Chapter 7 — Unforgettable Taste

"To Niem, founder and CEO of Niem Chi Vi Food Technology Co., Ltd. Graduated with a major in Food Science at a pedagogical university. In 2019, he founded the first Niem Chi Vi bakery in an old alley in the Northern city, with an area of only 15 square meters. Within five years, it developed into a bakery brand chain with 1,200 stores nationwide. Taking the criteria of 'no additives, expiration date'. short, work on the spot - sell on the spot' as the core. Extremely private, has never received any public interviews.

Every sentence, every word... was like a sharp needle stabbing straight into his eyes. Food science. He even... didn't know what major To Niem studied. After three years of marriage, all he knew about her was that she knew how to make bread, how to cook jam, and how to cut seaweed into smiley faces and put them in the lunch box. He never asked:

“What major do you study?”

“What kind of person do you want to become?”

“How big is your dream?”

He just asked:

“When will I make a little more money?”

Luc Chinh turned off the website. His chest felt heavy, as if a rock was pressing down. He picked up the phone and tried calling To Niem's number again.

“The number you just dialed does not exist.”

She canceled that number already. He opened WeChat, typed “To Niem” into the search bar. No results. Between him and her… it was like nothing had ever existed. This feeling is even scarier than being rejected. This is… erased from someone else's life. Luc Chinh decided to go find her. He knows where Niem Chi Vi's headquarters is, and it's not difficult to look up the address of the Hangzhou branch. But the problem is… He has no character. They are divorced. Divorce was suggested by him. Deleting friends, blocking numbers... is also what he did.

"From now on, let's go our separate ways and stop contacting each other" — that's what he said himself.

Now you want to go back and look for her? Based on what? Based on knowing that she is worth 800 million yuan? Luc Chinh sat in the car, the engine was not turned off. He thought for a long time. Finally… make a phone call. Call mom.

“Mom, do you have To Niem's new number?”

The other end of the line was silent for a long time.

“Let me go.”

“No.”

“Luc Chinh, listen to me clearly.” Ms. Lam Tu Lan's voice was not loud, but each word was as heavy as lead. "The person who asked for a divorce is you. The person who deleted contact is you. The person who blocked the number is also you. Now that you know that person has value, you want to go back and look for it? Do you see yourself as different from those who are greedy for fame and profit?"

“I'm not for money…”

“Not for money?” She smiled coldly. "So why? Conscience arises? Are you regretful? Luc Chinh, if regret is useful... then why do you need a court?"

“Mom… I just want to say sorry to her…”

“Excuse me?” Her voice suddenly rose high. "Do you know who paid for the debt when you were in the hospital? Do you know who paid for the debt you lost? Do you know how much money the little girl celebrates her mother's birthday every Tet?"

She paused for a moment, then each word seemed to pound down:

"He said it was money given to me. But mom knows it's not!"

“My monthly salary is 150,000 yuan, happy mother 2,000.”

“The person whose child criticized me for having a salary of 6,000 yuan… congratulates my mother for 50,000 yuan!”

Luc Chinh... couldn't say a word.

“I don't deserve it.”

Three words fell down. The phone is disconnected. In the car, it was dead silent. Luc Chinh tightened his grip on the phone, his knuckles tight white hands. It was as if… something in his heart had just broken. it can't be put back together again. His mother was right. He doesn't deserve it. But he still wanted to meet her once. Even if it's just from afar. He bought a high-speed train ticket to Hangzhou. Depart Friday afternoon, arrive Friday evening. He looked up the address of Niem Chi Vi Hang Chau branch, and by the time he took the bus to get there, it was already eight o'clock in the evening. The office area had already finished working, the lobby was dark. He stood across the street, looking up like a fool. The twelfth floor has a few rooms that are still lit. He didn't know which house belonged to To Niem. It may also not be any apartment at all. He stood across the street for forty minutes. In March in Hangzhou, the weather is still a bit cold, the wind penetrates through the coat and touches the body. He remembered previous winters, To Niem always made a few extra pieces of bread, put them in an insulated bag, placed them on a small table in front of the shop, next to a sign - "Free, given to those in need." He then scolded her for being stupid.

"If you give me bread, what will it give you? I won't make any money."

To Niem just smiled and replied: "Bakers make bread, not just to make money." He didn't understand at that time. Now he seemed to understand a little. But it's too late. He turned around and walked away.