Chapter 24 — Leaving You, I Shine

"Director Lam, let me know. Co Thi's board of directors is urgently looking for a new CEO candidate. There are rumors that they are considering inviting Co Hanh back."

“What does it have to do with me?”

"If Co Hanh returns to Co Thi, he may withdraw from the daily management of the Phong Hoa Fund. Vu Xuyen's working focal point in the later stages may be replaced. Just prepare yourself mentally first."

“I understand.”

That evening, Co Hanh's WeChat message arrived.

"You must have seen the news. Trieu Bang's matter has nothing to do with me, but the Board of Directors wants me to go back and clean up the mess."

I replied: “That is your decision.”

"I haven't accepted the invitation yet. But if I return, I will appoint a specialized person to work with you on Phong Hoa's project. It will not affect Chieu Bach's cooperation."

“Okay.”

A few seconds later, he texted another sentence:

“Do you think I should go back?”

This was the first time in 6 years that he asked my opinion. Not the type of announcement "Where to sign", nor the type of order "Let's eat on Saturday". Is really asking me. I thought for a minute, then typed a line:

"Only you can decide this. But if you ask me - if you put something down and then pick it up again, it's not called letting go, it's called shouldering responsibility. Co Thi was built by you."

He watched for a long time but did not reply. The next morning, a new message arrived.

“I decided to return. Thank you.”

I don't answer anymore. But I know - at the end of this relationship, Co Hanh and I are finally no longer a one-sided sacrifice. I didn't need his thanks, but this time, my opinion was heard. That's enough.

—

After the news of Co Hanh's official return to Co Thi was announced, the company's shares increased by 8% in 3 days. The capital market is the most realistic place – whoever manages this company, they will use the money to vote. As for me, in just the first month after Tet, I signed 3 new customers. Among them, a top 10 national furniture brand wanted to make a rejuvenating transformation, so it came to Chieu Bach. The contract value is 6 million yuan. Chieu Bach is one year since its establishment, it has accumulated 19 signed customers, and the total contract value in hand is up to 36 million yuan (about 120 billion VND). Team size expanded to 28 people. Phuong Du officially became Design Director, holding 5% of the shares. The 100 square meter office in the creative industry park didn't have enough space anymore. I went to see a 300 square meter independent villa, renting for 40,000/month. On the day of signing the lease contract, Phuong Du stood in front of the ground-level window of the new office and exclaimed: "A year ago you walked out of the Co Thi building holding a cardboard box, now you have a building of your own."

"It's not mine, it's rented."

“Can you stop being so annoying?”

I burst out laughing. On the weekend of moving to a new office, Luc Dich also came to help clean up. Moving things all afternoon, when he finished he sat on the steps in front of the door drinking water, I sat next to him.

“Lam Chieu.”

“Yes?”

“I want to officially pursue you.”

I turned my head to look at him. He didn't look at me but looked straight ahead, the tips of his ears were slightly red.

“Fig Just like you've always pursued."

“Previously it was an underground pursuit, the efficiency was too low. Now he has turned to public pursuits.”

I said nothing. He turned to look at me: "You may not agree, but I want to let you know my attitude. Just think slowly, I won't rush you."

“How much time will you give me?”

“I'll give you as long as you need.”

“What if it takes a long time?”

“You waited a long time.”

I looked at the profile of his face. The afternoon sunlight shines on my face, clean and quiet.