Chapter 2 — Being vetoed by all the judges, I deleted the manuscript and the whole embroidery world went crazy

Inside are all eight years' worth of drawings. Embroidery technique record. Color scheme. The handwritten sketches were scanned and archived. Along with the hidden phoenix eye pattern, the most important detail of the wedding dress. The mouse pointer stops at the delete button. Tham Kieu immediately stood up.

"Sister, stop being childish. Those are Cam Tu Phuong's documents."

I looked at her.

“Didn't you say just now that this work isn't mature enough?”

Tham Kieu choked. I pressed confirm. In the blink of an eye, the entire row of files disappeared. The calmness on Hua Man Thanh's face immediately cracked. I opened the backup drive again. Hua Man Thanh rushed straight down the stage. The cheongsam caught on her leg, causing her to almost fall to the ground.

"Stop! That's Cam Tu Phuong's property!"

I raised my head to look at her.

“Don't let me sign my name, veto my work, but now it's mine?”

Hua Man Thanh reached out to grab the computer. I closed the phone and picked up my bag.

“If you step out of this door today, Cam Tu Phuong will no longer have a place for you.”

I laughed.

“For the past eight years I have been sitting in the most remote position.”

“Whether adding or removing this position makes no difference.”

The security guard at the door tried to stop me. I looked straight at him.

“Or do you want me to play the recording of the entire veto panel just now for the reporters to listen to?”

The guard immediately moved aside. I walked out of the appraisal room and my phone started to vibrate. The first call, I didn't answer. On the second call, I directly hung up. Third, fourth, fifth call... The same name kept appearing on the screen. Director Chau. I stood at the bottom of the steps. The sunlight was so bright that it hurt my eyes. On the sixteenth call, I finally picked up the phone. On the other end of the line, a voice sounded urgent and muffled:

"Lam Van, what did you delete? The old lady of the Song family just pointed out that she wanted to see the hidden phoenix eye pattern. Hua Man Thanh said the design was destroyed. Tell me, is the original still in your hand?"

I looked at the dust blown by the wind on the roadside.

“Director Chau, isn't the final appraisal result clear?”

“The work is not mature enough.”

The other end of the line immediately transmitted a series of chaotic sounds. Director Chau tried to suppress his anger:

“Who said that?”

“Who dares to say that 《Phuong Quy》 is not mature enough?”

When I returned to Cam Tu Phuong, many people had gathered in front of the gate. The sisters and brothers in the embroidery workshop stood in the hallway. Their eyes looked at me like they were looking at a wet dog that had just been kicked out. Tham Kieu holds a red wooden box. His eyes were bright, completely unable to hide his pride. Hua Man Thanh sat in the chair position in the hall. The tea cup was placed firmly on the table, making a heavy sound.

“Kneel down.”

I put my bag down by my feet.

“I didn't do anything wrong.”

“You destroyed the ward's documents and still dare to say you were not wrong?”

Hua Man Thanh pointed straight at me. The jade bracelet on the wrist collided with each other, making a crisp jingling sound.

“For the past eight years, I have taught you how to earn a living, taught you how to hold an embroidery needle.”

“Is that how you repay me?”

Great Master Sister La Van stepped out.

“Van Van, please apologize to master.”

“Master is angry now, you Stop being stubborn.”

I looked at her.

“Senior sister, what I deleted was my own manuscript.”

La Van avoided my eyes.

“Once you enter Cam Tu Phuong, everything is the property of the ward.”

Tham Kieu immediately continued:

“Sister, don't say such harsh words.”

“Master always treats me like his own daughter.”

“If my master hadn't accepted me that year, I wouldn't have been able to pay my tuition.”

That statement is like an old needle. Once again it stabbed me in the ear. Eight years ago. My mother is seriously ill. The family is heavily in debt. In the hospital hallway, Hua Man Thanh held my hand and said that she was willing to accept me as her disciple. At that time, I thought I had met a noble person. Only later will I understand. Noble people have never reached out to help others unconditionally. Hua Man Thanh's voice suddenly lowered:

“Bring the red wooden box here.”

Tham Kieu immediately lifted the box and placed it in front of her. The lid of the box opens. Inside is an old needle bag my mother left behind. The green cloth has faded due to time. In the corner there is also a small orchid embroidered by my mother herself. My expression finally changed.

“Those are my mother's things.”

Hua Man Thanh replied coldly:

“Do you still have the face to talk about your mother?”

“That year before she passed away, she entrusted you to my care.”

“I'll take her place and supervise you.”

“You caused such a big problem today, I'll keep this for now.”

I took a step forward.

“Give it back to me.”

Two strong workers immediately blocked in front of me. Hua Man Thanh took the bag of needles and put them in her sleeve.

“When I learn the rules, I will return them.”

I looked straight at her.

“Today's appraisal was arranged by you?”

Hua Man Thanh burst out laughing.

“What if?”

“The five judges all thought she was incompetent.”

“Should I put a knife to their throat to force them to vote?”

Tham Kieu added in a low voice:

“Sister, don't always think that others will harm you.”

“If there are problems with your work, you should self-criticize first.”

I turned my head to look at her.

“Who made the representative sign on your chest?”

Tham Kieu bowed her head and touched the board.

“Master, give it to me.”

“Every double-layered hem on the back I stayed up all night sewing the other day.”

Tham Kieu's face immediately turned red.

“How about you help me sew a little?”

“Do we still have to make such clear calculations between sisters and brothers?”

I nodded.

“I won't help anymore.”

Tham Kieu's voice immediately rose.

“Do you think anyone wants it?”

Right at that moment. There were footsteps outside the door. A young man wearing a gray suit entered. Following behind were two servants of the Song family. Hua Man Thanh immediately stood up. The smile on his face changed surprisingly quickly.

“Mr. Tong, why did you come here personally?”

The person who just arrived is Tong Lam. The eldest grandson of the Tong family. He is also the most famous gentleman in Thanh Nam for his ability to turn around and look down on others. At the same time... He's also been my boyfriend for the past three years. To be more precise. It's the person who just gave me the wedding invitation yesterday. Tong Lam saw me and immediately frowned.

“What did you do again?”

I don't answer. He walked next to Hua Man Thanh.

“My grandmother wants to use 《Phoenix Turtle》 at the longevity banquet.”

“You deleted the manuscript?”