Chapter 13 — My Sister-in-Law Is Not My Maid

Accepted. It does not affect your design work, and the brand style fits well.

He said. I signed. That same week, the conceptual proposal for the resort hotel project passed the joint evaluation of the developer and investors. The design fee contract of eight million was officially signed, and my personal profit-sharing portion was one million two hundred thousand. Combined with the tail-end profit sharing from Lang Dinh, the brand cooperation fees, and the account’s daily commercial income, my total personal income for this year exceeded three million. Three. When I worked at the institute for six years as a design director, with an annual salary of three hundred and fifty thousand, I felt I had tried my absolute best. Looking back now, it was not that I was incapable, but that the environment was wrong. That marriage was wrong. It was like a cage placed over my head, making me believe the sky was only that large. Now, the cage has been lifted. I discovered that the sky fundamentally has no boundaries.

This month, I did one thing: gave up the small apartment in the northern part of the city and moved into a new home. A brand-new residential complex right next to the creative district in the western part of the city, ninety-five square meters, two bedrooms, one living room, fully renovated, bought outright. On the ownership certificate, there was only one name: Lam Niem So. On moving day, Co Thanh Van came to help. Looking at the floor-to-ceiling windows and the open kitchen in my new home, she sighed endlessly.

Awesome.

She stood on the balcony and looked down.

You know, from here you can see the rooftop of the Hoa Truc building.

That is why I chose this place. A ten-minute walk to work.

You are officially a woman who buys a house with full cash now.

She turned to look at me, smiling brilliantly. I stood in the middle of the empty living room, looking around. White walls, beautiful sunlight, and the breeze outside the window was pure freedom. Every inch of space here belonged to me. There was no need to yield to anyone.

In the second month after moving into the new home, the final settlement compensation from Tran Trac Vien hit my account. Two million one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six hundred, not a single penny short. From then on, all financial dealings between myself and the Tran family came to an end. That evening, I called my parents.

Dad, Mom, I am divorced.

The other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds. My mother spoke first:

When did this happen?

Three months ago, the court finalized it. I did not tell you right away because I wanted to settle everything completely first.

Why did you divorce?

My father’s voice was somewhat heavy.

Many reasons. Most importantly, he did not respect me.

I simply recounted the three instances during confinement, the miscarriage, and the sale of the house. I neither exaggerated nor omitted anything. After I finished, there was another period of silence. My mother’s voice sounded as though she were suppressing her emotions:

Niem So, when you had the miscarriage... why did you not tell your parents?

At the time, I felt I could endure it.

Silly child.

My mother’s voice choked up. My father remained silent for a long time before finally saying:

Are you living well now?

Good. Much better than before.

Then that is enough.

He paused slightly.

If being alone ever becomes too tiring, come home whenever you want.

Yes.

After hanging up, I sat on the sofa in my new home, hugging my knees, and shed a few tears. It was not out of self-pity, but out of relief. Some words had been hidden for too long; only after speaking them aloud did I realize how heavy they truly were.

The next day at work, Trinh Hac Nien intercepted me in the hallway.

Niem So, I have some news to tell you.

What news?

The list for the industry’s Top Ten Young Designers of the Year has been released.

He looked at me.

Your name is on it.

I was stunned.

A province-wide selection. The Lang Dinh project combined with your personal influence prompted the judges to pass it unanimously. The award ceremony is next month in the provincial capital.

Understood.

When the time comes for you to receive the award, I will go with you.

He patted my shoulder and turned to leave. I stood in the hallway, looking at the sky outside the window. Three years ago, I stood in that one-hundred-and-thirty-square-meter house, simmering pig trotter soup for my sister-in-law, vomiting until my stomach felt entirely empty. Three years later, I stood right here, recognized as one of the top ten young designers of the year. The script of one's life, as it turns out, can truly be rewritten by oneself.

The award ceremony was held at the provincial art museum, and everyone in attendance consisted of renowned designers in the industry and figures from the real estate circle. I wore a form-fitting black evening gown, which Co Thanh Van had accompanied me to choose.

You look stunning today.

She helped me adjust my collar backstage.

Remember, when you go up on stage, keep your head high. You earned this.

When it was time for my award presentation, the host read out a commendation speech.

Lam Niem So, lead designer of the Hoa Truc Design Firm. Representative work includes the interior design of the Lang Dinh commercial complex, perfectly combining humanistic care with commercial aesthetics. At the same time, through her personal account 'A Room', she has influenced the residential aesthetics of millions of families, making her an outstanding representative of cross-industry breakthroughs among contemporary designers.

As the applause erupted from below the stage, I walked up. The lights were dazzlingly bright.