Chapter 2 — I Raised a General in the Central Highlands

8 “Neigh ——” The echoing and urgent sound of horses tore through the hazy atmosphere of the sunset. Luc Tram stopped. The force that almost wanted to crush me suddenly disappeared. He closed his eyes, his throat moving violently. It's like struggling with a beast that has just been awakened inside of you. The hot afterglow on my body had not yet dissipated, my heart was already a mess. Ten seconds later. Luc Tram opened his eyes and calmly looked at me: "If the person you met today was not me, but another shepherd who looked good, would you do the same?" I opened my mouth and choked the whole time, only able to say one sentence: "You don't just 'look good'." Luc Tram was silent for a few seconds, turning his head to look at the sky. The last rays of sunlight are about to sink into the horizon. He helped me adjust the collar of my dress: "Let's go eat." I looked at his serious face and almost burst out laughing. Just now he seemed like he wanted to eat me alive, but now he was as docile as a middle school student. Desire and restraint are both so frank that they cannot be hidden. Being with someone like that, I feel... strangely reassured. 9 Luc Tram took me around in the dark, eventually leading me into a small, unremarkable restaurant. The restaurant is not big, but it is very clean. In the air there was the faint scent of milk and the strong smell of meat. A slightly fat woman with a kind face walked out. Seeing Luc Tram, she was momentarily stunned, then her face immediately showed the characteristic gentleness of an elder when seeing her children and grandchildren: "Luc Tram, are you back?" “Yes, Aunt Vuong.” It seems that he is very popular with everyone. Luc Tram nodded slightly and pulled out a chair for me to sit down. "Auntie Vuong, make a portion of boiled meat with your hands, cold mixed spinach, eggs stir-fried with wild onions, fresh milk soup... Oh, and your famous fried dough cake." He glanced at the menu again: "Another cup of yogurt." Then turned to me: "That's all for now. If it's not enough, call more." Actually, inside I'm a little... unhappy. The intimacy from before was forced to a halt, like eating a delicious appetizer and having the tray snatched away. Dull, uncomfortable. I planned to refute the dishes he ordered. But when the plate of steaming hot boiled meat was brought up, all resentment disappeared. The lamb is stewed and gently pulled to separate the meat from the bone. The meat juice is sweet, without any bad smell. Dip with chive sauce, as soon as it touches the tongue, it dissolves immediately. Wild onions with a special aroma, combined with soft and smooth farm eggs, are a true delicacy. If I didn't have to worry about staying in shape, I swear I could clean three bowls of white rice. Halfway through eating, Luc Tram seemed to suddenly remember something: "Please sit down for a while, I'll go out and make a call." 10 As soon as he left, Aunt Vuong brought a small bottle of wine: "Girl, will you try some blackberry wine brewed by my family? It's very light, you won't get drunk." I looked at the tall shadowy figure in the darkness, the aimless sadness in my heart silently welled up again. "Yes." The wine has a beautiful amber color, strong fruit flavor, and tastes much better than I expected. Soon, my cheeks were hot. All the scenery before my eyes seemed to be covered with a thin layer of silk. Luc Tram turned around and what caught his eye was me - a dreamy, bewildered version. He sat down opposite me, carrying with him the pleasant smell of the night wind. “How many drinks have you had?” I don't answer. Just reached out, fingertips lightly touching his strong arm, drawing small circles. The muscle layer is clear, even through a T-shirt you can still feel it. “Luc Tram.” I leaned close to him: "Hug me." Luc Tram grabbed my harassing hand. His eyes under the dim light became unpredictable. “I was just going to let you ride, what were you thinking?” He looked straight at me for a few seconds then said: "It's late, I called someone to bring the car." A moment later, a black off-road vehicle stopped in front of the door. Luc Tram finished paying and half supported me, half carried me into the passenger seat. Right before he closed the door, I grabbed his neck. Looked at him for a moment, then let go again. 11 Luc Tram helped me into the hotel lobby. “Honey, you're back!” The young receptionist saw him and immediately shouted with joy. I've been here for two days, and have a pretty good impression of this girl. It seems that Luc Tram is not a bad person. The receptionist's eyes immediately turned to me: "Mrs. Ha, this is... your friend?" "YES." Luc Tram nodded and helped me walk towards the elevator. “Room 424.” I shook the room card and gave it to him. The elevator opened and he carried me into the room. Lay me down gently on the bed, take off my slippers, and carefully pull the blanket back up. Leave a night light at the head of the bed. Luc Tram adjusted the air conditioner temperature, then went to the mini bar, opened a bottle of water and placed it on the bedside table. Before he left, I grabbed his wrist. “Luc Tram.” My voice was mixed with alcohol, a little sleepy but also a little drowsy: "I... is it okay?" 12 Luc Tram seemed to have pressed the pause button: "What did you say?" I tried to sit up and look