Chapter 4 — I Shall Never Set Foot in Nam Thanh Again

Tu Bach, am I interrupting you and Thanh Chi? Maybe I should call back later.

Standing close by, I heard every word clearly. Tu Bach instinctively glanced at me, his expression momentarily awkward.

It is nothing. Go ahead, tell me.

Meng Tri Ha’s voice on the other end was thick with tears. The coach is asking for my training log from yesterday, but my knee still hurts so much that I cannot climb the stairs to the office. Could you please come and get it for me?

I am coming over right now.

Tu Bach answered with startling speed. Only after he hung up did he seem to remember I was still standing right beside him.

Thanh Chi, I am heading to the gym now. Remember to handle those documents for me later tonight, and do not stay angry anymore.

I nearly laughed out loud. Even at this point, he still assumed I would do his bidding. I retorted, On what grounds do you think I will do that for you? Tu Bach froze in disbelief. I reached out and snatched my backpack strap from his hand.

Tu Bach, from this day forward, your documents, your training, and your injuries have absolutely nothing to do with me.

His complexion shifted, darkening with shock and irritation.

Nguyen Thanh Chi!

I did not turn back. I had only walked a few steps when my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a message from Meng Tri Ha: Sister Thanh Chi, please do not be angry with Tu Bach. He is just really worried about me. Below the text was a photo. The jacket Tu Bach had forgotten at the gym the night before was now draped over her shoulders. I saved the image. I took a screenshot. I blocked the number. The sequence of actions was fluid and effortless. She was the first person I had ever relegated to my blacklist. Strangely, the air around me felt much fresher.

When I arrived at school, my homeroom teacher happened to be organizing the final university applications. Seeing me enter, she smiled and waved me over.

Thanh Chi, your timing is perfect. You still have not handed in the hard copy of your preference form for South City University.

I hesitated, standing still.

Teacher, I am not going to South City anymore.

The folder in the teacher's hand snapped shut with a sharp thud.

What did you say?

Her reaction was even more intense than my father’s. It was understandable, I suppose. In my past life, she had exhausted herself trying to ensure both Tu Bach and I ended up in South City. To her, this was the ideal outcome: a boy with athletic talent and a girl with high academic scores. One would enter the South City Sports Academy, and the other would attend South City University. The two families were close, and she envisioned a future where we would support each other—a perfect, harmonious life.

The fact that my grades were more than sufficient for the prestigious Capital Foreign Languages University, or that the rare linguistics program I truly desired was only offered through the best exchange program in the capital, was considered irrelevant. They all assumed I would just swallow my pride and endure a little disappointment. Because I was a good student. Because I was sensible. Because I was supposedly in love with Tu Bach. The word love was truly a universal sack; you could stuff any kind of garbage inside it and call it acceptable.

The teacher lowered her voice, attempting a persuasive tone.

Thanh Chi, did you and Tu Bach have a fight? You cannot make decisions about your future based on a momentary tiff.

I replied steadily, I am not having a tantrum. I have already submitted my application to the Capital Foreign Languages University.

She stared at me, stunned.

Have you finalized the confirmation?

Yes, I have.

Her expression flickered through a dozen different emotions. She clearly had not expected me to act with such finality.

Do your parents know?

My father knows.

And what about the Tu family?

Why would the Tu family need to know about my personal choices?

My question left her speechless. After a long moment, she let out a weary sigh.

You children are so impulsive at this age. Tu Bach may be thoughtless at times, but he is not a bad person at heart. You two have grown up together since you were toddlers; you shouldn't let such minor matters ruin your future.

There it was again. A minor matter. Every wound I suffered in my previous life, when recounted by an outsider, was minimized into something trivial. Meng Tri Ha sending me intimate photos was a minor matter. Tu Bach forcing me to apologize to her was a minor matter. He getting injured and taking his frustration out on me was merely a minor matter.