Chapter 10 — Reborn On The Night Of Fraud

Khuong Mien Mien pressed the letter to her chest, crying and laughing at the same time. This wooden guy, even confessing his love is so awkward! What is “if you don't come, I understand”?! How could she not go?!

“Mien Mien?”

Her mother pushed the door in, her eyes red:

“Do you really want to go to Beijing?”

At this time, Khuong Mien Mien discovered that the letter had been wrinkled and the contents were revealed.

“Mom…”

“Go away.”

Her mother suddenly hugged her daughter:

“The boy's eyes looked at me, I saw it all.”

Khuong Mien Mien was stunned:

“Mom… don't object?”

“Protest against what?”

Her father stood outside the door, smoking a pipe, his voice muffled:

“That boy came this morning, knelt down and asked us to agree to marry him.”

“What?!”

Khuong Mien Mien rolled her eyes.

“He also gave this.”

Her father took out a piece of paper - it was the old contract, but the content above had been crossed out, replaced by a "Marriage application", with Trinh Du's signature and red fingerprints.

“It said…”

Her father's voice choked,

“Once upon a time, his father was forced to sign a contract,

And today — he voluntarily printed his fingerprints.” Khuong Mien Mien's tears flowed like a stream again. Early the next morning, the whole village came out to see Trinh Du off. He wore a brand new white shirt and black pants, standing as tall as a birch tree. The villagers gathered around to ask questions, but still looked like they wanted to chase and kill like before? Khuong Mien Mien stood at the end of the crowd, not moving forward. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would cry. Trinh Du looked through the crowd and saw her exactly. The two looked at each other, saying nothing.

“Tieu Du, it's time.”

Trinh Hoai Le reminded. Trinh Du nodded, looked at Khuong Mien Mien for the last time, then turned and got into the Jeep. When the car started, Khuong Mien Mien finally couldn't hold back and ran after shouting:

“Trinh Du!”

The car window rolled down, Trinh Du stuck his head out:

“Huh?”

“I…”

She gasped, thousands of words choked in her throat, and finally only one sentence came out:

“I'll be there in three days!”

Trinh Du's eyes lit up immediately. He quickly produced an object from the car door — it was that boxwood comb.

“Wait for me.”

After he said those two words, the car sped away. Khuong Mien Mien stood still, watching the dust stirred up by the Jeep gradually disappear, then lowered her head to look at the comb in her hand. There were still a few long strands of hair stuck between the teeth of the comb - it was obvious that Trinh Du left them on purpose. This name... is truly "shady" beyond words! Three days later, at Beijing Railway Station. Khuong Mien Mien carried a heavy luggage bag and looked around for the exit. She wore a brand new floral dress and her hair was carefully combed with the comb Trinh Du gave her. But after more than twenty hours on the train, her whole body was still dirty and her hair was messy.

“Young lady, are you waiting for someone?”

An aunt wearing a red armband asked.

“Yes!”

Khuong Mien Mien nodded,

"I'm looking for Trinh Du, he must be tall and outstanding..."

The aunt suddenly burst out laughing:

"Oh! Is he Professor Trinh's son? He came before dawn and sat on that bench all night!"

Khuong Mien Mien looked in the direction she pointed - Trinh Du was leaning on the couch, dozing. The white shirt on his body was wrinkled, the dark circles under his eyes were heavy. In his arms, he clutched a piece of paper, scribbled with a pen on it hair: 【Welcoming Comrade Khuong Mien Mien】 Khuong Mien Mien's nose was stinging and she quietly walked over.

“Trinh Du.”

She called softly. The man immediately woke up, his eyes lit up when he saw her.

“I'm here.”

He stood up, his voice hoarse.

“Yes.”

Khuong Mien Mien blushed and nodded.

“I'm here.”

Trinh Du took the luggage from her hand, his other hand naturally held her hand:

“Let's go home.”

Those two simple words made Khuong Mien Mien's heart melt.

