Chapter 14 — Leaving You, I Shine

Is this a coincidence? A person who once sat at the same dinner table as Co Hanh was able to come to me exactly one week after my company registered, bringing with him a huge project of 2.4 million yuan. There are two possibilities: 1. He actually came to know me through industry channels, not related to Co Hanh. 2. Co Hanh was behind pulling the strings. If it was the second possibility – what was he planning to do? Using a big project to pull me back into his business network? Or is it another form of control? I sat at my desk thinking for ten minutes, then made a decision. Go meet. But not now. I must clearly understand the true context of this project, then decide whether to accept it or not. If it's a clean opportunity, why not take it? And if there is Co Hanh's shadow behind - Then I MUST RECEIVE even MORE. Accept it and do it well, so that everyone has to open their eyes wide and see: Lam Chieu, I don't need alms from anyone. I replied to the email: "Hello Mr. Do, I can arrange a meeting next week. Please let me know the time and location." As I closed the mailbox, I realized the corners of my mouth were curling up. Not joy. It's the will to fight. I bent down to look at the copy of Chieu Bach's business license in the drawer. Just wait and see. No matter who gives this opportunity, once it falls into my hands, it will be mine. This time - I, Lam Chieu, will not make a wedding dress for anyone (not put in effort for the benefit of others).

—

Do Minh Vien arranged to meet at a club in the East of the city. Tea in the private room was already prepared. He arrived ten minutes earlier than scheduled. Around 50 years old, his hair is neatly combed, he speaks with a smile but his eyes are extremely sharp.

“Director Lam, I have admired you for a long time.”

"Director Do is being polite. Let's go straight to the project."

He poured two cups of tea, pushing one towards me.

"12 sub-brands, covering three areas: lifestyle aesthetics, original design and art derivatives. What we need is a complete positioning and communication system for the brand, not discrete solutions."

“How is the timeline?”

“Three months to come up with an overall strategy, six months to see actual implementation results.”

“Is 2.4 million the budget for the entire project or just a consulting fee?”

“Consulting fee. Implementation costs calculated separately.”

It doesn't sound like alms, but like a fair business cooperation with real money and rice. But I still need to confirm one thing.

"Director Do, I have a question to ask directly. Does this project have anything to do with Co Thi Real Estate?"

His hand holding the cup of tea stopped.

“Why do you ask that?”

"Previously, I worked at Co Thi. If this project has any intersection with Co Thi, I need to know in advance."

Do Minh Vien put down the tea cup and leaned back in the chair.

"To tell you the truth. This project has nothing to do with Co Thi. But if you ask me how I know you - last month at an industry party, someone mentioned you, saying that recently there was a person from Co Thi who had just come out to operate the brand and was very good at it. That person was Luc Dich."

Luc Dich?

“Was he also at the party that day?”

“Yes, he is a contracted curatorial partner with Tinh God. At the banquet table, we talked about the brand incubator lacking an operations consultant, and he immediately recommended her."

My heart is completely relieved. Recommended by Luc Dich. Not Co Hanh.

“But you found out that Co Hanh and I know each other?” Do Minh Vien laughed, "You really checked carefully."

“It's business, the context must be clear for cooperation to be fun.”