Chapter 9 — Go home

I passed next to Nguyet Nguyet. As I passed her, I stopped for a moment, without looking down at her, I returned those three words to her. "You've lost." Mrs. Dao came to my side, put her arms around me, her chin gently resting on the top of my head. "Baby Han." Her voice was very quiet: "It's over." I leaned on her lap, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. That's right. Everything should be over. After that, Nguyet Nguyet was taken to the orphanage by the Tran family. Mrs. Tran's spirit was stimulated, she often went crazy, everyone she met said she wanted to go to the orphanage to exchange for another child. The Tran family lost the ability to repay debt and entered bankruptcy liquidation procedures. They sold several houses under their own names, but were still chased away by creditors and had no place to hide. The nouveau riche of the past became rats overnight, running across the street and being beaten by everyone. A few months later, Ms. Dao's painting was auctioned abroad. The crack was removed on the back of the picture frame, but Ms. Dao did not repair it. She intentionally kept that missing part, and added a very small text next to it. The auctioneer stood on stage and recounted the background of this painting. "It was once a witness to a farce, and also evidence of a mother protecting her daughter." In the end, the painting was sold for double the price, far exceeding the estimated price. Up and down the Dao family, everyone said, I am Tieu Phuc Han. The new semester has started. Mrs. Dao and Mr. Dao would still pick me up after school while being busy with thousands of jobs. Mrs. Dao always has a habit of giving me a hug. She and Mr. Dao would hold my hand and say in unison: "Baby Han, let's go home." I nodded. This time, I'm truly home.