Chapter 24 — Pride And Scholarship

Three weeks after the surgery, Ms. Hanh was officially discharged from the hospital and returned to her small house in a familiar alley with her health having improved significantly. No longer having to undergo periodic dialysis full of pain and fatigue, she gradually regained her vitality, her skin was rosier, and her eyes were full of vitality compared to the previous months of illness.

"I don't know how to express this joy," Hoai An said, as he and his mother cleaned up the small house after a long absence of people, "seeing my mother healthy again, I feel like my whole world has been saved."

"Me too," Ms. Hanh replied, smiling, even though she still needed more time to fully recover, "it's all thanks to you, thanks to the kind friends who didn't hesitate to help me and my mother in the most difficult time."

Life gradually returns to its normal rhythm, although it brings with it many positive changes. Hoai An, now no longer has to worry too much about financial issues thanks to more stable support from the school and the growing success of her small business with Thao Nhi, and can spend more time studying and taking care of her mother.

The relationship between her and Bao Tran is also getting closer and closer, the two often meet outside of school hours, and together organize a small reading club that they have long cherished, attracting more classmates to join. Bao Tran also regularly visits Ms. Hanh, bringing fruits and chatting intimately like a family member.

“You are much better,” Bao Tran said, during a visit, looking at Ms. Hanh with affectionate eyes, “I'm glad to see you so happy and healthy.”

"Thank you," Ms. Hanh replied, patting Bao Tran's head the way she always did with her own daughter, "I consider you like my second daughter, Bao Tran."

Those words touched Bao Tran deeply. She had never received such simple, sincere love from a mother, even though she was not her biological mother. She realized that it was in this small, simple house that she found the warm family affection that she had always longed for but never really had in her own luxurious villa.

As for Minh Khoi, he still patiently accompanies Hoai An every step of the way, without putting any pressure on their relationship, even though the feelings between the two have become deeper and deeper through each event they have experienced together. He often visited, helped with housework, and even learned how to cook a few simple dishes to bring to Ms. Hanh during her recovery.

"Your cooking is getting better and better," Hoai An teased, as he tasted the soup Minh Khoi had just cooked, "I didn't expect a young master could be so proficient in the kitchen."

“I study because I want to take better care of the people I care about,” Minh Khoi replied, his eyes looking at her affectionately, causing Hoai An to blush at that obvious sincerity.

Ms. Hanh, watching from afar, could not hide her delicate smile at the sweet interaction between the two children. "You two are always like that," she teased, making both Hoai An and Minh Khoi blush, "when will you openly say your true feelings?"

“Mom,” Hoai An cried out, her face red, deliberately avoiding Minh Khoi's eyes.

Minh Khoi, although equally embarrassed, still maintained a calm smile. “You're right,” he said said, glancing at Hoai An, "maybe it's time for you to speak more clearly about your feelings."

Those words made the atmosphere in the small house become warm, somewhat confused but also full of happiness. Ms. Hanh, realizing the awkwardness of the two, cleverly found an excuse to retreat into the inner room so the two children could have privacy.

“What do you mean by that?” Hoai An asked, when there were only two people left, her voice was still a little shaky.

“I think,” Minh Khoi replied, moving closer to her, his voice turning serious, “after everything we've been through together, I want to officially ask you — do you want to be my lover, Hoai An?”

Hoai An's heart throbbed at this official, direct confession of love. Although the two have implicitly understood each other's feelings for a long time, this is the first time Minh Khoi has asked the question clearly, no longer being as open as before.

"I..." Hoai An stammered, her heart beating faster than ever, "I need to think for a moment, okay? Not because I don't have feelings for you, but because I want to make sure I'm ready for a serious relationship, while there are so many things to worry about — studies, family..."

"I understand," Minh Khoi replied, not showing any disappointment, just smiling gently, "I will wait, no matter how long it takes. I just want you to know, my feelings for you are real, not temporary."

Hoai An nodded, touched by his patience and understanding. “Thank you for always respecting my feelings and pace,” she said, “I promise, I will think seriously, and will give you an answer as soon as possible.”

Minh Khoi nodded and gently held her hand as a reassuring gesture. “No need to rush,” he said, “no matter what your answer is, I will always be here, to be your good friend, to support you in every situation.”

That sincerity and non-imposition made Hoai An appreciate Minh Khoi even more, and deep in her heart, she also began to have her own answer, but she just needed a little more time to mentally prepare before officially confessing it out loud.

That night, after Minh Khoi left, Hoai An called to confide in Thao Nhi, recounting the entire conversation. “I don't know how to answer,” she said, her voice still confused, “I really like Khoi, but I'm afraid, if we officially love each other, everything will become more complicated, especially when I also have to worry about my studies and my mother's health.”

"You're thinking too much," Thao Nhi laughed, "love is not a burden, but a motivation for you to try harder. Seeing how Khoi has always been by your side supporting you all the time, I believe, with him by your side, you will be stronger, not weaker."

"What you say makes sense," Hoai An admitted, sighing in relief, "I think, I need a few more days to organize my thoughts, but I believe, my answer will be yes."

“So what are you waiting for,” Thao Nhi urged, her voice filled with excitement, “don't let him wait too long, poor thing.”

Hoai An laughed at her best friend's teasing, feeling much lighter after the conversation. She looked out the window, the moonlight tonight was especially bright, like a good omen for the important decisions she was about to make in the coming days, marking a new turning point in her life. Her meaningful journey to adulthood at this Royal School.

The next morning, when she got to school, Hoai An told Bao Tran the whole story during recess, her voice still a little embarrassed. “What do you think I should do?” she asked, seeking advice from her new best friend.

"What else do you have to ask?" Bao Tran smiled, gently nudging her friend's shoulder, "looking at the way you tell the story, the way your eyes light up, you already know the answer. Don't let invisible fear stop you from finding your own happiness."

“You sound exactly like Thao Nhi,” Hoai An laughed, “it seems like both of my close friends are working together to urge me to accept.”

"Because we all see clearly how well-matched you and Khoi are," Bao Tran replied, her eyes full of sincerity, "you deserve to have a beautiful love, after everything you've been through and sacrificed for your family and for the people around you."

Sincere encouragement from both close friends made Hoai An feel more confident. She decided that this afternoon, when Minh Khoi stopped by as usual, she would officially give an answer to the confession that she had been secretly waiting for for a long time, even though she had never dared to admit it clearly until now.

That whole day, Hoai An could not fully concentrate on the lecture, her mind kept thinking about how she would say her answer in the most complete and meaningful way. She remembered every moment she experienced with Minh Khoi - from the first day of sitting next to each other filled with confusion, to the times he silently supported her through difficulties, to even the moments when the two of them shared the simplest dreams and ambitions together.

After school, when he walked out the school gate, Hoai An saw Minh Khoi already waiting as usual, a familiar warm smile appeared on his face when he saw her. Her heart was pounding, but this time, it was no longer nervousness, but a feeling of excitement, looking forward to saying what she really felt.

“Do you have time?” Hoai An asked, her voice was a bit shaky but full of determination, "I have something to tell you."

“Of course,” Minh Khoi replied, his eyes shone with a ray of hope, perhaps he also had a premonition of what was about to happen.

The two of them walked together to a small park near the school, a quiet place, suitable for such an important conversation. Hoai An stopped, turned to look straight into Minh Khoi's eyes, took a deep breath before speaking.