Chapter 10 — Change players in the final match

Short silence. There were a lot of people passing by in the hallway. Some people recognized Giang Nghien Tu and quietly discussed:

“There's that young businessman.”

“Thu Nguyet.” – He suddenly spoke up –

“There is a sentence… that should have been said a year ago.”

I looked at him.

“Thank you.” – His voice is gentle –

“Thank you for not being soft-hearted that day.

If you forgave easily, I would still be the one hiding by blocking messages right now.” My nose is stinging.

“You taught me that,

Love is not possession, but fulfillment.” – He smiled, the corners of his eyes revealing faint wrinkles –

“This sentence took me a whole year to truly understand.”

The whistle sounded.

“It's almost time for the next round.” – He said –

“Go back and watch the match.”

In the second half, Giang Nghien Tu's team gradually took the lead. Their physical strength could not keep up, the young players began to feel confused. At the final consultation, Giang Nghien Tu called the whole team together, not knowing what to say, but when they returned to the field, everyone's eyes were filled with fighting spirit. Last three minutes, 5 points difference. Giang Nghien Tu stole the ball and made a breakthrough. Tham Tinh Ha followed closely and did not let go. The two faced off right under the basket. Time seemed to slow down. Giang Nghien Tu jumped, Tham Tinh Ha jumped up to block the ball. The ball follows a curve in the air — not in. But the referee blew the whistle: Tham Tinh Ha committed a foul when blocking the ball. Giang Nghien Tu was given two free throws. The entire stadium was as quiet as paper. He stood on the throwing line and took a deep breath. First pitch — in. The second throw, he raised his head, looked up at the stands - his eyes penetrated the sea of people, finding me. And then, he did something that surprised everyone — He threw the ball lightly toward the basket, intentionally not entering it. Comments exploded： 【He gave up the chance to equalize?!】 【Not true! Look at my teammates! Got the ball! Score two points! Only one point away!】 【Tactics! This is the strategy! He used the free throw as a distraction, giving his teammates a chance to score!】 Last 30 seconds. Tham Tinh Ha held the ball, Giang Nghien Tu defended the entire field. The two struggled outside the three-point line. Five, four, three — Tham Tinh Ha jumped up, leaned back and threw. Giang Nghien Tu also jumped, his fingertips lightly touching the ball. The ball rotates in mid-air. The final whistle sounded. The ball... goes into the basket. The whole yard exploded. Tham Tinh Ha's team won, only by one point. His teammates threw him into the air, but as soon as he hit the ground, his first look was still at me. I gave him a thumbs up and he smiled as brightly as sunlight breaking on a lake. Giang Nghien Tu's teammates bowed their heads in disappointment, only he went around each person, patting their shoulders to comfort them. Finally, he stepped in front of Tham Tinh Ha and held out his hand:

“Great game.” Giang Nghien Tu said.

“You too.” Tham Tinh Ha shook hands.

"Chieu intentionally missed the free throw, too high-handed."

“Learn from a businessman.” Giang Nghien Tu laughed.

“Sometimes… losing is to win a bigger game.”

The two looked at each other and smiled. There is a heroic spirit of meeting each other, of dispersing soulmates. When I was about to leave, Giang Nghien Tu came closer:

“Can we talk a few words in private?”

We went to the balcony outside the stadium. The sun is setting, the sky is dyed a bright orange color.

“It's been a year.” he said.

“Yes.”

“I did it.” Giang Nghien Tu turned around.

“Company stabilized, dad got better, and I... also learned how to love someone properly."

His eyes sparkled. Like the starry sky has been cleansed of dust.

"Lam Thu Nguyet, do you have enough qualifications to like me now?"

The afternoon wind blew gently, my hair flying. I looked at him. The man I have known for twenty-three years, loved, hurt, and in the end... we chose to go our separate ways.

“Giang Nghien Tu, you always have that attitude. It's just that before, you used it wrongly."

His eyes were red.

“But now…” I took a deep breath.

“I have a new life now.”

Giang Nghien Tu's face stiffened for a moment, then he slowly relaxed and nodded. As if it had been prepared for a long time.

“Is it Tham Tinh Ha?”

“Yes.”

“Does he treat you well?”

“Very good.” I answered honestly.

“He told me... loving someone doesn't have to mean living in anxiety.”

Giang Nghien Tu smiled, his eyes filled with tears:

“That's good then.”

He took a step back and said seriously:

“Lam Thu Nguyet, I wish you happiness.”

“Me too.”

We hugged each other one last time. Gentle, short, like a goodbye to a whole youth. As I turned to walk away, Giang Nghien Tu called after me:

“Last question —— if that year, you hadn't blocked me, hadn't given the ticket to someone else, hadn't done those stupid things... would we still be together?”

I thought for a long time.

“No.” I said.

“Because at that time, I hadn't learned how to love, and you... hadn't learned how to love yourself.”

He paused for a moment, then smiled with relief:

“I understand.”

When returning to the field, Tham Tinh Ha was waiting at the door. He was drenched in sweat, but his eyes were still bright like stars.

“Have you been waiting long?” I asked.

“Not for long.” He took my bag.

“Jiang Nghien Tu…?”

“We finished talking.” I replied.

“It's all dropped.”

Tham Tinh Ha looked at me deeply, then held my hand:

“So… now, can I officially pursue you, Miss Lam Thu Nguyet?”

I burst out laughing:

“Didn't you already pursue it?”

“It's not the same.” I'm serious.

“Before it was 'try it', now it's 'definitely'.

I'm sure I like you, I definitely want to be with you, I'm sure I will truly cherish you. The sunset dyed golden light on the contours of his face. I looked at that boy. He patiently waited for me for a year to heal myself.

“Tham Tinh Ha.”

“Yes?”

“Maybe… you still need a little more time.”

“No matter how long it takes, I will wait.”

“But now, I want…” I said softly.

“With me, slowly step forward.”

His eyes lit up. It's like having a brilliant summer in my heart.

“Okay.” He squeezed my hand.

“Let's just walk slowly.”

As we left side by side, the last line of comments exploded brightly like fireworks: 【Congratulations player, overcoming the hell of 'Childhood of Youth'!】 【Achievement unlocked: Love yourself, then be loved.】 【END OF STORY.】