Chapter 5 — From A Joke To A Love

Co Tran Nien's ears turned red, clearly visible to the naked eye. He let go of my hand and gently tapped my forehead: "Idiot, if you didn't have feelings, would you willingly volunteer to be a buffalo and a horse for me all these years?" “So—” I leaned closer to him, “Since when do you like me?” Co Tran Nien turned away: "I don't remember clearly anymore." "Lie." Co Tran Nien thought for a moment, his voice slowed down: "I really can't remember. It could have been from the first time I shared breakfast with you, it could have been when I stayed with you on duty, it could have been the time I heard someone say bad things about you and then rushed up and scratched their face..." I quickly put my hand over his mouth: "Stop talking." Co Tran Nien burst out laughing. His lips gently touched my palm, leaving a gentle kiss. I was startled, withdrew my hand as if burned, and looked at him in surprise. Co Tran Nien continued to say: "It could also be in middle school." "Second semester of seventh grade, you went to summer camp in the next city. I thought you transferred schools, chased after the car, crying and calling my name..." His voice got quieter and softer: "I fell to the ground, my knees were bleeding, but I still tried to get up and chase." I was stunned. That time I fell very painfully, my knees were still bleeding. It was Co Tran Nien who jumped out of the car, carried me and ran to the medical room. On the way, I cried and wiped my tears and nose on his uniform. “Is that all?” I can't believe it. “You were so pathetic back then, and yet you…” “Very cute.” Co Tran Nien muttered, "Stubborn to death, and often cries..." "But An Dao, it was you who made me realize - it turns out, I can also be the person others need." My heart felt like it was being squeezed, my nose was stinging, I wanted to say something but discovered that his face was redder than before. I raised my hand to touch - "Co Tran Nien! Your fever is getting higher!" He vaguely said "yes" and his whole body leaned towards me. I quickly helped him, frantically looking for fever-reducing patches. “It's all my fault…” He rubbed his head on my shoulder, muttering, “Why did you choose this time to talk about those things…” I was both angry and amused: “Okay, okay, it's all my fault.” I went into the kitchen and poured him a glass of water. When he returned, Co Tran Nien was already asleep. His eyebrows were no longer furrowed, and the corners of his lips still had a hint of a smile. I gently placed the glass of water next to the head of the bed, sat quietly looking at his sleeping face, something felt like welling up in my heart. It turns out, we had secretly liked each other for such a long time — at a time when neither of us knew it. 10 My mother said, because Aunt Ly's work position has been adjusted, she won't have to go on business trips as often in the future and can stay at home more. I mumbled while eating: "If only it had come a little sooner..." Co Tran Nien was about to go to college and wouldn't be home much longer. But it's okay, I will be by his side in the future. After eating, I ran back to my room, carefully put on makeup, dressed beautifully, then ran to stand outside the window of Co Tran Nien's room, calling out: "Co Tran Nien!" He pushed the window open and looked at me. I mouthed: "Let's go! Let's go on a date!" Co Tran Nien immediately smiled brightly: "Wait a minute!" He hurriedly ran downstairs. Aunt Ly was doing general cleaning at the time. When she saw this, she called out: "Tran Nien! Why are you keeping this ugly stuffed mouse? If you don't need it, I'll throw it away!" "Keep it! I keep it for life!" “When I was little, I was bitten by a mouse. I hated mice the most, right?” Aunt Ly muttered, then brought the stuffed mouse and put it back in his room. I was momentarily stunned. If I remember correctly... that stuffed mouse was given to me. A cute, adorable stuffed mouse. So, you used to hate mice? When walking side by side with Co Tran Nien out of the house, I couldn't help but ask him directly. He smiled lightly: "I told you that before." “Say what?” “If someone likes you… no matter what you give them, they will like it.” Just because of that one sentence, my face turned red. Co Tran Nien and I went to university in the same city, but one school was in the East, one school was in the West. {Read full at Van Ha Tu Tu page} It takes up to three hours to take the subway. Actually... it's no different from a long distance relationship. On the first day of school, Co Tran Nien insisted on taking me to school. While he was studying the map of my school, a senior walked up: "Do you need any help, sister?" I shook my head: "No need, thank you." I pointed at Co Tran Nien standing next to me: "My boyfriend is here." Co Tran Nien stopped for a moment, his back immediately stood up straighter. On the way to the dorm, he pulled my pink suitcase in front, while I carried my backpack and followed behind. I discovered... his ears were red as if they were about to burn. "This." I poked his back. “What are you so stressed about?” Co Tran Nien slowed down and didn't turn around: "Who's nervous?" “So why are your ears red?” “…Because of the sun.” I raised my head to look at the dark, cloudy sky, trying not to laugh, not to expose him. When I arrived at the dormitory, Co Tran Nien helped me carry my luggage up. He stood at the door of the girls' dormitory like a devoted bodyguard, carefully checking both the surrounding environment and the sturdiness of the bed. “Okay, okay,” I pushed him out while laughing, “If you check any more, you'll be labeled a pervert by the dorm manager.” Only then did Co Tran Nien stop. He unwillingly took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket: "Give it to me." "What's up?" “Your schedule.” He pursed his lips, "The time frames circled in red are when I don't have classes, in blue are..." I opened it - the schedule was filled with notes. Even drew the fastest route from his school to my school. Along the way, there are things to eat and places to play, all of which are carefully marked. “This is…” “Next weekend, I will come look for you.” After Co Tran Nien finished speaking, his ears turned red. College life is busier than I expected. Even though Co Tran Nien and I don't see each other often, every night, regardless of wind or rain, we still video call each other. My roommates often tease me: "An Dao, you and that childhood friend are not in a relationship, but are raising pets online!" On the other side of the screen, Co Tran Nien was eating instant noodles. After hearing this, he immediately choked and coughed. Tet comes, I go back to my hometown. Co Tran Nien also ran to my house, after wishing New Year, he held my hand and solemnly announced to my parents: "An Dao and I are in love." After hearing it, my mother just said "oh" and continued to lower her head to watch the short video. My dad said: "Oh my God, I was startled, I thought it was something big." He looked at me, then looked at Co Tran Nien: "It's strange if you two don't become a couple." We are clumsy in our thoughts I thought it was hidden very carefully - In the eyes of adults, it was so obvious that it couldn't be clearer. Co Tran Nien and I looked at each other, then laughed. He looked out the window: "It's snowing." I happily opened the window. Snow was falling outside in the yard, children were playing happily. I called out to him: "Come on, let's go play in the snow!" "YES." “When the snow gets thicker, I want to make a big snowman.” "Okay." "Co Tran Nien, I want to make you a snowman. But my skills are a bit bad, it will probably be very ugly." "No problem." You're always like that. And I — just like that style of yours. Spring passes gently, the new year shines brightly. Our story has just begun.