Chapter 3 — Medals Are Not For You

When I got back to the hotel, there was still half a bottle of energy drink that Luc Thua Da had finished drinking before the match. The bottle cap was not screwed tightly, water leaked out and wet the paper underneath. That is the confirmation of the appointment to receive the marriage certificate. Three years ago, in the seventh month after his surgery, we were originally planning to get married. Invitations have been printed and the hall has been booked. For the first time, he left the walking aid to walk in front of me, put his hands on the edge of the bed and asked: "Doctor Kieu, when will I be able to wear leather shoes?" I told him to wait another half a year. He said: "Then the wedding will have to wait another half a year. I want to walk to pick you up myself." Then half a year turned into a year, a year turned into “after returning to the track”. We only went to register our marriage and never had a wedding. Every time it was mentioned, he said that when he regained the championship, he would give me both the gold medal and wedding ring. Last night, the gold medal had its place. I pulled out the confirmation paper and threw it in the trash. The card-swiped room door opened at twelve thirty at night. Luc Thua Da walked in carrying the strong smell of alcohol. He had clearly promised not to drink, but his collar had red wine stains on it. I'm sitting at my desk, cleaning up documents on my computer. He took off his coat and saw that his suitcase had been opened. “What are you doing?” “Pack up documents.” “We won't be returning to base until tomorrow.” “I'll go home first tomorrow morning.” Luc Thua Da threw the gold medal on the bed, the metal edge hit the bedside table, making a dull sound. “Kieu Tranh, have you made enough trouble?” I pulled out my portable hard drive. “I'm not messing around.” "Today is the finals, I just ran my best performance in the past three years. Everyone was happy for me, but I was already heavy from the time I was at the stadium, and when I got to the celebration party, I questioned the Communications Director in front of the sponsors." He pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. “Do you know how awkward it is for Phuong Kha?” “She used documents that were not authorized.” “I filmed those things, isn't it for your recovery?” "The treatment documents have a part from the patient and also a part from the therapist. If the Club wants to use it for a commercial documentary, it needs authorization from both parties." Luc Thua Da rubbed his eyebrows. "Okay, authorized. Tomorrow I'll ask the legal department to give you an additional copy." “I didn't sign.” His hand froze. "Why?" “They erased my name.” “The duration of the documentary is limited, it is not possible to introduce each person individually.” I closed the computer. "The treatment diary was written by me, the plan for each stage was created by me, and the entire original video was also filmed by me. Remove my name, and let a person who has just taken over the job for seven months recount the treatment process of three years ago. In return, do you find this introduction complete?" "Tong Han never stole my credit." “I didn't say she robbed either.” “So why are you upset with her?” I looked at Luc Thua Da. Before the celebration party ended, the club sent a few photos of the scene. One of them accidentally took a picture of Tong Han wearing the gold medal, while I sat in the back row looking towards them. Marketing accounts titled this photo: *[Champion dedicated the highest honor to the angel in white, his wife witnessed at the scene.]* In the comments section, someone praised me for my generosity. Some people also say that professional work must be left to professionals, and wives can only provide emotional value. I pushed the phone over. “Are you upset with her?” Luc Thua Da glanced and placed the phone face down on the table. "People on the internet talk nonsense, don't watch it."