Chapter 17 — Don't Run Anymore, Hua Tri Hoa

Every time I read a news story, my fingertips get a little colder. One time in the dormitory, Phuong Duong glanced at the news and casually said: "Luong Nghien Chu is really handsome, but the rich world is also in a mess. Rumor has it that because he refused to marry, he turned against his family." The pen in my hand fell with a "clack" onto the table. Phuong Duong looked at me: "Do you know him?" I bent down to pick up the pen, my voice was dry: "I'm not used to it." That night, I dreamed of an alley in Thanh Ngo town. Luong Nghien Chu stood under a broken streetlight, holding a bottle of green lemon-flavored soft drink. He asked me, Hua Tri Hoa, don't run away while I'm not here. In the dream, I wanted to answer, but my throat felt choked, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't say anything. When I woke up, the pillow was a small wet area. In mid-October, the school held a sharing session for outstanding new students. The academic advisor found me and said the academy had nominated me to go on stage and speak. I originally intended to refuse, but Phuong Duong put his hand on my shoulder: "Let's go, the scholarship consideration also counts these activity points." I suddenly remembered Tham Lenh Nghi's words. Every step she takes is not allowed to make mistakes. So I agreed. On the day of the sharing session, the hall was packed with people. I was wearing a white shirt and black skirt, standing in the wings and constantly rubbing the scrap paper, the edges of the paper were soft with sweat. The host was shouting my name up front.

“Next, please invite the new student representative, Hua Tri Hoa.”

I stepped onto the stage, the lights shone down, and under the stage was a dark sea of people. I took a deep breath and was about to speak when the back door of the hall suddenly opened. A gust of wind rushed in, the door hinges made a creaking sound. Many people turned their heads to look. I also raised my eyes. Luong Nghien Chu stood at the door. He wore a dark suit, his shoulders were straight and sharp, his face was a bit thinner than in memory, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes. He didn't bring anyone along, nor did he step in to interrupt, just stood in the last row, across a large hall, staring at me. My hands shook, the scratch paper almost fell down. The host whispered and reminded: "Friend Hua?" I bit the tip of my tongue, the pain woke me up. I placed the paper on the podium, and when I opened my mouth, my voice was a bit hoarse.

"Hello everyone, my name is Hua Tri Hoa, from Thanh Ngo town."

The audience quieted down. I clutched the edge of the podium, my fingertips turning white.

"I'm not a good life planner. I've also done very bad things, lied, avoided, and hurt others."

The eyes from the last row fell on me, so heavy that I almost couldn't stand. I continued: "But I know that I can't give up and move on because I'm afraid of not being worthy. I also can't turn myself into someone who only knows how to run away because someone is good to me." My throat gradually closed up.

“I came here because I wanted to rely on myself to stand firm.”

Applause rang out in the stands. I looked towards the end of the hall, Luong Nghien Chu was also looking at me. His hands hung loosely at his sides, his knuckles clenched, as if he had been patient for a long time. After the sharing session finished, I went out the side door, and as soon as I stepped into the hallway, it was blocked. Luong Nghien Chu stood by the window, the wind blew the hem of his vest. I stopped walking. He looked at me, his voice was low and hoarse.

"Hua Tri Hoa, you changed your number, blocked me, deleted your chat history, and even Tran Mat refused to tell me which building you live in."

I clutched the scrap paper tightly.

“How did you find me?”

He pulled out a poster of the event.