Chapter 13 — Unforgettable Taste

At the dinner party after the forum, Co Dien approached.

“Today's speech by President To is the best I have ever heard at this type of event.”

“How many times have you attended?”

“No less than a hundred.”

“So your standards must be very strict.”

“It's quite strict.” He smiled lightly. “So you can believe this compliment is true.”

To Niem looked at him and raised his glass. The two glasses gently touched each other. Around, many eyes caught this moment - founder Niem Chi Vi and head of Hoa Thanh foundation raised their glasses at the dinner party. The financial world and consumers immediately began to whisper.

"What relationship do these two people have? It's not just that they're investors and the founder, right?"

"Who knows? Co Dien is polite to everyone, but it's clearly different with To Niem."

“Where is different?”

“Look at his eyes.”

To Niem did not know about those rumors. She only felt one thing - Co Dien had an aura that made people feel comfortable. You don't need to put others down to lift yourself up. Completely opposite of Luc Chinh. Luc Chinh, when standing in front of others, always wants to prove that he is superior to her - earn more money, have higher status, have wider connections. Co Dien has never compared. He just said:

“You did very well.”

Not “better than others”. Nor is it “better than my expectations”. Just — “you did very well.” Those four simple words... To Niem clearly understands their value. When the party was almost over, her phone vibrated. A message from Co Dien —

"Are you free next week? No work to discuss."

To Niem looked at the screen for five seconds. Then answered in one word - Luc Chinh, through many sources, found out about the forum. He watched the video of To Niem's speech. After watching... sat quietly for a long time. Then, he did one thing — Go to that alley in the old town. The place where To Niem's first bakery was located. The shop is still there. But the person standing at the counter is no longer her. The current store manager is a middle-aged woman with a plump figure and a warm personality.

"Auntie, I have a question... Does President To Niem To still come here often?"

Aunt looked at him from head to toe.

“I… am her friend.”

"Boss Su is very busy, but every year when the shop's anniversary comes, he comes back once. This year it's the twelfth day of next month."

The twelfth day of next month. Luc Chinh remembered. He didn't know if he went there... what he would say. But still want to go. Even if you just stand from afar and watch it once. Shop anniversary day. The weather is very nice. The small alley was filled with people. The store is only fifteen square meters, but in Niem Chi Vi's brand story, it has a legendary meaning. Every year, the corporation holds an event here - giving away free cakes, only this place has limited editions. Luc Chinh arrived very early. At seven o'clock in the morning, he stood in the milk tea shop opposite the alley, looking outside through the glass. At eight o'clock, the staff started decorating. At nine o'clock, the crowd gradually grew. At ten o'clock, a black commercial Buick stopped at the entrance of the alley. To Niem walked down. She wore a white linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her hair tied low, and white canvas shoes on her feet. Almost no different from her image during the three years she lived with him. There was only one difference — There were four or five people next to her follow. There was a man wearing a dark gray shirt, standing half a step to her right. Luc Chinh's fingers tightened on the paper cup, causing the coffee to spill out a little. To Niem walked into the store and hugged the store manager. Then she put on an apron and approached the operating table. The crowd in front of the store immediately cheered.

“Too made the cake himself!”

“Oh my god, she really did it herself!”

To Niem stood firmly in front of the table, pressing both hands on the dough. The movements are mature and smooth like flowing water and flying clouds. Knead dough, fold edges, beat, shape. Each movement is skillful, carrying the unique rhythm of a skilled craftsman. Luc Chinh stood on the other side of the road, looking at her. That back - the back he had been looking at for three years, the back that woke up every day at four in the morning in the dark. But he... had never looked at her from this angle. It turns out that when viewed from the outside, when To Niem makes cakes, she... is shining. The bread came out of the oven and To Niem personally distributed it to customers in line. To each person, she smiled: “Thank you for coming.” When it was a young mother's turn to hold her child, she bent down and asked:

“What flavor do you like?”

“Chocolate!”

“Okay, give me some chocolate.”