Chapter 222: How Showbiz Works
Still unconvinced, Huong Tra pushed further:
“But sometimes when I watch them on TV, the way they interact seems too sweet to be acting. What if they’re just pretending at first but it becomes real over time?”
“I don’t know about that,” Toan Phuong replied with a sly smile. “Why don’t you test it and find out?”
“Get lost. Some old stuff can still be reused—but exes? Never.”
“You sure about that?”
“Absolutely sure!”
Despite her firm answer, Toan Phuong wasn’t about to abandon the plan he and Minh Nhat had drawn up long ago.
After a while, noon crept in. Toan Phuong turned off the lights so they could take a nap and recharge.
It was a rare chance to nap without any work pressure, so as soon as they lay down on the sofa, all three were out cold until late afternoon.
It was summer, and even in the late afternoon the sun was still blazing—going out wasn’t the smartest idea. So Toan Phuong set up his laptop with the projector and picked a movie for the three of them to enjoy. Watching in a theater had its vibe, sure, but with limited titles out, home cinema was the better call. Huong Tra even ordered some snacks so they could munch while watching.
That afternoon, before the workday was officially over, the trio headed to a famous bún đậu mắm tôm (vermicelli with fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste) restaurant near the upcoming concert venue to have an early dinner. Since rush hour hadn’t started yet, the streets were still relatively clear, and they got there quickly.
Once inside, Toan Phuong pulled out chairs for the two girls before sitting across from them. He was long used to being the third wheel whenever he tagged along with Kieu Ly and her friends. That was just the arrangement in public—he got to have her all to himself in private, so he never really felt shortchanged.
Hanoi’s cuisine was incredible—different dishes for different seasons. In the heat of summer, you had bún đậu, bún chả, glass noodle salads, fresh spring rolls, and garlic-seared duck. In winter, it was all about hot pots, grilled meats, and hearty noodle soups. Eating out at these local street food spots was always a fun experience. "Occasionally" was the word, but ever since Kieu Ly returned to London, Toan Phuong hadn’t had much time to wander around or indulge. His time had been tied up with AI development and the digital transformation project. Once those wrapped up, he planned to further his education to match his wife’s credentials. He would study domestically, though—so he could balance learning with work. No need to go abroad.
Looking back, had he chosen to pursue an MBA in London right after undergrad, he and Kieu Ly could have spent those youthful years side-by-side, traveling across the UK and Europe. It would’ve been a slower, sweeter kind of life—a true, carefree youth. But her words back then had haunted him, pushing him to grow up fast and jump into work. Still, things now weren’t so bad. At least now that he had a steady income, spending money didn’t make Kieu Ly feel uneasy the way it might have if he were still a student.
As soon as they sat down, a waiter approached the table politely and asked:
“What would you like to order?”
Huong Tra was quick to respond:
“Three full portions, please. I’ll have shrimp paste.”
She gave Kieu Ly a subtle glance, signaling her to make the next call.
“We’ll take fish sauce, for him and me,” Kieu Ly said with a smile.
The waiter nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. A short while later, he returned with their food and neatly arranged it on the table.
“Enjoy your meal!” he said cheerfully.
“Thanks a lot!” they replied.
But the waiter didn’t leave immediately. He lingered, shifting awkwardly on his feet for a second before speaking again:
“Excuse me… Would you mind if I asked for a few pictures?”
The three of them looked at him, confused.
“It’s just… our restaurant wants to post some customer photos on our fan page for marketing,” he explained sheepishly.
The story of Toan Phuong’s public love confession to Kieu Ly had gone viral years ago. But like most online trends, the buzz died down quickly. Only people who knew both of them still remembered. Outsiders wouldn’t recognize them now, and even if a photo got posted, it probably wouldn’t make much of a splash.