Chapter 4 — After the Marriage Aborted, I Became Something You Couldn't Reach

"Tham Nhuoc Van, your fiance went to register his marriage with someone else, yet you didn't make a mess, didn't question him, and instead ran to Hangzhou to see the exhibition?"

“Are you crazy?”

I finished folding the other clothes and put them in the suitcase.

"Tri Du, think about it. If I rush to Phuong's house now and make a scene, what will be the result?"

She opened her mouth.

"Phuong's mother will cry, saying I'm unreasonable."

“Phuong Minh Vien will tell me to cause trouble without cause.”

"Chu Vy Vy may not even need to show her face."

"In the end everyone will say: 'See, the Phuong family canceled the marriage. This girl has a bad temper.'"

Lam Tri Du's mouth slowly closed. I zipped up the suitcase.

"My dignity, I don't need them to give me alms."

After a long silence, Lam Tri Du's voice dropped.

“So are you going to pretend like you don't know forever?”

“It's not pretending.”

I stood up straight.

“It's about waiting for the right time.”

On Monday, I asked the company for half a month off on the grounds that I had work at home. The boss doesn't ask much, directly approves. Tuesday, I returned the pearl necklace by express delivery. The recipient was Phuong's mother. Do not leave a message. Also don't write any explanation. Wednesday morning, I pulled my suitcase and left the apartment complex. The phone vibrated once. Message from Phuong Minh Vien.

“Nhuoc Van, next week I'm going on a business trip, please help me get my suit dry cleaned.”

I looked at the screen for three seconds. Then answer one word: Then turn off the chat box, call a car to the high-speed train station. Outside the car window, the city I lived in for three years slowly receded. Gray buildings. Gray sky. Even the trees were a pale gray-green color. I suddenly felt my whole body lighten a bit. Like after taking off that pearl necklace... Even breathing became easier. When we arrived in Hangzhou, it was raining lightly. My partner, Tran Viet, came to pick me up. He held an umbrella and smiled brightly:

"Boss Tham appeared in person? This exhibition has greatly upgraded its scale."

"Stop joking around. Have you sent me the plan yet?"

"Sent it, sent it, sent it last night. Go, go back to the studio first."

Techi in Hangzhou has a small studio. Including Tran Viet, there are a total of six people. The scale is not large. But reputation has gradually been built. Including both online and offline, annual revenue is nearly 8,000,000 yuan. As for the Phuong family... That number is probably equivalent to half a year's revenue of those hot pot chains. But no one knows that company is mine. Phuong Minh Vien thought my monthly salary was 12,000 yuan. Phuong's mother thinks my biggest asset is that small apartment. My parents think I just "occasionally help friends with designs". Can't blame them. Because from beginning to end... No one has ever seriously asked me:

“What are you doing?”

“How are you doing?”

“What do you really want?”

What they asked was just:

“Are you free on the weekend?”

“Can you help me get the things?”

“Can I eat a little more?”

Half a month in Hangzhou, I lived very busy but also very quiet. Daytime runs between exhibition and studio. In the evening, return to the hotel to review plans and answer emails. Tran Viet didn't know my personal affairs, only saw me coming more attentively than usual, and smiled and said:

"Isn't it true that Boss Tham is heartbroken that's why he came to me to relieve his sadness?"

“The crow's mouth is just right.”

During that half month, Phuong Minh Vien didn't text much. How few Another day there is news. It's all about work or chores.

“I took the vest myself.”

“I went to see the fleet of cars with my mother on the weekend and decided on the white model.”

"When will you come home? My mother asked."

I respond to any news very quickly.

“It's been hard for everyone.”

“I'll be back at the end of the month.”

Not cold, not hot. Not far, not near. Exactly like before. He didn't detect anything unusual. Or maybe… He just didn't care. On the tenth day, Lam Tri Du sent a text message.

"The Phuong family has already started posting about the wedding among everyone's mutual friends. The wedding invitations have also been distributed."

I took a look. Then put down the phone and continue editing the exhibition layout drawing.

“Aren't you angry?”

She continued asking.

"There's no time to be angry. The customer side needs the final version tomorrow."

“… Tham Nhuoc Van, are you really that heartless?”

I looked at the computer screen and smiled softly. It's not mindless or heartless. Human strength is limited. I want to spend it on worthy things. On the opening day of the exhibition, many people from the industry came to visit. Some brands proactively came to Te Tri's booth to discuss cooperation. Tran Viet was so happy that he was about to fly into the sky. After the exhibition ended, he took me out for a late dinner.

"Nhuoc Van, there is a customer who owns a boutique hotel chain who is extremely interested in our soft furnishings plan. The scale is very large, can you come meet with me the day after tomorrow?"

"Okay. Who is it?"

"Ha Tranh. The guy who makes a high-end homestay chain. Last year, he just raised a few rounds of investment capital, and is now expanding around Hangzhou, needing to synchronize the design style."

“Send the documents for me to review first.”