The "house" that Trinh Du mentioned is a two-story villa, in the yard there is a large pomegranate tree with bright red flowers.

“This is… your old house?”

Khuong Mien Mien asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

Trinh Du took out the key,

“My father bought it years ago.”

Pushing the door open and entering, Khuong Mien Mien was stunned - the house was clean without a speck of dust, the dining table was set with hot food, and a brand new calendar hung on the wall.

“You…”

She turned her head to look at Trinh Du,

“When did you prepare?”

“Yesterday.”

Trinh Du's ears turned red,

“I... am not good at cooking, so I asked aunt Vuong next door to help.”

Khuong Mien Mien's eyes accidentally looked down at the dining table - two sets of bright red bowls and chopsticks, the ends of the chopsticks were still tied with red thread - clearly the wedding chopsticks!

“Trinh Du…”

Her heart was pounding,

“This is me…”

Trinh Du didn't answer, just took out a piece of paper from his pocket - it was the 《Marriage Application》.

“Now,”

He looked at her seriously,

“Can I sign it yet?”

Khuong Mien Mien's eyes were stinging, she picked up a pen, and solemnly signed her name in the "Applicant" box. Trinh Du breathed a sigh of relief, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. He carefully folded the application and put it in his pocket, then suddenly — got down on one knee!

“Comrade Khuong Mien Mien.”

He was serious as if taking an oath:

“Are you willing to live with me, whether rich or poor, for the rest of your life?”

Khuong Mien Mien cried and laughed at the same time:

“Where did you learn this game?”

“In the movie 《October Lenin》.”

Trinh Du confessed,

“I see people do that in movies…”

Khuong Mien Mien jumped into his arms:

“I agree!”

Trinh Du hugged her so tightly that she could barely breathe. Three months later, at Peking University. In Economics class, a young lecturer is lecturing about market economic theory. Khuong Mien Mien sat at the back of the class, resting her chin on her hands, listening passionately.

“Friend Khuong.”

After class, the lecturer called her back,

“Your homework is excellent, are you interested in participating in the economic seminar next month?”

“Me?”

Khuong Mien Mien was surprised,

"I'm just an auditing student..."

“It's okay.”

Professor laughed:

"Your husband is Trinh Du, right? He's a star student in our department, I'm sure he's no less."

Khuong Mien Mien blushed and thanked her, hugged her book and walked out of the lecture hall. The gentle autumn sunlight makes people feel extremely relaxed. In front of the school gate, Trinh Du was leaning on his bicycle waiting for her. He wore a simple white shirt and black pants, but in a forest of gray and blue uniforms, he still stood out extremely well.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Khuong Mien Mien ran over.

“Just now.”

Trinh Du took her schoolbag and conveniently brushed her sideburns for her.

“What did you call me for, professor?”

Khuong Mien Mien told about the conference, Trinh Du's eyes lit up:

“I'll go with you.”

“No need!”

She smiled widely,

“You still had an experiment that day?”

Trinh Du frowned:

“What? know?"

“Because…”

Khuong Mien Mien playfully blinked,

“You are a reincarnated person!”

Trinh Du shook his head helplessly and gently pinched her nose:

“So adorable.”

Sunset fell, the two of them cycled home. Khuong Mien Mien hugged Trinh Du's waist, pressing her face against his broad back.

“Trinh Du.”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever said…”

She said softly,

"I'm so happy to be reborn and meet you."

Trinh Du's steering wheel shifted a bit.

“That said.”

His voice was low,

“But I don't mind listening a few more times.”

Khuong Mien Mien hugged him tighter. The breeze blew gently, the leaves of the corn on the side of the road rustled, as if bearing witness to this timeless love. And what Khuong Mien Mien didn't know was - In Trinh Du's breast pocket, he always kept two things: an old, yellowing contract, and a brand new marriage certificate. It is a wound during the dark years, and also a testament to the brilliant future ahead. END