Chapter 21 — Leaving You, I Shine

The office moved from my living room to a 100 square meter independent space in a creative industries park. Located right next to Luc Dich's gallery wall. On the day we moved in, Luc Dich brought a cup of coffee over to play.

“Congratulations on your housewarming.”

“Thank you. From now on we are neighbors.”

"So about our meal, should we go eat already?"

I looked at him. The man, one meter eighty tall, leaned his back against our newly installed glass window, his smile was very natural, not pretentious, nor attentive.

“This Saturday?”

“Okay.”

On Saturday, I changed into a dress to go out. Not exactly a date, but not exactly friends going out for a meal either – I don't want to lie to myself. He took me to an Izakaya (Japanese-style pub), empty, and the seats were very quiet. After sitting down, he ordered sake and some snacks.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.

"You said you wouldn't discuss work."

"Yes. Let's talk about something else." He thought for a moment, "Have you been happy lately?"

Very direct question. I seriously thought for a moment.

“More fun than before.”

“When was this before?”

“Half a year ago.”

“What happened half a year ago?”

“A lot of things.” I'm not talking specifically.

He nodded without asking.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I am always calm.” He said, "The thing about being an art curator is that you come into contact with beautiful things every day. Ugly things are not uncommon, but at least when you return to the gallery, the world is still very good."

I burst out laughing.

“You look beautiful when you smile,” he said, his voice monotonous as if he were stating a truth.

I don't answer. But that night when I got home, I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself for a long time. Lam Chieu is 30 years old, the dark circles under his eyes have faded, his cheekbones are still a bit high, but his face is much brighter. The woman holding a cardboard box standing in the rain half a year ago, and the person standing in the mirror now - Still the same person, but not completely her anymore.

—

The cultural tourism town project in the South China region officially launched. This is Chieu Bach's largest contract to date: Large scale, long work chain, involving many aspects - brand positioning, identity system (VI), content operation, channel building, event planning, working from A to Z (full funnel). I led the core team to fly two trips to Hoa Nam to conduct field surveys, meet partners and coordinate meetings. So busy that it spins like a pinwheel. The third week, Do Minh Vien called.

“Director Lam, there's something wrong.”

“You say it.”

"Co Hanh's resignation handover has been completed. But recently he's been doing something - he's contributed capital to a creative culture investment fund, specializing in pouring capital into young brands in this field."

My movements slowed down a bit.

“Does it have anything to do with Spirit?”

"Not currently. But the brands he invests in, there are a few that are in the same field as the customers she is serving."

“Are you reminding me there is competition?”

“It's not a competition. It's – this person is walking towards you.”

I said nothing. After hanging up the phone, I sat quietly in the office for a long time. Co Hanh changed his direction from real estate to investing in creative writing chemistry. This field happens to be the track in which I am most deeply rooted. Did he do it intentionally or unintentionally? If it is intentional – then what is this? How to pursue someone? Or is it just the instinct of a business person - when you see a potential race track, jump in? And if it's unintentional - There aren't that many coincidences in this world. But regardless of his motives, my strategy remains the same: Do your part well.