Chapter 3 — Leaving the Crown Prince's House I Am Myself

“The kids know you're coming today, so even though there's no class on the weekend, they're still at school waiting for you.”

The sunlight was shining, the children were laughing happily, running around the schoolyard. A little girl ran too fast and accidentally crashed into me. The girl nervously bowed her head and mumbled:

"Sorry, I didn't mean it!"

Luc Du gently patted the girl's head and said gently:

“Tieu Di, this is the older sister who donated to build the elementary school of hope for you children.”

"Haven't you been waiting for her for a long time? Hurry up and say hello to her."

Tieu Di's eyes lit up, looking up at me, her voice was immature but full of sincerity:

“Sister, thank you!”

"The new school is so beautiful! I'm so happy to study here!"

Tieu Di shyly scratched her head, then took out a small wreath from behind her back:

"I've been preparing for a long time. Sister, here it is for you."

“I hope you like it.”

The wreath is woven from green grass and wild chrysanthemums. The shape is very sophisticated, each woven line shows the meticulousness and enthusiasm of the person who made it. I bent down and Tieu Di gently placed the wreath on my head, very carefully as if afraid of damaging it. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but smile too. The wind gently blew past, carrying the faint scent of flowers. In the distance, waves of green rice rippled with the wind, stretching to the end of the horizon. At this moment, I suddenly realized— My heart, which had been wandering aimlessly, had finally found a destination. I have seen the immense beauty of this world. Initially, I chose the civil service exam just because I wanted to escape Ky Thieu Bach's grip. I want to get rid of that ridiculous love, want to break the wall he built to block my career. I once locked myself in a narrow, selfish and resentful world. Without realizing that life is actually a vast, endless steppe. Previously, I only wrote about "rural revival" on the exam thesis pages. But now, I truly feel the power of action. I hope— I can contribute more to society.

8

I found a place to stay in the village. During the day, I followed Luc Du to each household, surveying and taking care of the elderly. At night, I continued studying for the civil service exam and practicing previous years' exam questions. These days, I live extremely busy but also fully. Stretching my shoulders, I slowly walked out the door. Unexpectedly, I bumped into someone. Ky Thieu Bach was leaning against the wall, his eyebrows furrowed, lighting a cigarette in his hand. That silver lighter sparkled in the sunlight, strangely dazzling. Seeing me, he quickly threw the burning cigarette to the ground and quickly stomped it out. He angrily rubbed his messy hair, his tone a bit impatient:

“Chu Thinh Van, this time, I admit I lost.”

“I called you nearly two hundred times, but you refused to listen, trying to provoke me, right?”

“Idiot, there's no news from you, do you know how worried I am?”

"Fortunately, after so many years together, I still understand you well enough. Sure enough, you returned to your hometown."

He paused for a moment, then continued:

“Remember the time we argued in college?”

“At that time, I also deliberately came here to find you, finally you Obediently follow me home."

“Thin Van, just like before, let's make up.”

I slightly lowered my eyes. That year, the argument ended in a bitter kiss that tasted like tears. At that time, in the midst of heartbroken tears, I saw Ky Thieu Bach running to find me, thinking I was meeting a god descending from the sky. I used to think that love is the most important treasure in life. But now, I no longer pay attention to this lowly love. I have more important things to worry about. Those things, compared to this small, weak feeling, are much more important. I curled my lips, my tone full of sarcasm:

"You said you want to make peace, but aren't you still in a constant mess with Lam Thien Nguyet?"

“Your mouth claims to be loyal, but your love is always three-sided, looking at it makes you feel nauseous.”

“Ky Thieu Bach, we can't go back anymore.”

“Look at the reality, we broke up.”

Ky Thieu Bach was stunned, took a few steps back, as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. Shock, confusion, pain— All those complex emotions were clearly visible on his face. Perhaps realizing his loss of control, he took a deep breath, trying to regain composure:

“I can explain Lam Thien Nguyet's story. At most, between me and her it's just a kissing relationship."

“I was just playing with her.”

“I find it new, just because her eyes are so pure, so similar to you before.”

“The high-end dress was torn by her, I bought a new one for you.”

“As long as you follow me back to Beijing, I can still help you become an A-list star.”

We looked at each other in silence. The silence lasted so long that it was almost suffocating. In the end, Ky Thieu Bach was the first to speak, his voice much colder:

“I've given in this much, isn't that enough?”

He narrowed his eyes, his tone was sharp, as if he was forcing me to the end:

“I ask one last time, Chu Thinh Van, do you want to come back to me?”

I definitely answer:

“No.”

