Chapter 19 — Pride And Scholarship

A week after the Olympic victory, when the joyful atmosphere had subsided, Bao Tran became unusually quiet. Hoai An, now observant enough to notice this change, decided to proactively ask after class.

"What's wrong with you? I see you're not happy lately," Hoai An asked, when they both happened to stay late in class to complete group exercises.

Bao Tran hesitated for a long time, seemingly struggling internally between maintaining her familiar proud appearance and wanting to share. Finally, she sighed and put her pen down on the table. "My mother just announced," she said, her voice choking, "she planned for me to study business administration abroad after graduating, to prepare to inherit the corporation. I don't have the right to choose the major I really love."

“So what do you really want to learn?” Hoai An asked, her voice full of concern.

"I like literature," Bao Tran replied, her voice lowered as if she were confessing a difficult secret, "I dream of becoming a writer, or at least an editor for a certain publishing house. But my mother said, it's just an unrealistic hobby, it can't support myself, and it's not worthy of my family's position."

Hoai An listened and clearly felt the pain hidden behind the flashy, materialistic appearance that Bao Tran always showed in front of everyone. “Have you ever told your mother directly about your true desires?” she asked.

"I don't dare," Bao Tran shook her head, tears began to flow, something that rarely happened in front of others, "my mother sacrificed a lot to build the corporation after my father left. I don't want to disappoint her, even if it means I have to give up my own dream."

"I understand that feeling," Hoai An said, gently placing her hand on Bao Tran's shoulder, "but I think, a mother who truly loves her children will want to see her children happy, not simply achieving what she expects. Maybe you should try talking frankly with your mother, sharing your true feelings. Maybe she will understand and support you."

Bao Tran looked at Hoai An, her eyes filled with surprise at this deep understanding. “I didn't expect,” she said, her voice trembling, “that you, who have a much more difficult situation than me, could comfort me about such seemingly luxurious matters.”

"Everyone has their own difficulties," Hoai An replied, smiling gently, "I am materially poor, but I always have my mother by my side, and am always free to pursue my dreams, even if it is harder. And you, even though you have enough material resources, have to endure pressures and expectations that I have never experienced. None of us are completely lucky or unlucky, it's just that each of us faces different challenges."

Bao Tran wiped her tears and sat silently for a moment, letting those words sink deep into her mind. "You know," she said later, her voice calmer, "since I was little, I've never had anyone to confide in these things. The friends around me are full of people who care about status, about what I can bring to them, but don't really care about my true feelings."

“Now you have me,” Hoai An said, gently squeezing Bao Tran's hand, “even though our relationship didn't start off smoothly, I believe we can become real friends, if you want.”

Bao Tran looked at Hoai An, one A rare, sincere smile appeared on her lips. “I want,” she replied, her voice filled with sincerity, “to thank you, Hoai An, for not minding what I once did to you, and for being willing to listen to my feelings today.”

"Friends are to help each other overcome difficulties," Hoai An replied, smiling, "I believe, if you are brave enough to share your true dream with your mother, she will understand and respect your choice. Sometimes, adults also need time and opportunities to understand their children better."

“I'll try,” Bao Tran said, her voice filled with renewed determination, “thank you for giving me the courage to face this.”

The two sat for a while longer, talking about each other's dreams and ambitions, a sincere conversation that perhaps, if they hadn't gone through many challenges and misunderstandings over the past few months, they would never have had the opportunity to share together like that.

“What major do you want to study in the future?” Bao Tran asked, curious to know more about Hoai An's dream.

"I want to study medicine," Hoai An replied, her eyes shining with enthusiasm, "because my mother is sick, I witnessed too many difficulties that poor patients face. I want to become a doctor, so I can help people in the same situation as my mother and me."

“That dream is so meaningful,” Bao Tran said, her voice filled with admiration, “I believe you will become a good, dedicated doctor.”

"Thank you," Hoai An smiled, "And you, if you really pursue your literary dream, I believe you will also succeed. You have the talent of subtle observation and sharp expression, I think these are important qualities of a good writer."

Bao Tran smiled, touched by this sincere encouragement. “Thank you for believing in me,” she said, “I think, this is the first time someone actually supports my dreams, instead of just looking at what I 'should' do according to other people's expectations.”

It was late at night when the two left the classroom and walked out the school gate together in a warm, close atmosphere like never before. Tonight's sincere conversation has laid a solid foundation for a new friendship, a friendship built not on competition or jealousy, but on understanding and mutual respect between two girls who once stood at opposite ends of society.

On the way home, Hoai An texted Minh Khoi to recount the entire conversation. The tone of the message was full of surprise mixed with joy. "Can you believe it, I just had a profound conversation with Bao Tran. It turns out, behind that arrogant appearance is a lonely girl, struggling to find a way to live up to her own dreams."

"I'm not too surprised," Minh Khoi texted back, "I always believed, deep down, that Bao Tran was not a bad person, he just hadn't found anyone who truly understood him. You did a great job opening up to him."

"I'm glad that things are gradually getting better," Hoai An texted, a gentle smile appearing on her lips as she typed those words, "it feels like, after all the recent turmoil, everything is gradually finding balance."

"That's because you always know how to treat people kindly, even when they used to treat you badly," Minh Khoi replied, "that's what makes me admire you the most, Hoai An."

Reading that message, Hoai An felt his heart warmed strangely. She kept it put the phone in her pocket, walking in the golden sunset along the familiar road, filled with hope for a brighter future, not only for herself, but also for the people around her - people she never thought could become important friends and allies in this meaningful journey of maturity.

A few days later, Bao Tran decided to fulfill her promise to herself, finding a quiet evening to talk frankly with her mother about her dream of pursuing literature. She carefully prepared what she wanted to say, practicing in front of the mirror many times to have the courage to face a reaction that might not be what she expected from her authoritative mother.

“Mom,” she started, her voice shaking but steady, as they were having dinner, “I want to tell you about my real dream.”

Mrs. Kim Ngan looked up, somewhat surprised at the unusual seriousness in her daughter's voice. “Tell me,” she replied, putting down her chopsticks and listening.

Bao Tran took a deep breath, then began to share all her thoughts that she had hidden for many years - her love for literature, her dream of becoming a writer or editor, and her fear of living a life that was not her own just to satisfy other people's expectations. This was the first time, after many years of silence, that she dared to completely open her heart to her mother, not hiding anything.

Mrs. Kim Ngan listened in silence, her face flashing with many complex emotions, from surprise, to contemplation, and finally an emotion that she tried to hide. When Bao Tran finished her confession, the dining room was silent for a long time before she spoke, her voice no longer as stern as usual.

"I'm sorry," she said, causing Bao Tran to freeze with surprise, "I was so focused on preparing you to inherit the corporation that I forgot to ask you what you really wanted. I will think seriously about what you just shared."

Those words, although not yet a complete acceptance, also opened a new ray of hope for Bao Tran, an important step in the journey of finding understanding between mother and daughter, after many years of only communicating through cold expectations and pressure.