Chapter 4 — Bright Moon Shining Hai Duong

23 Not knowing what Le Minh Nguyet said to his father, a few days later he ran back... to continue delivering food. As the weather started to get cold, I switched to selling oden (Japanese skewered hot pot). There was a middle-aged man who bought all 52 yuan. I conveniently rounded up and only took 50 yuan. It wasn't until he left that I discovered it - fake money. I dropped all the things in my hand and ran after them: "Stop! Pay!" I caught up with him, but he had a face and said I was slandering him. Angry, both sides argued, he suddenly pushed me hard, causing me to fall to the ground. People began to gather around to watch the excitement. Le Minh Nguyet hurriedly ran over, worriedly helping me up, his eyes looking towards the man were filled with murderous intent. The two rushed into a fight, the middle-aged man was punched, his eyes turned black, and Minh Nguyet was also kicked in the calf, causing it to swell. Perhaps because I threatened him by calling the police, the man stealthily left behind a 50 yuan bill and disappeared. 24 It's the familiar clinic again, I apply medicine to Le Minh Nguyet again. He grimaced and muttered: "Huh, it's because I haven't eaten yet, otherwise there would be no way for him to kick me." After applying the medicine, I gave him a loaf of bread: "Okay, eat for now, the food will be delivered later." Le Minh Nguyet took a bite, thought about it, then innocently asked: "Why are you a shipper, yet you still order food delivery?" Both burst out laughing. When I got home that night, I discovered that his sleeve was torn. I know that shirt, one shirt is enough to pay my entire year's college tuition. “…You…don't you think it's not worth it?” I bowed my head: "Just for fifty yuan to ruin the shirt, is it worth it?" Le Minh Nguyet stepped on my shadow and said playfully: "What does it have to do with the shirt? You worked hard all day to earn fifty yuan, why don't you ask for it? He bullied your girlfriend - it's unethical. Using fake money - it's unethical. People who are unjust and unjust, deserve to be beaten." I burst out laughing, but it didn't last long before my smile faded away. In high school, I had a similar experience. While working at a restaurant, the customer disappeared, leaving me 100 yuan short. I ran after the demand, both sides argued, people around gathered to watch. Finally, the manager came forward to resolve the issue. Van Canh took me to the clinic that day, his tone was cold: "Don't you feel embarrassed? We argued for an hour in the middle of the road. But if you can't claim it, that 100 yuan will be deducted from my salary." He stopped, bowed his head and looked at me: "It's only 100 yuan, Lam Hai Duong, do you need to compare like that?" Then he tried to find words, finally concluding: "It's just like... a shrewd woman." At that time I was young and had immature thoughts. Being told that by the person I like, I went home and cried all night. What about now? If Van Canh dares to say that I'm a bitter woman - I will definitely rush up and give him two slaps in the face, so that he knows what a real harshness is. 25 Le Minh Nguyet gently touched my hand. Seeing that I did not shy away, she happily took my hand and clasped it with ten fingers. The two of them walked down the small road, next to the bustling music of the aunts exercising in the park. Le Minh Nguyet said: "The moon is really beautiful tonight." I raised my head to look at the sky: I couldn't see the moon anywhere — "I don't understand." Le Minh Nguyet lowered her eyes in disappointment: "I mean... next year the corn is ripe, can I come to your house to break the corn?" I thought of some models Grandma's field: "Okay." I wonder if she likes Le Minh Nguyet? Probably like it. Anyway, she loves me the most, the person I like, she will probably also love. Cheer up and maybe even kill a chicken for him to eat. 26 Le Minh Nguyet took me back to the apartment complex gate. Before saying goodbye, I suddenly kissed him on the cheek, making him so embarrassed that his ears turned red as if they were about to burn. I hummed and sang while happily walking. He raised his head and immediately met Van Canh's eyes. Perhaps he stood there for a long time, at his feet was a ring of cigarette butts. You have always lived an orderly and disciplined life. Since when did you start smoking? “That person… didn't hurt you?” I suddenly remembered that Van Canh was also there at that time, just standing in the dark corner. He took a step forward, seemingly intending to come closer, but I covered my nose and reflexively backed away, looking disgusted. He also noticed the smell of cigarettes on his body and said softly: "Sorry, I've been under a lot of pressure lately, so I only smoke a few cigarettes sometimes." I don't want to be too long, I'm just signaling that if you have anything, please say it quickly. Van Canh let out a breath and lowered his voice: "I'm about to return to Shanghai and go back to school to do research." He seemed to think carefully and said decisively: "The family of a doctoral student can arrange a job along with it. Your university degree is enough." I was very surprised — Van Canh could say such words. Before, when we were still in love, the one who proactively planned the future was always me. I talked about decorating the house, about raising a cat. If he's interested, he just says "yes", but most of the time he stays silent. He always mocks me: I don't have the ability to dream too much. But now, he opens his mouth again, seemingly... wanting to bring me into his future? But you and I... is there a future now? I refused, my voice was light: "Okay, I've bought coffee at Luckin three times. I definitely won't get a Shanghai visa. By the way... I already have a boyfriend. It's not convenient to be your 'family' anymore." 