Chapter 2 — Leaving England For West Africa

"Just heard that Mr. Tham and I were talking about attending an industry summit. I have become an official employee. Mr. Tham said he would take me to expand my knowledge." She raised her eyebrows slightly. "Shall the three of us go together?" I raised my glass of water and took a sip. At the end of last year, Lam Tham said that this year's biggest summit in the industry would take me along. He said he would introduce me to some big figures in the industry. "At that time, I'll take a few more photos together and post them on my personal page." At that time, he helped me adjust my collar and said: "Let those who always say you rely on me see, this is your own ability." With my mouth I said I didn't care, but inside I felt warm. It's been seven years. Every time I'm with Lam Tham, my heart still beats half a beat faster. But now there's no more feeling. I just felt foolish. "You two go." "I have a lot of work to hand over recently, and I don't have time." After the party ended, I went out to the terrace to enjoy the fresh air. Lam Tham followed and grabbed my wrist. "Co Tuyet Dao, what do you mean?" "The meaning is on the words." I withdrew my hand. Lam Tham was so angry that he burst out laughing. "How long will you still be angry? About the transfer, it's okay for me to cancel the application?" "I asked Chau Nhiem. She was originally going to tell you, but you found out first. Even if you don't find out, she will remind you the next day at the latest!" I nodded. "Then you really have to thank her." "Don't talk to me in that tone." He let go, his voice tough: "Summit industry top next Monday, you must definitely come with me. This is something I promised you a long time ago!” He turned and left. At nine o'clock on Monday morning, I stood at the office window looking down. Lam Tham and Chau Nhiem were standing next to the car in front of the company, occasionally raising their heads to look at my floor. I pulled down the curtain. The phone vibrates. Lam Tham's message: "Come down here. Do you still want me to come up and invite you?" I replied: "Busy, won't go." "What are you busy with? Isn't the interview at the headquarters already over?" "If you don't go this time, you better not regret it!" He led Chau Nhiem to leave. That day, he consecutively posted three articles on his personal page. Every song has Chau Nhiem. [Bring newcomers to an eye-opening tour at the industry's top conference. The light in the young people's eyes reminds me of myself when I had just graduated and started working.] [The girl was praised by her big seniors and was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to do.] [Group photo at the summit. New people need to appear more.] ... There are a lot of comments below. "Is Director Lam taking his students or his little girlfriend? So conscientious." "Manager Co won't go? Has your couple broken up?" "This Chau Nhiem girl really knows how to behave. Director Lam's eyes are really good." Luong Mong Dinh took a screenshot and sent it to me, angrily said: "Chau Nhiem did it on purpose, right? It's really disgusting. Even though you two are not Publicly having a love relationship in the company, but no one with eyes knows that you two are a couple! She blatantly makes me uncomfortable like that." "It's true that they compete to be the third person." "Aren't you going to do anything?" Disgusting? Are not. I just feel sad, but at the same time relieved. Just one intern helped me see his feelings clearly. For the past seven years, I have cherished him, almost to the point of having no self-respect. The more I love him, the more he doesn't hold back. Once the time limit for withdrawing the transfer application has expired, that's it. I started preparing my luggage to go abroad. Adapting to West Africa is not easy. I need to prepare antidote

malaria, receive all types of vaccines, and also have to participate in specialized training courses. But after adjusting my mood, I feel like this is a new beginning. Before leaving, I made an appointment with Luong Mong Dinh to go to an African restaurant to have a meal to get acquainted with the flavors. Luong Mong Dinh was surprised: "Lam Tham did something like that last night and you're still in the mood to take me to a new restaurant to eat? That's not like you at all." "Why not?" I smiled. Work is work, life is life. Normally, no matter how much trouble Lam Tham causes, I can comfort him. But this time, he reached my limit. West African food uses a lot of spices, but when enjoyed carefully, there is a raw, unexpected enthusiasm that suits my taste. On the way back to the apartment, I even hummed softly. Luong Mong Dinh looked at me. "Have you really given up? I looked at Lam Tham and Chau Nhiem's personal pages, after last night it seemed they were even more intimate..." I didn't answer. When passing by the terrace near the company, I told Luong Mong Dinh to go home first, while I went up there to enjoy the fresh air. Right from my first year at the company, I liked coming to this place. When project pressure is too great, this is my place to breathe. At that time, Lam Tham was still my superior.