Chapter 19 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

Final area. Named...

"The Void."

Only ceramic pieces are displayed. Intentionally kept intact. When you see the words "Void." On Nhuoc Van was silent for a long time. That's what she always wanted to say. She thought all day. Just sent an email to Mr. Phuong.

"We can cooperate. Please invite Tong Thanh Nghi to come to Loc Khe. We will meet in person to discuss details."

Three days later. Tong Thanh Nghi arrived. After six hours by train. And one more bus trip. She pulled her suitcase and appeared at the beginning of Loc Khe town. Completely different from that rainy night in Hangzhou. Bring guilt. The whole body is tense. And this time. She wore a simple cotton jacket. Wear a canvas bag on your shoulder. The face also relaxes a lot. Wen Nhuoc Van went to the town to welcome her. The two looked at each other. Tong Thanh Nghi was the first to smile.

"Your face."

"Much better than last time."

"You too."

Wen Nhuoc Van took her to the pottery factory. Mr. Tham was not there. There are only two people left. Wen Ruowan showed her a wall full of sketches. Then display a few completed samples. Tong Thanh Nghi watched very attentively. She squatted in front of the works. Observe each item one by one. Sometimes. Gently touch the enamel layer with your hand.

"This bottle."

She pointed to a flower vase. The mouth part is chipped. But not corrected.

"Did you intentionally keep it the same?"

"That's right."

Tong Thanh Nghi asked softly. On Nhuoc Van thought for a moment. Just answered slowly.

"It's not any injury."

"Also need to be healed."

"There are times."

"Keep that gap."

"It makes the whole thing more transparent."

"Light."

"You can come in."

"It can also flow out."

Tong Thanh Nghi was silent for a long time. Then stand up.

"Wen Ruo Wan."

First time. She called her by name. There are no more words 'Miss On' anymore.

"Why do I want to do this exhibition?"

On Nhuoc Van looked at her.

"It's not just because your work is very good."

Tong Thanh Nghi said softly.

"But also because..."

"Her story."

"And my story."

"There are some very similar points."

On Nhuoc Van did not speak.

"After what happened in Hangzhou."

"I was also having a hard time."

Tong Thanh Nghi's voice gradually became smaller.

"I know."

"I didn't do anything wrong."

"But in reality."

"I still accidentally became part of the reason why a marriage broke up."

"That thing."

"Troubled me for a long time."

"What happens after that?"

Wen Nhuoc Van asked.

"Then..."

"I also started to learn how to cope."

"I quit my job."

"Start again."

"Switched to being a curator."

"Put all your effort."

"To tell other people's stories."

She smiled.

"Because I don't have enough courage to face it."

"So first."

"Go help others face it."

On Nhuoc Van listened quietly. A very strange feeling arose in my heart. Not forgiveness. Not exactly sympathy. A feeling of parallelism. Both were traumatized by the same incident. Each person chooses a different path. To step out of it. They stood together in the same room. Let's look at a wall full of sketches. Fragments. Cracks. For both. It's not just about materials. On Nhuoc Van nodded slightly. Tong Thanh Nghi was slightly stunned.

"Okay...what do you mean?"

"Let's do this exhibition together."

Tong Thanh Nghi burst out laughing. Not buds smile socially. It's a truly happy smile.

"Don't thank me."

On Nhuoc Van also laughed.

"It's the work of both."

"Spoil."

"It's also the responsibility of both."

Tong Thanh Nghi stayed in Loc Khe for three days. From morning to night. The two almost always sit together. Discuss space layout. Lighting design. Order of arrangement of works. Orientation of media content. Tong Thanh Nghi's sense of space is excellent. She studied architecture. Should be extremely sensitive to movement paths and spatial proportions. Meanwhile. Wen Nhuoc Van has almost absolute control over the materials and emotions of the work. Compensate each other comfortably. Tuesday evening. The two of them sat drinking tea in On Nhuoc Van's yard. Tong Thanh Nghi suddenly asked softly.

"With Hanh Chi."

"Are you done with the procedure yet?"

On Nhuoc Van nodded.

"Last week."

Tong Thanh Nghi bowed his head. Look at the tea in the cup.

"He..."

"Are you okay?"

"Pretty good."

Wen Nhuoc Van replied.

"Much more mature than two years ago."

Tong Thanh Nghi did not ask further. The night wind gently passed by. The scent of cinnamon flowers is so strong that it seems to overflow from the yard wall.

"Wen Ruo Wan."

"Later..."

"Can I call you Nhuoc Van?"

On Nhuoc Van looked at her for a moment. Then smile. After Tong Thanh Nghi left. Wen Nhuoc Van entered the stage of writing with high intensity. The solo exhibition is set for March next year. Time remaining. Just over four months. The "Duong Khau" series requires at least twenty works. Just completed eight. There are twelve more works. Wen Nhuoc Van wakes up at six o'clock in the morning. Be at the factory at seven o'clock. Work continuously. By nine or ten o'clock at night. Outside of meal time. Feed Dau Bao. Or visit Mr. Tham. She hardly stopped. Mr. Tham's health has improved. But the doctor still forbade him to go near the furnace. He uses a cane. Go slowly to the workshop. Sit in a corner. Quietly watching On Nhuoc Van work. Say nothing. Wen Nhuoc Van is applying enamel to a work. Mr. Tham suddenly spoke up.

"This batch of works."

"It's different from before."

"What's different?"

"Before."

"Your clothes are beautiful."

"Beautiful in a thoughtful way."

He used the tip of his stick to gently tap the floor.

"And now."

"No more holding back."

"Dare to bring ugly things."

"Out in front of others."

On Nhuoc Van paused. Then burst out laughing.

"Are you praising me?"

Mr. Tham snorted lightly.

"Making art."

"If you don't dare to be bad."