27 I finally saved enough money to open my own street store. No longer have to be afraid of wind and rain, no longer have to worry about being chased around by urban management. On the opening day, Le Minh Nguyet set off a huge round of fireworks. Running deliveries all the time so his skin has darkened quite a bit, but his eyes are still sparkling, looking at me with admiration: "Congratulations to the queen of starting a successful business!" Sometimes I feel like this guy talks as if he's teasing me, but the way he speaks is strangely sincere, and he even fondly rubs the new chair: "Tieu Duong, you're so good! The first step was a great success, and in the future it will definitely become more and more powerful. I first started my business thanks to my father's help. Everyone respected my father's face and agreed to cooperate, but I couldn't open my own company." Hearing this, I just want to... roll my eyes. This guy is truly the pinnacle of "showing off without showing off". Then Le Minh Nguyet ran into the kitchen to look at the fried chicken, excited like a little monkey being given candy. Then he ran out and happily transferred his entire shipper salary to me. “Ah yes, is this store of mine called… a husband and wife store?” I teased him: "What kind of husband and wife are, at most, called a lover's alliance." Le Minh Nguyet still grinned: “So Let's name it!” Customers started entering the restaurant, I busily turned to the counter and casually replied: "Then you can order." "You call yourself Kiem Binh Minh because you like to ride horses and be a knight, my name is Dao butchering pigs in the dark..." Le Minh Nguyet frowned and thought for a long time, then suddenly snapped the cup, her face beaming: "It's called the Black Horse Couple, what do you think?" I... my face darkened. You have given up. 28 I really didn't expect — on the opening day, Van Canh also came. He frowned at me, his voice low: "Do you really think Le Minh Nguyet loves you?" If you really love me, why do you still let me do these jobs? I looked towards the kitchen, where Le Minh Nguyet was sweating profusely frying fried chicken, smiling: "Yes, what you say makes sense. Maybe he simply… loves fried chicken.” A diligent and warm fried chicken prince. Van Canh was choked by me for a while, but he didn't let me pull him out of the way. He took out a piece of paper: "This is the compensation policy. As long as you nod, you can go to work next week." As if thinking of something, his eyes wavered: "The environment in the school is very good, everyone is cultured. We will no longer encounter such things.” “Things like that”? Is it a case of being scammed with fake money? Or the time he had an argument with a customer in the middle of the street and he said he was "no different from a sour lemon"? It turns out he still remembers. I thought he had forgotten everything — even the hurtful words he had said. But no, he didn't forget. It's just... you blame all the causes on the so-called "environment". I did not accept that paper. Didn't accept what he said either. Van Canh was stunned. The arrogance that seemed to be deeply rooted in his bones — suddenly seemed to crumble. His eyes widened slightly, even a little... self-pity. He couldn't help but ask, his voice unconsciously rising: "Where are you inferior to Le Minh Nguyet? He lied to me and I still forgive him, but what wrong did I do to make you break up so decisively?" I shook my head. Being able to make a person like Van Canh - arrogant to the core - open his mouth and compare himself to others... Looks like he's really broken this time. I gently replied: “Actually… it's nothing big. If I had to say it, it would be… he never criticized me, nor did he despise anything about me.” I came from my hometown and passed the university entrance exam. Le Minh Nguyet felt sorry for me because I had to study hard for the exam. I set up a sales stall, he complimented me that everything I sold was delicious, and even volunteered to be a shipper to help me deliver the goods. Even his friends are very friendly and nice. Constantly complimenting the cookies and small cakes I made. When I'm busy, they drive luxury cars worth tens of millions to help me import goods, not caring at all about dirtying the car or not. Whether a person loves you or not — can actually be seen by the attitudes of his friends. But I can feel that Le Minh Nguyet's friends... everyone likes me. Unlike Van Canh's friend - always polite, keeping a distance, but with a clear trace of contempt in his eyes.