Chapter 2 — Another Day of Our Youth

Tong Tram's hand clenched into a fist, as if he was suffering an enormous humiliation. He bowed his head, his bangs falling down to cover his eyes, leaving only his pale, bloodless chin trembling in everyone's mocking laughter. Suddenly, a firm voice rang out: "Teacher, I also did something wrong, I voluntarily took the punishment!" Without raising her head, Kieu Mien Mien ran quickly towards the back of the classroom, almost falling into Tong Tram's arms. She was so scared that her whole body was shaking, but still stubbornly said to Tong Tram: "Don't be afraid. I will be with you." "If you get the Pythagorean theorem wrong in grade 12, will you two still feel proud? Then keep standing, stand until the end of the class!" Tong Tram's lips pressed tightly into a straight line. As if blaming Kieu Mien Mien for being stupid, small things become big things. Is this what you call helping? The more severe the punishment, in the end are you touching yourself or impressing someone? But when I turned my head and looked back, seeing the moment Tong Tram held Kieu Mien Mien's hand, I suddenly understood: This new candy can never be sweet. Tong Tram's salvation was never me from beginning to end. 06 Right after school, Tong Tram stopped in front of my desk. His hoarse voice was full of questioning: "Luc Yen, why?" "So you know how to talk? Next time you make a mistake, ask the teacher yourself. I'm not your mother. I have to take care of everything for you." Tong Tram looked at me in disbelief and instinctively clenched his fist. Oh right, I forgot. Tong Tram's mother will forever be a thorn in his heart. But what does it have to do with me? We are just normal classmates. Sensing my coldness, that afternoon, a glass of iced coffee appeared on my table. Tong Tram explained next to him, his tone cold: "You're not in a good mood." I'm a bit surprised. My favorite anime character is printed on the coffee cup, I didn't even know there was this limited edition. Yet Tong Tram paid attention and even intentionally bought a gift to apologize? The next second, I saw on the coffee cup's label the words: "Free gift". Huh. I was willing to spend 3,599 yuan to buy a PS5 as a birthday gift for Tong Tram. As for him, he only paid an extra 3.5 yuan in exchange for a promotional cup of coffee for me. This kind of person... what is there to look forward to? I unconsciously turned to look at Kieu Mien Mien's seat and discovered that she was holding a cup of hot chocolate and sipping small sips, her red face filled with happiness. Her glass had an even more elaborate print, and there were all sorts of gifts on the table. It turns out that's it. I should have understood sooner that things would turn out like this. "Are you apologizing? Turns out you know you're too much." “You always call others stupid, so are you something good?” I picked up a cup of iced coffee and splashed it hard on Tong Tram's face. The cold ice cubes hit his cheeks, leaving distinct red streaks. "Now that's called an apology. Now, I'm in a good mood." “By the way, remember to return the PS5, I just let you borrow it.” 07 I applied to change seats. But the class size is an even number, and all seats are full. The teacher told me to wait until next month's exam and then rearrange the seats. Exam next month... There's still a whole month left. I was so disgusted that I didn't want to see Tong Tram even once second. During self-study time in the evening, the whole class is doing English listening exercises. When the most important part was reached, Kieu Mien Mien hesitantly entered the classroom. A sharp-eyed male student laughed out loud and pointed at her pants, telling everyone to look. There was a stain of menstrual blood on his pants. Just a very small patch. Being a girl, who doesn't have their period? His mother, sister, and sister also have it. What's funny? Are you listening to a song but don't know how to keep quiet? I was about to stand up and scold the other guy, when Thi Kieu Mien Mien screamed, covered her face, and ran out of the classroom in panic. That's right. After all, she is shy and afraid of society. The class monitor was preparing to run to comfort him when Tong Tram suddenly stood up and pushed open the back door of the classroom. The loud noise startled the whole class. He chased after. The two disappeared for a long time before returning. Kieu Mien Mien was wearing Tong Tram's uniform jacket. It was loose and covered up to her thighs, full of protection. I suddenly remembered the time I fell at the sports festival. Tong Tram likes the prize to be a badminton racket, so I signed up to run 1000m, competing with my son for rank. I fell, twisted my leg, torn my clothes, had to crawl in the middle of the stadium holding my bra, becoming the laughing stock of the whole school. At that time, Tong Tram stood nearby, but did nothing. He just said: "There aren't many embarrassing things you've