Chapter 14 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

"I can't do anything."

On Nhuoc Van smiled.

"I spent three months."

"Don't do anything."

"Simply living."

"Feed the cat."

"Sweep the yard."

"Then one day."

"When my hands touch the clay."

"I discovered..."

"My hands want to move."

"The time has come."

The girl nodded vigorously. Tears fell silently. On Nhuoc Van looked at her.

"Don't rush."

"The day..."

"My hands want to move too."

After the end of the exhibition in Hangzhou. Wen Nhuoc Van did not immediately leave for the next city. She stayed another day. That afternoon. She walked alone along the road along Tay Ho. Two years ago. She once followed Pho Hanh Chi to Hangzhou. It was winter. The lakeside is bone-chillingly cold. Huddled in the hotel hallway. Just as cold. It's early autumn. The lake surface is covered with a thin layer of mist. The willows along the shore begin to turn yellow. Wen Nhuoc Van walked for a long time. Until your legs get tired. Just sat down on a bench. Right at that moment. The phone rang. It's Deputy Hanh Chi. Not a message. It's the call. Wen Nhuoc Van looked at the name flashing on the screen. Hesitate for two seconds. Then pick up the phone.

"Nhuoc Van..."

The other end of the line paused a bit.

"I said..."

"Tell me to go to Loc Khe to sign the divorce papers."

"When is it convenient?"

On Nhuoc Van looked at the lake in front of him.

"After the end of the touring exhibition."

"Around mid-October."

"I'll wait for you to tell me."

The two fell into silence again. A moment later. Wen Nhuoc Van asked.

"Do you have anything else?"

"No..."

Pho Hanh Chi still seemed to want to say something. But in the end. He just said softly:

"Remember to pay attention to safety."

Wen Nhuoc Van hung up the phone. The lake surface is calm. A bird swooped across the water. She remembered something. First year of love. Pho Hanh Chi once took her to Hangzhou. That day was a holiday. It's very hot. Two people walked from Doan Kieu bridge to Loi Phong tower. Half way there. On Nhuoc Van complained of fatigue. Don't want to walk anymore. Pho Hanh Chi immediately carried her. She lay on his back. Chin resting on his shoulder. Smiling and said:

"Classmate Luc Canh Tham."

"If you dare to treat me badly in the future."

"I will run away."

"I can't find it for the rest of my life."

She called the wrong name. Just finished watching a movie. So it's lost. Pho Hanh Chi burst out laughing. Gently corrected.

"Cousin Pho."

"Ah yes."

"Classmate Pho Hanh Chi."

"Remember?"

"You don't treat me well."

"I will run."

She really ran. It also really made him unable to find himself. A joke that year. No one expected it. Come true again. Wen Nhuoc Van stood up from the bench. Lightly brush off the dust on your pants. It's over. So just leave it in the past. The person who carried her on that path. And the person who let her stand in the hotel hallway for four and a half minutes. It's the same person. Humans are inherently complex. She didn't need to turn him into a bad guy. Or try to see him as a good person. I just... Used to love her. Then he betrayed her. And now. Want to make up for it. Can you make up for it or not? It's no longer important. The most important thing. It's you. Has become complete. Third stop of the touring exhibition. It's Chengdu. The day Wen Nhuoc Van arrived. The sky is gloomy. The air carries the humidity and warmth that is unique to Chengdu. The exhibition area is located in one The art area was renovated from an old factory. Right next door. Is an independent bookstore. And a carpentry workshop. On Nhuoc Van really likes this type of space. Where are there people doing crafts? She always feels safe. Exhibition installation date. The owner of the carpentry workshop next door stopped by to get acquainted. Is a man in his thirties. Crew cut. Wear an apron. On the palms of his hands are calluses from holding wood shavings for many years.

"Just arrived?"

He poked his head into the exhibition room.

"Do you make pottery?"

"My name is Giang."

"Name is Giang Moc."

"Just call me old Giang."

"Wen Ruo Wan."

"How long have you been working?"

"If you plan to do it professionally."

"More than two years."

Lao Giang walked in. Squatting in front of the Kintsugi collection. Look attentively for a long time.

"This crack..."

"It's something that was actually broken and then mended."

"Or did it happen on purpose?"

"It's really broken."

Lao Giang stood up. Dust off your knees.

"It's really broken."

"But the welding is so beautiful."

"Very good craftsmanship."

On Nhuoc Van smiled slightly. That's how craftspeople talk to each other. Why did it break? See if it has been repaired beautifully or not. No more words needed. Exhibition in Chengdu. Busier than the previous two locations. That is also the temperament of this city itself. Enthusiasm. Likes excitement. Many young people came to watch. Someone took photos and posted them on social networks. Someone asked for the price of the work. Some people followed her and kept asking about the creative process. Wen Nhuoc Van is still not used to that attention. No more avoiding. After the sharing session. Mr. Phuong of Phuong Dat Cultural Company appeared again.

"Mr. Phuong?"

On Nhuoc Van was quite surprised.