Chapter 15 — Unforgettable Taste

"I've known you for six months. During those six months, I saw you get up at four in the morning to check ingredients, saw you sit among piles of flour bargaining with suppliers, saw you teach students to knead dough yourself, saw you stand on the forum without slides and still conquer thousands of people."

"I don't know if you will like me in the future or not. But I want to tell you, from the first time we met at this restaurant in Hangzhou, I had a liking for you. That day you ordered West Lake Vinegar Fish and Longjing Shrimp, an average of eighty yuan. At that time I thought, this person is completely different from the founders I have met."

To Niem looked at him and said nothing.

"You don't need to answer me right away. Like dough, good feelings are not afraid of waiting."

To Niem burst out laughing.

“You used the phrase I taught my students to use.”

“Because you're right.”

To Niem lifted the cup of tea, took a sip and then put it down.

“Today I'm wearing a dark gray shirt.”

“The first time I met you, you were wearing this color.”

Co Dien paused slightly.

“I remember because under the lights that night, your shirt made people feel very trustworthy.” To Niem looked straight into his eyes. "But give me a little more time. My previous marriage taught me one thing — before confirming, you should wait a little more."

"Okay. Wait as long as you want."

“Not for long.”

Co Dien smiled. To Niem also laughed. This time, the smile spread to the bottom of his eyes. Three months later. Annual industry conference.

“China New Consumer Brand Summit.” The scale is much larger than the previous forum, with founders and top investors all present.

To Niem was invited as a speaker. She is the youngest person in the hall. Also the only one to start from a 15 square meter bakery. Before the speech, the MC announced the results:

“The award for ‘Most Influential New Consumer Brand of the Year’ goes to — Niem Chi Vi.”

The whole hall applauded. To Niem stood up and walked up to receive the award. Under the stands, Co Dien sat in the third row. When she received the trophy, she glanced at him. He nodded slightly. That moment was captured by a photographer and later became the cover of an industry magazine. Accompanying text:

“In just five years, she went from the dough table to the top of the industry.”

To Niem's acceptance speech... had only one sentence:

“Thank you to everyone who has ever eaten my bread.”

Applause rang out again. As she walked down, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance. It's Luc Chinh. He wears a simple white shirt. No more Porsches. No longer looks elegant. On my hand... there was even a little flour on it. To Niem saw him. This time, she didn't dodge. She stood still, waiting for him to come forward. Luc Chinh stopped in front of her. Two steps distance.

“Congratulations.” he said.

The voice is very light, very restrained, carrying a bitterness that is hard to hide.

"Thank." To Niem replied calmly.

“I opened a bakery.”

"I know. Ha Vien said it."

Luc Chinh paused.

“He said every day he gets up at four o'clock, the cakes aren't very good, but he makes them very seriously.”

His throat moved slightly.

“To Niem, you…”

“You don't need to say anymore.” She interrupted. "I know what you're going to say. But saying it will only make you more upset."

“I'm sorry for you.”

“Yes, you are sorry for me.” Her voice was not angry, not sarcastic, nor proud. "But I blame myself more. I can't tell the difference." really fake. He thought money decided everything, thought face was everything. In three years of marriage, you've never bent down to see what I'm doing."

Luc Chinh stood there, his eyes red, but no tears.

“Now that you've started baking, you probably understand.”

“Understand what?”

“The dough doesn't fool people. The more patient you are, the more it returns.”

Having finished speaking, she turned and left. Co Dien stepped forward and naturally took the trophy from her hand. The two of them left the hall side by side. Luc Chinh stopped. Watching her back disappear. He didn't chase. Because in the end... he learned what To Niem once said - There are opportunities, once missed... no matter how hard you try... you can't go back to the best time.