Chapter 2 — Crown Prince Competing With Ch?

05 Han Triet is also a capable person. Hands pick up food, mouth talks, and hands are free to pick it up for me. My bowl has never been empty. As soon as the pig's hooves lost a piece, the duck leg immediately made up for it. The lion's head ate it all, and the fish fell into the bowl. I bow my head and eat. Finally, Han Triet watched me finish the soup. He stood up, pulling me to my feet. “Dad, let's go out for a walk together?” “…I have work to do, you two go.” Han Triet had to drag me out to the pepper garden alone. He held my hand, walked very slowly, occasionally reminding me under my feet. “There are stairs.” “Turn left, there is a lake on the other side.” After walking for a while, he stopped under a tree. All around was quiet, only the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves. He suddenly sighed, full of emotion, and lightly tapped my hand with his finger. “Trac Tu, Trac Tu,” his voice trailed off, carrying a pretense of contemplation, “how can you live without me?” Here we go again. Since childhood, Han Triet has liked to say this. When I was seven years old, the first time I went outside, I crashed into a tree and my forehead was swollen. He scolded me for being stupid while carefully applying the medicine. He said: "How can you live without me?" When I was ten years old, I lost my way behind the garden. He found me and pulled my wrist back. He said: "How can you live without me?" Talking too much, I also wonder. Secretly asking Aunt Lu, A Triet kept saying it wouldn't be possible without him, it was really strange. At that time, Lu Di was arranging flowers and just faintly asked: "Does it make you feel uncomfortable?" I thought about it, shook my head: "Not really." Every time he finished saying that sentence, he took extra care. It's like he's proving his words. Lu Di smiled, her voice gentle: "Let it go. It's an old disease, it can't be cured, and there's no need to cure it." I understand. This is Han Triet's chronic disease, which recurs from time to time. 06 But Lu said she could comfort him more. So I opened my mouth, my voice lowered softly: "Yes, without you, I don't know what to do." He paused. The finger holding my hand tightened, then let go. “That's good to know.” He snorted, his old voice almost unbearable. After returning home, I resolved to practice "coaxing more". Han Triet said he wanted to take me around the Eastern Palace and get directions. I immediately nodded, my voice very soft: "Okay, I'll listen to you." He seemed to be choked by this docility, he paused for a moment before reaching out to hold my hand. "Hold on tight, no one will worry if you fall." I squeezed his finger gently, without exposing it. The Eastern Palace is very large. Han Triet led me, walking very slowly. As he walked, he gave instructions: "On the right is the main hall, where we meet people and handle daily matters." "Turn left ahead is the study room. There are many bookshelves in there, don't wander around, be careful of bumping into them." "On the right is a garden, with a fish pond and flowers. There is a railing next to it, don't lean too close." In front of my eyes are only vague blocks of color and dazzling light, based on his voice, I can draw the location in my mind. 07 He spoke in great detail, the paths, obstacles, places that could be touched, places that could not, were all clear. Coming to the corner of the hallway, he stopped and pulled my hand forward to find the way. "Look, there's the pillar. Remember, this place must be avoided." My fingertips touched the cool wooden column. “Um, I remember.” He took me a few more steps. “This hallway is long, it takes only a moment to complete, the ground is flat, just go straight.” There was a breeze down the hallway, bringing with it some early summer heat. Very quiet, only footsteps and sounds his voice. After walking for a while, he reached a place and stopped. "This is a small garden behind the palace, in the morning you can go out and get some fresh air. The ground is flat, there are no steps, fifteen steps to the right there is a stone bench under a tree, be careful not to bump into it." I nodded. He seemed to tilt his head and look at me for a moment. Suddenly asked: "How much do you remember?" I blinked and answered honestly: "Probably... about three parts?" He chuckled softly: "Stupid." The voice does not contain much criticism. He gently squeezed my wrist and guided it firmly. "It's okay if you don't remember," he continued to walk forward, his voice mixed with the wind, a bit vague, "anyway... it's okay if I'm present." This sentence sounds very familiar. It seems that the disease "how can you live without me" has recurred. I immediately continued, my voice sincere: "Yes, I'm lucky to have you." He slowed down a bit and didn't answer. It's just that the hand holding my hand, the palm of the hand is a little hotter. Han Triet led me around two small paths and showed me the location of the kitchen. Finally stopped in front of the moon-shaped gate. "Don't go inside," his voice was unnatural, "it's the bathroom." I made an "oh" sound. On the way home, he stopped giving directions. Just hold my hand and walk in silence. Until he was about to return to the temple, he let go. “Try to see for yourself?” He crossed his arms and stood to the side, his voice full of watching a funny show, "see if you still remember where the door is." I looked at the vague red patch in front of me, estimated the distance, and slowly walked. Each step carefully. Eleven steps, turn right, arms reaching forward to probe. Fingers touched the cool door frame. You can touch it. I breathed a sigh of relief, turned my head and smiled at him. “See, I also remember a little.” He stood in the harmonious light, saying nothing. A few seconds later, there was a sound. “Not so stupid.” 08 Today Han Triet brought home a puppy, saying it was given to me by his strategist as a guide dog. “What does it look like?” I raised my head and asked. "Yellow color, shiny fur. Slightly drooping ears, black eyes..." He described in great detail, finally asking: "Do you like it?" I nodded, my fingertips sinking into the soft fur. “Name it?” Han Triet gently touched the back of my hand. I blurted out: "Phu Quy!" How honest, how lucky, how good. Han Triet was stunned for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed loudly. "Good! It's loud and clear, and has a good meaning." He laughed cheerfully, without forcing himself, "Trac Tu, you have a talent for naming." He really found this name very good. After all, the name he gave me is not as good as mine. 09 Phu Quy is very smart. Within a few days, I got used to the streets of the Eastern Palace. When you reach the door step, stop. When you go down the steps, slow down. When eating, Han Triet habitually reached out to me: "Let's go, it's time to eat." Phu Quy let out a "woof" sound, grabbed my shirt and pulled me towards the dining room. Han Triet reached out... missed. After eating, he wanted to take me to the pepper garden. As soon as he opened his mouth: "Trac Tu, we..." Phu Quy wagged his tail, used his head to touch my leg, signaling to start. His words were stuck in his throat. He was about to hold my hand as usual. Phu Quy stepped forward again, his small body blocking me and him. Dark eyes stared at him, tail wagging like a pinwheel. As if saying: "Just leave it to me to do small things like leading the way." Since then, Han Triet... has been completely unemployed. Night falls, it's time to go to bed. I hugged Phu Quy to bed.