Chapter 11 — With only 9 Yuan left in my card, I decided to go abroad

From a small assistant to the position of research and development director. During that time, I also made a few products that were enough to show off. There are two formulas that I personally led the research team from scratch. Three years after getting married... I spent all my energy in that family. I thought I had completely disappeared from this industry. I have never disappeared. In the afternoon, Tran Sam called me into his office. On the table is a file of documents.

“What is this?”

“Your recommendation for promotion.”

“Product Manager for Asia-Pacific.”

“Hua Lam's signature.”

I looked at the name on the file. Next to it is Hua Lam's handwritten signature.

“Since when?”

"After the product announcement last week, she already proposed. The official process still needs to be approved, but before the end of the year it will probably be approved."

He looked at me.

"If you want to return home, things will be different. So I'll tell you first so you can consider for yourself."

I replied softly:

“I will think.”

That evening back at the hotel, I opened the “Rebirth Plan” folder. Inside there were more than ten subfolders. Bank statement. Call history. Photo of the chat. Video evidence. Copy of lawyer letter. Expenditure details. Each folder... is a trace of the past three years. I created a new folder again. Name it:

“New life.”

Inside are only two things. One is the nomination notice that Mr. Phuong sent me. The second is the promotion nomination sent by Tran Sam. The industry's Innovative Product Research and Development Awards ceremony was held in the banquet hall of a five-star hotel in Shanghai. I specially flew back from Singapore. More than three hundred people were present at the scene. Brand manager. Director of research and development. Supply chain leadership. The media. I sat at the third table in the first row. Hua Lam sat next to me. She took a look at me.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“Don't stress.”

“The product is made by you.”

“This award should have belonged to you.”

The awards ceremony advanced to the third category. MC walked onto the stage.

“Next, we would like to announce the winner of the Innovative Product Research and Development of the Year award.”

The big screen started playing a video introducing the finalists. Coming to the second product... A series of data appeared on the screen that I was extremely familiar with. It is a line of plant essences that I lead the research team myself. After two years of launch, cumulative sales have exceeded 80 million yuan. The rate of repeat customers is at the top of the segment. The MC finished reading the data and paused for a beat.

“Please invite the winner — Ms. Lam Van.”

Applause immediately rang out. I stood up, adjusted my shirt, and walked step by step to the stage. The light is very bright. Below are more than three hundred people. I received the trophy. MC smiled and asked:

“Miss Lam, where are you working now?”

“I am in Singapore, in charge of building the company's Asia-Pacific product line.”

There began to be a soft whisper below. The moment I stood on stage holding the trophy... My phone vibrated in my bag. I don't watch. After stepping off the stage, Hua Lam nodded slightly at me. The award ceremony ends with an exchange session. Many people took the initiative to change their contact method.

“General Lam, when your essence line launches, be with us used to be a benchmark product. Very strong indeed.”

“I heard you are doing very well in Singapore, are you interested in talking more?”

There is a sentence that stuck with me for a long time.

“The name Lam Van was previously too secretive in the industry.”

“I didn't expect the product to be so sturdy.”

I politely chatted a few words. Then go to the bathroom. Stand in front of the mirror for a long time. Take out your phone and look. There are three unread messages. The first message is from Diep Tay:

"The photo of you going on stage to receive the award is spreading throughout the industry group!"

The second news is from teacher Phuong Minh Vien:

“Congratulations, Van Van.”

The third message was from an unknown phone number.

“I'm in the hotel lobby. Come here, let's talk."

Tham Trach Chu. He's here. I didn't go down to the hall. But returned to the hall and continued to attend the second half of the dinner party with Tran Sam and Hua Lam. Two hours later, the party ended. When I walked out of the hall... Tham Trach Chu was standing in the hallway. Next to him there was another person. Trieu Que Tran. She wore a new coat and her hair was neatly combed. But his face is very poor. Compared to the last time I saw it via video call... Much older.

“Van Van ah…”

The tone of her voice when she opened her mouth was completely different from before.