Chapter 4 — The Dignity of a Signature

Hua Tu Tu's acceptance speech was extremely fluent. Every sentence was clearly prepared carefully in advance.

"...The work 'Quy Khu' originates from my love for Eastern culture. I always believe that a good design never appears from nothing, but must be rooted in tradition and mature from innovation..."

The original text of this paragraph is on page twelve of my design notebook. Eight months ago, on a sleepless night. I drank coffee while looking at the first sketch of "Quy Khu" on the computer screen and then wrote that philosophical paragraph. And now… It has turned into Hua Tu Tu's acceptance speech. The reaction in the stands was extremely enthusiastic. Someone nodded. Someone raised their phone to take pictures. The livestream comment section continuously runs:

“Hua Tu Tu is really talented!”

“This speech is so great!”

“So young yet with such depth, what a genius!”

Tham Hao below the stage also smiled again. He was also the one who led the applause. After Hua Tu Tu finished speaking, he bowed in thanks. The MC was about to continue speaking when she suddenly turned her head to look at me, then picked up the microphone and said one more sentence:

“Oh right, I also want to thank someone in particular.”

She leaned over, smiled and extended her hand towards me:

"Assistant Lam, thank you for the past half year for helping me print documents, order boxed lunches, and run express deliveries. Designers can move forward with peace of mind thanks to the support from behind."

Below burst into laughter. It's a kind smile. Accompanied by a few scattered rounds of applause. And I stood on stage, wearing a black uniform with the word "Officer" printed on it, becoming the background that highlighted her aura. Tham Hao also laughed. He even turned to say something to the person next to him. It's probably something like:

“Our company's atmosphere is very good, even assistants can go on stage.”

Hua Tu Tu retracted his hand and smiled gently at me. That smile was very sincere. Very soft. If I didn't know the truth… Maybe I would also think she was a kind girl. MC receives the microphone back:

"Okay, thank you for Ms. Hua Tu Tu's wonderful sharing! Next..."

I took out my phone and took a look. This is a message from Phuong Tri Vien:

"The signal has been connected, you can change the image at any time. You just need to send me the word 'Okay'."

I put the phone back in my pocket. It's not time yet. I walked down from the stage backstage and sat down on a folding chair in the waiting area. On stage, the show continues. The MC is reading a thank you note to the sponsor. In the waiting area, there were only me and two lighting staff. A person is scrolling on his phone. The remaining people sit and eat boxed lunches. Phuong Khiet came around from the hall, holding a bottle of mineral water in her hand and handed it to me.

“Are you okay?”

She asked very softly. I took the water bottle, opened it and took a sip:

“It's okay.”

Phuong Khiet squatted down next to me, hesitated for a moment before speaking:

“Earlier, Hua Tu Tu said those words on stage… I felt uncomfortable for you.”

I looked at her. Phuong Khiet belongs to the administrative department and has been in the company for two years. She is not under my management, and we are not close at all. But she was the only person in the company who still remembered to pour me a glass of water when I was treated as a handyman.

"Direction Pure.”

I asked softly:

“You know whose work that is, right?”

She didn't answer. But his face has changed. A few seconds later, she lowered her voice:

“Assistant Lam… the whole design department knows. In the editing history of the 'Quy Khu' file, more than one hundred of the first versions are all under your account."

“After Hua Tu Tu joined the company... the name was changed.”

I nodded slightly.

“So why didn't anyone say anything?”

Phuong Khiet was silent. I was also silent. Both answers are understandable. Tham Hao is the boss. Hua Tu Tu is the person he supports. In this company, opposing Tham Hao's decision is like smashing your own rice bowl. Phuong Khiet stood up, lightly brushed his pants leg:

“I'll go back first... take care of yourself.”

She's gone. I sat alone on a folding chair, listening to applause and the MC's voice echoing down from the stage. I took out my phone and opened the photo album. The first picture is the first hand sketch of "Quy Khu". In the lower right corner is my signature and date. Next to the signature, there is also a drawing of a small crane. That's my habit. Every manuscript will have such a small crane. From the first day I entered the profession until now... Twelve years. Never changed.