Chapter 12 — Escape from the Trieu Family

The roommates were asleep, breathing evenly. I laughed soundlessly in the dark. Trieu Duc Phat. Initially, he wanted me to go to pedagogical school, graduate with a monthly salary of three thousand, and then spend my whole life working as a cash machine for his family. Now the path I'm on—— After stepping out, you won't be able to reach it in your entire life. Not revenge. It's just——living in a state you can't control is the best answer in itself. 【Chapter 10】 Fourth year. Last semester before graduation assignment. That afternoon, while I was adjusting the program in the lab, my phone vibrated. A message. The number is Zhao Jianjun's. "Sister, I passed the exam. Key university. Wuhan Industrial University." I stared at the screen for ten seconds. Then typed three words and sent back: "Congratulations." A minute later, there was another message. "Sister, thank you for stopping me from going to that middle school that year." I didn't answer anymore. Put the phone down, continue adjusting the program. The corner of the mouth suddenly curled up. Trieu Kien Quan. In the end it still came out. Doesn't concern me. It's its own choice. But if I hadn't said that at that time—— Okay. Don't think anymore. On graduation day, I wore military uniform and stood in formation. When the principal personally presented the diploma, I used both hands to receive it. "Friend Trieu Minh Nguyet, congratulations on your graduation, repaying the Fatherland." "Understood." I saluted according to military protocol. Succinct. Standards. Muscle memory is trained for four years. After the ceremony ended, classmates gathered in groups to take pictures, hug each other, and cry. I stood under the sycamore tree, looking at these young faces. Someone ran to pull me: "Minh Nguyet! Let's take a photo together!" "Come here." The moment the shutter button was pressed, sunlight hit the lens. Everyone is laughing. I'm smiling too. It's a real smile. Not a reactive, forced, or ingratiating smile. It was a smile that welled up from the bottom of my heart——belonging to Trieu Minh Nguyet herself. After graduation, where I was assigned was a secret. The last night before leaving, I went to a public phone booth and made two calls. The first call was for Ms. Luu. "Miss, I've graduated. I've been assigned. Can't say where to go, but it's very good." Ms. Luu smiled on the other end of the phone: "Good. I know." "Miss, I'll come back to visit you later when it's convenient." "No rush. You're busy with your work. I'm not going anywhere." Second call. Hesitated for a long time. Finally dialed the number. My mother answered the phone. "Nguyet?" "Mom. I've graduated." The other end of the line took a breath. "Really? Graduated? Where are the stools and stools?" "Can't say specifically. But the conditions are very good, you two don't need to worry." Silence for a few seconds. "His father and I..." "No need to say him." I interrupted her, "I'm calling just to tell you mom—I'm fine. Life is good." There was a broken sob on the other end of the line. "Nguyet, I'm sorry..." "Mom." Her crying stopped. "You can live your own life well. Kien Quan passed the university entrance exam, you can feel more relieved in the future." "Yes..." "I'll hang up." "Nguyet——" "Later on." If I have a chance, I will contact you." Hang up the phone. Standing outside the phone booth, the Truong Sa summer night wind blew, sticky and warm. It's been four years. From the village along that dirt road to this place, it's one thousand two hundred kilometers. In my previous life, I spent forty-three years walking a dead road. This life—— The road has just begun. I raised my head and looked at the sky. The Truong Sa sky is so bright because of the lights, it's still impossible to see the stars clearly. But it's okay. I am the light. No need for anyone to light it. Every step, every path, every choice from now on—— It's all mine, Trieu Minh Nguyet. No one can steal it. No one can win it. Forever.