Chapter 18 — The 81,000 Yuan Party and the Fall of an Empire

“General Chu…”

“Thank you.”

He looked at me. Eyes full of gratitude.

“If it weren't for you…”

“Maybe I won't be able to step out of that darkness in my entire life.”

“You should be thankful…”

“It's me.”

I smiled softly.

“You made me understand the meaning of perseverance.”

“It's also you…”

“Help our company find a new direction.”

We looked at each other and burst out laughing. All resentments. Every past. They all disappeared in that moment. The sunlight outside the window is just beautiful. Projected onto Lam Hai's sketch placed on the table. That structure... Like a phoenix spreading its wings. Full of life. Our story is not over yet. Defeating a demon… It's never the end. How to rebuild a better world from the ruins... That's the real challenge. Also the new chapter belongs to us. I picked up the phone. Call assistant Tieu Tran.

“Tieu Tran.”

“Help me contact the person in charge of the old street renovation area in the south of the city.”

“Tell them…”

“Creative Design has a completely new idea for the master plan of that old town.”

On the other end of the phone, Tieu Tran's voice was full of excitement.

“Yes, Mr. Chu!”

“I'll do it now!”

I turned to look at Lam Hai.

“Master Lam.”

“Our new battlefield…”

“Ready?”

Lam Hai gently pushed his glasses frame. His eyes lit up brightly.

“Always ready.”

19. New Battlefield The project to renovate the old street in the south of the city... Is an extremely difficult bone to gnaw. This area has a very long history. But because of that, the building was seriously degraded. Pipeline chaos. The population composition is complex. Over the years... The government has wanted to initiate renovation many times. But in the end they all had to give up. Or because it's too difficult to relieve. Or because the planning plan cannot balance the interests of all parties. Many design companies just looked and shook their heads. But I know... This place is the most ideal battlefield for Lam Hai and me. Because what this place needs... Not just commercial calculations. But also concern for people. It takes more than just the courage to destroy and rebuild. But it also requires sophistication to keep the old the same. Meeting with director Vuong - the person in charge of the project... Appointed for one week later. The location is an old tea shop located right in the southern neighborhood. The tea shop is very old. But it has a special flavor. Director Vuong is a man in his fifties. Dark skin. Looks very simple. Seeing us, he was not too polite.

“General Chu.”

“Designer Lam.”

“Your recent reputation…”

“I heard it so much that I wanted to memorize it.”

He poured tea and got straight to the point.

“Honestly…”

“Your company is currently famous like crazy.”

“Maybe keep an eye on this old, rundown neighborhood that no one wants to touch…”

“I was really surprised.”

I smiled.

“Director Vuong.”

“What we saw…”

“Not how shabby this place is right now.”

“But its future…”

“How beautiful can it be?”

Lam Hai took out a thick stack of sketches from his briefcase. He didn't talk about trade first. There is also no mention of construction density or profits. The first thing he spread out... was a drawing of an ancient eucalyptus tree over three hundred years old in that neighborhood. When the old southern street renovation area is completed... Standing in front of the completely new look of the Southern citadel... Tat everyone was surprised. The old alleys have now become clean and spacious. But still retains the old breath. Rows of equestrian houses after being restored... Under the yellow light of the evening, it brings a feeling of both nostalgia and modernity. The three-hundred-year-old tree still stands in the center of the small square. Lush green canopy. Children run and jump below. The old people sit and play chess and drink tea. Small bookstores. Art cafe. Exhibition space for young people... Makes the entire old neighborhood seem to be reborn again. Major media simultaneously reported. Even call this:

“The miracle of Nam citadel.”

Creative Design... Thanks to this project, we officially became the leading company in the industry. And Lam Hai. His name was finally returned to its original purity. It is even honored by the design world as:

“Architects resurrected from the ashes.”

Project inauguration day. The city government organized a very solemn ceremony. Many people came to attend. There are city leaders. There is communication. There are residents of Nam citadel. There were also many people who watched the battle that year. I stand on stage. Look at the sea of people below. Suddenly a bit panicked. Who would have thought... Everything... Started just because of a class reunion. The host invited Lam Hai to speak. He stood under the light. His eyes were calm but gentle.

“Someone once asked me.”

“After everything that happened…”

“Do I still believe in design?”

He stopped for a few seconds. Then smiled softly.

“Because design is never wrong.”

“It's the human heart.”

“Real architecture…”

“It's not about creating cold buildings.”

“It's to make people feel like they belong there.”

“Be seen.”

“Respected.”

“Living better.”

“Thanh Nam…”

“That's my answer.”

Below the stage, there was endless applause. I looked at Lam Hai. Eyes slightly curved. Five years ago... He was pushed into the abyss. Five years later... He walked out of the darkness himself. No longer someone who needs to be saved. Which has become the light of many others.