Chapter 4 — Little Grass Under The Sun

Having finished speaking, she also found this reason forced, holding her book and walking as if running away to the corner of the hallway. Leaving only a sweet, faint scent of gardenia. I held the incense stick tightly, the edges of the precious stone painfully etched into my palm. Tears without warning, large drops fell one after another into the sparkling eyes of the lino embroidered on brocade. It's annoying. It's been less than ten days since I've been in the library, and I've shed more tears than the past ten years combined. Apparently, before, when Lam Dai Dung beat me, I had never cried this much. What's wrong now?

07

The days go by, we no longer have to worry about tuition fees. The incense burner that To Van Nguyet gave me was filled with scraps of silver. If I saved a little, it would be enough to last me a few years. I found a small notebook and meticulously recorded every penny I spent each time. When I reach puberty and find a job, I will definitely repay you not a penny. Giang Lam Phong won't come to cause trouble for me anymore. But there's always more food appearing on our table for no reason. This time, change to brand new, clean food containers. One time I deliberately arrived very early, hid behind the hallway pillar, and saw Giang Lam Phong and Trieu Vien secretly placing things on my seat.

“The temple is full of snail juice, I don't know how she swallowed it.” "This bowl is a delicious kitchen medicine I recently researched. It's extremely brain-boosting." “And this bowl, every night she stays up studying until late, this dish is the most nutritious.” "This nourishes the blood. She is as thin as a hungry ghost... the other day I saw on her wrist... well, a long old scar, just looking at it hurts." "Phong brother, tell me that scar... is it really from a dog bite?" "Close your mouth. Quickly put your things down and leave, don't let anyone see."

While they were talking, a small mountain had formed on my narrow table. I didn't dare step out to face them. I just waited until the footsteps disappeared before I tiptoed back to my seat. I have nothing to repay. I had no choice but to take the exam paper that Tan Tri Lam had marked with a red pen and do it diligently. But the left chest seemed to be slowly filled by something warm and soft, so full that it was swollen and stinging. I have nothing other than my body to repay. I only have this pen in my hand. We must thoroughly solve each of these problems. We have to chew every word in the book and then swallow it to our soul. I must win the throne, enter the Quoc Tu Giam, become a female mandarin, so that I can... not disappoint these stolen warmth.

08

Very quickly it was the year-end exam period, and I was actually at the top of the table. Tan Tri Lam jumped up from his seat, opened his arms and hugged me, his clear voice could not hide his joy: "It was I who taught you! From the position of second place, straight to the top! It was I who taught you!" She was even happier than winning first place, her bright eyes seemed to contain thousands of stars.

“Quiet! This is not a market!”

The teacher slammed the ruler on the table, his eyes as sharp as a knife glanced at me, "Some students, don't be arrogant because of a little progress." The smile on Tan Tri Lam's lips suddenly disappeared and became cold. She let go of me, conveniently picked up the Khac Ti brocade bag on the table, and threw it straight out outside the window.

"Sir, my handbook fell, could you help me pick it up?"

Mr.'s face turned gray. Tan Tri Lam smiled: "It's for you." The man's face immediately changed, smiling brightly: "How could you do that... I'll go pick it up right now." Having finished speaking, he actually ran slowly downstairs to look for her. Tan Tri Lam pouted, pulled out another stack of exam papers: "Finally, it's quiet. Don't be arrogant, this is a sample exam I got from my husband. It must be completed in the next two days." My heart warmed, I nodded vigorously, picked up the book and was about to put pen to paper. To Van Nguyet saw this and was surprised: "He just won the prize, can't you leave him alone for a while? Let him rest a bit, can't he have a cup of tea to relax?" Tan Tri Lam pressed his hand on the stack of papers: "To Van Nguyet, do you think everyone is like you, can you make a vase of flowers without worrying about it?" To Van Nguyet's cheeks turned red: "Who are you calling a vase! I've already passed the Dich Quan exam and will study abroad next year. Are you saying I'm a vase?" I quickly stood up to intervene: "Actually... I can drink tea and do homework at the same time." To Van Nguyet was so angry that she laughed and glared at me.

"Okay, then I'll ask someone to bring some breakfast, tea and cakes from Bao Quang Trai. Coincidentally, this year there is a New Year's gift box, consider it a celebration for you winning first place."

Trieu Vien quickly joined in the fun: "That's great! Then I'll tell someone to bring egg oa (hot pot)." Tan Tri Lam was also infected by this atmosphere, and finally had to give in: "I can only give you a day off. I'll call the chef in the palace who specializes in baking, so you can taste delicious food." That was the first time in my life, perhaps the only time - a year-end party so bustling, warm and filled with the aroma of food. In the classroom, exquisite, painting-like breakfast dishes and steaming hot pots coexist in a strange way. The chef wearing a white shirt skillfully flipped the rib grill on the makeshift stove, the fat sizzled, and the aroma spread in all directions. The twins laughed loudly, even the always serious person like Tan Tri Lam secretly tasted a piece of glitter cake on To Van Nguyet's plate. I ate the sheep's stomach that Trieu Vien helped me dip, listened to To Van Nguyet grumble about the cumbersome procedures when preparing to go to the beach, and watched Giang Lam Phong not far away quietly pick up the cooked beef into my bowl. There are a few moments when we almost forget who we are and where we come from.