Part 1
The late afternoon sunlight painted a layer of orange-yellow shadow on the glass window.
11th floor, the office of the General Director of Pham’s Bamboo King company, internationally known as PBK Group. Mr. Danh leaned slightly, lifted the curtain and looked down, as usual. After nearly half a year of being busy with the new factory and the raw material area, it had been a long time since he had been able to stand leisurely in his office. He glanced around, taking in every frame in his sight, observing each person bustling below.
Then he suddenly stopped in one direction, in a room on the 9th floor, where the business department was gathered, people were clapping their hands. In the middle of the circle was a young girl, wearing a white shirt buttoned up almost to the neck, holding a bouquet of flowers that someone had just given her. Her hair was tied high at the nape of her neck, her face was bare of makeup but lit up with a bright smile. Her beauty was primitive and pure, like a wildflower bathing in the morning sunlight.
He did not turn back. Still looking out, he spoke.
– Ha, do you know who the girl in the middle is?
His voice was not too loud, but it had a special tone that made the listener pay attention. The woman just entered, she paused for a moment, then approached and placed the file on the table, she stood diagonally behind him.
– Yes, I know, Mai Le Chi. The new employee of the sales department, fresh out of school, has been an official employee for a year now. She was the star of the showroom then came to the sales department for 8 months. 3 months to learn and get acquainted then 4 consecutive months in the top.
– Oh, so excellent, she must have something special.
– The boss was too busy to pay attention recently, she made a good impression on the departments. I also did some research and learned a little bit. She is quite quiet, doesn’t communicate much, but works steadily, diligently… especially doesn’t compete. Very different from normal office workers, boss.
Mr. Danh nodded, still not taking his eyes off the glass, a few questions in his head, he continued to ask.
– So how can one become a top employee in the sales department, is there anything hidden?
– No, I have talked to her directly, she has a great natural charm, if you have the chance to talk to her you will understand. I think if you know how to apply more sincerity, she will be a top employee of course.
– So interesting, rarely see you praise someone like that.
– She is really special, if I meet her I will definitely have a good impression.
– It sounds like you really want me to meet her.
– I don’t want to, but it’s a necessary preparation. She’s just one of the people on my replacement list.
Ha’s voice was a bit low, she talked about her promotion without any joy. Mr. Danh understood the emotions in her words so he turned back to face her. Still the same understanding and friendly look as before, it had been 3 years but the man behind the desk was still the same, perhaps the experience and profound wisdom made him even more attractive.
As for him, over the past 3 years, Ha has transformed. Standing before him now is a beautiful woman who exudes confidence and thoughtfulness in every word and action.
He smiled at her again, probably just like that, Ha’s heart blossomed, he spoke very slowly.
– I have always learned to improve, the new position is a worthy reward for me, and also shows that your trust in me is great.
– But I still want to learn from you, still want to be by your side so you can remind me, or you can let me do it, I can still handle it.
– So where is the time to be with family to take care of husband and raise children?
Talking about her husband and children made Ha suddenly awake. This was also the reason why she had been torn for so long. She could do anything to be with him, only her family was the only thing that could stop her. But there was one thing she always wondered about, which was his genuine happiness when she mentioned her love for her husband.
If other people, in a relationship like his and hers, mentioning husband and children is sometimes taboo. But Mr. Danh is different, it seems that to him the core of a woman worthy of his attention is loyalty and virtue.
Ha still remembers clearly a day 3 years ago, after a long process of effort, she was promoted to the position of Assistant General Director. The first day she entered the office, she was overwhelmed by the solemnity of the place. The young woman had just become a mother, her economic situation was not too prosperous, making everything she wore pitifully ordinary. She remembers being led in by her old secretary, Ngoc, she stood in front of his desk waiting, while she was busy doing something.
He must have been very busy that day, he wore a blue shirt with white trim, and rectangular gold-rimmed glasses. He kept flipping through the files on the table, his eyes glanced very quickly and his face looked pensive. It was almost 10 minutes before he raised his head, at that moment for the first time Ha was able to observe the company’s General Director at such a close and clear distance.
He had a square, resolute face, a high nose bridge, and especially a pair of bright eyes with a penetrating gaze that seemed to understand everything about the person in front of him. That year, he was 48 years old, but with his actual appearance, he looked much younger than his age. And when he spoke, his deep, even voice seemed to have a magical power that made her pay attention, he asked her.
– Hello, sorry to keep you waiting. Do you know why I called you here?
In front of him, Ha suddenly felt embarrassed, her hands clasped together and twisted. The white shirt she was wearing was no longer bright, as was her black office dress and worn-out flat shoes, which also looked embarrassed. She found the simplicity of her daily life okay, but when faced with his neatness and etiquette, she felt unusually self-conscious.
But she didn’t know that at this moment Mr. Danh was also evaluating her, but it was completely different from what she was thinking. She dressed simply but not sloppy, from her long hair tied up high, without accessories but each strand of hair was neatly arranged. The office dress, although not new, not flat or rough, was clearly always taken care of. These past few days because her child was sick, Ha Ha was quite pale, her eyes were a bit dark due to many long nights of lack of sleep, but that fatigue still did not overshadow her gentle beauty. Her body was tall and slender but the curves were still extremely supple, the fact that she was breastfeeding her child made her womanly features rounder and fuller. She stood there not trying to show off, but if it was a man with poor self-control, he would have had lustful thoughts at this moment.
