Chapter 239: Personal Brand
 
Listening to Kieu Ly’s words, Huong Tra couldn’t help but imagine a dream workplace. Realistically, only top leaders like Nguyen Toan Phong or Nguyen Toan Phuong could implement such transformative changes at the bank. But Kieu Ly had influence over Toan Phuong. If she wanted something to happen—it would. Huong Tra knew she couldn’t miss this chance. She had to speak up and express her own wishes for a better work environment.
While she was still deep in thought, two spa staff members appeared in figure-flattering uniforms, name badges and job titles neatly pinned to their shirts. The one wearing the manager tag sat down on the sofa with them and warmly struck up a conversation:
“Hello, ladies. Tra’s already a regular here. You must be her friend—probably younger than me, so I’ll go ahead and call myself 'big sister,' if that’s alright. Your name’s Ly, isn’t it?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“You’re all over social media! I like keeping up with online gossip, so I’ve definitely seen you around,” said Hong Van, the manager. “I’m so glad the two of you chose our services.”
“Oh, well, Tra’s a regular here. She dragged me along to show me the ropes, so I guess I was just lucky to end up here,” Kieu Ly replied politely.
Hong Van had been eyeing Kieu Ly the whole time, and now she couldn’t help but gush:
“Your skin is gorgeous. Honestly, our spa doesn’t even dare promise to make it better—we can only aim to maintain it and slow down aging.”
Sensing the conversation veering off course, Huong Tra cut in:
“Um, my friend isn’t here for skincare, she’s just looking to relax with a body massage. I mentioned it earlier when I booked.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” Hong Van smiled. “But we’d like to offer Kieu Ly a long-term skincare treatment package as a gift—just hoping she won’t turn us down. And maybe, from time to time, you could let us use a photo or two to flex that you chose our spa.”
Gifts are rarely free, and favors often come with strings attached. Kieu Ly didn’t lack money—her husband certainly didn’t either. She had no reason to leverage her image to promote a brand she hadn’t yet vetted. With gentle diplomacy, she declined:
“I’m still in school, actually. I’m only back in Vietnam for a short visit before heading back to study abroad. So I won’t be able to accept the treatment package. I just came today to experience the body massage.”
There was a flicker of disappointment on Hong Van’s face. Kieu Ly’s skin was extraordinary—an envy-inducing kind of flawless. And no amount of spa treatments could replicate that kind of natural beauty. Natural skin always looked healthier and more resilient than skin constantly reliant on cosmetic intervention. Tra also had beautiful skin, but her undertone wasn’t the kind favored by most Vietnamese. If Kieu Ly became a regular, they could use her image for marketing. Even just spinning the story that “the CEO’s girlfriend is our client” would work wonders for their brand.
But Kieu Ly wasn’t about to sell out her personal brand for some freebies. Still, Hong Van shamelessly pressed on:
“Then… could I trouble you for just a photo of you two as our guests here?”
Kieu Ly, not wanting to decline again and seem rude, agreed with a smile.
After snapping the photo, the female staff member—who’d been quietly waiting this whole time—stepped forward and politely invited the two guests to begin their spa experience. Hong Van, having failed to rope Kieu Ly in, decided to at least send her top staff to ensure they had the best service possible. Maybe it would win them over. And if she couldn’t secure Kieu Ly as a regular, keeping Tra happy might still bring Ly back someday.
Huong Tra and Kieu Ly followed the SPA staff into a luxurious room to enjoy the service.
As soon as she stepped into the room, Kieu Ly immediately felt comfortable thanks to the gentle scent of essential oils that had been lit beforehand. The room only had Kieu Ly, Huong Tra, and two SPA staff members, which made it feel private.
Kieu Ly and Huong Tra put away their personal belongings, changed clothes, and lay face-down on the beds to begin the experience.
At the start, the two young female staff gently used exfoliating cream to cleanse the skin of the two ladies. After that, they began massaging the feet and then the whole body with essential oil. Kieu Ly closed her eyes, enjoying the pleasant sensation. Although the staff were young, their technique was very good, truly helping her melt away all fatigue.