Chapter 6 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

"I'll sign the divorce papers. But before I sign, I want you to know the whole truth. If you're willing to listen, give me an address and I'll come see you."

On Nhuoc Van held that photo for a long time. She wore a gray cotton shirt. Hair loosely tied back. The suitcase stood next to my feet. Can't see the expression clearly. But everyone was strangely quiet. Like waiting for something. It's like... Quietly saying goodbye. She turned the photo over. Place on the table. Dau Bao jumped up. Gently swipe your claw over the photo. Wen Nhuoc Van looked at its small feet. Suddenly it felt ridiculous. It's been two years. She still thinks. That marriage was shortened by me. Store it at the bottom of the drawer. Like that silver ring. But... It seemed to still be alive. Like a seed. She thought she had buried it deep enough. It's still trying to get out of the ground. Wen Nhuoc Van did not answer Pho Hanh Chi. She also didn't throw the photo away. She tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. Finally had to sit in the yard. Quietly looking up at the night sky. The sky in Loc Khe is much clearer than the city. Countless stars can be seen. In her head. Repeat that sentence over and over again.

"I want you to know the whole truth."

In the end... What is the whole truth? She still thinks. I already know it all. She saw with her own eyes the closed door. I heard the woman's laughter with my own ears. Is that still not enough? Pho Hanh Chi said to change the plan. Said he couldn't book a room. Said she slept on the sofa. So what if it's all real? It was just a night that looked very bad. But what if in reality nothing happened? On Nhuoc Van hugged her knees. Bury your face in your arms. The thing that made her leave. From now until now... It's never been just that night. A whole year of gradually drifting apart. Calls are not picked up. The phone always has the screen facing down. Coming home is increasingly late. The conversations became less and less. It's all of those things. That was the real reason why she decided to leave. The next morning. On the way to the pottery factory. Wen Nhuoc Van stopped by the breakfast restaurant at the beginning of town. She meets Tieu Mien. Mrs. Phuong's niece. Tieu Mien is nineteen years old this year. Studying at university in the province. During summer break, I returned to my hometown to help my grandmother look after the store. Tieu Mien held a bowl of wontons and sat down opposite.

"I saw the news that you won the award."

"Really great!"

"Thank you."

"Ah yes."

Tieu Mien lowered her voice.

"Someone once asked me for your address."

On Nhuoc Van's movement of picking up food stopped.

"A man became WeChat friends with my grandmother."

"Ask which street you live on."

"My grandmother didn't say."

"I told you to ask me first."

On Nhuoc Van was silent for a few seconds.

"How are you?"

"The profile picture is an image of an architectural work."

"He said he was your friend."

"My grandmother said she had never heard you mention any male friends so she didn't dare answer."

On Nhuoc Van nodded slightly.

"You did the right thing."

"Don't pay attention to him."

Tieu Mien obediently nodded. Don't ask any more. But Wen Nhuoc Van knew. Pho Hanh Chi started looking for her. He found Mrs. Phuong's WeChat. That makes sense. He tracked down Loc Khe. Even... Investigated the entire neighborhood where she lives. With the personality of Pho Hanh Chi. Just haven't found her yet. He will don't stop. Realize that. On Nhuoc Van suddenly felt confused. But at the same time. There was also a feeling in her heart that was difficult to name. Not emotional. It's not really a rejection either. A complicated panic of being seen through by others. For two years he lived in Loc Khe. She was used to living invisible. No one knows her past. No one asked why she lived alone. No one asked her for an explanation. She is just "Tieu On who makes pottery." But the appearance of Pho Hanh Chi. It would make all the things she took two years to bury... Once again turned upside down. She wasn't sure. Am I really ready or not? Everything happened much faster than On Nhuoc Van thought. Five days after winning the prize. She received a call from a partner. Is an independent designer jewelry brand in Hangzhou.

"Next month our brand will hold an exhibition with the theme 'Rebirth'."

"This idea fits well with her award-winning body of work."

"We'd like to invite you to be an artist in residence for two weeks."

Conditions are extremely attractive. Accommodation costs. Raw materials. Creative workshop. All prepared by the brand. The only thing you need to bring. It's my idea. On Nhuoc Van should be happy. As soon as I heard the other person mention the location. Her fingers unconsciously tightened.

"Just think about it, okay?"

"I will consider it."

After hanging up. On Nhuoc Van sat under the osmanthus tree in the yard. Silently looking at the foliage. It's where she started her escape. Two years ago. She walked out of the hotel in Hangzhou. Get in a taxi and go straight to the station. And now. Hangzhou once again came to her. It's like... Things have come full circle. She wanted to refuse. But that brand has a very good reputation in the industry. This residency exhibition will greatly help her career. More importantly... She couldn't avoid a city forever. That's not healing. It's an escape.