Chapter 1 — Unforgettable Taste

My husband looked down on me because my income was only 6,000 yuan per month (~23 million). When we got divorced... he was the one who went crazy. He earns 180,000 yuan a month (~700 million), while I only have a small bakery, making 6,000 yuan (~23 million) every month. Last night, when he threw the divorce papers on the table, I was still kneading dough for tomorrow's batch of cakes.

“Sign, To Niem.”

Luc Chinh stood leaning against the door frame, his suit smooth, his leather shoes shiny, his cufflinks sparkling under the light. He didn't even bother to step inside. I wiped off the powder on my hands, picked up the agreement and looked at each page. The house belongs to him. The car also belongs to him. The savings were divided in half — his account had more than 4 million yuan, and mine had only 32,000.

"It's okay to leave empty-handed. I just need some equipment from the bakery." I said.

He paused for a moment, clearly not thinking I would be so decisive.

“Are you… not planning on fighting?”

“Picture what?”

I turned to the last page, picked up the fountain pen he had available, and signed my name.

"To Niem, I didn't mean it, but you also understand... the distance between us is getting farther and farther."

I didn't raise my head.

"My annual salary is nearly 2 million yuan, and yours is only 6,000 per month. All my colleagues who gather bring their spouses, and I come wearing an apron. Last time boss Chau's wife asked me what I do, I said I want to open a bakery..."

“What about opening a bakery?”

He took a deep breath, as if trying to swallow back his discomfort.

"Forget it. It's pointless to say more. Come to the Civil Affairs Department tomorrow morning, okay?"

I continued kneading the dough without stopping. He stood looking at me for a long time, then turned and left. The next morning, 9 o'clock. In front of the Civil Affairs Department. He drove up in a shiny black Porsche Cayenne. As for me, riding a public bicycle. When checking in, the staff asked:

“Are you two willing to confirm?”

"Confirm."

We responded at the same time. From red book to green book, less than 40 minutes. Step outside, the sunlight is bright. Right in front of me, Luc Chinh pulled out his phone. Open WeChat — delete you. Open contacts — block numbers. A series of operations that are neat, decisive, and cold. When he was done, he put his phone away and looked at me.

“From now on everyone goes their separate ways, no more contact.”

I nodded. He got in the car, the low sound of the Porsche engine rang out, the car drove away into the crowd. I stood and watched for three seconds. Then turn around and walk in the opposite direction. I won't return to the place I once called "home" anymore. I went to my bakery. The shop's name is "Nien Chi Vi", located in a small alley in the old neighborhood, with an area of only about 15 square meters. Pushing the door open, the timed batch of cakes from last night had just come out of the oven. The whole room was filled with the warm smell of wheat. I tied my apron and started kneading the dough. The phone rang. Giang Van called.

“Signed?”

“What conditions did he offer?”

“The house and car belong to him, the money is divided in half.”

The other end of the line was silent for 5 seconds.

"To Niem, is your head covered in flour? The assets are in your name—"

"It has nothing to do with him. Those things are not part of the common property."

“So does he know…”

“Don't know.” I held the phone between my shoulder and ear, my hands still kneading the dough. “There's no need to know later.”

“Um… so when do you…”

“Tomorrow.”

“So fast?”

“Hang in limbo for three years, this is still slow.”

I hung up. Pulled out a leaf from his apron pocket letters. Place it down next to the dough table. My eyes lightly stopped on it for a moment. But just like before a big wave... the sea surface is always terrifyingly calm. I wrote that letter last night. Originally intended to leave it to him. But after thinking about it, I stuffed it into the shoe drawer in the hallway - a place he hadn't opened even once all year. Maybe three months later he accidentally discovered it. Maybe... I'll never see it in my whole life. Not important. The content is only a few lines —

“Luc Chinh, the freedom you wanted, I have given it back to you.

There are a few things you should probably know. In 2019, he failed to start a business and owed 800,000 yuan — I paid. In 2021, his mother was hospitalized, costing 400,000 yuan — also my money. The 'year-end bonus' you proudly receive every year... I actually transferred money to your superior's account, asking him to reissue it to you in his name. In addition, the founder of the nationwide chain of 1,200 franchised stores of 'Niem Chi Vi' — is me. Last year's brand valuation report, you can probably look it up yourself online. Wishing you peace. I imagine. One free afternoon, he rummaged through a pile of old things and accidentally opened them. The expression after reading... must be quite interesting. But thinking about this, I burst out laughing. No longer relevant. Right now, all I care about is the dough in front of me — seeing if it has risen enough. Luc Chinh drove into the basement of the restaurant where he had arranged with Tien Vi. Mood is light. More precisely... it's the feeling of having just removed an invisible shackle that has been in place for three years. Finally, he was "freed" from the woman who was not of the same class as him. Phone vibrates. Tien Vi's message: "Are you here yet?" I'm on the second floor, next to the window.” He replied: “Come up now.” Then open the car door and get out. Tien Vi is the Investment Director of his company. Returned from studying abroad, master's degree, annual salary 800,000 yuan (~3 billion). Beautiful appearance, sophisticated dressing sense. The two have been together for two months. To be more precise, half of Luc Chinh's determination to divorce... came from her.

“Done?” Tien Vi put down the wine glass and raised her eyebrows.

“She's not causing trouble, is she?”

"Are not." Luc Chinh sat down, his voice a bit surprised. “More convenient than I thought. She doesn't compete with anything.”

Tien Vi smiled lightly.

“That's right. What does she use to fight? A person opens a bakery, earning a few pennies a month... Luc Chinh, you should have decided sooner."

He flipped through the menu. Turned two pages... suddenly stopped.

“What's wrong?” Tien Vi asked.

“Nothing. It's just... when she left, she was very calm. Not even a single tear.”

“That's better. Don't get involved."