Chapter 11 — Global Livestream, Her Dress Shows My Name

It's time to sleep. Tomorrow I still have to help Ha Mat prepare the final list of questions for the defense part. Anyway, I will definitely do what I have agreed to do. It's just the way... It's a little different from what they imagined. Two days before Fashion Week, the organizers arranged for all finalists to come to the hall to get acquainted with the stage and rehearse one last time. I followed Chu Minh Vien's assistant through the backstage entrance. Wear a mask. Bow your head and walk through the staff area. The backstage is very large. Divided into more than ten independent makeup rooms and dressing areas. Each designer has their own area. The name is posted right outside the door. Ha Mat's name is in the room closest to the main stage entrance. The most beautiful location. That means the organizers consider her a bright candidate for the championship. I stood at the corner of the hallway. Looking through the slightly open door. Ha Mat is trying on that dress. Two assistants squatted on the ground to adjust the skirt. Luc Ngan stood next to him holding his phone and taking photos. Ha Mat wears a bright red phoenix dress. Spin around in front of the mirror.

“The collar is a bit tight.”

“Can you loosen it up a bit?”

An assistant looks at the seam.

“If you want to fix it, you have to take it apart and lock it all over again.”

“It's too late.”

Ha Mat frowned. Luc Ngan immediately spoke up:

“I called the tailor to ask if it could be done urgently.”

"No need."

Ha Mat looked at herself in the mirror. Gently lift your chin.

“I can just skip a meal.”

She spun around again. The skirt part sweeps lightly on the ground. The red fabric under the light radiates a soft and gentle light. In that light. Part of it comes from the vegetable glue in the hidden pattern dye. But no one knows. I withdrew my gaze. Get out of there. Go back down the hallway. In front of the prop room door. I met Tan Lang. He was squatting and inventorying spare materials. In his hand he holds a notepad. Above are detailed codes and quantities of ingredients. See me. His hands trembled. I almost dropped the board.

“Don't stress.”

“Do your job.”

I walked by. Take two steps and stop.

“The day of Fashion Week.”

“Where do you stand?”

“Right here in the prop room.”

“Master Chu told me to stay here on duty.”

“To be ready to replenish supplies when needed.”

“Just stay here that day.”

“No matter what happens outside.”

“Don't go out.”

He looked at my back. Lips moved slightly. But in the end, he still swallowed what he wanted to say. I went to the side door of the hall. Push the door and step out. The harsh sunlight immediately flooded in. Next to the parking lot there is a black commercial vehicle. The window was lowered halfway. Revealing the face of a man I've never met. He is about middle-aged. Wearing a very neat dark gray suit. Wear an old-fashioned watch. Saw me coming out. He nodded slightly. Then roll up the window. The driver left. I don't know him. But it seemed like he knew me. I don't think much about this. The most important thing is only one. Confirmed that Ha Mat will use a bottle of imported shaping glue before going on stage. That night returned to the motel room. Tan Lang sent a confirmation message.

“Ha Mat told me to put the bottle of imported shaping glue on the dressing table in the dressing room.”

“She said she would use it before going on stage.”

Piece final graft. Has fallen into place. I sat on the floor. Lean your back against the wall. He looked up at the water stains on the ceiling for a long time. At this time. I was standing on a cliff by the sea. The wind is very strong. The waves are also very big. The phone screen was filled with curses. You plagiarist, go away and die. If you don't have talent, don't go out and make fun of it. Ha Mat is so good but still dares to steal her things. Last line. This is a screenshot of the message Luc Ngan sent to Ha Mat.

"Done."

“The prize is mine.”

That moment. I just really understood. From start to finish. I'm just a pawn. Once a chess piece is used, it can be thrown away. And this life. I turned the whole board upside down. The one who has to leave the game... It's not me. The phone suddenly rang. It's a strange number. I hesitated a bit then picked up the phone. On the other end of the line was a deep male voice. Sounds like someone who has gone through countless ups and downs, big and small.

“May I ask, are you Ha Tinh?”

“I am Ms. Chung Ngoc Hoa's assistant.”

“Miss Chung wants to meet you once before Fashion Week.”

“I wonder if it's convenient for you?”

My fingers stopped on my knees.

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

“The location will be decided by Ms. Chung.”

After hanging up. I put the phone on my chest. Tilt your head up and look at the ceiling. Chung Ngoc Hoa. Final examiner. The longest-standing traditional textile researcher in the industry. Actively look for me. That wasn't in my plan. But it's not a bad thing. The next afternoon. According to the address sent by Chung Ngoc Hoa's assistant.