Chapter 17 — Medals Are Not For You

"For the past three years, every time I gave a public interview, I said that I tried to overcome my injury alone." “The interview time is limited, you can't do it every time…” “I don't mind.” I interrupted him. "You said you had overcome the dark abyss, and I also felt that you had indeed overcome it. You never mentioned me, and I also thought there was no need to compare between husband and wife." Luc Thua Da's hand holding the medal slowly lowered. “But after winning the championship, for the first time I publicly thanked someone, and that person was not you.” “Kieu Tranh…” “That's when I realized, it's not that you don't want to talk about the sacrifice of the person next to you.” I put the key on the table in my bag. “It's just that I don't remember you.” His face turned white little by little. “At that time you…” “It was too late.” I went to the door and pulled out the window. “I still have to practice tomorrow morning, go home early.” Luc Thua Da did not move. “Are you staying at the apartment tonight?” "Yes." “I came to take a look.” “Inconvenient.” “What's so inconvenient?” “There's only one bed.” He stared at me, as if he had just heard a wild story. “We are husband and wife.” “I know.” “So why can't you stay?” I grabbed the door handle without answering. He stared at me for a few seconds, then finally stuffed the medal back into his pocket. "Okay." Luc Thua Da walked past me and went out. Coming to the side of the car, he turned his head to look. “Kieu Tranh, I'll give you three days.” "What?" “Three days later, move home.” “I won't move back.” He opened the car door, his voice was very cold. “Then let me come and clean up.” After the car left, I stood quietly in front of the office door for a long time. The next morning, Tong Han sent me an application for urgent evaluation. Last night Luc Thua Da did not come home. At 2 a.m., he went alone to the base's strength room and practiced for another 40 minutes. At the last hard pull-up movement, he failed, the barbell slipped out of his hand. The right lower back muscle is tight. The club's medical team recommended stopping training for a week. But Luc Thua Da refused to stop practicing, requesting to still participate in the commercial challenge tournament three days later as usual. At the bottom of the application form was written: *[Rehabilitation doctor appointed by Luc Thua Da for consultation: Kieu Tranh.]* ### 7 The application for consultation was on my phone screen for five minutes. I didn't press the confirm button. Luc Thua Da has a right lower back strain, stopping training for a week is the most basic way to handle it. As long as the medical team follows the correct procedure, this matter does not require me to appear. The real trouble was his refusal to stop exercising. The commercial challenge tournament three days later was organized by the sponsor. The participating athletes were all famous tennis players who had retired or were currently competing. Wins and losses were not counted in the official achievements, but they had a large tournament fee. Luc Thua Da just won the championship, advertising posters were scattered everywhere. If he withdraws now, the sponsor will be disappointed, the club will have to compensate, and he himself will also be questioned about his physical performance. These issues are important enough. But a torn muscle should not be forced to bear the consequences. I returned the application, writing in the comments section: *[Based on the current test results, it is recommended to immediately stop weight-bearing and explosive strength exercises, and after completing the imaging test, a recovery plan will be provided by the club's medical team. I have terminated the group support service and do not accept the consultation appointment.]* Ten minutes later, Chu Khoi Son called. “Kieu Tranh, are you really not coming?” “The test results are already very clear.” “He doesn't listen to us.” Chu Khoi Son lowered his voice.