Chapter 7 — Identity Recovery Trial

After scolding her, her eyes turned red again and she stuffed me a lucky money envelope. "Take it." "Go to school, don't remember those shifts at the supermarket." I didn't accept it. She tried to put it in my bag. "This is not for you." "It's for me for the girl that year who couldn't go to school to complete the admission procedures." I hugged the bag, tears suddenly falling. Over the years, I have not been able to wait for a word of mercy from my relatives. But from an outsider, I received some late warmth. A month later, I received new documents sent by University A. Inside there is a handling decision, an apology letter and a reprinted admission certificate. Full name: Giang Van. Identification number: Belongs to me. Photo: Also me. I put that piece of paper on the table and looked at it for a long time. Lawyer Chau asked me: "What do you want to do next?" I said: "Go to school." She smiled. "Do you still want to study law?" I nodded. "I want to." "Before, I wanted to study to escape the Giang family." "Now I want to know how to get people like me out." She didn't ask any more. After that, the Giang family came to find me many times. My mother stood waiting in front of the school gate, holding a thermos in her hand. She said she had stewed the soup. I don't accept. Giang Nghien texted me, saying her parents' health was not good, Giang Ninh cried every day in the detention center. I blocked him. My father asked his relatives to spread the word, saying that as long as I withdrew part of the accusation, he was willing to transfer the name of the house to me. I told my relative to pass the message back to him. "Keep it and sell it to pay for a lawyer." On the first day of school, I pulled my luggage into the gate of University A. In front of the gate, there were many new students taking photos. Someone held their parents' hands. Someone hugs flowers. I just have an old suitcase. But my steps are very steady. Professor Tran stood waiting for me under the faculty building. He gave me a student card. The surface of the card is still very new. The me in the photo has short hair and clear eyes. In the full name box, the two words Giang Van are written neatly and cleanly. My fingertips gently brushed those two words. Four years ago, it was stolen and used to pave the way for others. Four years later, it's finally back in my hands. The phone vibrated at that moment. A strange phone number sent a text message. Van Van, mom is sick, she wants to see you once. I read it and then deleted it. Do not block numbers. I was no longer afraid. They can't continue to use love to bring me back. We cannot continue to use tears to wash away Giang Ninh's sins. It's even more impossible to use the phrase "I'm your sister" to force me to give up my name, future and freedom. I hung my student ID around my neck and entered the lecture hall building. The sunlight shines on the glass window, so bright that it's a bit dazzling. I don't turn around. From now on, I am just Giang Van. Not anyone's sister. Not someone to blame for anyone else. It's not a daughter that the Giang family can arbitrarily sacrifice. My name, my life, I will be my own boss.