Chapter 20 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

"It can't really be beautiful."

"Back in the day."

"I'm too afraid that other people won't like me."

On Nhuoc Van did not answer. But in my heart. He was absolutely right. The day before. Every time I compose. She always wondered. Will people like it? Will the market accept it? Is it too risky? She no longer thinks about those things. Beautiful or not. Let viewers feel for themselves. Mid-November. Wen Nhuoc Van received an unexpected email. It is the Cultural Station of Loc Khe town.

"Hello Ms. Wen Nhuoc Van. Loc Khe Town Cultural Station plans to open a community training class 'Craft Workshop', respectfully inviting you to take on the position of pottery instructor..."

Wen Nhuoc Van read it again and again twice. She has never taught anyone. You can do it yourself. And teach others to do it. They are two completely different things. She thought of Mr. Tham again. His health became weaker and weaker. If later. What if he can't continue to look after the pottery factory anymore? Orders from tea shops in town. Craft market stalls. All tourists want to experience pottery making when coming to Loc Khe. Whatever. Someone must continue. She accepted. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Each session is two hours. The class is not crowded. Only about seven or eight people. Mostly girls in town. And a few high school students after school. Wen Nhuoc Van teaches very patiently. She doesn't preach theory. But it starts right away with practice. How to knead the soil. How to concentrate. How to stretch. How to retract your mouth. All holding hands just little by little. There is a little girl named Tieu Ngu. Particularly gifted. Go to the third lesson. Able to shape a bowl into shape.

"Look at this!"

Tieu Ngu raised his bowl. Laughing until you can only see your teeth but not your eyes. Wen Nhuoc Van looked at the slightly distorted bowl. Even though it's not beautiful. But what a bowl. In her heart. Suddenly soft again. Like... There's something. Being transmitted. Mr. Tham taught her. It was her turn to teach others. Handicraft. It's always been passed down like that. One day in early December. Wen Nhuoc Van is in the factory. Made the central work of the series "Duong Khau." It was a vase almost half the height of a person. On the body of the vase. There are three large cracks. Cross each other. Extends all the way to the bottom. She plans to use three different materials. To handle those three cracks. Soldered with gold. Soldered with silver. There's one way left. Keep the space intact. No filling. Three options. Three attitudes. Let go. Just sharpening that workpiece. It took all day. Come evening. The work is finally taking shape. Wen Nhuoc Van took a few steps back. Stand and watch for a long time. That's it. She took the phone. Take a photo. Sent to Tong Thanh Nghi.

"The central piece is finished."

Message just sent. Tong Thanh Nghi immediately responded with a series of exclamation points. Then send a recording.

"Oh my god Nhuoc Van!"

"This work..."

"It will definitely make a lot of people cry."

On Nhuoc Van put away his phone. Continue editing the final details on the vase body. By eight o'clock in the evening. She just stopped. Wash off the clay. Prepare to go home. Just opened the factory door. Snow is falling. Loc Khe rarely has snow. Just once or twice. On Nhuoc Van stood in front of the door. Look at the thin snowflakes. Falling down the paved road. Cover the ground with a light white layer. She took a deep breath. Are not Cold air filled my chest. Right at that moment. The phone rang. It's Deputy Hanh Chi. Wen Nhuoc Van looked at the screen. It's been more than a month since the divorce. During that time. He only texted twice. Notice that the documents have been sent. Early November. Remind her to take care of her health in the cold weather. Both times. She didn't answer at all. Very short message.

"Nhuoc Van, I wish you a happy new year."

On Nhuoc Van looked at those four words. Snowflakes gently flew under the eaves. Perched on her shoulder. She thought for a moment. Then answer.

"Wish you a happy new year."

Put away the phone. Stepping on a thin layer of snow. Slowly return home. Through the new year. Only two months left. The solo exhibition will officially open. Wen Nhuoc Van entered the final sprint phase. Twenty works. All have completed the embryo creation part. And burnt wood. Entering the enamel coating stage. And Kintsugi welding. Tong Thanh Nghi regularly video calls with her once a week. To confirm progress. Adjust display plan. Communication activities for the exhibition. Also officially started. Phuong Dat launches a promotional campaign on social networks. They used Wen Ruowan's photos in their touring exhibition. Combined with close-up photos of some new works. There is only a very short introduction.

"One woman. One small town. One furnace. Transforming broken things into the most beautiful beauty. March. See you in Shanghai."

Spreading effect. Exceeded expectations. In just two weeks. Number of followers on Wen Nhuoc Van's social networking platforms. Has tripled. Someone commented.

"Is this the artist Kintsugi from the small town in the South? You must go see the exhibition!"

Someone else writes.

"Suddenly I also want to go to Loc Khe to live for a while."

Wen Nhuoc Van hardly read those comments. Her entire mind. All placed on the work. Mid-February. Twenty works. Finally completed. On Nhuoc Van and Mr. Tham. Burn the final batch.