Chapter 8 — When I Don't Need Them Anymore

“What about the work?”

“I prepared three dishes.”

“Let me see.”

I spread the designs of the three works on the table. He looked at each one. This time, he did not say "look at it". But say three other words.

“That's okay.”

One month later, the Milan fall jewelry exhibition officially opened. The exhibition area is very large. Soft warm white light, each display room is designed extremely delicately. My space is located in the corner, the location is not too good. But after the work was displayed, on the morning of the first day, someone stopped in front of the glass case. In the morning there were more than ten visitors. In the afternoon it doubles. On the second day, three customers proactively came to discuss cooperation. On Tuesday, an Italian luxury goods boutique placed its first official order. The quantity is not large. But enough for me to register my own brand and open a small studio. I used to think that was the biggest harvest of this exhibition. Until the last hour before closing on Tuesday afternoon. A group of people entered the exhibition hall. The man in the lead wore a long dark gray coat, was very tall, and had steady steps. Luc Canh Tham. There are a few people behind him. One of them... Is To Uyen Ninh. She was wearing a white dress, holding the arm of an older woman, laughing and talking as she walked. She hasn't seen me yet. The group walked and stopped, clearly coming for a survey tour as brand representatives.

“Uyen Ninh Jewelry” also has an exhibition space this term.

Occupies no small position. I stood behind my glass cabinet, eight or nine meters away from them, watching the group of people slowly approach. Luc Canh Tham's eyes scanned each display room. He saw my space. More precisely, seeing the works in the glass cabinet. His steps stopped. Her eyes fell on one of the necklaces. The design language of that jewelry has a very subtle similarity to the "representative original work" that To Uyen Ninh recently released. But more mature. More sophisticated. More like the work of someone who really understands this style. Anyone with eyes to see will recognize... Between the two, one is original, the other is imitation. His eyes shifted from the work to the brand nameplate on the exhibition stand. Switch to my face, standing behind the glass cabinet. He saw me. His whole body immediately stopped. Not the usual “recognizing an acquaintance” kind of thing. It was like being hit by something, the whole person froze on the spot. To Uyen Ninh was still talking to the person next to her.

"The level of this exhibition is normal. To be honest, Uyen Ninh Jewelry's works placed here are considered..."

Her voice suddenly stopped. Because she followed Luc Canh Tham's eyes. And see me. I leaned against the glass cabinet, folded my arms across my chest, and calmly looked at them. Not surprised. Don't avoid it. There is also no smile to talk about.

"Long time no see."

The volume is just enough to hear. To Uyen Ninh's face changed three different expressions in three seconds. First is surprise. Then there was panic. Finally, it quickly turned into a look of weakness and hurt.

"You... you? Why are you here?"

“Go to the exhibition.”

I pointed to the display case behind me.

“Your work?”

To Uyen Ninh's eyes fell on the glass cabinet and stopped on the rope Pass it a little bit. Then her face became even whiter. Because as long as one isn't blind… Anyone can see that the necklace in my glass case and the "representative work" of her brand are almost identical in their core structure. The only difference is… My work is better. To Uyen Ninh opened her mouth and then closed it again. She quickly pulled Luc Canh Tham's sleeve.

"Brother Canh Tham, I don't feel very well, shall we go first?"

Luc Canh Tham did not move. He still looks at me. His voice was a bit hoarse.

"For more than a year... where have you been? I've been looking for you for a long time."

“There's nothing worth finding.”

"Have you seen the relationship termination papers and the annulment agreement? Have you signed them yet?"

His throat moved slightly.

“I haven't signed yet.”

“That's your problem.”

I bowed my head and adjusted the business cards on the glass cabinet.

"The exhibition is about to close. You two are welcome."

To Uyen Ninh's fingers tightened on Luc Canh Tham's sleeve to the point of turning pale.

“Mr. Canh Tham, let's go.”