Chapter 3 — Pride And Scholarship

The following Monday, the homeroom teacher announced that a new transfer student would join class 10A2, and rearranged the seating to "be more suitable for group study". Hoai An, who was sitting alone at the back of the classroom, couldn't help but feel nervous when he heard his name being announced along with a strange name.

“Nguyen Hoai An, sit at the same table as Tran Minh Khoi,” the teacher said, pointing towards the third row of tables.

Hoai An looked up and observed his new friend - tall figure, handsome face but with a calm look, different from the usual ostentation of most students in the school. He wears a neat uniform but is not fussy, and does not wear any expensive accessories like many other friends.

“Hello,” Minh Khoi said, smiling warmly when Hoai An sat down next to him, “I'm Minh Khoi, I just transferred here from an international school in Da Nang.”

“Hello, I'm Hoai An,” she replied, somewhat cautiously after her unpleasant experiences with Bao Tran a few days ago.

The first class went quite smoothly, Minh Khoi proved to be approachable, often asking Hoai An about the lectures that he was not yet familiar with the new curriculum. Hoai An, although initially keeping his distance, gradually felt more comfortable with his tablemate's sincerity.

However, at recess, a small incident caused the relationship between the two to become awkward. Minh Khoi, while cleaning up his books, accidentally dropped a note on the ground. Hoai An, with her neat habit, bent down to pick it up, but before she could give it back, her eyes accidentally glanced at the content written on it - a series of phone numbers with the words "meet at 3 o'clock, about Nguyen Hoai An's scholarship".

“What is this?” Hoai An asked, her voice unable to hide her suspicion, handing the paper to Minh Khoi.

Minh Khoi was a bit confused when he received the paper back, making the doubt in Hoai An's heart even more obvious. “Ah, this... is just a personal matter,” he replied, his voice somewhat evasive.

“Is it a private matter related to my scholarship?” Hoai An asked directly, her eyes sharp, "What do you plan to do with that information?"

"It's not what you think," Minh Khoi quickly explained, but at that moment the class bell rang, interrupting the conversation, leaving Hoai An with only unresolved doubts for the rest of the class.

All afternoon, Hoai An couldn't concentrate on studying, her mind kept wandering around the question of why a new transfer student had information related to her scholarship, and why he seemed to avoid it when asked. She began to make up all kinds of theories in her head - could it be that Bao Tran asked this new friend to investigate information about her to find a way to bring her down?

After class, when the class was over, Minh Khoi proactively went to Hoai An, his face looking a little guilty. "I'm sorry for being vague just now," he said, "actually, my dad is acquainted with the principal of our school. He mentioned your case as a typical example of an excellent student overcoming difficulties. My dad was about to invite you to a small interview for his company's scholarship fund, for students with similar circumstances."

Hoai An was stunned by this unexpected explanation, the feeling of doubt in his heart gradually disappeared, replaced by embarrassment because he had over-interpreted. “I... I'm sorry for thinking badly of you,” she said, her voice somewhat awkward.

"It's okay," Minh Khoi smiled, waving his hand, "I understand, after what happened to Bao Tran, you're probably more wary of people around you. But I promise, I don't have any bad intentions."

Hoai An nodded, feeling relieved, but also surprised at his new friend's thoughtfulness. “Thank you for the information,” she said, “but I'm afraid I don't have much time to participate in the interview, I have to work part-time after school.”

“I understand,” Minh Khoi nodded, not showing any disdain like she was worried about, “but if you change your mind, just let me know, I will reschedule to suit you.”

That respect and understanding made Hoai An feel warm, different from what she had experienced with Bao Tran. She began to realize that not all rich students at this school were arrogant and looked down on others like she thought.

“Did you move from Da Nang to here alone?” Hoai An asked, as they both walked out the school gate, curious to learn more about his deskmate.

"Not really," Minh Khoi replied, "my father expanded his business to this city, and the whole family moved out with him. I'm a bit sad about having to leave my old friends, but I'm also excited to experience the new environment."

“You must know a lot of people here, I heard that your father even knows the principal,” Hoai An said, his voice a bit curious.

"I don't really know much," Minh Khoi smiled, somewhat embarrassed, "I've only been here for a few days, so I have to get used to it from the beginning. Besides, I don't like to rely on my parents' relationship to gain favor, I want to prove my abilities myself."

Those words made Hoai An suddenly look at Minh Khoi with different eyes, feeling the similarity of thoughts between the two, despite their completely different backgrounds. “I think so too,” she said, “I always want to prove myself with my own abilities, don't want anyone to look at me with pity.”

"I think," Minh Khoi said, looking at her with respectful eyes, "that is the most admirable thing about you. From the moment I heard my dad tell about your case, I already had a good impression, and now that I meet you in person, I'm even more impressed."

Hoai An blushed at that unexpected compliment and quickly changed the subject to hide her embarrassment. “Well, I have to go to work, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, be careful on the way home,” Minh Khoi said, waving goodbye, his eyes following Hoai An's figure disappearing behind the school gate with a concern whose origin he did not fully understand.

On the way to the coffee shop where she tutored an eighth grade student, Hoai An kept thinking about the conversation just now. She felt there was something different in the way Minh Khoi treated her — not the pity that some people often felt when they learned about her situation, but a true respect, placed on equal footing.

In the evening, when telling Thao Nhi about Minh Khoi over the phone, Hoai An's voice could not hide a bit of unusual excitement. "He's very nice and doesn't seem arrogant like the other rich kids in school."

"Oh," Thao Nhi drawled meaningfully, "listening to the tone of your story, I think there's something different. Do you have feelings for the guy at the table?"

"Are not "Nothing," Hoai An quickly denied, even though her face was red, "I was just telling a normal story."

“Yeah, it's normal,” Thao Nhi giggled, “but you told me so many details, from the way he talked to his eyes when saying goodbye. How can it be normal?

Hoai An was confused and didn't know how to respond, so she had to move on to something else to avoid her best friend's teasing. But deep inside, she could not deny that today's meeting with Minh Khoi had left a special impression on her, completely different from what she had expected when entering this strange aristocratic school.

At the same time, in his own room, Minh Khoi was also sitting in front of his desk, holding a pen and spinning but unable to focus on the pile of homework in front of him. The image of Hoai An with her determined eyes, the way she talked about wanting to prove herself through her abilities instead of relying on anyone, kept lingering in his mind.

His father, Mr. Tran Tuan, entered the room at the right time, saw his son absent-minded and immediately asked him. “What are you thinking with such a pensive face?”

“Nothing, Dad,” Minh Khoi replied, quickly regaining his normal expression, “I was just thinking about the scholarship student you mentioned. Today I was assigned to sit next to her."

“Is that so,” Mr. Tuan raised his eyebrows, looking interested, “I heard from the principal, that girl studied very well, her situation was pitiful, her mother was seriously ill but still tried to study and work part-time to help the family. Do whatever you can to help her, don't let difficult circumstances hinder such a talented person."

“I know, dad,” Minh Khoi nodded, thinking to himself, perhaps I not simply want to help because of my father's advice, but also because of something else, a hard-to-name attraction that has gradually arisen since that impressive first meeting.