Chapter 11 — Leaving You, I Shine

Having said that, I understand clearly in my heart - Tham Van's network of relationships in this city has been built up for more than thirty years, from business associations, associations, to elite circles, all of them are her eyes and ears. If she is determined to make things difficult, the local middle and high-end customer market will really become more and more difficult to do. That night I didn't sleep well. I woke up at 3 a.m. and stared at the ceiling thinking for a long time. The next day, I made a decision. Find Luc Dich to talk. It's not about love, it's about business. He works as an art curator and contacts brand customers in the world of art and cultural creativity - this line of relationship does not intersect at all with the circle of Co Thi Real Estate. No matter how long Tham Van's hands are, they cannot reach this side.

—

Luc Dich met me at a cafe behind his gallery. On the afternoon of a working day, there are very few customers. When he arrived, he was wearing a gray hoodie and thin-rimmed glasses, looking even more comfortable and casual than the last time we met.

“Lam Chieu, you said you want to discuss cooperation?”

"Let's be frank. I'm working as an independent consultant on brand operations. Recently, I want to expand my customer base in the creative culture and arts sector. If you have anyone suitable for you, please introduce me. Commission is calculated separately."

He held the coffee cup and looked at me for a few seconds, not asking why I suddenly looked for him, nor asking what was wrong with the old customer.

“What areas are you good at?”

“Brand positioning, communication strategy, cross-industry co-branding campaign.”

“Just clever.” He put down the cup, "I have a client who makes incubators for local creative and cultural brands, and is lacking an advisor in operations. May I introduce you two to each other?"

“Okay.”

“One more thing,” he said, “next month there is a closed salon of the creative culture industry, about twenty-five brand owners will participate. I am one of the organizers, do you want to come? Be a guest.”

“I don't have a name in this world yet.”

"I watched the video of your presentation at the last forum. You said you had practical knowledge and expressed clearly. Famous or not, just come and show your strength."

I thought for a moment: "Okay, I'll go."

“Later, send me a portfolio of projects you've done, I'll help you.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank.” He smiled faintly, "You served those brand customers well, that's more helpful than a thank you."

This person talks and works extremely decisively, without hesitation or beating around the bush. Completely different from Co Hanh. That's not right, you shouldn't compare him to Co Hanh. There is no comparison. When I left the cafe, it was already late afternoon. I walked on the paved road of the creative district, the studios on both sides of the road glowed with warm colored lights. Someone is drawing behind the window, someone is adjusting the sound. This atmosphere reminds me of my college days. Lam Chieu is 20 years old, studying communications and brand planning, with a dream in mind that he will eventually create his own brand, his own company. Then I met Co Hanh. And then after that, everything that was "mine" turned into "his". Now, we have to get it back. Phone vibrates go up. WeChat message sent by Co Hanh. A photo. It's an old photo - taken at the beach when we got married. I was wearing a white dress, my hair blowing in the wind, he was standing next to me, his arm around my shoulder. The sun was beautiful that day, both of them were smiling. Below the photo, he wrote:

“I found it by accident while packing.”

I looked at that photo for three seconds. The girl in the photo smiles so carefree, it seems like the future is all good things.