Chapter 5 — The day I signed the divorce petition, I won the bid for a 30 billion VND project

That expression seemed to be asking: Why are you here? I didn't pay attention to him, just calmly turned my head to look towards the stage. The press conference officially begins. The host briefly introduced the project. This is the largest symbolic architectural project in the city in the past ten years, with a total investment of 30 billion yuan, presided over by the city government and many large businesses participating in the investment. Right after that comes the most anticipated part. Announcing the winning bid plan.

“Next, we would like to respectfully invite the winning designer of this project, Ms. Tham Nghien Thanh, to the stage!”

Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. I stood up, adjusted my collar, and gradually walked onto the stage. When passing by the third row of seats, I could clearly feel Luc Tu Hanh's eyes like pins on my body. But from beginning to end... I never looked at him once. Standing under the bright stage lights, I squinted my eyes slightly. Below was a dark sea of people, it was impossible to see each face clearly, but I knew there was someone watching me without blinking. Maybe now... There was only one question left in his mind. Tham Nghien Thanh... how many more things are you hiding from me? I took the microphone and smiled.

"Thank you to the appraisal council for recognizing my design plan, thank you to all the partners for giving me trust. The Van Gian project is not only an architectural work, but also the visualization of an entire city of the future. I am very honored to be the one who put the first pen strokes for that visualization."

Applause rang out once again. I bowed my head in thanks and walked off the stage. As soon as I sat down, the phone in my hand vibrated. It's a message from Luc Tu Hanh. What are you doing? I don't answer. A few seconds later, he sent another message. Tham Nghien Thanh, you are not a designer. Since when did you know how to design? I lowered my head to look at that message, and an indescribable feeling of bitterness suddenly arose in my heart. Three years as husband and wife. He didn't even know what I majored in. The day we met, I had just graduated with a master's degree in architecture. In hand are three job offers, one of which is from abroad. When pursuing me, he heard me talk about my major, about my dreams, and also heard me say how I wanted to become a designer. At that time, he smiled and said:

“Your girlfriend is really good.”

But just turning away... Is forgetting everything. Because he never pursued me because I was talented. But just because I am... And suitable to be a wife. One time his friend asked:

“What major is your girlfriend studying?”

He just smiled and replied:

“It seems like learning to draw, I don't really know.”

I studied architecture for seven years. Won four design awards. Published six specialized essays. Yet in his mouth... It was only summed up in four words.

"You should learn to draw."

It's not that his memory is bad. He never wanted to remember. For a woman you don't love, nothing she does is worth worrying about. I put my phone in my bag and didn't reply to that message. There are questions... Originally, they didn't need answers. Because sooner or later, he will find it himself answer. After the press conference ended, I was immediately surrounded by a group of reporters.

"Miss Tham, you are very young and have become the general architect of such a large project. May I ask what your design philosophy is?"

"Miss Tham, it seems like you have never appeared in front of the media before. Are you intentionally keeping your identity a secret?"

"Miss Tham, may I ask if you have any relationship with Luc Thi Real Estate Group? We discovered that your previous company registration address is in the same building as Luc Thi."

The last question made me pause for a moment. Same building. When I registered the company, I used the address on the eighteenth floor of the Luc Thi building. But that is not the property of the Luc family. It's just a shared office I rented. Every day, Luc Tu Hanh takes the private elevator straight to the top floor. He never knew... On the eighteenth floor, there has always existed a company called Nghien Thanh Design.

“I do not have any relationship with Luc Thi Real Estate Group.”

I replied smiling.

“I am an independent designer.”

“So can you share a little about the projects you have done before?”

"Of course."

I smiled and read the names of the four projects one by one. Each project is a famous work in the world. Each project has won specialized awards. The designer's name is written on all of those projects... It's all me.