Chapter 23 — On the day of divorce, I applied to quit my job

He replied. I won't say anything more. But that night, before going to bed, I stood on the balcony for a while. Look at the pot of snake tongue on the windowsill. It was almost half a meter tall. The two outermost leaves also separate into two branches. It looks like it's spreading its arms wide. I gave it a little water.

"We all live very well."

Three years later. Zhaobai Brand Consulting Group has branches in four cities, one hundred and sixty official employees, annual revenue of one hundred twenty million yuan, net profit of thirty-four million yuan. I was sitting in my office on the top floor of the new headquarters, having just signed the final quarterly audit report when Phuong Du pushed the door open and walked in.

"Are you ready yet?"

"Prepare what?"

"The awards ceremony tonight. Did you forget?"

I don't forget. Tonight is the annual Summit of China's brand services industry. Chieu Bach was nominated in the category "Best Brand Service Unit of the Year." Done changing clothes. I went to the hall. Seating is in the front row. Next to me is Phuong Du. Next to Phuong Du is Luc Dich. Luc Dich wore a navy blue suit. In his hand he holds a small box. I pretended not to see. The award ceremony took place until the last category.

"Best Brand Service Unit of the year..."

"Chieu Bach Brand Consulting Group."

Applause rang out. I stood up. Step on stage. The light shines all over. Below are more than five hundred people. I stand in front of the microphone. Look down at the auditorium. Phuong Du is clapping. Luc Dich is smiling. Do Minh Vien held up his phone to record that moment. At a table in the far corner. I saw a familiar figure. Co Hanh sat there. Discuss with a few other businessmen. He didn't clap. Just quietly looking towards the stage. Calm eyes. Even brought a very small, almost imperceptible smile. I withdrew my gaze.

"Thank you everyone. This award belongs to all members of Chieu Bach. Three years ago, I started from scratch, with only a business license and a pot of tiger tongues in hand. Today Chieu Bach can stand here not because of luck, but because each person in this team is working with real ability."

I stopped for a moment.

"Someone once asked me, when is the most difficult time when starting a business? It's not when there's a lack of money, nor when there are no customers. It's in the first days, when no one believes you can do it. Not even yourself."

The whole auditorium was silent.

"But later I thought clearly. There is no need for everyone to believe in you. As long as you take each step forward, the results will speak for you."

The applause was even louder than before. As soon as I stepped off the stage, Phuong Du rushed to hug me.

"So cool!"

Luc Dich stood waiting next to him. Waited for her to let go before giving me a glass of champagne.

"Congratulations."

"Lin Chieu."

He got down on one knee. The small box was opened. Inside is a simple platinum ring. In the middle is a small diamond. Everyone around started cheering. Phuong Du shouted excitedly. I looked at him.

"I didn't prepare any fancy words."

he said.

"Just one sentence."

"Are you willing to let me continue? Will you continue to stay with me?"

I held out my left hand. He gently put the ring on my finger. Then stand up. Amid everyone's whistles and cheers, he bowed his head and placed a very gentle kiss on my forehead. On the way home that night, I sat in the backseat watching the neon lights pass by outside the window. Luc Dich held my hand. The thumb gently stroked circles on the back of my hand.

"Are you nervous?"

"Legs go soft for half a minute."

I laughed.

"Lin Chieu."

"Thank you for agreeing."

"Me too."

Outside the car door. The city glows like another galaxy. Five years later. Chieu Bach has maintained its position in the top three of the industry. I no longer have to handle everything myself. The company had a CEO in charge of daily operations, and I retired to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors, only going to the office three days a week, spending the rest of the time with my family. Luc Dich's gallery also grew from one establishment to three establishments. We live in a villa with a garden in the south of the city. In the yard are planted two osmanthus trees, moved from the front gate of the creative park in the past. Phuong Du is still the Design Director and partner of Chieu Bach. She is not married, but raises two dogs and lives more freely than anyone else. One weekend afternoon, I was pruning the snake plant in the garden. It's still the same potted plant. The pot of snake tongue I brought from Co Thi. Lived for eleven years. Been potted many times. Its descendants cover the entire window sill. The phone rang. It's Do Minh Vien.

"Director Lam, there's something you might want to know. During Co Thi's Board of Directors meeting last week, Co Hanh officially resigned. This time, I really quit and transferred all my shares to my younger brother."

"I know."

"Now he runs the Phong Hoa Foundation full time. Last month, he also invested in a competitor of Chieu Bach."

"Which company?"

"Tanh Quang brand."

"Not bad."

"They did pretty well."

"Didn't you notice?"

"Just business."

"There's nothing to worry about."

Hang up the phone. I continue to prune the snake pot. Luc Dich brought out two glasses of lemonade from the kitchen. Place on the garden table. Then sat down and flipped through his picture book.

"Who called that?"

"Do Minh Vien."

"He said Co Hanh invested in our competitor."

"And then what?"

He turned the page. Don't ask any more. Sunlight passes through the leaves of two osmanthus trees. Falling onto the table. Fall onto the edge of the cup. Falling on the back of his hand. I gathered the dried leaves that I just cut off into a garbage bag. Brush off the dirt on your hands. Eleven years ago. On that rainy night. When I walked out of the elevator on the forty-second floor holding a cardboard box and a pot of green plants... I had nothing. No money. There is no direction. Not even a name. And now... The company is valued at over a hundred million yuan. Ranked in the top three of the industry. There was someone who actually saw me. There is a home that truly belongs to me. Things that I used to think were everything... Co Hanh's recognition. Mrs. Co's title. The L-shaped desk is on the forty-second floor. They all stayed in that building. I didn't bring anything. But never lost anything. Things that are truly worth carrying... Never before is now in the hands of others. The scent of osmanthus in the afternoon breeze is very light. Luc Dich stopped and flipped through the book. Raise your head and look at me.

"What are you thinking?"

"Don't think anything."

"Then come sit here."

I stepped forward. Sit down next to him. His arm very naturally wrapped around my shoulders. I gently leaned against him. On the lawn in the garden, light and tree shadow intertwine. The pot of snake tongue stood silently on the windowsill. The tips of the leaves reflect the sunset. The days ahead are still very long. Enough for me to leisurely live the rest of my life.