Chapter 7 — Love Does Not Pass Inspection

But he also knew that he was wrong. If you're wrong, admit it. You can't say wrong is right because of pain. After I returned to the unit, the center posted a notice in the working group and public board: The content spread online was incomplete, comrade Tran Thanh Ninh did not participate in any acts of suppressing the accuser. The sister who had complained the most before, when she arrived at the counter, said in a low voice: "Girl, there was a misunderstanding before." I raised my head to look at her. "Have you brought enough documents?" She was stunned. "Brought enough." "Then let's do the procedures." She smiled shyly. I'm not saying it's okay. When people are scolded, no one asks a question of the truth. Now a slight misunderstanding has turned the page. Based on what? Luong Hieu started working as a hired laborer. Initially unloading goods at the express delivery point in town, then went to a training class in the district to work as an enrollment officer on the street. Every month he transfers money to my mother. Two hundred, three hundred, sometimes fifty. The note read: "Repay the Tran family's old debt." The first time my mother received it, she asked my father: "Will you return it?" "No return." "What about the love?" My father said: "The love has long since passed away." After Luong Duc Vuong was discharged from the hospital, he walked with a cane in the village. Passing by my door, he would stop for a moment. I want to call, but I don't dare. My mother didn't come out when she saw it. One time it rained and the roof of the Luong family's house leaked. Luong Duc Vuong stood in the rain, looking towards my house several times. My father sat in the main house, listening to the sound of rain, lighting a cigarette in his hand and then extinguishing it. In the end, he remained motionless. I know you're upset. But the most difficult thing for someone who is too good is not to help others. Which is not helping. 10 Thanh Minh next year, we went to the cemetery to visit my grandmother. My father brought a small package of soil. That is the land he dug next to his ancestors' graves. He sprinkled dirt next to the tombstone, his hands shaking violently. "Mom, my son didn't do well." "Let me roll over." My mother cried next to me. Tran Tieu Xuyen arranged the confetti neatly. I stood in the wind, looking at the photo on the tombstone. Grandma smiled very lightly. If you knew what Luong Hieu did later, would you regret leaving food for him? I think not. Grandma was soft-hearted all her life. She will only be heartbroken. On the way back to the village, the van passed by the Luong family's house. Luong Duc Vuong is sunbathing in front of the door. Seeing us, he stood up. Lips move. My father didn't stop the car. The car drove through that muddy road and onto the newly repaired cement road. Tran Tieu Xuyen suddenly said: "Mom, Dad, I've been accepted." My mother suddenly turned her head. "Which school?" "Provincial Transport Academy." He passed the phone over. The admission page lights up. My father stopped the car on the side of the road. He looked for a long time, his eyes reddening little by little. "Good." "Very good." That night, Luong Hieu sent me a text message. "Congratulations Tieu Xuyen." A few minutes later, he sent again: "Previous matter, sorry." I looked at the screen, but did not immediately respond. Then he only replied with two words: "Received." Two years later, Luong Hieu transferred the last payment to my mother. Note: "The old debt has been paid, please accept it." My mother turned over my grandmother's notebook. She crossed out every amount of money she could clearly calculate. Document fee. T.Medicine money. Car money. Extra tuition money. In the end, there are still many things that cannot be counted. A bowl of rice. A cotton shirt. The back ran to the hospital at midnight. Grandma's smile as she patted his head. Those things cannot be crossed out. My mother closed the book. "The payment has been completed." My father sat at the door, saying nothing. That day Luong Hieu returned to the village. He is darker than before, also thinner. Holding a bag of apples, standing outside my yard. "Uncle Tran, aunt." "I've paid all the money." My father came out and looked at him. "Received it." Luong Hieu's throat moved. "Can you go inside and light a stick of incense for Mrs. Tran?"

"My mother's face changed. I also looked at my father. The yard was silent for a long time. My father said: "No need." The light in Luong Hieu's eyes darkened. My father continued to say: "When she was alive, she loved you." "The things you did later, if I knew, she would be heartbroken." "Don't bother her anymore." Luong Hieu bowed his head. Tears fell to the ground. "I know." He placed the apple at the door. My father said: "Bring go." "My family doesn't accept." Luong Hieu bent down to pick up his bag. After a few steps, he suddenly turned around. "Uncle Tran." My father did not answer. Luong Hieu's voice was hoarse and intense. "From now on, I will not step on others again." My father looked at him. "That's your business." "Don't tell me." Luong Hieu nodded, turned and left. This time, his back was not straight. Nor did he intentionally stoop down pitifully. Like a normal person. Finally, I learned that life's path is not easy. Later, if there was an old person in the village who was seriously ill, Thieu Minh Le would proactively go to the house to talk about the policy first, contact the cemetery, and arrange a car. Someone said behind his back that Tran Thu Nghia was made a fuss by Luong Hieu, but he became the most rule-abiding person in the village.