Chapter 9 — My Husband Wants AA, I'm Thinking About Divorce

The contract signing on Wednesday went extremely smoothly. The brand's marketing director is named Phuong Dinh. Over thirty years old. Work quickly. Contract terms are clear. The payment is divided into three installments. 40% advance payment. The entire amount will be paid before the end of August. After signing. Phuong Dinh smiled and said:

“Finally invited you over.”

“The set of milk tea illustrations you designed, my boss looked at it five times in a row.”

“He said that in today's market you can't find a second person with that style.”

“Thank you for everyone's trust.”

“Don't be polite.”

Phuong Dinh smiled.

“Thanks to General Director Tham, he introduced the right person.”

“Ah yes.”

“General Manager Co wants to see you.”

“He's in the conference room next door.”

I followed Phuong Dinh to the meeting room next door. Co Minh is sitting there. Over forty years old. Hair cut short and neat. Wear a dark blue pullover sweater. On the table in front are several printed designs. Just saw me walk in. He immediately stood up. His eyes stayed on my face for a few seconds. Then burst out laughing.

“Lam Niem So.”

“I finally waited for you.”

On the table is my portfolio.

“Lam Niem So.”

Co Minh raised his head to look at me and smiled.

“Five years now.”

“Hello, Mr. Co.”

“Don't call me teacher.”

He pointed to the chair opposite.

“I have looked at your work very carefully.”

“Let's be honest.”

“Not much progress.”

I was stunned. He turned to a page in his portfolio. Point to a detail in the picture.

“Your penmanship is still your penmanship.”

“The soul is still intact.”

“But the vision is narrowed.”

“Five years ago, the city paintings in her graduation exhibition had very bold compositions and very strong colors.”

“And now, your work is more stable.”

He stopped.

“But ‘stable’ is not necessarily a compliment.”

“Do you understand what I mean?”

I nodded.

“Have you only done small projects over the years?”

“Menus, flyers, public account cover photos, etc?”

“Mostly so.”

He closed his portfolio. Lean back in the chair.

“Your qualifications shouldn't just do those things.”

“My studio is preparing to launch a cultural tourism branding project.”

“The scale is very large.”

“The implementation time is about six months.”

“I need a chief creative officer.”

“Are you interested?”

“What are the conditions?”

“First phase of payment by project.”

“If the cooperation goes well, we can discuss a long-term partner position in the future.”

“Specifically how much money?”

“The creator fee is 180,000 yuan.”

“If the final implementation efficiency is satisfactory, you will also receive an additional 5% profit share.”

180,000 yuan creator fee. Plus the 230,000 yuan brand contract I just signed. Just these two projects alone. Has exceeded Tran Khai Chu's income of more than half a year.

“I will think.”

“Don't think too long.”

Co Minh stood up.

“She didn't come that year.”

“I regret it for a long time.”

“Don't miss it this time.”

Leave the office building. I stood on the side of the road for a while. The phone suddenly showed up with a notification. This is a new post on Tran Vu Vy's circle of friends. The photo is a selfie. The status line reads:

"Some people, being sisters-in-law, enjoy all the blessings of their husband's family but still like to make high prices. I feel so sorry for my brother me."

Below are a series of comments. A few mutual friends were joining in and teasing. I took a screenshot. No response. Also not blocked. Only save it in a folder specifically used to organize evidence. Trieu Tung Nha once said: Every word. Every action of the opponent. This can all come in handy later. Two days later. Tran Khai Chu finally couldn't sit still. He called. The tone was no longer as tough as before.

“Niem So, go home.”

“I canceled AA mode, okay?”

"In the future, the money will be kept in one place and I will manage it."

“I told my parents to move to a hotel.”

“Vu Vy is also looking for a house.”

“There's only me in the house now.”

I sat in the living room of Tham Nhuoc Dong's house. Flip through the project introduction that Co Minh just sent.

“It's late.”

“What do you mean late?”

His voice rose a little. Then try to lower again.

“Nien So, we have been together for four years.”

"I can't destroy the whole family because of a moment of anger."

“This is not anger.”

“The lawyer's letter will reach you next week.”

“You really hired a lawyer?”