Chapter 6 — I Raised a General in the Central Highlands

40 The next day, I had to work overtime at the company. The whole working floor was just me and my boss - Chris. I could vaguely hear him calling from the office: "Jason, what are you busy these days? Find time to gather a little, play a football game? Haven't had any free time lately? What are you doing? Okay, then you just take care of business, see you next time." Jason. I repeated that name in my head. Isn't... Luc Tram's "mysterious" boss and compatriot? Chris hung up the phone and walked out of the office: "Bianca, aren't you home yet so late?" “There's still some work to be done, let's finish it now.” Chris did not leave, on the contrary, he hesitated for a few seconds: "Bianca, I have a close friend, I want to introduce it to you." His face revealed a characteristic joy when talking about his brothers: "My best friend when I studied in Switzerland, his name is Jason. That kid is tall, handsome, and also a rich young man..." Certainly not as handsome as Luc Tram. I argued inwardly, almost reflexively. His mouth noticed another keyword: "Switzerland?" "That's right, we studied together at ETH Zurich. Jason is from... uh, Inner Mongolia." Inner Mongolia, Switzerland, ETH, Jason… A string of words flashed through my head, leaving me stunned. Chris now picked up the phone: "Actually, I told him about you." He smiled brightly like a true matchmaker: "Jason said, as long as you're free, he'll always invite you out to eat —— Hey, why is this guy free today?" “F-okay, thank you, Chris, but… I'm not going anywhere.” I immediately refused. "What's wrong? You just broke up?" “Um… I have someone I like.” The words burst out of my mouth, startling even me. Quickly greeting Chris, I grabbed my bag and rushed home. On the way home, the words "I have someone I like" kept echoing in my head. “Luc Tram.” I opened the door, changed my shoes and called out: "I miss you so much today ——" My voice suddenly cut off... Because the person sitting in the living room —— was not just Luc Tram. 41 Luc Tram sat on a single chair, holding a book. On the long sofa opposite me, was the person I didn't want to see — Chu Du. The air in the living room was cold and tense like a piano string. “Your friend is here.” Luc Tram put down the book and walked towards me. “Ex-boyfriend, not friend.” I said coldly: "Chu Du, we broke up. You came to my house without permission, this is considered harassment. I can completely report it to the police." “Dao Dao, listening to my explanation, I was just confused for a moment—” “That's enough.” I interrupted: "I don't want to hear it. Whether you regret it or not has nothing to do with me." I took a deep breath, not wanting to waste any more words. Turned his head and looked at Luc Tram. “Besides, I already have someone I like.” 42 Zhou Yu left in a daze. Luc Tram doesn't have any special expressions. He went into the kitchen and brought each dish to the table one by one. Spare ribs with garlic sauce, tofu stir-fried with shrimp, tomatoes soaked in sweet and sour apricots... These are all my favorite dishes. He put the bowl of melon soup down in front of me: "I'm cooking, I don't want him to see." Then he gave me a bowl of rice: "My ex-boyfriend is gone, there's no need to act anymore." I said nothing. "The orange cat downstairs seems to have gained weight again. This morning I saw it even having difficulty turning over. "The shower in the bathroom is weak, I will replace it with a new one. “Yesterday I saw grilled milk in an oil-free fryer, it looks delicious, try making it tomorrow? Luc Tram kept babbling and telling me everyday trivial things. I looked at him and listened to that gentle voice. My heart, which was in turmoil because of Chu Du's appearance, gradually calmed down. “Luc Tram.” He had just finished swallowing a mouthful of rice. Hearing that, he immediately raised his head and put down his chopsticks: "What's wrong?" “I like you.” 43 I bowed my head, used chopsticks to stir the rice in the bowl: "Luc Tram, have you ever heard this saying - 'If you are not from the same clan, your heart must be different'?" “Um.” I felt his eyes resting on me. “I have read many stories. Girls who, for love, marry into the deep mountains, onto the prairies... At first, they all thought they had found true love. But in the end, the difference in lifestyle and values tormented me. A lot of people have bad outcomes.” “Um.” “To be honest… I brought such prejudice with me to the steppe. Then I met you.” “Um.” “So I'm always torn. On the one hand, I couldn't help but feel excited for him. On the other hand, reason constantly reminds me that I cannot love you... because we do not belong to the same world. “But after days of being together, I realized — you are someone worthy of my love. Whether you are a shepherd, a driver, a secretary or an assistant... I like you.” I looked at him, gathering all the courage in my life: "Luc Tram, I like you. I want to create a future with you that belongs to us… as long as you agree.” Luc Tram still listened quietly. After that, he stood up, walked in front of me, then squatted down: "Tri Dao, I like you too." He took my hand and placed it on his chest: "Thank you, for being willing to give such a precious heart... to me." His heartbeat, through my chest, went straight into my palm. I stood up, pulled him up, hugged him tightly. Luc Tram tightened his arms around me. After a while, he smiled softly: "But... you just said, 'marry for love', right..." He paused, his voice mixed with a gentle smile: "Then... can I prepare to propose yet?" “Luc Tram!” 44 That night, I slept extremely well. The next morning, I woke up to the aroma of food spreading throughout the room. Dreamily opening his eyes, what caught his eye was Luc Tram's smiling gaze. “Good morning, my girlfriend.” He leaned down and placed a light kiss on my lips. “Good morning… Luc Tram.” Hearing my response, the smile in his eyes became even gentler. “Let's get up and have breakfast.” He patted me gently: "After eating, your boyfriend has to go to work - to strive for our future." I looked at his tall figure walking into the kitchen, my heart filled with happiness. “Luc Tram.” I poked the egg on the plate: "Are you... going to keep being a driver for that boss forever?" Luc Tram took a sip of milk and glanced at me: "What's wrong?" Are you afraid I won't be able to support you?" "Not!" Being teased by him, my face got a little hot: "I just think... you're so smart, being a driver is a bit of a waste." This is the first time I frankly expressed my admiration for him like that. I want you to know, the person I like is not just your appearance or your gentleness. After hearing that, the smile on Luc Tram's face shrank a bit. "Don't worry, about... our future, I have already made plans." I don't ask anymore. I believe you. Besides, you're mine — that's enough. 45 That afternoon, I was preparing to go out to eat with my colleagues. The phone rings — it's an unfamiliar number in the Nam Thanh area. “Hi Bianca, I'm Jason, Chris's friend.” A male voice carrying a polite smile rang out from the other end of the line. At that moment, in my head I cursed Chris a thousand times. I clearly told him I had a lover, how dare I give my number to some guy named Jason?! But he is the boss's friend, he can't afford to offend, and he can't hide either. I forced myself to smile and say hello: "Hello Jason, how are you?" "I'm at the Tinh Hoi building. Would I have the honor of inviting you to lunch?" "Ah... sorry Jason, I already... had a lunch date with my boyfriend. Yes, my boyfriend and I had a lunch date." I quickly made up a solid excuse. When I said the three words "boyfriend", I even felt a little sweet in my heart. The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. But I don't care. “Sorry Jason, my boyfriend is still waiting, I have to go first—” “Ha Tri Dao.” The other person suddenly interrupted, his voice unable to hide his laughter: "I don't know if I should say my mind is too sharp, or my ears are too bad?" I was stunned. “Baby, come down here.”