Chapter 15 — My Husband Wants AA, I'm Thinking About Divorce

The entire city's tourism identification system uses my design. Directional sign. Even souvenir products. The actual scale is much larger than initially imagined. Acceptance date. Co Minh took me to the scene. On commercial street. The set of city skyline paintings I designed covered an entire twelve meter high outdoor wall. Color spreads throughout the neighborhood. Passersby constantly stopped to take photos. There are people standing under the selfie wall. Some people point to the picture and discuss it with friends. I stood across the street. Look at your work. It was the first time I saw my own paintings appear in such a large space. Co Minh stood next to me. Both hands stuffed in shirt pockets.

“Five years ago.”

“When I invited you.”

“You should come.”

“Five years late.”

“I don't think it's too late.”

“It's not late.”

He turned his head to look at me.

“It's about becoming partners.”

“Have you thought carefully?”

“I thought it over.”

“I agree to join.”

He held out his hand. I caught it. That handshake. Completely different from the feeling of holding a mop in an eighty-eight square meter apartment. The project quickly created a buzz in the world. Design communities. Cultural tourism units. Everyone is discussing this identifier. Many media units proactively came to interview. There is an article posted on the homepage of a specialized information portal. The title is:

“Young designer Lam Niem So — Who uses illustration to redefine how a city tells its story.”

The evening the article was published. I received an unexpected message. Tu Luu Que Phuong. I don't know where she got the new number. The old number was blocked by me a long time ago. The message is only one line:

“Nien So, mom wants to see you once.”

“Mom has something to say.”

“Mom, I'm sorry.”

I looked at the word “mother” on the screen. In front is the studio's new office design. Next week Co Minh will discuss with me a plan to renovate the space. Next to it are two sets of new project documents. They are all proactive customers. I left that message alone for a whole day. By noon the next day. Only two word answer.

"No need."

Block new numbers. There are people who belong to the past. But the past. Then you should stay behind. Tran Vu Vy's old post was once again dug up. Someone paired it with news about my brand launch and cultural tourism project. Make a comparison article. The title is very ironic:

"The family once accused the sister-in-law of being ungrateful, but now they probably want to go back on every word they said."

The wind completely changed direction.

“So that sister-in-law is really a great designer?”

“People make money with their own abilities, yet they are smeared as lazy parasites?”

"That's really funny. The slap that year didn't seem unfair at all."

Tran Vu Vy deleted all social network accounts. Do not share that article. Also didn't give any feedback. Tham Nhuoc Dong asked:

“Don't you want to say anything?”

"I don't want to."

I looked at the computer screen. Look at the new designs waiting to be completed. Then smile.

“You have a good life.”

“No need to prove yourself right anymore.”

Because there are answers. It has long been out of words. It's in the life I'm living.

“When those people cursed at you, you endured it silently for two weeks That's it.”

“I can endure it.”

“Everything said now is redundant.”

Tham Nhuoc Dong thought for a moment. Then nodded.

“You're a lot cooler now than before.”

I officially became a partner of Studio Co Minh. The joining session was very simple. Just sign a contract. Then Co Minh opened a bottle of wine. The whole studio sat together. Seven or eight people. Raise a toast. Phuong Dinh also came. She clinked her glass with me.

“I didn't expect that the small brand upgrade project that year would open such a big door for you.”

“Thank everyone for giving me a chance.”

Phuong Dinh shook his head.

“It's because you have ability.”

That evening. I walked home alone. The new apartment is not far from the studio. Only about fifteen minutes walk. Pass by an intersection. I suddenly stopped. Inside the glass door of the cafe opposite. There is a person sitting. Tran Khai Chu. In front of him was a long-cold glass of Americano.