Chapter 6 — Pride And Scholarship

On Wednesday first of the week, when Hoai An was in Chemistry class, the office worker knocked on the classroom door, announcing that she needed to go to the supervisor's office immediately. The whole class whispered and discussed, curious eyes focused on Hoai An as she nervously packed up her books and walked out of the classroom in extreme confusion.

In the supervisor's room, the vice principal and homeroom teacher were already sitting, looking serious. On the table is a printout of the anonymous post that Hoai An once saw on the school's social network, along with some comments marked in red.

"Sit down," the vice principal said, his voice serious, "the school has received some feedback regarding the transparency of your scholarship admission results. We need to clarify this issue."

Hoai An's heart was pounding, she tried to stay calm even though the feeling of injustice was rising strongly in her heart. "Teacher, I completely don't understand why there are such accusations. I took the scholarship exam purely on my own merit, without any relationship with the judges."

“We understand you may feel offended,” the homeroom teacher said, her voice a bit softer, trying to reassure, “but because this is an issue related to the school's reputation, we are forced to thoroughly investigate all reports, whether they are grounded or not.”

“Can you prove anything?” the vice principal asked, his eyes searching, "for example, the review process, or any evidence that your results are completely fair?"

Hoai An felt a surge of self-pity. He didn't expect that he would have to stand here to prove his innocence just because of baseless rumors. “I can provide all the notes and review materials I used in the months before the exam,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. “The teachers can also contact my old homeroom teacher in middle school to confirm my learning process.”

"Okay," the vice principal nodded and took notes, "we will conduct verification. During this time, you can continue studying normally, but the school will temporarily monitor more closely."

That last sentence, although expressed neutrally, still made Hoai An feel like she was being considered a suspect in a certain case, even though she was completely innocent. She left the supervision room with shaky legs, trying to hold back the tears of self-pity that were about to flow.

News that Hoai An was called to the supervisor's room quickly spread throughout the school that afternoon, accompanied by all kinds of different embellished versions. Some people sympathize and believe in her innocence; But many others believe even more in the rumors, saying that "there is no smoke without fire".

Minh Khoi, upon hearing the news, immediately found Hoai An after school, his face full of worry. "Are you okay? I heard you were called to the surveillance room."

“I'm fine,” Hoai An replied, her voice tired, “just a bit shocked at being so baselessly suspected of cheating.”

“Whoever is behind this definitely wants to bring you down,” Minh Khoi said, his voice filled with anger, “I will help you find the truth, I cannot let you suffer such injustice.”

Hoai An looked at him, touched by his sincerity and determination, although his heart was still filled with worries about whether the family's investigation process would be successful. Can the school exonerate her in time, before rumors can completely destroy the honor she has worked so hard to build?

“What are you going to do?” Hoai An asked, looking at Minh Khoi with both curious and worried eyes.

"I will talk to Mr. Quang, the teacher in charge of scholarship admission," Minh Khoi replied, "he is the one who directly graded your exam. There will definitely be transparent records of the grading process. If there is clear evidence, it will be easier to refute these baseless rumors."

“Thank you,” Hoai An said, her voice choked with emotion, “I didn't expect you to be so willing to help me so enthusiastically, even though we've only known each other for a short time.”

"I believe in you," Minh Khoi replied, his eyes sincere, "from what I've observed over the past few weeks, you're not the type to cheat. I can't stand by and watch you being treated unfairly like that."

That affirmation makes Hoai An feel warm in the midst of these turbulent days. She nodded and thanked Minh Khoi again before saying goodbye to go home, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart that, with the help of those who believed in her, the truth would eventually be revealed.

In the evening, when telling this story to her mother over the phone from the hospital, Ms. Hanh was silent for a long time before speaking, her voice full of sadness but no less determined. "Son, I know you are suffering unjustly, but I believe that upright people will eventually be vindicated. Keep your spirits up, don't let malicious rumors bring you down."

"I know mom," Hoai An replied, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to flow, "I will try to be strong and not let this affect my studies and my health."

Hanging up the phone, Hoai An sat quietly in the room, looking up at the ceiling, trying to sort out the confused thoughts in his head. She knows that the road ahead will still have many challenges, but she also believes that, with the support of those around her and her own integrity, she will be able to overcome this storm, the same way she has always resiliently overcome all difficulties throughout her life.

The next day at school, Lan Phuong came to Hoai An early in the morning, bringing remarkable news. "I heard some kids in the next class say that Diem Quynh is the manager of that anonymous posting account. I don't know if it's true, but I think you should know."

Hoai An was stunned by this information, the pieces gradually came together in her head - Diem Quynh, Bao Tran's close friend, who once intentionally collided with her in the hallway. “Do you have any proof?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was seething inside.

“There's no concrete evidence yet,” Lan Phuong shook her head, “it's just a rumor, but I think it's worth finding out more.”

Hoai An nodded, remembered this information, and told himself he would carefully observe more before making any hasty conclusions. She clearly understands that, without accurate evidence, making accusations to the contrary can make her situation even more disadvantageous, especially when her opponents are influential people in the school.

During recess, Minh Khoi came to Hoai An with a serious expression. “I talked to Mr. Quang,” he said, “and he confirmed that he kept it Full exam marking records, including exam room surveillance cameras. I will present to the school board to clarify the situation in the next few days."

“Thank you,” Hoai An said, feeling somewhat relieved by this positive news, “I hope everything will be cleared up soon.”

“I believe it will definitely be like that,” Minh Khoi affirmed, his eyes full of encouragement, “the truth always has a way to prove itself, it just sometimes takes a little more time.”

Meanwhile, in a hidden corner of the cafeteria, Bao Tran sat with Diem Quynh, her face clearly showing dissatisfaction. “You made it a bit obvious by posting that,” Bao Tran said, her voice lowered, “now someone is doubting you.”

“I just want to help you,” Diem Quynh replied, her voice somewhat resentful, “seeing that you were sad about losing the number one position, I thought if that girl was suspected of cheating, things would be easier for you.”

Bao Tran was silent for a moment, an indescribable feeling of conflict arose in her heart. Part of her felt pleased to see Hoai An in trouble, but another part felt uneasy at the undignified method her friend used. “Don't do anything else from now on,” she said, her voice stern, “if this gets exposed, it will affect me too.”

“Okay,” Diem Quynh nodded, even though she didn't fully understand her friend's sudden change in attitude.

Bao Tran looked into the distance, her eyes following Hoai An's figure sitting with Minh Khoi in another corner of the cafeteria, chatting happily and comfortably. A vague feeling of jealousy crept into her heart, not only because of her academic achievements, but also because of something else that she had not yet dared to admit to herself — the closeness that was gradually forming between Hoai An and Minh Khoi, whom her mother often mentioned as a potential relationship for the future of the family corporation.