Chapter 9 — Icebergs Also Know Red Eyes

"Why am I angry? What she said was the truth."

To Niem stared at me for five seconds, then sighed.

“Khuong Loc, I ask you a question, please answer me truthfully.”

“Ask.”

“Now do you still think my brother is just your weight loss tool?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“Think carefully,” To Niem said, “You can see what kind of person my brother is, he's not the type of crap who treats everyone well. He cooks for you, jogs with you, gives you milk tea for you, even goes to barbecue with you — in 23 years he has never done these things for anyone.”

“He said he was helping me—”

“Are you sure?” To Niem's voice rose, "If he just wants to help you lose weight, he can just draw up a schedule and throw it at you. Why the hell does he have to go jogging with you at six o'clock in the morning? Why the hell has he to cook for you? Why the hell has his eyes to be red in the middle of the cafeteria in front of so many people?"

I was speechless. To Niem took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "I'll tell you something, you can't tell my brother or I'll tell you."

“What?”

“My brother knew you, before you knew him.”

“What is it?”

"When you were a freshman in military school, you got heat stroke and fainted in the middle of the field. My brother carried you to the infirmary. When you woke up, he was gone, you didn't know about this at all."

My whole body stiffened.

"Later, when you and I shared a dorm room, he knew. Every time he came to find me, he would sneak an extra glance at you - you didn't notice, but I saw everything."

To Niem looked at my expression, his voice was light: "So the first day you went to the stadium to find him, why did you think he didn't chase you away? Why did you think he agreed to date you? What do you think he meant by 'helping you'?" I stood in front of the library door, the wind blew through, a layer of cold sweat broke out on my back.

"My brother likes you," To Niem said clearly, "I've liked you for a long time. You're the only person he never refused."

I lowered my head to look at the ground, my head pounding. First year military. Sunstroke. Carry into the medical room. I remember - that day when I woke up, there was a bottle of water and two salt pills on my pillow. The nurse said there was a male student brought in, tall and lanky, quiet. That's To Nghien.

“I'm home.” I turned away immediately.

“Hey where are you going—”

I pushed open the library door, walked straight to my seat. To Nghien was still reading a book when he heard a noise and looked up.

“What's wrong?” He asked, "Your face is so poor."

I sat down and stared at him. I looked at him to the point that I had to frown: "What's going on?"

“Nothing.”

I moved my eyes down to my book. But not a single word escaped. My heart beats like crazy like when I sprint 100 meters. He's known me since freshman year. He always knew who I was. As for me, when I saw him, I thought I was taking advantage of him. 09 I couldn't sleep that night. Tossing and turning over and over, my mind was filled with To Niem's words. In my first year of military training, he carried me into the medical room. Every time he came to find To Niem, he glanced at me. From the first day he didn't chase me away. He agreed to date not as an act, but because he had been waiting for a long time. I pulled the blanket over my head, my heartbeat was both fast and erratic. And then I did something stupid. The next morning, me Don't go to the stadium. The alarm rang, I turned it off and turned over to sleep. Ten past six, the phone rang. To Nghien: *Are you there yet?* I won't reply. Six twenty. To Nghien: *Khuong Loc.* Still no reply. Half past six. To Nghien: *Feeling uncomfortable?* I typed two words: *It's okay.* Then turned off the phone. I didn't go to the cafeteria at lunch, I stayed in the dormitory with a box of instant noodles.