Chapter 9 — Don't Run Anymore, Hua Tri Hoa

“But does this have anything to do with you spreading nonsense rumors defaming me for selling my body?”

Trinh Nhuy's lips moved. I took a step forward.

"If I did something wrong, I will apologize to the people involved, and I will bear the consequences. What about what you did wrong? You posted the photo in the group chat, intending for others to scold me, and today you ran to my shop to mock me, do you dare to admit it?"

The person accompanying Trinh Nhuy cowered and retreated. Tran Mat stood up: "She doesn't dare, she only dares to hide behind someone else's back and steal." Trinh Nhu gritted her teeth: "I was just joking." I took out my phone and clicked on recording.

“Then write this sentence down and let your homeroom teacher listen to it.”

Her face turned pale for a moment. Luong Nghien Chu suddenly spoke: "And the lawyer too." I turned my head to look at him. He didn't look at me, just stared at Trinh Nhuy.

“If you continue to spread untrue rumors, I will have a lawyer contact your parents, the school, and the contact information you filled out in your college application.”

Trinh Nhuy's voice trembled: "Who are you scaring?" Luong Nghien Chu pulled out a business card and placed it on the table.

“You can try.”

Trinh Nhuy stared at the business card, the blood on her face drained away and not a single drop remained. She grabbed her bag and turned around to leave, but as soon as she reached the door, Tran Mat stopped her. Tran Mat stretched out his hand: "Noodle money." Trinh Nhuy was so angry that she was shaking: "I didn't eat a single bite!"

“The reservation fee, the air is polluted by your mouth.”

In the shop, someone bowed his head and secretly laughed. Trinh Nhuy threw back fifteen yuan and rushed out. The curtains were down, the ceiling fan was still creaking. I let go of Luong Nghien Chu's hand, only then realizing that I had been pressing his hand all this time. The warmth from his skin still lingered in my palm, I immediately hid my hand behind my apron. Luong Nghien Chu bowed his head and looked at me.

“Why did you stop me just now?”

I looked away: "I can speak for myself."

“Very well said.”

My ears felt hot and I glared at him fiercely: "Eat your noodles." He sat down again, picked up the swollen noodles, and actually ate them. Late at night after cleaning the restaurant, I went out the back door to take out the trash. In the alley, a street light bulb was broken, and the wind blew through a plastic bag making a rustling sound. Luong Nghien Chu stood on the steps and gave me a bottle of soft drink.

“Admit your mistake.”

I looked at that bottle of green lemon-flavored soft drink. This is the flavor that On Le previously said he wanted to drink the most in the summer. I don't accept. He placed the water bottle on the steps.

“I'm leaving.”

I blurted out and asked: "Where to?" His steps stopped and he turned to look at me. I quickly put out the fire: "I'm afraid you'll come and block my door again." He looked at me, the corners of his lips curled slightly.

“Tomorrow I will return to Shanghai, there is something that needs to be handled.”

My heart suddenly skipped a beat. He looked at me, his voice lowered very low.

"Hua Tri Hoa, don't run away while I'm not here."

I tightened my grip on the trash bag.

“Where could I run to?”

He took a step forward. I tried to back away, but my heel hit the edge of the steps and I staggered. He reached out to hold my elbow, then let go immediately.

“You are the best runner.”

The streetlight in the alley flickered once. I looked into his eyes, intending to say "I won't ", but the words that came to my mouth were swallowed back. Luong Nghien Chu waited for a few seconds, didn't see me answer, then turned around and walked into the night. I bent down to pick up the bottle of soft drink, the cold bottle hurt my palm. * 【Chapter 6】 After Luong Nghien Chu returned to Shanghai, Thanh Ngo town suddenly became quiet. The small noodle shop was still open as usual, I still helped as always, preparing medicine for my mother during the day, and at night Look up admission information.