Chapter 11 — The Mother Who Stole Her Dream

Ms. Lam took a deep breath.

“Go to the nearest physical room.”

The dean immediately took the key. We went upstairs together. My mother tried to chase after her but was stopped by security. She shouted from behind:

“Khuong Le, if you dare to jump today, don't enter the house again!”

I don't turn around. The two words "home" she has used for so many years. Before, I was afraid that I no longer had a home. Now I understand, there are some doors that have never opened for me. When the light in the gym turned on, my face appeared in the mirror. Very white. Also very skinny. But the eyes are clear. Ms. Lam put the phone up and adjusted the camera angle. Ha Minh Triet stood outside the camera, lowered his voice and said:

“Just a minute.”

“Don't try to make movements with too much amplitude.”

I nodded. Duong Duong squatted down and wrapped the bandage around my ankle. Her hands were still shaking.

“Khuong Le, if it hurts, you have to stop.”

I patted her head.

“Duong Duong.”

“After I finish dancing, take me out to eat meat.”

Her tears fell and were wiped away again.

“Eat the most expensive dish.”

Video begins recording. I held my ID and held it up to the camera.

“I am a student at the Dance Academy, Khuong Le.”

“I have never voluntarily given up the preliminary round of the City Dance Troupe.”

“The previous renunciation documents were not submitted by me.”

“I recommend reinstating pre-qualification status.”

After saying that, I put my ID aside. There is no music in the room. Only the sound of my own breathing. I backed away from the railing, my toes touching the ground, my arms raised. At the first movement, sharp pain shot through the ankle. I gritted my teeth and didn't stop. Press your legs, turn your body, bend your back, maintain balance. Each movement is a little slower than usual, but not chaotic. In the mirror, I saw myself like a person standing up from a bowl of cold white rice. No bright lights. But still alive. Still have to keep jumping forward. At fifty-nine seconds, I did my final one-legged balance. His ankles were soft and his body suddenly staggered. Duong Duong almost rushed over. I tried to stand firm. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Miss Lam shouted:

“That's enough!”

I lowered my legs, my whole body almost knelt to the ground. Duong Duong rushed to help me. When the video was sent successfully, the time was five hours and fifty-eight minutes. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But two minutes later, the City Dance Troupe office called back. Ms. Lam answered the phone, her face gradually darkened. The other end of the line said:

“Valid video.”

"But just now Manh Tinh also submitted a document."

“She used her real name to accuse Khuong Le of being malnourished for a long time and not in suitable physical condition to participate in the selection.”

12

Miss Lam held the phone tightly, her face cold as if covered with a layer of frost. Duong Duong was supporting me, his arms were still shaking.

“Will she stop?”

I gasped and didn't immediately say anything. The pain in my ankle gradually spread, like someone was driving a nail into the bone. But more obvious than the pain is the name Manh Tinh. She didn't suddenly have an idea. From the beginning, she was aiming for my position. The voice of the City Dance Troupe came from the phone.

“The denunciation document includes several photos.”

“There are pictures of her eating white rice in the cafeteria and also pictures of her being unsteady on her feet after practicing practice.”

Duong Duong raised his head.

“Unsteady on your feet after exercising?”

“Is there anyone who doesn't feel tired after practicing dancing?”

Miss Lam tried to suppress her anger.

“Khuong Le has just completed the confirmation video.”

“If there is a nutritional problem, the school will be responsible for explaining the cause.”

The opponent was silent for a moment.

“It's not that we can't be flexible.”

“But selection is related to health safety, a complaint with real names cannot be completely ignored.”

“Before six thirty, if the academy can submit a temporary assessment by the school medical office or an official medical facility, we will temporarily retain the status.”

Miss Lam immediately looked at the clock. Six o'clock and three minutes. She did not hesitate.

“Go to the school infirmary.”

Duong Duong put my backpack on and helped me go out. Ha Minh Triet followed next, his gait extremely steady. At the end of the hallway, my mother was still stopped by security. Seeing us coming out, she immediately screamed shrilly.

“It can't jump!”

“Don't hurt it!”

I stopped walking and looked at her.

"Now I know, are you afraid something will happen to me?"

My mother choked. I don't pay attention to her anymore. Arriving at the medical room, the doctor on duty listened to the situation, checked my ankle, measured my blood pressure and weight. When the weight number appeared, Duong Duong's tears almost fell. The doctor frowned.

“This diet is definitely not good.”

“Short-term physical strength will be affected, and wounds will recover more slowly.”

I nodded.

“I know.”

The doctor looked at Ms. Lam.

“But we can't just rely on that to conclude that she can't participate in the professional selection.”

“She needs to supplement nutrition, control exercise intensity and treat her ankle.”

“If the preliminary round does not require continuous high-intensity testing immediately, she can wear protective equipment to participate.”

Miss Lam immediately said:

“Please write clearly for us, doctor.”