Mr. Danh saw Ha’s awkwardness, so he smiled slightly to put her at ease. He changed his old question to a more friendly and concerned one.
– You look tired, has your family had something happen lately that has made you tired?
Ha was stunned for a moment, she was quite surprised by his question full of concern and intimacy. She nodded slightly, answering without hiding anything.
– Yes, my child… no, my child has had a fever for two days. I stayed up last night to look after him so I didn’t get much sleep. I apologize if he looks messy.
Mr. Danh still smiled, waving his hand as if to deny her intention.
– You don’t need to apologize, I understand, being a mother is never a small thing, and it always has to be a priority.
He opened the file on the table, turned a few pages, then tilted his head slightly.
– I have read your profile and have some comments from the sales manager, and some additional assessments from other departments. You are assessed as hard-working, quick to grasp the job, but not good at expressing yourself, not very communicative, and seem not very interested in social relationships. Do you think that assessment is correct?
Ha regained her composure, she stood up straight and answered without shaking but very truthfully.
– I’m not good at those things. I try my best to do whatever I can, but… besides work, I would like to spend most of my time with my family. My children are still young, my husband works at a construction site, doesn’t come home often and needs to be taken care of.
The answer did not beg, nor did it try to prove. It was a very honest confession. That was what made Mr. Danh nod, secretly appreciating it.
– I think everyone has their own concerns. For me, the woman who loves her family and does not use social skills to embellish herself is the person I trust the most.
Ha looked up and met his eyes looking straight at her. The look made her feel understood, and she suddenly felt a deep trust in those eyes.
– I don’t need a smooth-talking assistant, nor do I need someone to boss me around, I need someone honest and trustworthy enough to accompany me. That person must be observant and know how to choose the right time. He must be trustworthy enough to hand over documents that no one else has seen, and understand me enough not to ask what I want in an emergency. You may not be good at being tactful in communication, but as long as you know how to listen and learn attentively, I can help you progress to be more stable in every position.
There were no direct compliments in his words, but Ha felt that these were the words she had wanted to hear the most in the past two years. She finally felt like her efforts had not been forgotten.
At this moment, Mr. Danh closed the file, first he spoke so Ngoc could hear.
Ngoc, you don’t need to call anyone else.
Yes, I know.
After hearing Ngoc’s answer, he nodded and pointed Ha inside.
– From now on, you will follow Ms. Ngoc so she can guide you further. When she retires, you will officially take over this position.
Ha nodded gently but firmly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
– Yes, thank you, director. I promise not to disappoint your expectations.
– Just call me anh, for convenience. No need to thank me or promise anything, let my actions speak for me.
After that fateful meeting, Ha has been with him for more than 3 years. She has completely changed, she has improved every day. The new position brings her better treatment, respect from most of the employees and especially the perfection of all skills in both work and life. Everything is given to her by him with a sincere heart without asking for anything in return, and of course many things have sprouted from it. But perhaps because it grew too fast, beyond the safety zone and at risk of no longer being good, he pushed her away with a higher position that many people desire.
As a final act of devotion, she selected people with potential to fill her vacant position. Luckily, there were also people she could completely place her trust in.
– Mr. Danh, about the list of candidates for my position, do you want to review it to find the most suitable person? Or should we just interview them one by one?
– Probably not yet. When it’s convenient, I can arrange to call that girl Le Chi for an interview first. If she’s suitable, then we won’t have to interview the next people.
– You seem to have a deep impression of that girl. There are many other names on my list that I think are quite promising. Don’t you want to see more?
– No need, not only her appearance but also the way she reacted when being called Le Chi said a lot.
– Can you tell me more?
Mr. Danh tapped his finger lightly on the table and then spoke slowly.
– Initially, according to my research, the girl did not communicate much but was diligent and careful in her work. That shows that she is introverted but capable and trustworthy. However, although introverted, when I looked at her when she received the bouquet of flowers and stood in the middle of the crowd of people praising her, she still stood straight and smiled brightly. This confirms that she is quite brave, not actively seeking the halo but not afraid to receive it with joy and sincerity.
Ha listened as if she was absorbing every word, she pondered and then nodded continuously. Seeing him pause slightly, Ha asked again.
– So what about the name, what does it have to do with what you see in her?
– Hmm, the name says a lot about a person. Lychee is a normal fruit, not colorful or shiny, anyone who doesn’t know might ignore it. But behind that skin hides a plump, full of color and fragrance. Especially when you have tasted it, how many people can forget that sweet, fragrant taste.
– Oh, really, what a nice name.
– My name is no less. “Nhat Ha” – the summer sun, passionate, hot and shining, making everyone pay attention. It is worthy to represent me, because I am also shining brightly in my own way, my subtle understanding makes everyone look up with respect.
Her eyes sparkled at his compliments, which were rare and precious to her. She thought for a while before saying what was both a personal statement and a thank you.
– But there was a time when I doubted myself, and thought that the word “Ha” in my name meant below. Only when I was with you, with you pushing and leading me step by step, could I change like this. I have said this to you many times, but I really feel like no matter how many times I say it, it is never enough. I am truly grateful to you.
Mr. Danh just nodded slightly, looking at her with satisfaction.