Chapter 7 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

Wen Nhuoc Van called his close friend from college. Her name is Trinh Man. Do graphic design. The voice is always bright. Straightforward personality.

"Is the sun rising in the west today?"

"Normally you never take the initiative to call me."

"Do you still remember Pho Hanh Chi?"

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

"Did he come to bother you again?"

Wen Nhuoc Van told everything. From the awards ceremony. Go to the photo. To the letter. Come express delivery package. Trinh Man finished listening. Silence for a long time.

"Nhuoc Van."

"I asked you a question."

"Don't rush to answer."

"You ask."

"Now..."

"What you feel is..."

'Don't want to see him.'

'Don't dare meet him.'

On Nhuoc Van slightly opened his lips. But couldn't say anything.

"If you don't want to."

"So just leave it alone."

"Tell him to sign the divorce papers himself and send it off."

"But if you don't dare..."

Trinh Man stopped for a moment.

"So prove it."

"There are still unsaid words in your heart."

"...I don't know."

"Then don't rush to conclusions."

Trinh Man said.

"Aren't you going to Hangzhou?"

"Let everything follow its natural course."

"If he really shows up."

"Let's move on until then."

"But Nhuoc Van."

"Regardless of whether anything really happened between him and that person that year."

"For a whole year."

"He makes you uneasy."

"Scared you."

"To the point where I had to secretly follow her to confirm whether my feelings were real or fake."

"Just that alone..."

"That's enough."

"Your leaving."

"It's not wrong at all."

On Nhuoc Van gently closed his eyes.

"You don't owe him another chance."

"Listen to his explanation."

"It doesn't mean you have to forgive."

"You're just giving yourself an ending."

"Understand?"

After hanging up. Wen Nhuoc Van still sat in the dark for a long time. Dau Bao jumped onto her lap. The round, warm body pressed against her legs. On Nhuoc Van gently stroked its soft ears.

"It's not that I'm afraid of him."

She said softly.

"It's about being afraid of yourself."

I'm afraid I'll be soft-hearted. Scared after hearing all the explanations. The girl was twenty-six years old that year. Will run out again from the bottom of my heart.

"Forget it."

"It's not easy for him either."

Wen Nhuoc Van is twenty-nine years old. It took a lot of hard work to learn something. Not a single "Sorry". It also needs to be answered with a question...

"It's okay."

Wen Ruowan decided to go to Hangzhou. She answered the brand side. Confirm the duration of participation in the artist-in-residence program. Then start packing the tools and materials you need to bring. One day before leaving. She sent Dau Bao to Mrs. Phuong's house to take care of him. Mrs. Phuong hugged the cat in her arms. Looked at her a few more times.

"How long will it take this time?"

"About half a month."

"It's okay if I come home late."

"Let the cat take care of you."

Mrs. Phuong patted the back of her hand.

"Young people should go out more."

"Don't lock yourself up for too long."

On Nhuoc Van smiled.

"Thank you."

The day she arrived in Hangzhou. The sky was drizzling with rain. Wen Nhuoc Van walked out of the high-speed train station. She stood with an umbrella in the middle of the square. Quietly looking at the city that two years ago I hastily fled. It's all different. The last time she came here was at dawn. Street lights are sparse. Sitting in the dark back seat of the taxi. Her whole body seemed to lose all feeling. It's two o'clock in the afternoon. Everywhere is covered with the green color of sycamore trees. Back road The rain is still wet. On Nhuoc Van took a deep breath. Then talk to yourself. You are no longer the Wen Nhuoc Van of two years ago. The workshop that the brand prepares is located in an old street. The alley is very quiet. Push the door and step in. It is an old house that has been renovated. In the middle of the yard is planted a bamboo bush. Bright light. In the workshop. All equipment is complete. Ceramic broaching machine. Desk. Wen Nhuoc Van put down her luggage. Take a tour around the factory. Fingertips gently glide over each tool. Just a place to work. So with you. It's a safe place. She quickly got to work. The first week of the artist-in-residence program went very smoothly. She is in the creative workshop. Take a leisurely walk on the old street again. Then stop by the noodle shop at the end of the alley to eat a hot bowl of Phien Nhi Xuyen noodles. No one bothered her. Pho Hanh Chi's messages still arrive regularly. Every two or three days. Very moderate.

"It's been cold in Hangzhou these days, remember to wear more clothes."

"Today I saw a tea shop hanging a poster of your work 'Return'."

"I won't come to bother you. It's just... you've come to my city, I want you to know I know."

On Nhuoc Van did not respond to a single message. She also did not delete them. Night of the fourth day of the stay program. Wen Nhuoc Van worked overtime in the factory. She is working on a new work. Not part of the exhibition. It's a gift just for yourself. A cup. On the body of the cup. She deliberately carved a crack. Wait until later and use gold paint to re-solder it. The art of gold welding. Right at that moment. There was a knock on the door. The carving knife in Wen Nhuoc Van's hand stopped. She looked at the wall clock. Nine thirty at night. The brand's people won't be coming at this hour. She put down the tools. Go open the door. Standing was a woman she had never met.