Ky Thieu Bach laughed out of anger. He kept saying the words "Okay, okay." Then, he pulled something out of his pocket and forcefully thrust it into my hand:

“Chu Thinh Van, it's best not to regret!”

The driver opened the car door for him. He didn't even look back, walked straight into the car and left. I bent down to look at what was in my hand. An exquisite jewelry box. Slowly opening it, I saw a sparkling diamond ring inside, along with an old, slightly yellowed piece of paper. On it are neat lines, carefully written in each stroke:

“Thin Van, this is a letter from three years ago.”

“I decided a long time ago—I will be with you for the rest of my life.”

“I believe that three years later, we will still be in love.”

“So, I want to ask you now—are you willing to marry me?”

The light reflected from the diamond is too dazzling. I gently closed my eyes. Ky Thieu Bach, at the age of 18, loved me with sincerity and burning passion. It's just a pity that— That love cannot overcome time.

9

After a long period of quiet study in my hometown, I returned to Beijing to take the written exam of the provincial civil service exam. Because I prepared very carefully, so when I took the test, I felt extremely smooth and comfortable. Stepping out of the exam room, I had a feeling that this time I would get good results and could finally breathe a sigh of relief. While waiting for the exam results, I finally had some free time. I reviewed all my assets. I converted all unnecessary real estate and investments into cash. I only keep enough money for living expenses. The rest—I donated it all. The smiles of the children in the elementary school of hope touched me deeply. So, I also want to help more people. Thousands of years ago, Du Phu once exclaimed:

“How can there be tens of thousands of large houses to protect all the poor people in this world and make them happy?”

I know my capacity is limited, I cannot help all those struggling at the bottom of society escape poverty. But even so— I still want to hold the torch high in my hand, lighting a ray of hope.

10

The civil service exam journey is really very long. Even though I was quite confident with the written test, when I saw the results, I was still stunned - 147 points, more than a dozen points higher than the second place person. However, I don't dare to be negligent. Because cases of being eliminated in the interview round still happen often. So, I signed up for a one-on-one training course with the instructor, focusing on interview practice for half a month. On the day of the interview, I was extremely lucky— The lottery question turned out to be about “targeted poverty alleviation.” After many days of practice, plus experience in field surveys in the village, I answered extremely fluently. The scores were announced on the spot— I was in the overwhelming lead, officially entering the health check! My mind is blank. It wasn't until I stepped out of the exam room that I gradually realized reality, then couldn't help but burst into joy— Oh my God! I! ALREADY! BEAN! ALREADY! After so much effort, finally the worthy result! My first instinct was to share this joy with someone. But suddenly I realized that not many people actually knew that I was taking the civil service exam. In the end, I just texted the good news to everyone in the village. The most excited person is Tieu Di. The girl sent a video, happily kissing the screen:

"I know! You're the best! You topped the exam, you're also number one in my heart!"

“Sister, Luc Du and I have made a lot of almond cakes ourselves, waiting for you to come home and celebrate with us!”

I couldn't help but smile, my eyes curled up with happiness:

"Okay! Wait for me to come home!"

11

The results of the health check were completely normal. The background check process also went smoothly. Now, we just have to wait for the official list to be announced. On the last day in Beijing, I suddenly remembered that there was something unfinished. The ring that Ky Thieu Bach left behind—I still haven't returned it to him. We are finished. It doesn't belong to me anymore. I returned to the villa. Initially, I just planned to put the ring in the mailbox in front of the door and then leave. But the door opened slightly. I hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pushed the door open. A strong smell of alcohol mixed with thick cigarette smoke immediately entered my nose. The living room was a mess full of empty wine bottles. The ashtray is also full to the point where it spilled out and cigarette butts were scattered all over the table. Ky Thieu Bach lay in that mess, still opening another bottle of wine. He heard a noise and slowly raised his head. Long time no see, he has changed a lot. So skinny that her cheeks are sunken. His beard and mustache were unkempt, and there was absolutely no trace of the gallant young man from before. Ky Thieu Bach smiled faintly, his eyes showing undisguised pride:

“Finally come back?”

His eyes fell on the ring box in my hand. His facial expression became even happier, the corners of his lips curled up confidently:

"Are you thinking clearly now? Finally willing to be my Mrs. Ky?"

"That's okay, wait until I get the household registration book, let's go register our marriage right away."

“Oh right, I don't look good like this, let me go change clothes…”

I interrupted him:

"Now you don't need a household registration book to get married, you don't need to go get it."

“Besides, I never intended to marry you.”

“I came back, just to return the ring to you.”