Chapter 9 — I Don't Owe Anyone My Life

"When the general wakes up, he will die." "Then don't say it." I smiled. "Just say my blood has been divided into two." "My poison is worse, I can't cure it." The doctor trembled. Finally still followed. After taking the medicine, the blue-black color on Lau Quan Viem's face gradually faded. I lie next to him. Outside the window, the bustling sound of the lantern festival had completely disappeared. Only the smell of burning smoke drifted in from the wind. Near morning, Lau Quan Viem woke up. The first thing he did was find me. "A Nhuoc." "I'm here." He wanted to sit up but he didn't have the strength. I reached out and grabbed him. His hand is still warm. And my hand was starting to get cold. "How is your wound?" "It's okay." I lied. "The doctor said you'll be fine with some sleep." He looked at me for a long time. Maybe my face is too poor. Perhaps he realized something. "Where is the medicine?" "Split in half." "Really?" "Really." He held my hand tighter. "Ah Nhuoc, you can't lie to me." I laughed. "When have I ever lied to you?" His eyes turned red. "Last time you said it was just a nightmare." I couldn't answer. He tried to call the doctor. I used the last bit of strength to pull his hand back. "Quan Yan." He immediately fell silent. "You heard me." "I didn't listen." His voice trembled. "Let's wait until you're well before you speak." "No time." "A Nhuoc!" I looked at him. A tear fell down his temple. "In my previous life, I died in a cold room." "No one held my hand." "No one called my name." "I'm so scared." Lau Quan Viem crawled out of bed and hugged me. "This time I'm here." "Yes." I leaned my head on his chest. "This time you're here." "So I'm not scared anymore." He kept calling out to someone. But no one outside the door dared to come in. "Quan Viem, take care of So Tam." "No." "You promised me." "I only promised to take care of you with her." He bent down, his forehead touching mine. "Without you, I don't know what to do." I tried to raise my hand to wipe his tears. The first time we saw him cry. The man who had survived on the battlefield, had personally buried countless comrades, was now crying like a child. "You will know." "You have to watch me grow up." "Teach me to ride a horse." "Teach me to protect myself." "When you get married later, you have to see if that person is sincere in asking you if you want it or not." "Don't let anyone force you to spend your whole life making up for others." He shook his head. "I can't do it." "Quan." Yan." I called him. "I'm very happy." "Even though it was only for a few years." "But those were the days I truly lived." "I'm not Miss Ta Tam." "I'm not the one who owes sister A." "Not Lien Sanh's stepmother." "I'm just your A Nhuoc." He buried his face in my neck. The whole person trembled. I asked softly: "In your previous life, did you ever visit my grave?" "Yes." "Every year." "Why?" "Because I miss her." "Didn't you marry someone else?" "No." "I used to think, if I don't have time to marry her in this life, that's it." "Then when I died on the battlefield, I just prayed to God to let me come back sooner." He raised his head to look at me. "God let me come back." "But because Why do you still want to take her away? "I want to comfort him. But I have no strength left. Outside, the sky gradually brightened. The first rays of sunlight penetrate the window. I suddenly remembered the day he returned. I waited until the sun was about to set. And now, he keeps me until dawn. "Quan Yan." "It's me." "I'm sleepy." "Don't sleep." "Just for a moment." "No." His voice broke. "Ah Nhuoc, you said you would grow gray with me." I smiled. "Sorry." "This time... I broke my promise." He leaned down and kissed me. Salty tears fell on my lips. I whispered softly: "In this life, I don't owe anyone." "But I owe you a gray hair." "In the next life..." "No need in the next life!" He almost screamed. "I only need this life!" I wanted to say more. But it was getting dark before my eyes. His voice calling me became increasingly distant. The warmth in my hands also gradually disappeared. Before completion

completely immersed in darkness, I heard him say: "A Nhuoc, I'm here." This time, I was no longer afraid. 13After I died, Lau Quan Viem hugged my body for a day and a night. No one can make him let go. Sister Tam was brought in. The baby has just turned one year old and still doesn't know how to call his mother clearly. The child crawled to the bed and pulled my sleeve. "Mother... mother..." Lau Quan Viem finally burst into tears. He held his child in his arms and bowed low. Everyone in the room knelt down. No one dared to raise their head. Three days later, the funeral was held. I was buried on the hill behind the Lau family, where you can see the whole capital. On the stele is engraved: Dear wife Lau Ta Thi, nee A Nhuoc. There was no posthumous title conferred by the royal court. Does not have the identity of Third Miss of the Minister's Palace. Just my name. Lau Quan Viem said I don't like those things. I just want to be myself. The leader was beheaded for colluding against the party. Before the day of execution, he asked to see Lau Quan Viem. Lau Quan Viem did not go. The leader asked to see Sister Tam again. He still refused. Finally, the elder brother asked the jailer to convey a sentence: "It was I who was at fault with A Nhuoc." After listening, Lau Quan Viem only replied: