Chapter 7 — Global Livestream, Her Dress Shows My Name

The phone lights up again. It's a message from To Niem.

“Ha Tinh, I know you told me not to contact you.”

“But I really can't stand it.”

“Have you seen Luc Ngan's post?”

“Based on what?”

“Based on what?”

“Those designs are all yours!”

“He knows this better than anyone!”

She sent six messages in a row. Any news is like cursing people. The last news wrote:

“If you need help, tell me.”

“Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it.”

“I've been a bystander for three years, that's enough.”

I don't answer. But in the dark. The corners of the lips curled slightly. Just wait for me three more months. The next day. An unexpected incident interrupted my plans. Luc Ngan comes. He used the spare key to open the door and enter. When I raised my head from my desk. He was standing in the room.

“It's no use changing the lock.”

“I know the landlord.”

He threw the key on the table. Glanced at the fabric samples on the table.

“Are you still working?”

“Just practice your skills.”

“We cannot forget our profession.”

“Having a job is good.”

He sat down on the edge of the folding bed. The bed frame creaked under his weight.

“Today I came to discuss something with you.”

“What?”

“Ha Mat has reached the final of the international voting.”

“Next month will step onto the Fashion Week stage.”

“I guess you already know.”

“In the final round there is a live defense section.”

“The jury will ask about the design concept and technical details during implementation.”

“I know Ha Mat's professional background.”

“She can still say general things.”

“But if you ask in-depth questions about embroidery techniques, dyeing processes or handmade details, she can't answer.”

I put down the fabric knife in my hand.

“You want me to help her prepare her defense.”

“No need to write the whole thing.”

“Just list the important technical points.”

“I will teach her to memorize.”

Luc Ngan's voice was very calm. As if talking about something insignificant.

“Aren't you the best at this?”

“Teach others what you know.”

I looked at his face for five seconds. Right now. I broke the cup. Then I had a huge argument with him. Then he went out. Turn the story into another version.

"Ha Tinh is jealous of Ha Mat, he won't even lend a hand."

Then tell everyone. Luc Ngan's expression clearly relaxed. He probably had at least three rounds of persuasion prepared. Unexpectedly, I agreed right from the first sentence.

“You think it's clear?”

“There's nothing I can't think through.”

“It's just a presentation.”

“Conveniently help a little.”

He nodded. Get up and go out. At the door, turn around. Using a tone similar to concern, say:

“I've become thinner lately.”

“Don't save too much.”

“If you need to eat, eat.”

“If you need to drink, drink.”

After the door closes. I still sat in the same place. A little help. It was my "helping a little" times that raised a fake genius. I will help her one more time. I will write her a perfect defense. The technical specifications will be exact to every detail. But I'll leave a hole in there. A flaw that only people who truly understand the profession can detect Okay. Can't be too big. Too big and she'll notice. Just small enough. So small that when the examiner asked about it. It's enough that she can't answer. A nail doesn't need to be too big. Just close the right place. Ha Mat's preparations for the final round have entered the final stage. Every two days. Tan Lang sent me a text message again reporting the situation on Chu Minh Vien's side. Chu Minh Vien took Ha Mat to meet three fabric suppliers. Finally chose a long-standing brand called Cam Van Phuong. The boss's name is Tien. Has cooperated with Chu Minh Vien for more than twenty years. The materials he provides are all the top handwoven silk and brocade in the country. This information helps me confirm one thing. Ha Mat's last contest dress... Will not change the material anymore. The dress she wore on stage... It was the dress I had shaped three days ago. The pattern dye embedded in the lining remains intact. Beneath the bright red fabric. Those three words are still quietly waiting. At the same time. Luc Ngan took the presentation I wrote to teach Ha Mat to memorize it. I filled eight pages. From the cultural origin of the "Son Hai Van" collection. Up to the mathematical proportions in the pattern structure. From the logic of material selection. Go to the sequence of dyeing steps. All the knowledge in there is correct. There is only one exception. On page six. Third paragraph. I adjusted the needle spacing parameter of the cross stitch locking technique from 0.3 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. In regular conversations. No one noticed that difference. But if judge Chung Ngoc Hoa asked. And Ha Mat responded according to that presentation. She will notice the mistake immediately. Because the distance of 0.5 millimeters cannot completely fix the warp and weft fiber system of silk. After three washes. The fabric surface will definitely be ruffled. Anyone who has done traditional embroidery knows this. Ha Mat does not. Because from before until now. She had never actually held a needle. That nail. I've closed it down. And when to use it? Have to wait and see the situation in the final round. If not used. I still have the three words on the dress.