Chapter 5 — Leaving Bui Phu, I opened a girls' school

I closed the door. 12That night, he knelt outside the door for a long time. I know. Because there is always movement outside. Then people from the Bui residence arrived, and the doctor also arrived, all advising in low voices. After being advised for a long time, he did not respond. After a while, a dull noise rang out outside. Next was the sound of chaotic footsteps. After that, all was quiet again. Early the next morning, word spread everywhere in the city that Lord Bui had fainted in the rain last night, and after being taken back to the hospital, he had a high fever. Thanh Hoa looked at me once and then bowed her head again. I said nothing. Five days later, the lawyer came again. "Master Bui has been sealed." "But he said he wanted to meet you once." Let's go. He was alone in the study room. His face was still very poor, sitting behind the desk, coughing twice before raising his eyes to look at me. "I don't want to separate." After saying this, he himself burst into laughter. A very bitter smile. "But you want to go, I can't keep it." I stood still without moving. He looked at me. "In the past, it was you who dragged me to sign the marriage contract first." "Back then, you did whatever you wanted, smiling all day long." "This year, you smiled less." Saying this, he paused for a moment. "It's my fault to you." "If you don't want to turn around, I shouldn't continue to stop you." Having finished speaking, he opened the document and sealed it. I took the pen and signed it. The day the government canceled the marriage certificate, the weather was very nice. After completing the exit procedures, I was about to get in the car when he called me from behind. "Tri Vi." I turned around. He stood there holding the door frame, already much thinner. "If we meet again in the future..." He spoke very slowly. "Is there any other possibility?" I looked at him. "No." He didn't say more. I don't plan to stay long either. Before getting on the bus, I only left him two sentences. "Bui Thua Ngoc, you always like to look back." "I don't want to anymore." The curtains fell and the carriage left. 13 After leaving Truong An, I arrived at Duong Chau. My father-in-law's house has an old mansion there, which I temporarily moved into. After settling down, I rearranged the money I had accumulated over the years and opened a girls' school. Teach the ladies to read. Also teaches them how to do bookkeeping. There were also some women who were sent home by their husbands' families, so I let them go to school and work. Sewing, laundry, cooking, it's all fine. As long as you work hard, you will always have a piece of food to eat. It was really difficult at first. Silver is not enough. Mr. is difficult to invite. There is also a lot of gossip. Some people say I'm just a woman who was once separated, can't even take care of her own life, and wants to spoil someone else's girl. If you listen, just listen. What should be done continues to be done. Gradually, more and more people came, and the school became stable. Later, the lady of the governor's office came to donate books. Also accompanying was her senior brother, Co Hanh Chu. He was a member of the Giang Nam Do Transport Department. When he came, he dressed simply and spoke simply. After the lady of the palace introduced herself to me, he clasped his hands together to bow and called Mrs. Tham. I reciprocate. That day, he helped me move the book box from the front yard to the back yard. One box at a time. Even the sleeves are rolled up without looking too heavy. I told him to leave it there and send a servant to do it. He said: "It's just a convenient thing." After that, the lady came back several times. Co Hanh Chu also followed a few times. Sometimes I bring books. Sometimes I bring paper. Sometimes there were a few more old desks in the classroom, and he asked me if I needed them or not. At first I didn't think much. On the contrary, Thanh Hoa saw very clearly and secretly told me: "Master Co treats you differently from other people." I said she thinks too much. She pouted, saying I was the slowest in this matter. Okay. I'm too lazy to argue with her. Until one

Once, in school, there was a little girl who had a fever at night. I took someone to take the child to the medical clinic. When I returned, it was already past the hour of the Rat. At the beginning of the alley there was a person waiting. In hand holding lamp. It's Co Hanh Chu. I walked closer, he looked at me first, then looked at the people behind me, confirming that everything was okay before he breathed a sigh of relief. I asked him: "Why are you here?" He said: "Not at ease." Only three words. After speaking, I added another sentence: "I'm afraid you won't be safe on the road." At that moment, I didn't answer. The light shook in his hand, illuminating his face and eyes clearly. I don't immediately agree with him on anything. I've already suffered a loss once, I don't want to jump in confused again. Perhaps Co Hanh Chu also knows. That's why he never forced me. I lack someone, he recommends someone for me. I encountered an old clan that was difficult to deal with, he helped me stop it. I was sick, he sent someone to bring me medicine. I was happy, he stood next to me and listened. Not many words. Nor do you show off the appearance that you once helped me to oppress me. Such a measure is actually very difficult to achieve. 14 Another spring passed, the almond flowers in the backyard bloomed. Co Hanh Chu brought a new group of abacus. He said it was a carpenter's tool he had just made and was a little more convenient to use than the old one, so the kids could try it out.