Chapter 15 — On the day of the university entrance exam, my parents forced me to take the blame for my sister

Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. I saw my grandmother's red eyes. But the smile on his face was full of pride. After the speech, my grandmother hugged me tightly.

“Little baby.”

“That's good.”

“Your life... is worth it.”

The bridge of my nose is stinging.

“Grandma, you must live to be a hundred years old.”

She laughed and gently hit me.

“Of course.”

“I still have to watch you get married.”

“Look at you becoming a big boss too.”

Luc Tram stood next to him and coughed lightly. Grandma immediately turned to look at him.

“This kid still has to wait in line.”

Luc Tram nodded seriously.

“I know.”

I laughed. After graduating, I did not join a large corporation. Also did not sign a contract with any media company. Some friends and I founded a community learning platform called: Chieu Chieu's Self-Study Room. Part of the course has a fee to maintain operations. One part is completely free for students in remote areas. The first self-study room was opened right next to the residential area where my grandmother lived. Its name is: Self-Study Room, Don't Plead Guilty Instead Tran Niem laughed as soon as he heard it.

“This guy is too strong.”

I smiled and replied:

“Easy to remember.”

Indeed, many people remember that name. Many years later. A reporter came to interview me.

“Lam Chieu, how do you view the events that year?”

I thought for a moment then answered:

“That is not a stain on my life.”

“Which was the turning point of my life.”

“Because from that day, I understood that…”

“I don't need to suffer for anyone else.”

“There's also no need to live anyone else's life.”

The reporter asked again:

“Do you still hate your parents?”

I was silent for a few seconds.

“Don't think about it often anymore.”

“Instead of spending time hating them...”

“I want to spend time with more deserving people.”

“For example, my grandmother.”

“For example, friends who trusted me.”

“For example, the children are trying to move forward.”

After the program airs. One of my sayings was captured by netizens and spread everywhere.

“Don't suffer for anyone else, don't live for anyone else's life.”

That saying became the signature of many people. My parents are getting old. Sometimes they still send me things. Sometimes it's a hometown specialty. Sometimes there are photos from childhood. I get specialties. But send back the photos. They no longer forced me to go home. Also no longer use the sentence:

“We are your parents.”

To bind me. They finally understood. There are relationships that cannot be mended if you want to heal them. There are children who do not always stay in the same place waiting for them to turn around. The year Lam Dao was released from prison. She sent me a letter. The envelope is very thick. I don't read. Burn it directly. Luc Tram asked:

“Aren't you curious what she wrote?”

I shook my head.

“At most it's just apologizing, complaining, asking for peace or continuing to blame.”

“It's not important at all.”

“In my story…”

“There is no more room for her.”

The fire slowly devoured each page. I watched them turn to ash. There are no more waves in my heart. It's like burning an old dream that should have ended a long time ago. Grandma sat on the balcony basking in the sun and called out:

“Little baby, let's eat!”

I turned my head. In the house, there is warm yellow light. Smell fragrant food. Luc Tram was carrying a bowl of soup out of the kitchen. Tran Niem sat in the living room, eagerly opening the package he had just received. Outside the window is the smoke and fire of a simple world. At that moment, I suddenly understood. This is the life I truly want. Not a landslide of revenge. Nor do I have to watch everyone kneel down and beg for my forgiveness. But one day. I can sit peacefully in the sun. No more fear of being abandoned. No more rushing to prove yourself worthy of love. There is also no longer having to pay the price for anyone's mistakes. I stepped forward. Hug your grandmother.

“I'm coming.”

She laughed and scolded:

"Even though you're this big, you're still acting like a baby."

I buried my face in her shoulder.

“No matter how old you are, you are still my little treasure.”

I also laughed. In this life, when the bell rang signaling the college entrance exam... I didn't leave the exam room. I completed my exam. Also rewrite your own life. From now on. My name is Lam Chieu. Chieu Chieu is like the sun and moon. Enlighten yourself.