Chapter 4 — Dawn After the Crack

Phuong Di Nhien smiled, pushed the phone to the middle of the table. On the screen is the chat history between her and Tran Canh Tham.

"Sister Niem So, look at it. I didn't mean to show it to you, it was Canh Tham... he once said he would divorce you, do you know?"

Lam Niem So glanced at the screen. Tran Canh Tham: Wait until she gives birth and then divorce. Phuong Di Nhien: How many times have you said this? Tran Canh Tham: This time it's real. She is not suitable for your family. Lam Niem So pushed the phone back.

“Are you done watching yet?” Phuong Di Nhien tilted her head and asked.

"Done."

“Miss Niem So, I don't intend to steal your husband.” Phuong Di Nhien picked up the phone again. "I just think you should know the truth. Instead of being blindsided like that..."

“You came to me today and wanted me to take the initiative in divorcing you?”

Phuong Di Nhien paused.

“I was just thinking about you.”

“Think for me.” Lam Niem So repeated those three words, then nodded. "Okay. Then I'll give you a little thought."

She took out her phone, opened the document sent by Tong Dao, and flipped to Phuong Di Nhien's personal information page.

"Phuong Di Nhien, joined the company in March last year, passed her probationary evaluation of type C, and was almost eliminated. The person who signed for her to officially transfer was Tran Canh Tham. Last May, she paid a fine for late payment of rent. In July, her credit card was overdue. In September, her ex-boyfriend stopped her at the company gate, then was chased away by security. Last month, she went to the Central Hospital for an HCG test, the results were negative."

Phuong Di Nhien's face gradually turned pale.

“You… you investigated me?”

“Before you met a married man, did you investigate him?” Lam Niem So took a sip of hot cocoa. "His monthly salary is twelve thousand, the house installment is six thousand, the car installment is two thousand three, and even the household expenses have to be split in half with his pregnant wife. What do you think he can give you?"

Phuong Di Nhien's lips trembled.

“What he told me wasn't like that…”

"What did he say? Said he had money? Said he was about to be promoted? Said he would marry you after the divorce?"

Phuong Di Nhien couldn't say a word.

“Phuong Di Nhien, the past four months you've been with him, how much money has he spent on you?”

Phuong Di Nhien bowed her head, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of her skirt.

“…I buy most of the coffee at Starbucks.”

Lam Niem So stood up.

“Then I don't need this cup of hot cocoa.”

She put thirty yuan on the table, picked up her bag and left. Walking to the door, she turned around and looked back once. Phuong Di Nhien still sat there, head down, shoulders shaking. Lam Niem So closed her eyes, pushed the door and walked out. The wind blew in from the main door of the shopping center. The July wind is hot and hot. She stood on the side of the road for a while when the phone rang. It's Co Tham.

"Miss Lam, the contract has passed the legal review. It can be signed on Thursday. In addition, Mr. Lam asked me to convey his message. He hopes you can spend some time doing a DNA test."

Lam Niem So held the phone and froze.

“DNA test?”

"Yes. He didn't explain much, just said that if you agree, the costs will be paid by the corporation."

"He didn't say. But his exact words were, if she doesn't want to, don't force her."

Lam Niem So tightened her grip on the phone, and in her mind, Lam Sung Son's trembling hands appeared when looking at the silver lock.

“I will fail think."

"Okay. No rush.”

The contract signing on Thursday went very smoothly. White paper and black ink. Salary fifty thousand a year, plus six point five percent commission. After signing the contract, just stepping out of the Cam Lan building, Lam Niem So met someone she didn't want to meet. Tran Canh Tham. He stepped down from the taxi, holding a file of documents, and a middle-aged man following behind. The two almost collided with each other. Tran Canh Tham was the first to stop.

“Why are you here?”

Lin Niem Chu glanced at the middle-aged man behind him. The vest is neat, the Cam Lan Group badge is worn on the chest.

“Are you going to Cam Lan too?” She asked again.

“The company asked me to come and present a cooperation plan.” Tran Canh Tham looked at the document envelope in her hand. “What are you holding?”

"Contract."

“What contract?”

“Design contract just signed with Cam Lan.”

Tran Canh Tham stared at her for two seconds, then burst out laughing, as if he heard something funny.

“You? With Cam Lan?”

“Nien So, since when did you start having such unrealistic dreams? Do you know what size company Cam Lan is? Their designers, who didn't study abroad or graduated from prestigious schools..."

A voice rang out from behind. It's Co Tham. He walked out of the building, holding two bottles of water in his hands. He walked next to Lam Niem So and gave her a bottle.

“Forgot to get you water. It's sunny, be careful not to get heatstroke."

Only then did he look at Tran Canh Tham.

“Who is this?”

"My husband." Lam Niem So said. “For now.”

Co Tham smiled politely and held out his hand.

“Co Tham, Investment Department of Cam Lan Group. Ms. Lam is the chief designer of our brand 'So Kien', and will have to cooperate a lot in the future."

Tran Canh Tham's hand stiffened in midair.

“Chief… designer?”

"That's right." Co Tham retracted his hand and looked at the middle-aged man behind Tran Canh Tham. “Lao Chau, your guest?”

The middle-aged man quickly walked forward.

"Mr. Co, this is Mr. Tran, coming to discuss packaging printing cooperation with us."

Co Tham nodded, not looking at Tran Canh Tham anymore.

“Miss Lam, I'll go first. Next week, please email me the first design draft."

Co Tham turned around and went inside. Tran Canh Tham stood frozen in place, his face changing continuously.

“Since when did you do this? Why don't you talk to me?”

"You also didn't tell me about Phuong Di Nhien."

Tran Canh Tham's face immediately froze.

“Who said bad things to you?”

"Not important." Lam Niem So screwed the cap of the water bottle and took a sip. “What you said about splitting costs in half, I agreed. I've moved out, I've already moved out. What else do you want?”

“You... you moved out, I won't stop you. But I'm from the Tran family, I'm not allowed to do anything wrong outside."

“What is considered doing wrong?”

“You and that guy named Gu so-and-so…”

“He is my superior. I'm working." Lam Niem So looked straight at him. “Tran Canh Tham, have you made a mistake? The one who raises women outside is me, not you."

Tran Canh Tham opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

“Please bring in your cooperation plan.” Lam Niem So leaned over to give way. “Don't miss the main thing.”

She walked to the sidewalk to call a car. Before getting in the car, she turned around to look once. Tran Canh Tham is still standing in front of the gate of Cam Lan building, documents inside His hand was squeezed until it was wrinkled. The car passed two intersections and she received a WeChat message from Tran Canh Tham. Tran Canh Tham: Let's talk. She did not answer. Tran Canh Tham: Let me make it clear to you, I am pregnant with the flesh and bones of the Tran family. She still didn't answer. Tran Canh Tham: Don't do anything that makes you regret it. She turned off his chat notification.