Chapter 7 — Hiding for Five Years, One Night Becomes Legend

"I didn't expect it to be passed on to you. Even more unexpected, you hid right under our eyelids for 5 years."

I moved my lips, not knowing what to say.

“Your grandfather told you to hide it until you were 28 years old, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why 28?”

"My grandfather said... the last level of Tai Chi kung fu requires a mature mind to practice. He wanted me to roll around in the physical world to hone my character for 28 years. Once my mind is calm, the last level will naturally be clear."

The man nodded.

"I understand Mr. Hua's meaning. But you exposed it early."

“I have no other choice.”

“I know. Your choice is not wrong.”

He stood up.

“So next, you have two choices.”

He held up two fingers.

"First, we will pretend that today's incident never happened. You just go back to the company, continue to do... your 'soft-legged shrimp'. The last two months expire, you will be discharged and return to your hometown, your whole life will be peaceful."

I looked at him. Wait for the second option.

“Monday —”

He closed the file on the table, on the cover were printed two red words: "Top Secret".

"You follow me. From today onwards, your records will disappear from your old unit. New identity, new assignment, new mission - these are not things you can know now. I can only tell you one thing."

“What question?”

He looked at me. In those seemingly normal eyes, suddenly a sharp light shone.

“The country needs you.”

Four words. I sat on the folding chair, my head pounding. The country needs you. Grandfather once said: *"In the North, Tai Chi is not used to fight for strength and victory. But if one day, it can protect more people - then you should do it."* Silence for a long time. Outside the window, the sound of training slogans echoed from afar, and there was also the sound of birds singing. I took a deep breath.

“What about my old teammates —”

“They will be informed that you are discharged due to injury.”

“Trieu Thiet Tru — my squad leader — can he contact me in the future?”

The man shook his head. I bowed my head. Remember Trieu Thiet Tru's neck squeezes every morning. I remember the look on Ly Manh's face when he insisted on practicing fighting and then laughed at me. Remembering Vuong Tieu Dong's expression of kneeling on the ground calling me "Mr. Bac" earlier. Five years. Those people truly consider me a brother in life and death. Even though they always think I'm a useless guy. But none of them have ever really spurned me. I closed my eyes. Then raise your head.

“I choose the second way.”

【Chapter 7】 After making the choice, everything proceeded at breakneck speed. That man - I later learned that his code name was "Thiet Son" - that same day had someone clean up my personal belongings from the old company. I didn't get a chance to go back and say goodbye. That night, I ate in that isolated courtyard. Alone. A plate of fried potatoes. A bowl of white rice. A bowl of seaweed egg soup. While eating, my chopsticks stopped. Damn it. I kinda miss the name Trieu Thiet Tru. I don't know what expression that big, stupid guy is wearing right now. Are you still muttering "I've been patting a monster on the head for 5 years?" Well, don't think anymore. 4am the next day. Thiet Son took me to another place - it took 3 hours by helicopter arrive. After landing, I glanced at my surroundings. Rolling hills and mountains. Deep valley. The camp is hidden in a ravine, almost undetectable from the air.

“What place is this?”

“Your house later.” Thiet Son walked ahead, "Code name 'Photo' (Ghost). Under the Special Operations Department of the Central Military Commission. Not under the management of any military region."

I followed him into the barracks. There were people inside. Seven people. Five men, two women.