Chapter 18 — After Notarizing 5 Houses, I Just Got Married

“Director To, I heard you established this department less than a year ago?”

"That's right."

“In less than a year, you have won a project of this scale, what do you think you rely on?”

“Rely on the team, on opportunity and a little luck.”

“Some people say you rely on the resources of President To Nha Cam, that is, your biological aunt—”

"Resources are a launching pad, but drawings are not a launching pad. Every line of drawing, every bill of materials, every sleepless night editing the drawing, are all drawn by myself and the team."

The reporter paused for a second, then nodded. That interview later appeared on the front page of several industry media sites. The title is: "9X female designer single-handedly manipulated thousands of yuan projects, from fraudulent marriage shock to become a dark horse of the industry." Someone dug up my previous noisy divorce, connected the two events, and the popularity increased another level. The style of commenting is completely different.

“This is the true model of independent women!”

"My ex-husband's family is still looking at their houses. Now they have signed a contract for eight million yuan."

"I wonder what Tran Hao feels when he reads the news?"

“The photo of my ex-mother-in-law holding up a sign under her company was dug up—now that I look back, I see how ironic it is.”

Of course Tran Hao saw it. Because less than 24 hours later, he changed a new number to call. This time I didn't pick up the phone. But he sent an SMS.

“To Niem, congratulations.”

There are only those four words. I looked at the screen for a few seconds. I deleted Tran Hao's message. In the following days, news about the Tran family completely disappeared from my life. Although Tran Hao was not charged with obstruction of witness, the conviction affected his credit report and career path. It is said that he left his old company and went to a small city to run business for a construction materials market. Trieu My Lan's compensation for mental damage of thirty thousand yuan for violating her honor, combined with the borrowed money previously collected, brought the Tran family's savings completely to zero. Tran Luong rented a shabby room and lived alone, his ex-girlfriend Ton Tieu Vu had long since married someone else. Tran Kien Quoc's health became increasingly weaker, and he was found to have high blood pressure and diabetes. Lam Dao heard this news from a mutual acquaintance. She asked me: “Do you feel anything?”

“I don't feel anything.”

"True. Their current life is of their own choosing. One step at a time."

"What about you? How is your life now?"

“It's also your own choice.”

“Good choice?”

On the opening night of the Chengdu branch, Co Dien and I drank a glass of wine on the hotel terrace. Not by appointment, but by chance. The night wind in Chengdu is gentler than I expected. He stood next to the railing, holding a glass of whiskey.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“Can't sleep.”

“The opening day of a big project but you can't sleep?”

"I'm used to it. Every time I reach important milestones, I lose sleep. What about you?"

"I couldn't sleep either. But I woke up from the sting."

We leaned against the railing, watching the lights of the city. This was the first time he called me by my name, instead of "Director To".

“Have you ever thought about what the future path will be like?”

“In business or in matters of fish core?"

“Ask them both.”

“At work, I want to bring the Cam Hoa Design department into the Top 5 of the industry. It takes time, but I think it can be done.”

“What about personal matters?”

“For now, I'm not thinking that far ahead.”

He turned to look at me. The light on the rooftop was very dim, only his facial features and eyes could be seen.

“If someone wanted to come into your life—would you let that person in?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“It depends on what kind of person it is.”

“What kind of person will you consider?”

“You didn't lie to me. People don't look at my house. People respect my independent personality.”

“Are there only those three conditions?”

“These three conditions have eliminated a lot of people.”

He didn't say anything more. The wind blew, carrying the smell of pepper flowers and the sound of night cicadas. A moment later, he uttered a sentence.

“I don't need your house.”

I turned my head. His expression was very serious. It's not a confession, it's not a flirting or teasing. It is a voice that narrates the truth. Something at the bottom of my heart is loosening. It wasn't vibration—no, perhaps it was vibration. But I didn't respond.

“It's too late, let's go home and rest.”

He turned around and left first. When he reached the door, he turned around.

“Flight tomorrow, eight thirty. Don't oversleep."

“It won't.”

After he left, I stood on the terrace for another ten minutes. The wind is very calm. The city is very quiet. Something inside is slowly sprouting. And I didn't stop it. After returning from Chengdu, everything accelerated. The Hangzhou and Xi'an branches of the apartment chain were completed one after another, and the post-opening figures far exceeded expectations. Cam Hoa Design department's revenue tripled in half a year. During the year-end summary meeting, my aunt officially announced—the design department was upgraded to an independent subsidiary, with To Niem holding the position of General Director. Amid loud applause, I stood on the podium. Below are dozens of employees. Half a year ago, there were only three people in this office. Now, there are forty-six people.