Chapter 16 — My Husband Wants AA, I'm Thinking About Divorce

The phone is face down on the table. He sits alone. Hair is longer than before. Beards are also not shaved carefully. He didn't see me. I stood there for three seconds. Then keep walking. People who belong to the past. Not worth looking at again. Spring of that year. The studio received an even bigger project than before. A cultural group with a chain of branches nationwide approached. Want to upgrade the entire branding system for five cities. Contract value. 1,200,000 yuan. The negotiations were held at the opponent's headquarters. Co Minh and I attended together. When entering the building lobby. I accidentally saw a huge logo on the building opposite. Is the real estate group where Tran Khai Chu works. What a coincidence. But I don't think much. The negotiation went smoothly beyond expectations. After seeing our plan. The brand manager on the customer side signed the memorandum of understanding on the spot.

“General Lam.”

“I have heard about your works for a long time.”

“Last year's cultural tourism project was truly outstanding.”

“It was one of the most cited case studies in the industry this year.”

When shaking my hand. A young employee standing next to him quietly asked his colleague:

“General Lam?”

“Is that Lam Niem So?”

"That's right."

“Partner of Studio Co Minh.”

“In the field of brand design in Hangzhou today, her name is among the top.”

I stood there. Listen to every word. Not too emotional. Nor complacent. I'm just very clear about one thing. I am here. It's thanks to yourself. Not because any man gave me a chance. Nor is it because any marriage brings status. It's because of me. One stroke at a time. Create it yourself. Leave the building. Co Minh patted my shoulder.

“In the future, there will be more and more projects of this size.”

"I know."

“Are you ready?”

“I have been preparing for a long time.”

He laughed. Say nothing more. From then on. Everything is exactly as Tham Nhuoc Dong said. The door has opened. And it's getting wider and wider. Project after project. Contracts from everywhere began to fly to Hangzhou. I renovated the living room in my new apartment into a semi-open reception area. On the wall hang three paintings. First picture. A set of city skyline paintings in a university graduation exhibition. Second picture. These are actual photos taken after the cultural tourism project was completed. Third picture. For the next goal that I haven't reached yet. One afternoon. I went back to my parents' house to eat. Mother's health has recovered a lot. She can walk around the kitchen as usual. There are four people at the dining table. And the sister and the baby. Mom gave me a piece of ribs.

“Are you willing to eat and drink properly now that you live alone?”

“Who are you fooling?”

"Since I was little, I've been lazy about cooking."

“At someone else's house, they cook every day.”

I reluctantly called out. She looked at me. The corners of the lips curl up.

"Alright."

“I won't mention it again.”

“You can live well now.”

My father sat opposite. During the entire meal, he ate quietly. Don't talk much. When the meal is almost finished. He suddenly raised his head.

“My paintings…”

“I saw it on my phone.”

“A colleague sent it to dad.”

I was stunned. Dad didn't understand anything about design. Also don't use social networks much. He picked up another piece of vegetable. As if just mentioning it casually. But the voice is a bit hoarse.

“Dad, no understand some technical things.”

“But I think it's beautiful.”

“People say you're very good.”

He stopped. Then continue:

“Dad, I think that's good.”

“At least Dad knows.”

“My daughter left that marriage.”

“It's not because no one needs it.”

“It's because you can choose your own life.”

The whole dining table suddenly became quiet. I bowed my head and looked at the bowl of rice. Sudden nose bridge. Outside the window. The sunset is slowly falling. Warm and gentle. Like everything I've been through. All become light.

“Very nice drawing.”

Only three words. I suddenly saw the bridge of my nose. Quickly bowed his head and scooped up a piece of rice. My mother sat next to me and secretly glared at my father.

“What did you do before?”

“At that time, I even advised her to be patient and let it go.”

“Grandma, I at that time…”

“He was blind at that time.”

The whole table burst into laughter. Late spring of that year. Studio moved to new location. Moved from the previous small office to an independent building in the creative district. The lower floor is the working and display area. The upper floor is a meeting room and a rest area. Opening day. It was drizzling with rain. A lot of people came. Brand partners. The media. Industry friends. There are even a few designers in other provinces.