” he said. "She took the initiative to make it public. The time and way of announcing it were all decided by herself."

I don't answer. That night, when I returned to my room, I sat in front of the computer. I have hidden this identity for four years. At first it was hidden because of Tran Duy. He once said: "Drawing has no future." I'm too lazy to argue with him. After that, hiding gradually became a habit. Then again, it was because of fear of trouble. Going public means interviews, public appearances, social interactions, image building... I don't want to face those things. But now... Someone else is about to turn this last card for me. I opened an account "Niem Bach". Four hundred and twenty thousand followers. Open the editor. Create a new post. Write then delete. Delete then write again. In the end, only one sentence remained.

"Hello everyone, I am Niem Bach. Also To Niem."

Then turn off the phone and take a shower. The next morning when I woke up, my phone almost exploded. “Niem Bach”'s post has been shared eighty thousand times. The comments section was flooded with thousands of messages.

"What??? Niem Bach finally made it public?"

“Who is To Niem?”

"Is she in Shenzhen? Does anyone know?"

At the same time, the other media site's investigation article was also posted. But because I took the initiative to publicize it in advance, their so-called "exclusive news" immediately became old news. All the traffic was stolen by my post. At nine o'clock in the morning, Chu Vi called me.

"To Niem, are you crazy? Do you know that you are on a hot search right now?"

“Hot search?”

"'Niem Bach appears in real life'! Ranked fourteenth! Ah ah... Why didn't you tell me first!"

I opened my phone to check it out. It's true. Ten minutes later, Co Dien sent a text message.