Chapter 8 — My Cat is Pregnant, Neighbors Want to Take Responsibility

Three days after I submitted the final poster, Phuong Khai Minh called.

“Khuong Vi Vi, there's a bit of a problem.”

“What's the problem?”

“The sponsor is very satisfied with my design plan.

But there is something I have to tell you - another design studio also submitted a bid, the investor decided to let both sides each submit a finished product, and in the end they will choose one."

“Who is that studio?”

“Studio Thanh Lan.

The founder's name is Lam Uyen Thanh. I held the phone tightly, not speaking. Phuong Khai Minh continued to say: "Studio Thanh Lan is a newly established unit, but their quote is very low, the investor wants to compare further. The final decision will be announced at the press conference of the National Championship."

“I understand.”

Hang up the phone, I sat in front of the drawing table, staring at the completed poster on the screen. Lam Uyen Thanh opened a studio. It's so fast. She had just been stripped of her right to participate in an exhibition by her school for plagiarizing my style. She turned around and set up a commercial studio to jump into painting projects with me. This is no longer simple plagiarism. This was a planned sniper attack. When Tong Nam heard the news, he immediately called and spent ten minutes.

“Is he mentally ill?!

Did you even dare to come to me because you gave me an unopened fruit?

“She thought the commercial side wouldn't be as strict as the academic world.

As long as the final product is different enough from mine, the investor won't care where the idea comes from.”

“So what do you think?”

“Just keep doing your job.”

“That's it?”

“My poster uses real photo material of Tham Canh Tieu, she doesn't have it.

As long as the visual effects have an absolute difference, she turns the bet with her eyes.” Tong Nam was silent for a moment: "Are you sure?"

“Sure.”

But what I didn't say is – I'm not sure what else she'll do. In my third year of college, she dared to steal my draft, so this time it's very likely that she'll play dirty in the dark. That evening I went to 205 for a routine health check on the kittens - the grandmother insisted on "seeing her grandchildren". Tham Canh Tieu is sitting outside the living room watching the competition video. I sat at the other end of the sofa, playing with three children.

“Have you been confiding lately?”

He spoke without raising his head.

“How do you know?”

“Since the day I finished making the poster, the pace of my life has changed completely.”

I didn't expect him to observe so closely.

“The job is a bit competitive.”

I answered briefly. He paused the video and turned to look at me.

“Who is it?”

“An old classmate.”

“Lin Uyen Thanh?”

I was startled: "How do you know?"

"Tran Thac mentioned to me that Trieu Minh Vien's girlfriend just opened a design studio and is going around attracting connections in the sports world."

“What else did Tran Thac say?”

“Told me that girl was not very decent, told me to stay away.”

I didn't speak up. Tham Canh Tieu put down the controller.

“Need help?”

“No need.

This is my story.”

“What if she uses Trieu Minh Vien's relationship to make things difficult for you?”

This question is not something I have never thought of. Trieu Minh Vien and Tham Canh Tieu are on the same training team. If Lam Uyen Thanh uses Trieu Minh Vien to apply pressure. . .

“It's time to count after."

I said. He stared at me for a few seconds.

“I told you before, just give me a number.”

“What number?”

“Whatever you need me to do, just say it directly.”

I bent down to look at the three kittens rolling around on the mattress.

“Thank you.

But I want to handle it myself first.” He didn't press any more. Two weeks before the National Championship press conference. I put all my effort into refining the final details of the poster - the changing tones of the light, the tiny splashes of water, the moving muscle lines of the character. Any pixel is not allowed to have errors. On Wednesday afternoon, Phuong Khai Minh invited me to the company to see the proof print. I took the USB to the office building of Dieu The Sports. In the meeting room, the poster was projected onto a large screen. Super large format of 2×3 meters, creating extremely powerful visual effects. Phuong Khai Minh nodded: "The printed effect is even more beautiful than the electronic version. Just keep printing according to this plan and it will be fine.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to leave, the receptionist suddenly called me back.

“Miss Khuong, there is a Miss Lam waiting for you down the hall, saying she is your friend.”

I stopped.

“Can you let her come up here?”

“No need, let me down.”

The elevator reached the first floor, Lam Uyen Thanh was standing in the sofa area outside the lobby, wearing a pure white vest dress and gorgeous makeup. Seeing me walk out, she stood up and smiled.

“Vi Vi, what a coincidence.”

“Are you waiting for me here?”

“Just passing by.”

She glanced around, "The working environment at Dieu The Sports is really good." I didn't respond to her.

“What's the matter?”

She took out an envelope from her bag.

“This is a partial preview of my design plan, I want to show it to you.”

I stared at the envelope, not moving.

“Why did you show me?”

“I hope the competition between us is fair.

You see my plan, I also want to see yours. So in the end, whoever wins and whoever loses, both are satisfied."

“I'm not interested in seeing your plan.

You won't be able to see my plan either. Her smile stiffened for a second.

“Vi Vi, you don't have to be so wary of me—” “Lin Uyen Thanh.”

I interrupted, “It hasn't been long since what happened last time. I know your steps as clearly as the back of my hand.” She put the envelope away, her expression returning to a calm expression.

“Okay.

Then see you at the press conference.” She turned and walked away. I stood in the middle of the hall, watching her back disappear behind the revolving door. She didn't come here to show me a plan. She came to confirm whether or not I was submitting my work through this company's channel. Phuong Khai Minh stepped out of the elevator and saw me still standing in the lobby.

“Who is that person?”

“A competitor.”

“What did she come here for?”

“Looking for news.”

Phuong Khai Minh frowned: "I'll remind the receptionist to pay attention."

“Thank you.”

On the way home, I texted Tham Canh Tieu: Are you free this afternoon? He answered very quickly: I practice until 5 o'clock. What's going on? Me: Nothing, just wanted to ask. Tham Canh Tieu: Come over to eat at 5:30. I cook. I don't refuse. At 5:40, I was in room 205. The door was unlocked, so I smelled it as soon as I pushed it in smell the delicious smell of food. Tham Canh Tieu is in the kitchen, wearing an apron, stirring the pan.

“Sit down, we'll be done right away.”

He didn't look back. I sat down at the dining table. On the table were prepared bowls and chopsticks and a plate of sweet and sour mixed cucumbers. Five minutes later, he brought out three dishes: Coca-braised chicken wings, stir-fried eggs with tomatoes, and lightly stir-fried bok choy.

“Your cooking skills have improved.”

I picked up my chopsticks.

“Practice every day.”

“Why do you practice every day?”

He glanced at me but didn't answer. I bowed my head to eat rice, the chicken wings were braised with sweet and sour Coca Cola, the simmered meat was tender.

“Today I met Lam Uyen Thanh.”

I ate and talked. His chopsticks paused for a beat.

“Where?”

“In the lobby of Dieu The Sports company.

She deliberately waited for me there.”

“What did she say?”

“He said he wanted fair competition.”

I sneered, "After that, she was going to trick me into seeing her design plan."

“Aren't you watching?”

“Of course not.

If you see it, you'll win right away." He continued to eat, his face not showing too much emotion.