Chapter 17 — Let go at the right time, life will bloom

It's a box of stone lotus. Manh Tuyet smiled and said.

"My office is about to become a botanical garden."

By the sixth month. Chu Nghien Bach brought it. A tiny orange cat. He seriously explained.

"I found it on the ground floor of the law office."

I looked at the cat. Then look at him.

"Not believe."

I do not believe. That cat is extremely clean. Fully vaccinated. On her neck she also wears a pretty pink necklace. I laughed.

"Wild cat..."

"Don't wear the necklace yourself."

Chu Nghien Bach replied seriously.

"Who knows."

"He likes fashion."

I laughed. Still adopted the cat. I named it. Same company name. Chu Nghien Bach was silent for exactly three seconds.

"Name the cat after the company?"

I nodded slightly.

"Company name."

"There's your writing."

"Cat's name."

He was silent for another three seconds.

"Then next time."

"I gave you a dog."

"Let's name it Nghien Bach?"

I shook my head.

"No need."

"One is enough."

When he said that. I'm bowing my head and petting the cat. But I know. What I really want to say. After officially being together. We don't make it public. Do not post on social networks. Don't show off your love life. First discoverer. It's Manh Tuyet. Chu Nghien Bach started bringing lunch to the studio every day. Manh Tuyet just saw him. Laughed teasingly.

"My exclusive shipper has arrived."

I glanced at her. Second discoverer. It's Tieu Tran. One time, Chu Nghien Bach saw a cat named So Bach lying on my desk. He laughed all afternoon. Tieu Tran leaned into my ear.

"Lawyer Chu..."

"Smile, you're so handsome."

I coughed softly.

"Go to work."

I have to admit. It's truly beautiful. Three years later. Tham Niem Chu. Thirty-three years old. Founder. cum Design Director of So Bach Design. The company is valued at 60,000,000 yuan. Completed forty-two commercial space design projects nationwide. Won national level award. I own it. An apartment facing the river is two hundred square meters large. A Porsche Macan. And an orange cat named So Bach. Getting fatter and fatter. There is one more person. Chu Nghien Bach. We are in no hurry to get married.

"No need to rush."

I also said.

"Me too."

His toothbrush. Was lying in my bathroom. For a year and a half. It's the company's year-end party. All employees of So Bach Design. Gather at a hotel. Celebrating three years of establishment. I stand on stage. Summarizing year-end activities. Fifty-eight faces. Each person. I'm all familiar. After reporting revenue. And plans for next year. I was going to end with a sentence.

"Let's go drink."

Manh Tuyet suddenly stood up. Go straight to the stage. Take the microphone.

"Brothers and sisters."

"Year-end party."

"There's one more act left."

I was bewildered.

"What show?"

"Why don't you know?"

Manh Tuyet just smiled. Then turn around. Looking towards the hall door. Slowly open. Chu Nghien Bach walked in. He wore a black suit. It's a bunch of white auspiciousness. The whole hall. Dead silence. Right after that. Applause. Exploding everywhere. Chu Nghien Bach step by step walked towards me. Stop right in front of the stage. He did not kneel on one knee. Because I know. I don't like those rituals. He was just gentle. Give me the bouquet. Among the flowers. There is a small box hidden. He opened the box. Be one Very simple platinum ring. No big diamonds. No fancy designs. Only present in the ring. Engrave an inscription.

"Sister Bach accompanies, Niem Niem will not forget."

I looked at that text. Chu Nghien Bach raised his voice. Still calm as always.

"Tham Niem Sister."

"You're not."

"My first love."

"I want..."

"Become the ultimate love."

Fifty-eight people. Everyone held their breath. I received the bouquet. Bring it up and smell it. I looked at him.

"Chu Nghien Bach."

"My proposal."

"Is that all?"

He laughed.

"What questions do you want?"

I shook my head. I took out the ring myself. Wear it in your hand.

"But remember next time."

"I wear size seven."

"This one."

"A bit tight."

The whole hall. Burst into laughter. Loud applause. Under the stage. Manh Tuyet cried so much that her makeup was smeared. Tieu Tran stood and recorded the video. Hands shaking like leaves. Chu Nghien Bach looked at the ring on my hand. Then he smiled. Just like the night in Beijing. Clarity. It's a smile. I want to see it for the rest of my life. That night. After the party ends. Chu Nghien Bach and I walked along the river. Orange light. Reflection on the water. Sparkle each time. I called softly.

"You really..."

"Have you liked me since college?"

"You waited eight years?"

"Haven't you seen it for a long time?"

He smiled.

"Someone worth waiting for."

"How long to wait?"

"Not for long."

I said nothing. Just quietly raised my hand. Stuffed it into his jacket pocket. Hold that hand. His hand. When the wind gently blew from the river surface. I suddenly remembered four years ago. I sat alone in an empty bedroom. Hold the phone. Stare at the screenshot of the message. Totally don't know. How will I continue to live tomorrow? Tham Niem Sister of that day. Never imagined. Four years later. I will stand here. A truly worthy person. It's a tight-fitting ring. It is a company built by ourselves brick by brick. Everything. It's not that difficult. It's time to let go. Time to try. Then try your best. Time to move on. Then don't look back. I called softly.

"Let's go home."

"Sister Bach, it must be time to eat."

Chu Nghien Bach smiled. We are shoulder to shoulder. Slowly walk along the riverbank. The light behind. Stretches into two shadows. It's my shadow. And your shadow. Between those two shadows. Never will. There is a third person.