Chapter 20 — Ex-Wife Reincarnated

At noon, I sit and draw in the study room. Tham Dinh Uyen works next door. He has video meetings, speaks fluent English, and is negotiating a business deal worth tens of millions of yuan. I bent down to sketch, my pencil rustling. Occasionally look up at him. Attentive, calm, proficient. Completely different from the "General Director" I used to know. Luc Than Vu wouldn't let me sit next to him at meetings, he said women don't understand business. Tham Dinh Uyen didn't care, he even asked my opinion.

“This series is aimed at the Asian market, which elements do you think would be good to use?”

I froze for a moment. "Bamboo."

“Why?”

“Resilient, virtuous.” I said, "Plus the shape is beautiful."

He nodded and said to the other screen: "The main factor is bamboo. Consult with Aria." From the other end came a voice exclaiming: "Aria?! Is that Miss Aria?" Tham Dinh Uyen smiled. “It's her.”

"Oh my god! The boss is so good! You even invited Aria!"

Tham Dinh Uyen glanced at me, her eyes full of pride, as if to say: See, you are very powerful. I bowed my head and continued drawing. The corners of the lips suddenly curled up. In the afternoon, I received a text message from Luc Than Vu. New phone number. 【Van Van, you are wrong. It's really wrong.】 I didn't answer. He texted again: 【Hieu Vi's child is gone. Miscarriage.】 My fingers stopped. 【The doctor said that due to excitement, combined with falling, he couldn't hold it.】 【I don't feel sad. I even feel a bit lucky.】 【Let's start over, okay?】 I looked at the screen, my heart as calm as water. No gloating, no pity. Just calm, like reading a stranger's story. I typed again: 【Luc Than Vu. We're finished. Don't look for me anymore.】 Send, then block the number. Put down the phone, continue drawing. Tham Dinh Uyen looked up. “Are you okay?”

“It's okay.”

“Really okay?”

“It's really okay.”

He looked at me for a few seconds. “You are more resilient than I thought.”

“But what else?” I laughed, “Cry for him to see?”

“Many people will.”

“I'm not many people.”

“I know.” He said, “So you are Aria.”

In the evening, Tham Dinh Uyen went into the kitchen and made spaghetti. Very simple but very delicious. Binh An squatted on the table, secretly eating my bread.

“It was damaged by you.” Tham Dinh Uyen said.

“It was already damaged.” I patted Binh An's head. The dog rubbed against my hand, acting coy.

“What do you plan to do next?” Tham Dinh Uyen asked.

“Let's finish drawing 32 sets for Than Tinh first.”

“And then what?”

“Okay…” I thought for a moment, “Let's go on a trip.”

“Where to?”

“Haven't thought of it yet.” I replied, "I can go to Northern Europe and see the Northern Lights."

“Going alone?”

“Yes.”

He remained silent, eating a few pieces of noodles.

“I can go with you.” he said.

I'm dumbfounded. "What?"

“I said,” He repeated, “I can go with you.”

“Why?”

“Because I also want to see the aurora borealis.” He laughed, “Besides, traveling alone isn't safe.”

“I'm not a child.”

“In my eyes, you are a child.”

I glared at him. He laughed harder.

“Just kidding.” He said, “I just thought, having a companion wouldn't be bad.”

I didn't answer, I bowed my head to eat noodles, feeling a bit confused. Before going to sleep, Tham Dinh Uyen knocked on the door. “Give me this.” I opened the door. He handed over an envelope. "What's up?" “Open it and see.” I opened it, inside was a photo. Me and Binh An, out in the yard. I was hugging the dog, smiling widely. Sunlight shines on the face, in the eyes... there is light.

“When was this taken?” I asked.

“Yesterday.” He said, "When you were teasing Binh An."

“Nice shot.”

“For the beauty.”

My ears are hot again.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He paused for a moment, "To Van."

“Yes?”

“You look very beautiful when you smile.”

“…”

“Let's laugh more later.”

After speaking, he returned to his room. Leaving me holding the photo, standing dumbfounded at the door.