Chapter 17 — On the day of divorce, I applied to quit my job

"Are you telling your mother to stop?"

"The story of Hoa Duyet..."

"I didn't know until later. It was my mother's decision. I had a huge argument with her."

I was silent for a few seconds.

"I know."

"There's one more thing."

"What's going on?"

"That three million yuan is not a dowry."

"What do you mean?"

"That's the breakup fee. In 2019, I knew that one day you would leave. I just didn't expect it, until you actually left that I realized... the words 'break up fee' sound so hard to accept."

The corners of his lips moved slightly. Not laughing. It's more like he's making fun of himself.

"You are a very bad person." he said. "But I'm trying to be better. This isn't being said to you, it's being said to myself."

Having finished speaking, he turned and left. After taking a few steps, he stopped again. But don't turn back.

"I've seen the data of Thap Quang for the twelve brands you're working on. Very beautiful."

Then he walked into the middle of the crowd. I still stood in place. The rim of the wine glass in my hand was filled with tiny drops of water. I don't know when, Phuong Du came to stand next to me.

"Are you okay?"

"No problem."

"What did he say?"

"Everything that needs to be said has been said."

"So how do you feel?"

I thought for a moment. Then answer honestly:

"No more hatred. But also no turning back."

Phuong Du gently squeezed my arm. Don't ask anything more. Three days after the party, the whole business community spread the news that Co Hanh resigned as General Director of Co Thi. That news quickly appeared on financial websites. All kinds of analysis articles appeared densely, some said it was family infighting, some said it was a strategy adjustment, and some guessed it was for health reasons. Not a single article guessed that it was related to his ex-wife. But no one needs to guess. For me, the meaning of this story ended that night. What I need to do, I keep doing. With three invitations for cooperation from areas in Beijing, within just one week I completed the initial exchange. Among them, the project in the South China region has the largest scale, it is an overall brand operation project for a cultural tourism town, the contract value exceeds ten million yuan. I need to build a team. It's no longer a group of three or five people. It's a real corporate structure. Phuong Du and I talked all night.

"I need a Design Director."

"Are you sure? Your freelance career is going well."

"I became a freelancer because I haven't met a boss worth following. Now I have."

I looked at her. She also looked at me.

"And salary..."

"Just shut up. After the company makes money, you can give me shares."

I laughed. Chieu Bach grew from a three-person studio to a twelve-person team. It only took two months. The office was also moved from my living room to a one hundred square meter independent space in the creative zone. Right next to Luc Dich's gallery. On the day of the office move, Luc Dich brought a cup of coffee to congratulate.

"Congratulations on the housewarming."

"Thank you. We will be neighbors from now on."

"So the meal we promised... should be done, right?"

I looked at him. A person over six feet tall. Leaning against the newly installed glass door frame of the new office. The smile is very self-confident course. No rush. Also don't try to please.

"This Saturday?"

On Saturday, I changed into a dress and went out. Not a date. But it's not exactly a meeting between friends. I don't lie to myself. He took me to an izakaya. The restaurant is not crowded. The seating is also very quiet. After sitting down, he ordered sake and some snacks.

"What are we talking about today?" he asked.

"You said you wouldn't talk about work."

"Let's talk about something else then."

He thought for a moment.

"Are you happy these days?"

That question is very straightforward. I seriously thought for a moment.

"More fun than before."

"When was the first time?"

"Half a year ago."

"What happened half a year ago?"

"A lot of things."

I'm not talking specifically. He nodded. Ask no more. I asked again.

"I'm fine."

He laughed.

"The beauty of being a curator is being exposed to beautiful things every day. Bad things are not impossible, but at least when you return to the gallery, you still find this world worth living in."