Chapter 2 — Leaving You, I Shine

Phuong Du opened two cans of beer and gave me one: "Tell me, what do you think?"

“Let's rest for a few days.”

“What about work?”

“Calculate later.”

"Is Co Thi really quitting? All six years of experience thrown away?"

I took a sip of beer, the air bubbles irritated my throat.

"Why stay? Being his assistant for six years isn't enough, now you want to be his ex-husband's assistant?"

Phuong Du did not answer, but later muttered: "That's right." That night I slept in his living room. Newly changed bed sheets, smelling of mint from laundry detergent. I lay in the dark, phone screen face down on the pillow. I still haven't responded to Co Hanh's message. No need to answer anymore.

—

The next morning at 10 o'clock, I received a WeChat from Mr. Luu of the Human Resources Department: "It's all approved, please come over this afternoon to get the resignation certificate." I texted back one word: “Yes.” Immediately after that, Mr. Luu sent a message through his personal account: "Assistant Lam, tell me about this. The late general returned from Singapore early this morning and will come to the company this afternoon. Do you want to..." Before I could finish reading, I exited the chat box. At 2 p.m., I went to the company to get my resignation certificate and sign the final confirmation. The whole thing takes 15 minutes, going in and out through the side door. At the same time, what is happening on the 42nd floor, I don't know and don't want to know. But Phuong Du later recounted that the Co Thi building that afternoon was truly an interesting play. Phuong Du is very knowledgeable. His college friend who worked in the Co Thi Planning Department sent a voice recording that same day.

"You don't know, Mr. Co landed at 2:00 p.m. and flew straight to the company. The first thing he said when entering the door was to call Lam Chieu into a meeting."

“So what?”

“Old Liu from the Human Resources Department stood at the door, saying Lam Chieu was on leave yesterday.”

“How did Co Hanh react?”

"I heard he stood there for a few seconds without saying anything, then asked who approved it. No one in the room dared to say anything."

When Phuong Du told this story, I was sitting on her balcony eating takeout, picking up a piece of sweet and sour ribs and putting it in my mouth.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

"You're really heartless."

"It's not heartless, but it's unnecessary. Doesn't he always feel that it doesn't matter whether I stay or go? Then really go and show him."

Phuong Du glanced at me, about to say it again, but finally just said: "Okay, let's eat." After eating, I started surfing the recruitment software. Six years of experience as an Assistant General Manager is quite valuable in this city, but I don't want to be an assistant anymore. Being a shadow for others, six years is more than enough. Looking around, I landed on the position of Operations Director of a mid-sized design company. The salary is 20% lower than Co Thi's, but she works office hours, doesn't have to be on duty 24/7, and doesn't have to get up at 3 a.m. to fix PPT. After submitting my CV, I turned off the phone and went to sleep. On the third day, Co Hanh sent a second message.

"The main house thing is Saturday, are you finally coming?"

The tone adds the words "finally". For Co Hanh, that was considered an expression of emotion. I texted back four words: "Divorced." After sending it, I pulled his chat box down, didn't delete it, and didn't pin it. He didn't reply back. On Wednesday, a strange number called, I picked up.

"Lam Chieu? You are Co Hanh's mother."

Tham Van's voice was still the same as before, gentle and gentle, sounding like she was talking about housework. But I understand my mother-in-law very well - gently It's just a layer of wrapping paper, what's inside is never soft at all.

“Hello, uncle.”

“I heard Hanh Hanh say you two... have gone through the procedures?”

“Yes.”

"You two are doing this too hastily. Come over for dinner on Saturday, we'll sit down and talk properly, I have a few words to say to you."

"Uncle, we have thought carefully. The paper has been received, everything is decided."

“This girl—”

“Uncle,” I interrupted, “Thank you for taking care of me these past six years. Please take care of your health in the future.”