done, what's so embarrassing?" It turns out... love or not love, it's really that clear. Childhood childhood is not as good as first sight. Tong Tram knocked twice on my desk, interrupting all my thoughts. He actively patted my head. “Luc Yen.” “Actually… I don't hate you.” "Ah, can you lend Kieu Mien Mien a sanitary napkin? She's a little scared of you." So... that little bit of tenderness, Is it only because of Kieu Mien Mien that you try to give it to me? You really are... Just when I was about to explode, the teacher stood outside the door and called out to me: "Luc Yen, come here for a moment." Entering the office, the teacher pointed to the computer screen. On it was a boy with a bright, neat appearance: "Our class is about to have a new student. His family situation is not good, he almost had to quit school to work, and was personally advised by the principal to come back." “I plan to let you two sit at the same table, let's switch seats tomorrow.” "She's a talented student who won a city-level competition, and has the ability to be admitted directly to Thanh Hoa or Bac Dai. Be good, don't scare people away!" 08 My first impression of the new transfer student is: Tong Tram version 2.0 is here again. In real life, he is exactly like in the photo - his facial features are sharp and clean, his eyes carry an indescribable bravado. He was very tall, his shoulders were broad, his arms had clear muscle lines, carrying an invisible sense of pressure. After the teacher's introduction, he turned around and wrote his name on the board: Chu Thieu Ngon. His handwriting is generous and cold, just like him — both cold and arrogant. “My name is Luc Yen, hello.” I said hello first. As expected, he just nodded slightly and did not answer anything further. Just don't answer. I'm also not the type of person who likes to please someone with a smiling face and receive coldness in return. That whole morning, Chu Thieu Ngon collapsed on the table and fell asleep. Exactly like Tong Tram. I helped him get his Physics test, he didn't even look at it and stuffed it straight into his desk drawer. I kindly reminded him that during recess, he had to go down to the yard and run for exercise, but he didn't budge. At noon, he fell asleep again. I called several times but didn't wake up. The seats were cramped and I couldn't go out. I was so frustrated. "I've never heard that you're disabled, sleeping so much, are you going to pretend to be deaf and mute for anyone to see? If you don't want to eat, that's fine, don't stop people from eating, ok?" Chu Thieu Ngon's shoulders shook slightly, he sat up, looking at me with a confused expression. Then reflexively lean away to the side. Huh, I still know that. I walked out of my seat with an arrogant expression — then was blocked by Tong Tram. “Luc Yen, let's talk.” "About switching places. Why?" Oh, forgot. This whole morning I didn't bother to show anything pleasant to Tong Tram. "What else do we have to talk about? If I don't want to sit with you then change, is there a problem? I'm hungry, don't stop me from eating." Tong Tram pursed his lips tightly, trying to suppress the dissatisfaction in his heart. “Tong…Tong Tram…” Kieu Mien Mien mustered all her courage and gently grabbed the hem of Tong Tram's shirt with her small hand. "I... I just asked the teacher. I want to sit with you." "A little mouse like me, should live in the dark corner at the back of the classroom... It's okay, I... I'll be by your side..." Tong Tram glared at me, the corner of his lips curled slightly, then strongly held Kieu Mien Mien's hand, turned and left. As if wanting to show me: I'm not the only one. No problem. Anyway... I don't intend to care about him anymore. After returning from lunch, Chu Thieu Ngon was nowhere to be found. On my table there is an extra milk candy. Below is the Physics test with a score of 80. All incorrect questions have been carefully corrected, with clear solutions written down and a sticky note attached. The handwriting is sturdy and neat: 【Sorry, I worked overnight at the construction site last night. This morning I was really sleepy and didn't pay attention to what you said. I'm not pretending to be mute, but I have a cold and lost my voice. My name is Chu Thieu Ngon, nice to meet you. I've corrected all the mistakes in the Physics lesson for you. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me at any time. Don't be angry anymore, okay?】 09 I'm such a bad person! What an evil woman! I woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to slap myself twice. How could I scold Chu Thieu Ngon like that!? Has he taken medicine? Has he eaten anything? Where is he now? I immediately ordered a portion of KFC to be delivered as quickly as possible. Then I ran around several floors looking for it, and finally met Chu Thieu Ngon who was giving fluids in the medical room. "I shouldn't have scolded you like that. I'm sorry! You haven't had lunch yet, right? Hey, for you!"