Chapter 12 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

Signaled her to sit down.

"Are you back?"

"Your face looks much better."

He still didn't raise his head.

"This trip..."

"Is the matter in your heart resolved?"

On Nhuoc Van burst out laughing.

"Almost the same."

"That's good."

"Keep working."

"This batch of goods must be delivered next week."

On Nhuoc Van rolled up his sleeves. Sit down in front of the ceramic sharpening table. Her hands. The turntable slowly moved. The clay block is gradually raised in the palm of the hand. No deviation. Even if just a little. That night. After showering. Wen Nhuoc Van curled up on the sofa. There's a new mail. Sent by Chu Nhien. Final draft of the interview. It's a photo. The photo was taken by the photographer while she was welding gold in the workshop. The light is very beautiful. Tilt her face in the frame. Eyes attentive. Fingertips still have streaks of yellow paint on them. On Nhuoc Van looked for a long time. Then I thought to myself. This is who I am now. No longer anyone's wife. Nor is she anyone's ex-wife. Wen Ruo Wan. A potter. She saved the photo. Reply to emails. Confirmed that no further editing is required. Just in time to close the computer. The phone rang again. Not Pho Hanh Chi. It's a strange phone number. She picked up the phone.

"Hello, Ms. Wen Nhuoc Van."

"I am an employee of the Thanh Phong Award Organizing Committee."

"Congratulations on winning this year's Gold Award."

"We wanted to confirm with you."

"Next September."

"The organizing committee will carry out a touring exhibition program for the winning authors."

"I wonder if you are interested in participating?"

"Touring exhibition?"

"That's right."

"Four Cities."

"Shanghai."

"Hangzhou."

"Chengdu."

"Shenzhen."

"One week at a time."

"You just need to attend the opening ceremony and a sharing session."

On Nhuoc Van thought for a moment.

"Please email me the specific plan."

After hanging up. She sat in the dark. Quietly looking at the moon outside the window. Four cities. She was about to leave again. But this time. Not running away. It's not forced by life. Choose to step out into the world. After confirming the touring exhibition schedule. Wen Nhuoc Van began preparing a new work. The organizers told her. This exhibition is not limited to the award-winning works. She can absolutely bring new compositions with her. Wen Ruowan decided to include the Kintsugi series made in Hangzhou in the exhibition. For the next month. She is in the pottery workshop almost every day. In addition to preparing works for touring exhibitions. She also received two more custom orders introduced by Mr. Tham. One application came from a new homestay opened in town. Customers want to order a whole set of handmade tea tools. Remaining application. Is a tea grower in the neighboring district. Want to design branded gifts. More and more work. Life also becomes busier and fuller. Wen Nhuoc Van is so busy. There's not much time left to think about other things. Pho Hanh Chi's messages still arrive regularly. It's just that the frequency is less. Every two or three days. Thanh once a week. The content is also very short.

"Today I passed by a ceramic exhibition and suddenly remembered you."

"Shanghai is cold. Is it cold where you are?"

"I just saw a fat tabby cat that looks exactly like Dau Bao."

Sometimes Wen Nhuoc Van only answered with one word. She did not answer. Neither do you even consider those messages as harassment. They sound like a very distant sound. She heard it. Know that somewhere there is someone. Doesn't affect the work at hand. One night. Trinh Man called.

"Hey beautiful lady."

"Did you know your interview was published?"

"What's wrong?!"

Trinh Man's voice immediately rose.

"Your photo is spreading all over the design world!"

"How many people share!"

"Some people say 'The romance of an artist.'"

"People praise 'An artist coming out of the ground.'"

"You're going to be famous!"

On Nhuoc Van burst out laughing.

"It's not that bad."

"A bunch of big accounts also shared."

"There are still people looking to find out who you are."

"No one has ever traced you to Loc Khe."

"But the price of your 'Return' set."

"Someone has already asked the organizers directly."

Wen Nhuoc Van is not too concerned.

"What should come."

"It will come."

Trinh Man sighed softly.

"I like your current state."

"It's not like 'ignoring life' like before."

"Really solid."

On Nhuoc Van was silent. Trinh Man laughed again.

"But I still want to wait a bit."

"What about Pho Hanh Chi?"

"Have you signed the divorce papers yet?"

"He hasn't sent it yet."

"You didn't mention it?"

"He will send."

Trinh Man was silent for two seconds.

"Nhuoc Van."

"You really don't care anymore."

"Or are you still waiting for something?"

On Nhuoc Van leaned back on the sofa. One hand caressed Dau Bao. That question. She also asked herself. And the answer is... She really doesn't care anymore. That divorce petition. For her. Not only does it symbolize the end of a marriage. It is also... The official end of a stage of life. She found out. I'm no longer in a hurry to put that dot on anymore. Not because of attachment. She doesn't need a piece of paper. To prove that I have moved past the past. Have you really passed through or not? Only she knows.

"No need to wait."

Wen Nhuoc Van said softly.

"It's no longer impatient."

September. The touring exhibition officially begins. First stop. It's Shanghai. The day Wen Nhuoc Van arrived. The sky is clear blue without a single cloud. The exhibition location is on the first floor of an old Western-style villa. The space is not big. But very delicate. Her display area is located in the deepest position in the exhibition room. It's the series "Return." It's the Kintsugi series. Two sets of works placed side by side. Completely different style.