Chapter 14 — The Second Life of the Italian Examiner

Invitation to cooperate. Request an interview. Invitation to speak. Three universities simultaneously sent invitations to teach. Two investors proactively proposed to contribute capital. A national design award sends direct invitations to attend. I sit in the office. Look at the stack of invitations and business cards on the table. Co Yen walked in holding a cup of coffee.

"Miss Tham."

"You're really famous now."

I just rearranged the document and said:

"The work at hand is not yet finished."

"Other things will be discussed later."

He laughed.

"Just as I finished speaking, the phone rang again."

I looked at the screen. Is a phone number from Beijing. I picked up the phone.

"Excuse me, is this Miss Tham Tri Y?"

"Hello."

"I am the editor of Urban Architecture magazine."

"We are currently conducting a topic on young designers and would like to invite you to become the cover character of this issue."

I paused for a moment. Urban Architecture. One of the leading prestigious specialized magazines in the field of architecture and design.

"Please send me the interview outline first."

"We will send it to your email today."

The call ended. Co Yen looked at me curiously.

"What's up?"

"Urban Architecture wants to invite you to be the cover character."

He almost dropped his coffee cup.

"What?"

"Cover character."

He immediately put the cup on the table.

"Miss Tham."

"Do you know what that means?"

"If appears on their cover."

"In this industry, you will no longer be a newcomer."

"Which will become a real character."

I leaned back in the chair. The corners of the lips curl up slightly.

"See the outline first."

The interview was scheduled a week later. The reporter flew directly from Beijing. The interview location is my office. We talked continuously for three hours. From the Nam Hang project. Go to the old town project. Then my professional journey. When the story mentions a five-year period of interruption. The reporter suddenly asked:

"What did those five years mean to you?"

I thought for a long time. Then slowly answer.

"They made me understand something."

"What is it?"

I looked through the window. The afternoon sunlight is covering the old town in the distance. Then smiled softly.

"Stable things that other people give you."

"It could be taken back at any time."

"There is only land under my feet."

"That's what's truly solid."

The reporter nodded slightly.

"So are you grateful for that marriage?"

I smiled.

"Ungrateful."

"But I don't regret it either."

He looked at me. I thought for a moment then replied:

"Because that time helped me understand one thing clearly."

"Who am I really?"

I looked out the window. The afternoon sunlight is covering the old tiled roofs.

"If I still live in a world where others take care of me and protect me."

"Maybe I would never have been pushed to this point."

The photo session took place immediately afterward. The photographer told me to stand on the stairs of the office. Behind is the old brick wall of the Republican-era building. In his hand he held a scroll of drawings. When the shutter sounds. I don't laugh. His face was strangely calm. It's like standing in the middle of a world you created yourself. Everything is natural. And belongs to me. Date of publication of the magazine. The phone received loads message. Lam Chinh Tac sent to:

"The cover photo is beautiful. The content is even more beautiful."

Luu Duy Binh message:

"The young generation today is formidable."

Mr. Tham texted:

"Happy cooperation. Let's continue with the next project."

Associate Professor Han messaged:

"My students saw it all. Next semester everyone wants to sign up for your class."

Co Yen texted:

"Sister Tham, I told you. According to you, it is the wisest decision of my life."

Among those messages. There is another news. From Khuong Ngan.

"I saw the magazine."

"I'm really on the cover."

That's it. Nothing more. I didn't answer either. That afternoon. I went to pick up Tieu Niem. When passing by the newsstand. The girl suddenly pointed at the glass cabinet.

"It's mom!"

I looked in the direction the child was pointing. On the cover of the magazine. It's my photo. Next to it is the headline:

"Tham Tri Y: From a gap of five years to a new voice of urban architecture."

Tieu Niem pulled my sleeve.

"Mom's in the magazine!"

"So much like a star!"

I squatted down in front of my child.

"Mom is not a star."

"So what is a mother?"

"Mom is a designer."

The baby opened her eyes wide.

"Do designers also get to appear in magazines?"

"If it's done well, it's okay."

Tieu Niem tilted her head and thought for a long time. Then seriously said:

"So in the future I also want to be a designer."

"I also want to be in the magazine."

I laughed.

"But you have to work hard at painting."

The girl nodded vigorously. I held that tiny hand. Mother and daughter walked through the newsstand together. Go into the street that is gradually sinking into the sunset. The street lights light up one after another. Tieu Niem's hand fits neatly in mine. And very sure. One year later. Tri Chi Design has expanded to a team of twelve people. The annual revenue exceeded four million yuan. I bought a house in the city. Three bedrooms. A living room. There is a very large balcony facing south. The day of moving into a new house. The first thing Tieu Niem did was run straight to the balcony.

"This balcony is three times bigger than the old one!"

I laughed.

"Have you counted?"

"You know when you see it."

I stood at the balcony door. Look at the little girl running back and forth. Suddenly remembered the apartment I rented last year. Tieu Niem once said:

"Remember to have a balcony. I want to grow flowers."

Balcony is available. The flowers have also bloomed. Ten o'clock flower. And a pot of jasmine flowers chosen by her. The wind passed by. Carrying a gentle jasmine scent that spreads throughout the space. I leaned against the door frame. No tears. Not so emotional that I choked up. Just feel extremely secure. Because step by step until today. These are all steps I took myself. No one supported. And there's no need anymore. That night. After Tieu Niem fell asleep. I sit in my new office. Open email box. A new email appears. The sender is the National Young Architectural Designers Award Council.

"Dear Miss Tham Tri Y.

Her work Nam Hang Ky — Design to activate the historic neighborhood passed the final round and was awarded the Silver Award of this year's National Young Architectural Designer Award by the Jury Council. The awards ceremony will be held in Beijing next month. Sincerely informed." I read every line. Then quietly close the computer. Step out onto the balcony. Cool night wind. The city lights stretch to the horizon. I stood there for a long time. Think back to two years ago. Remember the small kitchen. Remember the mango plate was dark due to oxidation dumped in the trash. Remember the man who once said:

"If it weren't for Tieu Niem, I wouldn't even remember my cousin."

For now. Almost all professionals know my name. Tham Tri Y. No need to rely on anyone. It's a business card in itself. I closed the balcony door. Return to the office. Take out your phone. Send Lam Chinh Tac a message.

"Teacher Lam, I won the award. Silver Award."

Less than half a minute later. A reply message appears.

"It should have been a long time ago."

"Next time, get the Gold Award."

I laughed. Put the phone down. Lying on a new bed. In a house that truly belongs to you. Tham Tri Y. Thirty-three years old. Have a very deep sleep. And very delicious.