Chapter 5 — The Call from Another Me

Chu Than and Trinh Oanh arrived together, strolling side by side into the school courtyard, laughing and chatting as they walked. They only fell silent the moment their eyes landed on me. Chu Than’s gaze lingered on my face, his lips parting slightly as if he intended to say something, but I immediately turned my head away to avoid him. After a long-winded speech, the time came to announce the university acceptance results for the top ten students in our grade. Following custom, each student had to ascend the stage, log into their personal account, and allow the principal to announce the outcome to the entire school. Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Trinh Oanh was the first to open her account.

"Shudu University."

It was exactly the choice she had registered for earlier. Although she had to compromise on her preferred major, it was still a prestigious project 211 institution. She lifted her chin slightly, habitually turning to take my hand, but upon meeting my cold, indifferent eyes, she awkwardly withdrew her arm. Chu Than went next, and his result was the same university. The two exchanged a knowing look. Everything had gone exactly as they had anticipated. The principal continued his speech, rambling on at length about my performance and achievements during my time at the school.

"As Shen Thanh’s teacher, I am immensely proud to have nurtured the only student from this graduating class to be accepted into the elite Thanh Bac University."

As Chu Than stepped down from the stage, he hesitated for a moment before walking toward me. "Little Thanh, let me be the first to congratulate you." I did not respond, yet he continued to speak, "You have always been exceptional all these years. I have been following in your footsteps for such a long time. I think, starting from today, I will finally no longer need to just watch your back from behind."

"What happened before was truly just a misunderstanding. I know you aren't ready to pay attention to me yet, but rest assured, no matter what today's outcome brings, I will always be by your side. I will always take care of you. You haven't forgotten, have you? We once promised to marry after graduating from college."

His voice was dripping with sincerity, and the deep affection in his eyes appeared entirely genuine. Trinh Oanh also approached, leaning in with a pitiful expression. "Little Thanh, if you won't pay attention to him, you must at least pay attention to me. How could a man ever be more important than your best friend? I am the one who will be by your side for a lifetime."

I raised my eyes, looking at both of them, and gently brushed Chu Than’s hand off my shoulder. "There is no need." My tone was flat. Chu Than seemed about to say more, but the principal cleared his throat. "Next, we have the acceptance results for our top student, Shen Thanh. Please step onto the stage."

The entire courtyard went deathly silent. Every eye was fixed on me. I walked to the stage step by step and entered my credentials into the computer. Chu Than’s expression was even more tense and expectant than my own. Trinh Oanh wore a joyful smile, her lips curled, looking as if she were waiting to witness a grand spectacle. I slowly entered my password and clicked confirm. The results page appeared. The principal glanced at the screen, fell silent, and then stared several more times in utter disbelief.

Everyone was waiting. Chu Than, without a second thought, rushed onto the stage and reached out to hug me. "It’s okay, so what if it’s a vocational college? There is nothing to be ashamed of. Little Thanh, I told you, I will always be by your side. After graduation, we will be mar..."

His grand, moving declaration choked in his throat. The principal stared at him, confused. "Student Chu, what are you doing?"

I fixed a heavy gaze on Chu Than. He turned his head, our eyes locked. I raised an eyebrow and let out a soft laugh. "What is it? Are you surprised?"

The principal, uninterested in their antics, grabbed the microphone and announced to the students below, "Student Shen Thanh, Physics Department of Thanh Bac University." He added, "How ambitious. I was stunned just now; this is a field with a very high degree of difficulty. I hope that Student Shen Thanh can continue to pursue deep research in physics, shine brightly, and contribute to the field."

Applause thundered from the crowd. My classmates cheered loudly for me. Only two people stood as if every ounce of strength had been drained from their bodies. Chu Than stood frozen in place, his lips deathly pale. Trinh Oanh’s smile had stiffened on her face, crumbling bit by bit. They were at least smart enough to understand what had happened. I had no intention of letting them off easily. While I could not force them to face legal judgment, they would not escape the judgment of morality. I took the microphone from the principal, offered no speech, and simply pulled out my phone. I hit play on the recording.

"...not normal."

"Think about it, once the acceptance letters are released the day after tomorrow and she realizes she only got into a vocational college, imagine how devastated she will be."

"..."

"Exactly. Don't forget, when that time comes, I played a part in this too."

As the recording played, the faces of Chu Than and Trinh Oanh grew increasingly ghastly. Everyone wore an expression of shock, as if they had just heard something monstrous. Even the school administrators looked on in disbelief, unable to fathom that such a scheme had been orchestrated by two of their top students.