Chapter 12 — Pride And Scholarship

Although the team practice session brought a certain understanding between Hoai An and Bao Tran, the emotional wound from witnessing Minh Khoi publicly protect and express his feelings for Hoai An still smoldered in Bao Tran's heart, not easily relieved after just a few small gestures of conciliation.

That night, while sitting alone in her room, Bao Tran received a call from her mother, informing her of the plan to review the school's scholarship regulations at the upcoming board meeting. “I think,” Ms. Kim Ngan said over the phone, her voice full of calculation, “this year we should tighten the criteria for maintaining scholarships, ensuring output quality commensurate with the school's reputation.”

Bao Tran listened silently, a conflicting feeling arose in her heart. A part of her understood clearly that this was clearly a move aimed directly at Hoai An, even though her mother did not say it directly. But on the other hand, the feelings of jealousy and hurt were still intact from the past few days, making her not brave enough to speak out against it.

“What do you think?” Mrs. Kim Ngan asked, her voice searching.

"I think... it's reasonable," Bao Tran replied, her voice somewhat hesitant, even though she didn't completely agree with this decision.

A few days later, an official notice from the board of directors was sent to all teachers, requesting a review of the conditions for maintaining the scholarship, adding stricter criteria on training scores, extracurricular activities, and especially regulations limiting overtime work outside of school hours for students receiving full scholarships.

This news made Hoai An confused when her homeroom teacher called her up to discuss privately. “The new regulations require scholarship students not to work more than ten hours a week,” the teacher explained, her voice also somewhat apologetic, “while my current schedule is much beyond that number.”

Hoai An felt like the ground under his feet was collapsing. "But ma'am," she said, her voice shaking with worry, "if I don't work part-time, I won't have enough money to cover my mother's living expenses and hospital bills. The scholarship only waives tuition, there are many other expenses I still have to take care of myself."

"I understand your situation," the teacher replied, her voice filled with sympathy, "but the new regulations have been approved by the board of directors, I have no authority to change them. You need to find a way to adjust the timetable, or apply for consideration of special circumstances to the school board."

Leaving the teacher's room, Hoai An felt an unprecedented surge of helplessness. She clearly understood that this was not simply a normal reform regulation, but was most likely a deliberate attack, aimed directly at her unique situation - the only thing that made her different from the majority of other students in the school.

She immediately found Minh Khoi and recounted the entire situation, her voice unable to hide the panic. “I don't know what to do,” she said, “if I don't get a part-time job, I won't be able to make ends meet, but if I violate the rules, I could lose my scholarship.”

Minh Khoi held her hand, his eyes full of determination. “We will find a solution,” he said, his voice firm, “I will help you prepare an application for special case review, and find out whether this regulation is really fair and correct. Are not."

That night, Hoai An called her mother to confide in her over the phone from the hospital, her voice could not hide the worry. After listening, Ms. Hanh was silent for a long time before speaking, her voice lowered. “Son, is it because of you that this happened?”

“I don't know, Mom,” Hoai An replied, her voice choked up, “but I feel like this rule was born at the right time, right after I joined the Olympic team with Bao Tran, it doesn't seem like a coincidence.”

“I believe you will find a solution,” Ms. Hanh said, trying to keep her voice steady even though her heart was full of worry, “but if you really can't continue studying and working according to the new regulations, don't hesitate to tell me. Mom will find a way to manage, no matter how difficult it is.”

“I don't want mom to have to bear any more pressure,” Hoai An said, tears starting to flow, “Mom is sick, I don't want to make her worry any more about me.”

“You are my child,” Ms. Hanh replied, her voice filled with determination despite her weakness, “your story is also my story. We will get through it together, as we have always done over the years.”

The call ended in tears for both mother and daughter, but it also left a warmth in Hoai An's heart, giving her strength to face this new and difficult challenge. She understands that no matter how difficult the road ahead is, she is not alone, with her mother, Minh Khoi, and sincere friends who are always ready to stand by her side in every situation.

The next day, Minh Khoi and Hoai An went to see Mr. Quang to ask for advice on the process of applying for special case approval. Teacher Quang, after listening to the presentation, frowned and thought for a long time.

“This new regulation is really quite unusual,” the teacher said, his voice thoughtful, “usually major changes to scholarship policies need to be announced in advance of the semester, not suddenly issued in the middle of it like that. I will learn more about the process through this decision.”

“Do you think someone intentionally influenced you?” Hoai An asked, her voice hesitant, not wanting to make unfounded accusations.

“I don't dare to say for sure,” Mr. Quang replied, careful in every word, “but you should prepare your application for special case review very carefully, clearly stating your family situation, academic achievements, and your contribution to the school's upcoming Olympic team. Those will be solid grounds to protect your rights."

Hoai An nodded, feeling somewhat more secure with the dedicated support of Mr. Quang. She and Minh Khoi spent the whole afternoon drafting the application, listing in detail every achievement and every effort she had made since the day she enrolled, along with specific evidence of her family's difficult circumstances.

“Thank you for always being there to help me,” Hoai An said, as they finished the application late in the afternoon, her voice filled with gratitude.

“No need to thank me,” Minh Khoi replied, smiling, “I'm just doing what someone who cares about you should do. We will overcome this challenge together, I believe that for sure.”

Meanwhile, in another corner of the school, Lan Phuong was also busy collecting signatures from other students, silently drafting a petition to send to the board of directors, expressing support for Hoai An and expressing concerns about the nature of the school. The fairness of the new regulations issued too suddenly.

"I think, if there are many voices speaking together, perhaps the school board will review it more carefully," Lan Phuong explained to the students she lobbied to sign, "Hoai An deserves to be treated fairly, a vague regulation should not be allowed to deprive her of the opportunity to study."

Many students, moved by Hoai An's story of strength, enthusiastically signed in support, some even voluntarily wrote positive comments about her learning spirit and sincerity during the past time.

That night, when Lan Phuong informed Hoai An of the petition, she couldn't help but be moved by this unexpected support. “I didn't expect so many people to be willing to stand up for me,” she said, her voice choked up.

"You deserve it," Lan Phuong replied, "after everything you've been through, everyone can clearly see that you are a person of great strength and good character. We are just doing what we need to do to protect a precious friend."

The sincere support from friends, teachers, and even the people she loves makes Hoai An feel more empowered to face the challenges ahead, although she still cannot completely dispel her worries about the final result of the special case review application that she is about to present to the school board.

That night, before going to bed, Hoai An opened the notebook and wrote a new line: "No matter how unfair the world is, there are always good people willing to stand up for what is right. I will not be alone on this journey." She closed the notebook, closed her eyes, praying for a good result to come to her in the coming days, when the fate of the precious scholarship was hanging in the balance, waiting for the final decision from the powerful people in this noble school, a decision that she knew would deeply affect both her and her mother's future of study and life.