Chapter 10 — Leave Application Approved Within 10 Minutes

After being suspended from work, Truong Dao also disappeared completely. It is said that he proactively submitted his resignation. Quietly left in struggle. And Vuong Wei is still in the logistics department. Occasionally I hear some news about him from former colleagues. It is said that his current daily job is to push a small cart around departments to deliver and receive documents. Organize documents. Manage archives. People have also become much quieter. There is no longer any enthusiasm and complacency like before. That afternoon. I just finished an online meeting. A new message suddenly appeared on WeChat. This is an account that has not been contacted for a long time. Former colleague in previous project team. A person of few words. Technical capacity is at a good level. Belongs to the type of person who is honest and hardworking.

“Miss Nhien, are you busy?”

“Just finished work.”

"What's up?"

I replied. The other party quickly sent a smiley face.

“Congratulations!”

“I heard that your company is developing very well now.”

“It's okay for now.”

“It's still just a small scale.”

After a few polite sentences. He finally got to the point.

“Sister Nhien.”

“To be honest... the company is quite chaotic right now.”

“After Director Truong left, the new leader did not understand business.”

“Every day, he commands haphazardly.”

“The project team has lost a few people.”

The message stopped for a while. Then a new line of text appeared.

“I'm also considering finding new opportunities.”

Silence again for a few seconds.

“Sister Nhien…”

“Is your company... still recruiting?”

I looked at the message on the screen. This day will come sooner or later. I turned on the computer. Find the link to the recruitment page on the company website. Then copy.

“Your side is indeed expanding recruitment.”

“Here is the recruitment link.”

“There are full position descriptions and job requirements on there.”

The other side was silent. Perhaps Tieu Ly did not expect me to answer in such a formulaic way. What he expected. Perhaps a sentence like:

“Okay, send me your CV to take a look.”

“Let me help you say something.”

But I don't say it. A long time later. New message appears.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Thank you, Ms. Nhien.”

There is also a somewhat forced smiley face icon on the back. I replied:

“Nothing.”

Then close the chat frame. I'm not trying to show off. It's not like you want to keep your distance. It's just that my company needs really capable people. And a fair process. I will not let this place turn into an environment that only relies on personal relationships and feelings. Anyone who wants to join. Everyone has to rely on their own strength. Go through each round of interviews. Pass each round of assessment. That is the principle I set for the company. It's also the way I completely cut off from the past. The phone rings again. As the CEO of another large customer.

“Hello, Mr. Tran.”

“Do you have time tonight?”

“Let's have a meal together.”

"By the way, discuss the strategic cooperation plan for the next quarter."

“Okay, Mr. Ly.”

I looked at the schedule on the computer.

“Seven o'clock at night.”

“Stay in the same place.”

“No problem.”

After hanging up. I stood up. Step in front of the ground-level glass door. The traffic flow was endless. The bright yellow lights are like rivers of light flowing through the city. This city is very large. The opportunities are also endless much. But my life... has long since ceased to be something that can be locked up in a small office building. A winter afternoon, half a year later. I came to meet a new client. Coincidentally, the opponent's company was located right in the building next to my old company. After discussing cooperation, I went downstairs and prepared to drive away. When passing by the old company building, I unconsciously slowed down a few steps. On the steps in front of the main hall. There was a familiar figure. It's Truong Dao. He was leaning against a Roman column, head bowed, smoking. Haven't seen each other for several months. He's visibly aged. Hair has gray spots. The back is also slightly bent. The suit on his body was wrinkled, no longer neat as before. Looks like he's waiting for someone. Occasionally he raised his head and looked towards the front door. Then he bowed down angrily. Take a sharp drag of the cigarette. I don't stop. Just keep moving forward. Right when the two were about to pass each other. He saw me. The body immediately stiffened. Even the cigarette in his hand forgot to dust off the ash. In those eyes. There was surprise. There is embarrassment. There are struggles. And there are also complex emotions that cannot be named.

“Tran... Tran Nhien.”

He called my name. Hoarse voice. I stopped walking. Turn around. Quietly look at him. The winter wind blows. The hem of my coat fluttered slightly. I said nothing. Just nodded gently. The corners of the lips curl up slightly. Consider it a polite greeting. Not cold. But not close either. It's like accidentally meeting a stranger who asked for directions on the street. Truong Dao seemed to want to say something. Lips moved a few times. But in the end, he couldn't utter a word. Right at that moment. The phone in my pocket vibrated. I took it out and looked. It's the customer who just finished discussing cooperation just now. I signaled my apology to Truong Dao. Then turn around and answer the phone. Walk and talk.

“Hello, hello Mr. Vuong.”

“Yes, I just left the building.”

“It's good that you're satisfied with the plan.”

“We can discuss further cooperation details at any time.”

“Looking forward to the cooperation between the two sides.”

My voice is calm. Following the cold winter wind, slowly melting into the air. I never turned back. Just step by step. One step at a time. Head towards your car. Behind the back. The man who could use one sentence to decide my future. And the lit cigarette butt at his feet. All left behind by me. Stay in the past. There are victories that do not depend on seeing how miserably the opponent fails. It's the moment you realize... I don't care about them anymore. I opened the car door. Sit in the driver's seat. The engine hummed softly. The car merged into the crowded traffic of the city. Front. These are high-rise buildings rising in the winter afternoon light. These are new contracts. New projects. New opportunities. And behind. Only one old story remains. It closed a long time ago.