Chapter 23 — Leaving You, I Shine

Chieu Bach took over Vu Xuyen for a month, and this brand's online revenue has increased 3 times. After Co Hanh looked at the data, he sent me a WeChat message: "Exceeded expectations." I texted back two words: "What should be done." He then sent a longer paragraph –

"Lin Chieu, recently I've been reflecting on something. Everything you did when you were with me, I never officially recognized it as your merit. The plans you wrote for me, the information you prepared for me to make decisions, the crises you handled - everyone thought it was done by me alone."

I looked at the message and didn't reply right away. He continued texting: "That's not fair. Even though I can't make up for it anymore, I want you to know, now every time I see your plans and achievements, it's very clear in my heart - you don't have these abilities because you 'used to follow me'. You inherently have them." I lowered my phone and looked out the window. The sky is very blue, the leaves of the cinnamon tree sway gently in the wind. Five minutes later, I answered one question:

"If you said this six years ago, it might still be effective. Now it's no longer necessary. But thank you."

He texted back "Yes". That's all. At the end of December, year-end summary. Chieu Bach was established 9 months ago, from 1 person at the beginning to now a team of 18 people. Full year revenue 12 million yuan, net profit 4.3 million yuan. This number for large companies is nothing, but for a 9-month-old startup studio - it has far exceeded everyone's expectations, including me. At the year-end review party, Phuong Du got a little drunk, put his arm around my shoulder and said: "Lam Chieu, you know? What I admire about you the most is not how much money you make. It's that since you stepped out of that evil place, you haven't wasted a single day. Not a single day." I patted his back: "You too."

"I'm not like you. If I got divorced, I'd probably have to lie flat for three months and figure it out later."

“Okay okay, I drank too much.”

After bringing it home, I walked alone on the winter street. The street lights stretch my shadow, the air is cold but clear. The phone vibrates slightly. Luc Dich's message: "Are you home yet? It's cold outside, remember to dress warmly." I smiled and replied: "Almost there." Relationship with Luc Dich: In the past 9 months, we ate 6-7 meals together, saw exhibitions 3 times, and went to a craft workshop in the suburbs once. They didn't confess their love, didn't say it directly, but the chemistry between the two grew more and more. He didn't rush me, and I wasn't in a hurry either. Just take it slow. When I got home, I sat down on the sofa. The snake plant on the windowsill was 20 cm taller than when I brought it home from Co Thi, new green leaves were growing. I reached out and gently stroked its leaf surface, feeling cool and smooth.

“You have a good life,” I told him.

It did not respond. But it is still rising. And so do I.

—

The first week of the new year, a news broke out in the business world. The new General Director of Real Estate Co Thi - Trieu Bang was involved in a scandal: Suspected of personal profit smuggling, was urgently dismissed by the Board of Directors. Co Thi shares evaporated 12% in just one day. The news is flying everywhere, The most sensational news is that - during his time in office, Trieu Bang secretly transferred the resources of a series of lucrative projects at Co Thi to shell companies under his own name. Phuong Du immediately took a screenshot and sent it to me: "Your ex-father-in-law chose his successor very well." I took a look and didn't comment much. But the next day, Do Minh Vien called, his tone was a bit delicate.