straight at him: "I said... you, yes, yes, no, okay?" His jawline immediately tightened. "Wasn't it just a meeting, a random night? Don't tell me that you were moved, out of respect or pity for me, that you 'didn't have the heart' to take action." I smirked and continued muttering to myself: "We're both adults, I'm interested in you, you also have reactions to me. In the steppe... it's already like that, what do you mean if you're not 'powerless'?" The hangover from the alcohol seemed to begin to subside. Instead, uncomfortable heat rose up in my body. “Ha Tri Dao—” “No.” Luc Tram was interrupted by me, he looked at me. "I'll answer your question just now, no, I'm not that arbitrary with anyone. Because... I don't know, but you're different." He didn't answer, he seemed to be thinking about something. Seeing that he was silent, I immediately sat up and moved closer. Start… light the fire. "Luc Tram, don't you know clearly whether you 'can' or 'can't'—" Before I could finish speaking, my wrist was held tightly by him. Luc Tram held me down, his voice was gritting through his teeth: "Ha Tri Dao, do you have to try before you agree?" “If I say try, then try—” A fierce kiss stopped everything I was about to say. 13 A whirlwind takeover. I was kissed so dizzy that I could only instinctively respond. It wasn't until the moment I was about to receive his final answer that my mind regained a bit of clarity. {Read full at Van Ha Tuong page} And then... I suddenly realized a very serious problem: Luc Tram was not wearing anything... and the size was roughly equal to... the two of me combined? "Luc Tram..." My finger weakly poked his chest, trying to stretch the too close distance between us. “Um…” He replied hoarsely, his hot breath blowing in my ear. I tried to push him a little more, my voice weak: "You... I did Can I crush you to death..." Luc Tram paused. His enthusiastic eyes suddenly showed interest. "Um..." He put his hands on both sides, lifted himself up from me. He lowered his head to look closely at me, then looked at himself. A second later, he burst out laughing. Picking me up, gently like hugging a child. "Then... let me carry you... and do it." 14 I let out a loud scream. Never had an experience like this. This... is too challenging for your level and physical strength?! Suddenly I felt a bit tense, my whole body stiffened. Reflexively, I hugged his neck tightly, afraid I would fall. Luc Tram saw the worry in my eyes, used one hand to support me, pressing me closer to his body. “Don't be afraid, you're tiny.” “I'm not small!” Luc Tram's eyes lowered a bit, his voice burst into excited laughter: "Yes, not small, I confirm." He used his other hand to gently stroke my bare back. The tips of my fingers carry a thin layer of callous, wherever I touch, small electric sparks run down my spine. My face turned red. Before he could refute, he "punished" her with action. Slowly, but strongly. I was immersed in his rhythm, until I was completely unable to resist the fierce wave that was coming... 15 I bit his shoulder. Luc Tram just paused for a moment. “Ha Tri Dao, sure enough… your tongue is really sharp.” “Don't call me by my full name.” He stopped his movements, his red eyes staring at me: "So what do you call it?... Dao Dao?" I reflexively tried to nod, but the words came out of my mouth choked. Chu Vu also called me intimately like that. Luc Tram detected that hesitation. His eyebrows slightly raised, carrying a bit of scrutiny: "I don't call you names that other people have called me." He leaned against the headboard and hugged me. His finger lightly scratched the tip of my nose, his voice was low and gentle: "Baby, then... is that okay?" The word "boi" is long, the last sound is soft as if it goes straight into the ear. I remembered the feeling just now, as if my soul wanted to leave my body... "Of course... okay." Before he finished speaking, he pulled out and then turned over. Luc Tram pressed against me again, the corner of his lips curled up in a smile: "So I guess, like this... it's okay?" It wasn't until his solid chest began to shake before my eyes that I suddenly realized— I still didn't seem to have time to answer. But he clearly got the answer he wanted. My nails dug deep into his back. As for Luc Tram, it seemed like he didn't feel anything at all. He just leaned close to my ear and whispered in a hoarse voice: "Are you okay or not... is it clear in your heart now?" 16 I don't know when the moonlight crept in, illuminating the rumpled bed sheet with a layer of gentle silver light. His whole body felt sore and tired, his muscles seemed to be screaming in fatigue. I lay face down in Luc Tram's arms, his hand gently caressing my back. That feeling of being completely filled to the bone, makes people relax in an unprecedented way. “Luc Tram.” “Yes, I'm here.” His voice echoed from his chest, low and seductive. I silently recalculated the itinerary. “I'm still here… three more days. Can you… take me for a walk?” Actually, there are only two days left. But I don't intend to tell the truth. Luc Tram's hand paused for a moment: "Not tomorrow." I was about to say “That's it.” Then he seemed to notice the tension in my body. His arms tightened, hugging me tighter. Another hand gently pinched my cheek: "You haven't finished talking yet. Tomorrow you have to go...herding cows." “Pfft—” I laughed out loud.