Chapter 13 — My adopted sister stole the direct admission, I flew directly to Harvard

That moment… They finally truly understood. They have forever lost their biological daughter who was hated like trash by their own hands. That dramatic scene was quickly filmed by several Chinese international students at the school and transmitted back home.

"Shocked! Co Tinh Than's parents flew to Harvard to look for their daughter but were rejected at the gate, burst into tears on the spot!"

The media once again frantically reported and publicized the "late intimacy" they performed in public. But this time... Almost no one sympathized online. Just a lot of sarcasm left.

“If you know today, what do you need in the past?”

"It's worth it! Are you regretting it now? It's too late!"

“Love your daughter?”

“They are just regretting the money-making tree that they cut down with their own hands.”

At home, Co Nguyet Anh also saw pictures of her parents' struggles on the news. She looked at the brilliant Harvard gate separating her parents outside the screen, her heart filled with all kinds of emotions. She finally understood. The life she risked everything to take was just a fake dream from the beginning. As for her true happiness... It was long ago buried by her own greed and her parents' ignorance. That evening, I received the last text message from Co Chi Vien. Somehow, he found my new phone number. Very short message. There are only four words.

“I wish you happiness.”

I looked at that line for a long time. Then sighed softly and answered back with seven simple words.

“I am always very happy.”

After sending the message, I once again dragged this number to the block list. From then on... The mountains are high and the rivers are wide. Never see you again. I finally understand. A true home... Never the chains of blood. It's a place that nourishes the soul and gives us a sense of belonging. My family... In the vast future that I am about to step into. A few years later. At Harvard University's graduation ceremony. As a representative of graduating students, I stepped onto the podium with a perfect score rarely seen in the school's history. I wore a black bachelor's gown. Standing in front of tens of thousands of professors, students and guests from all over the world. Brilliant like light. My graduation speech told a story called:

“Choice” and “Rebirth”.

I don't mention my family. Don't mention those traumatic pasts. I'm just saying:

“We cannot choose where we are born.”

“But we always have the right to choose the path we want to take…”

“And choose what kind of person you want to become.”

“Don't let anyone else's definitions dictate your life.”

“Your future…”

“It's only in your own hands.”

The applause from the stands rang out like thunder. After graduating, I refused a high salary offer from Wall Street. Instead, I chose a field that I really loved, joining the most advanced artificial intelligence research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — MIT. I quickly established my position in the academic world. Become one of the famous experts in your field. A truly brilliant star. Later, I anonymously wrote down my experiences into an autobiography called "Escape from the Chains". That book has inspired countless young people struggling in their original family tragedy. Let them see hope. See the power. I gradually became a guiding light in the hearts of many people. As for Co Nguyet Anh... Later I only heard a few bits of news about her. After many years of psychological treatment, she finally gradually returned to stability. Found a normal office job. Marry a normal man. Living a boring, ordinary life. Just heard... She never smiled again. The vanity and unwillingness of that year were like scars that would never heal, deeply engraved into her soul. Making her unable to escape the shadow of her past all her life. As for my parents... After the double shock of career and fame, old age is extremely dreary. They carried a pile of debt, relied on each other and lived the rest of their lives regretting and missing me. They never saw me again. I have financial freedom. There is also true spiritual freedom. I own my own vast sky and a rich life that I never dared to think about before. I learned how to love myself. Learn how to recognize truly healthy love. Next to me also appears a partner who truly appreciates, respects and loves my very soul. When I look back... The injuries that once made me so painful that I didn't want to live anymore... I can now face them calmly. They don't destroy me. On the contrary, it becomes the toughest armor and sharpest weapon on the path to maturity. Makes me more resilient. More independence. Stronger. The ticket to Harvard that year... What was torn apart was not just Co Nguyet Anh's vain dream. But also heavy chains weighing on a girl's body. It was a rotten and suffocating relationship that imprisoned me for many years. Let me complete my own brilliant rebirth. A phoenix nirvana.