Chapter 12 — Don't Run Anymore, Hua Tri Hoa

I ran to the alley and saw that black car parked on the side of the road. Luong Nghien Chu stood under a sycamore tree, carrying a paper bag, sunlight falling through the leaves falling on his shoulder. He looked up and saw me, the phone still pressed to his ear.

“Congratulations.”

I hung up the phone and stood still without moving. He walked towards me and handed me the paper bag. Inside is not a cake, but a fountain pen. My name is engraved on the pen body. Hua Tri Hoa. My fingertips caressed those three words, my throat choked.

“This is too expensive.”

He looked at me.

“It's a reward, not a handout.”

I raised my eyes. He added another sentence: "You relied on yourself to pass the exam." This sentence is heavier than a pen. I held the paper bag in my arms and mumbled: "Thank you." Tran Mat poked his head out from the restaurant: "Young Master Luong, you've worked hard to come, let's go eat barbecue tonight!" I turned my head and glared at him. Luong Nghien Chu replied: "Okay." In the evening, Thanh Ngo night market is crowded with people. The smoke of grilled skewered meat curled up into the sky, the smell of dill, chili, and the sweetness of the jelly mixed together, the sounds of the stall owners' sales rang out endlessly. Luong Nghien Chu sat on a plastic chair, his long legs had no place to rest, so he had to sit slightly tilted. In front of him were ten skewers of grilled pork belly. Tran Mat pushed the beer glass over. I immediately stopped: "He has to drive." Luong Nghien Chu glanced at me. Tran Mat smiled meaningfully: "Oh, look, you're taking care of me too." I picked up a peanut and threw it at his face. Luong Nghien Chu bowed his head and smiled, his shoulders shaking slightly. Later, Tran Mat went to buy jelly, leaving me and Luong Nghien Chu sitting next to the table. A child chased a bubble and ran past, the soap bubble flew in front of my eyes and then burst, the bubbles burst and splashed onto my eyelashes. Luong Nghien Chu pulled out a napkin and handed it over. Just as I was about to receive it, someone carrying an iron tray pushed up from behind, and the sauce almost spilled onto my shoulder. Luong Nghien Chu reached out and pulled me close to his side. My knee collided with his leg, my hand pressed against his chest, separated by a thin layer of fabric, I could clearly feel his heartbeat beating very steadily. I was about to step back, but someone passed by behind me. He bent down to look at me, his voice was very close and low.

“Don't move.”

My throat was dry, my eyes didn't know where to put them, I just stared at the button on his neck. Tran Mat turned around holding the jelly, seeing this scene, his steps slowed and he immediately turned away.

“Boss, ten more grilled kidney skewers!”

I quickly pushed Luong Nghien Chu away. He didn't stop, just slowly withdrew his hand, his fingertips lightly tapping on the edge of the table. That night I drank half a glass of fruit wine. The smell of wine was not strong, sweet like a soft drink, but when I got home my steps began to stagger. Luong Nghien Chu took me to the beginning of the alley. I put my hand on the wall, pointed at him and said, "Don't follow me anymore, I can go by myself." He stood under the streetlight: "Are you sure?"

“Sure.”

I turned around and walked two steps, almost stepping in a puddle. He sighed, reaching out to support me. I raised my head to look at him, my brain was numbed by alcohol, my mouth spoke faster than usual.

“Luong Nghien Chu.”

“Yes.”

“Don't treat me so well So."

His eyes darkened. I grabbed his sleeve, my voice whispering like a mosquito.

“I won't have the heart to run away.”

His finger stopped on my elbow. The alley was so quiet that only the noise of the night market in the distance could be heard. He bowed his head and leaned a little closer to me. My breathing stopped. Just as he was about to speak, Tran Mat rushed out from behind, deliberately coughing loudly.

“Hua Tri Hoa, did your mother say you fell into the toilet?”