Chapter 5 — On the day of divorce, I applied to quit my job

Of course... I still looked. In front of the coffee shop opposite the shopping center. Co Hanh is standing there. In hand he holds a glass of Americano. Standing next to him... Is Tran Nhuoc. Tran Nhuoc was wearing a red dress, long hair, and was excitedly saying something to Co Hanh. The expression is very lively, the hands are gesticulating continuously. Co Hanh listened quietly. Occasionally nod slightly. Phuong Du pulled my sleeve.

"Go go go."

"Don't let him see."

"Why do I have to go?"

"Aren't you embarrassed?"

"There's nothing to be shy about."

I put my bag back on my shoulder. Calmly walking on the sidewalk, passing them as if nothing happened. Phuong Du followed closely behind me. Just like a mother hen protecting her chicks. When they were only about three meters away. Co Hanh turned back. He saw me. I don't stop walking. No nod. No greetings. His eyes still looked straight ahead. Just pass by. Phuong Du walked quickly to keep up with me. Close to your ear and whisper:

"He's always looking at you."

"That's all?"

"What if it doesn't?"

I took a taxi home. Only then did I find out when I got in the car. My palms were covered with a layer of sweat. Not because of seeing Co Hanh again. But because I discovered... When I met him again. I don't have any emotions anymore. Not even a little bit. Even scarier than heartbreak. On to the second week of work. I organized an internal training session for the company. Topics include how to control the pace in co-branding projects and customer communication skills. General Manager Chu sat in the last row of the audience. After finishing, he called me back.

"Lin Chieu, next month there will be an industry forum."

"I was originally going to be the one to share, but the time coincided with another meeting."

"Can you go instead of me?"

"What's the topic?"

"Brand Operations for Small and Medium Design Businesses."

"Twenty minutes of presentation."

"Ten minutes of questions and answers."

"Don't you feel stressed?"

"There's no need to be nervous."

All of Co Hanh's speeches were written by me. The person standing on stage is him. But the soul of the speech... It's mine again. And now. It was my turn to go up on stage myself. Come Wednesday. When I was planning my speech. The phone suddenly lit up. This is the third time after the divorce... He proactively contacted me. The message has only one line:

"There is a term deposit in my name that has been transferred to your account. No need to return it."

I stared at that line for ten seconds. Finally... He also knew I had found out. Or rather. He finally admitted this. The three words "no need to pay", I really don't understand what he means. Is it generous? Or simply lazy to make another trip to the bank for three million yuan? I thought for five seconds. Then answer the correct two words:

"I know."

Not anymore after that. I continue to perfect my speech outline. Friday afternoon after work, Phuong Du took me to see a small-scale illustration exhibition. The exhibition was held in a gallery in the creative district. Not crowded. Free drinking wine. I held a glass of wine and stood in front of a painting. In the painting is a fish jumping out of an aquarium, floating in mid-air. Behind it... Is a vast wasteland.

"This picture is beautiful."

Have the person speaking from behind. Low voice. Bring a bit of laziness and comfort to the end of the sentence. I turned my head. A man stood half a step behind me to my right. About thirty years old. Wear a dark blue woven sweater. Sleeves rolled up to elbows. In his hand he also held a glass of red wine. His eyes looked at the painting. But don't look at me.

"The moment I left the tank..."

He said slowly.

"Freedom and suffocation will appear at the same time."

I didn't reply. He tilted his head and looked at me.

"How long have you been standing in front of this painting?"

"Seven minutes."

"So what do you see?"

"The water level in the tank is very low."

He slightly raised his eyebrows.

"So..."

"It didn't actively jump out."

"It's because there's not enough water."

"It has no other choice."

He was silent for a few seconds. Then raised the glass of wine towards me as a greeting.

"That's interesting."

"I'm Luc Dich."

"The person in charge of this exhibition."

"Lin Chieu."

"Lin Chieu."

"What field do you work in?"

"Operate."

"Her ability to view paintings is better than many people in the art world."

Right at that moment. Phuong Du did not know where he came from. Put your arm on my shoulder.

"She is my friend."

"Just changed jobs recently."

Luc Dich nodded slightly.

"Welcome to visit, you two."

"The second Friday of every month has an exhibition."

He raised his glass and left. Continue to welcome other guests. Phuong Du leaned close to my ear.

"Handsome, huh?"

"I don't pay attention."

"Who are you fooling?"

"He's single."

"Being an exhibition curator."

"Family conditions are also very good."

"Phuong Du."

"I just got divorced last month."

"It's not illegal to get to know each other a little."