Chapter 4 — Reclaiming the Future

At that moment, Mr. Do knocked on the door. The teacher stood outside the door, holding a thick stack of documents in his hand. The teacher wore a simple white shirt and glasses, looking very peaceful, but with just one glance he could clearly see the chaos in the room. My mother leaned over to let the teacher in. “Teacher Do, I have to witness something funny.” Teacher Do looked at me. “Are you Nam Chi?” I nodded. The teacher immediately gave me the documents. “Your achievements are extremely excellent.” “The school's alumni association has confirmed that it will grant me a four-year scholarship.” "In addition, some businesses in the city also have rewards for new students. Your score qualifies for the highest level." The expression on Ha Man's face stiffened. My father held the medicine in his hand and forgot the needle. Teacher Do continued. “If you agree to enroll in our school, you basically don't need to worry about tuition and dormitory fees.” “Later there will also be a competition training program and introduction by instructors.” I clutched the stack of documents, my fingertips heated up. It turned out that I was not a burden that needed to be thrown away in the eyes of this family. Turns out I had my way. Ha Man's mother suddenly spoke in a shrill voice. “Who knows if it's real or fake?” “You guys teamed up to trick a pregnant woman, right?” Teacher Do frowned. My mother didn't argue with her. She just asked me. “Nam Chi, have you brought your papers yet?” I showed my ID and exam papers. Mom took it and gave it to Mr. Do. “Would you mind helping her check her documents first?” Just as Mr. Do was about to accept, my father suddenly raised his hand to stop him. "Wait." Everyone looked at him. Dad's face was gloomy, his voice was very low. “It's as big as registering a wish.” “A father like me hasn't nodded yet.” 05 As soon as my father said that, the last bit of anticipation in my heart cooled. I thought he was just weak. Just used to pushing all trouble towards me. But his hand blocking the papers made me understand that it wasn't that he hadn't thought clearly. But he thought too clearly. He knows who is easy to bully. Know who to sacrifice will have the least loss. My mother stared at him. “What do you need to nod about?” “He is eighteen years old.” “Life is not a cigarette in your mouth.” “If you want to put it out, put it out.” My father's face turned red. “Manh Ngoc Hoa, don't use words to oppress me.” “I am his father.” “Which school he registers in, whether he goes to school or not, of course I have the right to control it.” Teacher Do withdrew his hand, his voice still gentle. “Parents can give their opinions.” “But the students' own aspirations are the most important.” Ha Man's mother immediately intervened. "If you're an outsider, you should say less." "It's not your turn to manage our family matters yet." Teacher Do is not angry. The teacher just looked at me. “Nam Chi, what are your own thoughts?” I looked at the teacher, then at my mother. I heard my voice very clearly. “I want to go to college.” “I want to leave this place.” “I want to rely on my achievements to move forward.” Ha Man smiled coldly. “Sounds good.” “You left, what should I do with the child?” I asked her back. “When you got married, I was only in twelfth grade.” “When she was pregnant, I was still studying for exams.” “Why does your child hold me responsible?” When I asked her, Ha Man's face turned pale. Her mother was about to curse again. My mother directly placed the tape recorder on the table. “Just keep saying it.” “The more you curse, the more complete the evidence.” Ha Man's mother opened her mouth, but had to swallow her words. Ha Man's father said with a solemn face. “Master, please don't do everything in vain.” “Of course girls can go to school.” “But our Man Man family cannot bear resentment.” “Today we must explain the story of the house clearly.” My mother sat down and slowly opened the house loan agreement. “The answer is right here.” “The loan term is two years, the capital has three months left.” “But the sixth article of the agreement is very clear.” “During the rental period, do not use any form to threaten the homeowner or the homeowner's immediate relatives.” “Do not sublease, do not lie that you own it, do not request to transfer the name.” “In violation of any of these provisions, the landlord has the right to withdraw before the deadline.” My brother's face was completely white. “Mom, you can't treat me like that.” Mom looked at him. “Not mom

impossible.” “But what you guys did was so unsightly.” Ha Man jumped up. “So where am I?” Mom said. “You have your mother's house.” “Ly Khai has arms and legs.” “You can also rent the house yourself.” Ha Man's eyes turned red and she started clutching her stomach again. “I knew it right away.” “You just want to force me to death.” This time no one immediately helped her. Even my brother was frozen in place. Her acting is so masterful. So skilled that even the pain seems pre-scheduled. Ha Man's mother panicked and rushed to help her. “Man Man, don't be afraid.” “I will be the boss for you.” She turned her head and pointed at me. “It is this girl who makes the family uneasy.” “If it weren't for her insistence on going to college, would my daughter have to suffer this anger?” My mother's eyes turned cold. “Point at it again and try.” Ha Man's mother's fingers trembled, but finally they retracted. At that moment, my brother suddenly knelt and crawled to my mother's feet. “Mom, I was wrong.”