Chapter 12 — Forty-two Days of Confinement

"I heard about it at the previous exchange." He spoke very frankly. "The situation on Tran Tuyet's side is being handled internally. I called today and wanted to talk to you about something else." chair. "How much is the budget?" "Initial estimate is about eight hundred thousand yuan. Details can be discussed in person."Eight hundred thousand. My hands weren't shaking, but my heart was beating two beats faster. "Director Vuong, let me think, I'll answer you tomorrow." "Okay, I'll wait to hear from you." Hanging up, I sat there looking out the window. Downstairs there is a child riding a tricycle, his mother following behind. Eight hundred thousand. This application is equal to the total of all my previous applications combined. The baby was sitting in the playpen next to him, patting one The rubber duck makes a chirping sound. I turned to look at my child. "Baby, maybe mommy is about to get a big job." The child smiled at me, revealing his two lower front teeth that had just erupted. I accepted Thanh Mieu's project. After signing the contract, Tran Huc found out. It's not me who actively said it. When Thanh Mieu transferred money, the deposit of three hundred and twenty thousand yuan was transferred directly to the studio's business account. When I was comparing the books with the accountant at home, he often saw the screen. "Three hundred and twenty thousand?" He stopped to look. "This is..." "Deposit. Total contract value eight hundred and fifty thousand." He stood next to my chair, not moving for a long time. "Eight hundred fifty thousand." "Yes." "You alone..." "Not alone anymore. The studio currently has four designers and a project assistant." He sat down on the chair next to him. "Van Van, since when did you..." His hands were placed on his knees, as if he didn't know where to put them. "Since when did you become like that?" "You always do these things. I just don't see it." He looked at me. "I'm sorry." "Sorry for what?" "Before..." He stopped. "Before, I really thought you were at home 'free'. Every day when I came home and saw you in your pajamas holding the baby, I thought you were just..." "Just a full-time mother." He nodded. I'm not angry. "Tran Huc, you are truly a full-time mother. Every day you spend more than ten hours taking care of your child. But a person is not just one side." He said, "Yeah." "A good relationship in a family. That's enough." "Okay." He stood up, hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand to pat my head. "You're really good." I pushed his hand away. "Don't mess up my hair, I just washed it." He laughed. Thanh Mieu's project lasted three months. During that time, countless versions were edited. Synchronizing images for more than sixty stores is no small matter. From signs and in-store displays to online pages and employee uniforms, every touchpoint had to be covered. My team expanded to seven people. The workplace moved from home to a small studio in an office building. Fifty square meters, a bit cramped but sufficient. On the day the handover was completed, Vuong Thac sent a message on WeChat. "Miss Lam, the board of directors' feedback shows a very high overall level of satisfaction. The intention to cooperate in the second phase next year has been submitted. In addition, our chairman would like to make an appointment with you to discuss the possibility of long-term strategic cooperation."I looked at the message. One year ago, when I was sick The company cut back, my compensation was less than thirty thousand yuan. I put down the phone and went to make a cup of tea. Standing by the studio window looking down. Below is a pedestrian street, bustling with people. A Kha poked her head out of her workplace: "Sister, shall we celebrate tonight?" "Okay. Let's order hot pot." "Yes!" In the evening, six members of the team sat around the hot pot table, dipping food and chatting loudly. A Kha raised a glass of water: "Dear Ms. Lam. From being alone at home holding a child while designing, to a team of seven people like now. Just one year." I raised my glass to her. "Dear everyone. No one has it easy." After eating hot pot, it was ten o'clock when I got home. Tran Huc was at home coaxing the baby to sleep. When I pushed open the bedroom door, he was leaning against the head of the bed and patting the baby's butt. Seeing me, he raised his finger to his lips to signal silence. I lightly walked over, bowed my head to look at my baby. It's been eight months. He's grown up so fast. I took off my coat, hung it up and sat down next to the bed. Tran Huc lowered his voice: "How was the project today?" "The project has been handed over. The client is satisfied." "Congratulations." I leaned on his shoulder. "Tired." He reached out and rubbed my shoulder. "You've worked hard." I closed my eyes for a moment. The phone in my pocket vibrated again. I took it out to see. It was an email. The sender was the City Design Association.