Chapter 2 — Crossing the River to Find a Beggar Kiss

03. Later... we broke up, every year I obediently listened to him, seriously celebrated my birthday, and loved myself well. But, I have never bought a birthday cake. “Shen Van Duong.” I couldn't be more familiar with that hoarse and languid voice - it's Giang Do. I responded bewilderedly, turned my head, my palms were so nervous that they were sweating. “What… what happened?” His dark eyes were unfathomably deep: "What are you nervous about?" I hesitantly tried to defend myself: "No... no." “Your key.” I quickly took the key from his hand, a gloomy glint flashed through my eyes. Say thank you, turn around and prepare to run away. “Wait.” He called me again - my useless self - to stop. I frowned, a bit annoyed. What are you doing? Can't you just say it once and for all? "Happy birthday." I was just about to turn away because I was impatient, but his nose was stung by a wish that was neither heavy nor light. I nodded slightly, said nothing, panicked and quickly left. What should I say now? Whatever I say will make it seem like I'm about to cry... It wasn't until I went downstairs that I couldn't stand it anymore. I leaned against the light pole and slowly squatted down, covering my mouth and crying, tears already drenching my face. 04. That day the elevator in the building suddenly broke down, I was holding a box of fruit, helplessly climbing the stairs. Because it was really quite heavy, I climbed very hard, very slowly. Just as I reached the fourth floor, I heard voices and laughter coming closer and closer, somewhat familiar. “Hey, Ms. Duong Duong, are you here too?” It's Do Thanh and Giang Do. Giang Do used one hand to put out his cigarette, quietly walked closer, and held out his hand. “Let me help you.” I was just about to refuse. “Aww, Ms. Duong Duong, let him help you carry it.” I sheepishly agreed. “So… thank you.” When I gave the box to him, because I was out of sight, I accidentally touched his warm hand, and my skin immediately felt hot. It turns out that Do Thanh studied at a nearby university. They recently moved to this area and a new store also opened recently. Just live right below my house, I'm on the eighth floor, they're on the seventh floor. They've moved in together, so... they are indeed lovers. That dazzling truth suddenly shattered the vain hope in my heart. Finally arriving at the house, Do Thanh looked around and applauded. "Ms. Duong Duong, your house is so beautiful and cozy. It's exactly the type of house I dream of. Is this house rented or bought?" "I bought it and am still paying the mortgage every month. If you like, come visit often." Surprise flashed in Giang Do's eyes. Actually, buying this apartment was a bit difficult for me, meaning that every month after paying the rent I had to calculate my expenses very carefully, but I still bought it. At that time, the assistant didn't understand and asked me why. "Because I'm afraid of having to worry about the landlord increasing the price every day, I don't want to move house all the time anymore." The assistant nodded as if he understood: "That's right." I didn't explain further, just smiled slightly. Actually, maybe it's because... I don't have a house, so I want to make a home for myself. I don't have any relatives to give me a home, so I'll use this house instead. 05. Standing in front of the refrigerator, I was about to ask Do Thanh if he wanted fruit juice or yogurt. Do Thanh's WeChat is called "Tieu Do Tieu Do, luck is here". I'm very sympathetic She is definitely called Tieu Do. “Tieu Do…” Before he finished speaking, he received three responses at the same time. Smart speaker “Tieu Do”: “It's me~” Do Thanh: “Yes, Ms. Duong Duong?” Giang Do also reflexively replied softly, even looking up at me with complicated eyes. My hand holding the bottle of juice stopped, frozen in place. At this moment, I suddenly remembered - when we fell in love in college, we were stuck together like glue, I deliberately called Giang Do "Tieu Do". The young girl stood on the stairs, using her hands as a speaker, smiling until her eyes widened. “Tieu Do Tieu Do~” Under the sunlight, the teenager's eyes sparkled. Those deep eyes, every time they looked at the girl, they sparkled with a smile. Looks a bit evil, always makes girls blush and heart beat. “Here I am, always here.” The boy and girl looked at each other and smiled, bright as sunshine. Do Thanh blinked in confusion, turned to look at Giang Do: "Just now..." "You heard wrong." Giang Do's expression was so serious that it was too serious, making Do Thanh suddenly become uncertain. “Ah, I must have heard wrong.” 06. That day, just after seeing off all the students after class, I suddenly received a call from my mother. On the phone, she shouted urgently and panicked: "Tieu Duong, come here quickly! I beg you, quickly go to room 207, Ha Lenh bar... don't come over here! Ah..." Hearing her frightened scream, I was confused and worried and immediately ran there. In the living room, under the dim and gaudy lights, men and women were laughing and joking on the sofa, the only thing that could not be seen was my mother. Seeing something wrong, I tried to stay calm and tried to step back. But found that the door had been locked. I was grabbed by the hand of a woman wearing heavy makeup and pulled in front of an old man. I was in such a hurry that I didn't have time to change into my Latin dance dress. The other person's dirty eyes from bottom to top glanced over my legs little by little. "You're really pretty. I heard your mother say you used to be a beauty queen in the dance department, right? No wonder your legs are so beautiful, ha ha ha."