Chapter 15 — The Path of Remembrance

When returning, Luc Uyen Dinh still smiled and told everyone: "The opponent is very strong, next time I will continue to try." Ms. Phuong consoled her that she was very good. The whole class applauded. But after school that day, in the bathroom, I overheard a conversation between Trieu Giai Giai and another girl. "In the past, Uyen Dinh participated in every competition but did not come first, so why did she only get second place this time?" “Was it influenced by To Niem Niem?” “What do you mean?” "Haven't you noticed? Since To Niem Niem arrived, Uyen Dinh has been distracted. Before, he devoted all his attention to studying, but now he is bothered by people from the countryside every day." "That's right. When To Niem Niem hadn't arrived yet, Uyen Dinh didn't have to worry much." "Moreover, don't you feel strange? To Niem Niem's achievements suddenly increased so quickly?" “You suspect she is cheating?” "I didn't say that. I just feel like going from thirty-two points to eighty-eight points in such a short time is too exaggerated." I don't speak up in the bathroom. Waiting for them to leave, I stepped out to wash my hands. My expression in the mirror was calm. Because I know this is just the beginning. Trieu Giai Giai spreading rumors has no effect. But what if Luc Uyen Dinh also pushed one more? What happened the next day proved my guess. During recess, Ms. Phuong called me to her office. "To Niem Niem, a friend reported that my performance in recent weeks' tests has improved abnormally." “Unusual?” “From thirty-two points to eighty-eight points, it took just over a month.” "Yes." “Can you explain?” I looked at Ms. Phuong. "Miss, in the past my performance was poor because I did not adapt to the exam format, not because I did not know how to do the test. Now I have adapted so my score has increased." “But some people have doubts.” “Which friend?” Ms. Phuong did not answer. “Miss, I can do one question right away, supervisor.” Ms. Phuong's eyebrows moved slightly. “Are you sure?” “Sure.” She took a final exam question from last semester from the drawer and placed it in front of me. “Give me forty minutes.” Forty minutes later, I submitted my assignment. Ms. Phuong graded on the spot. Math ninety-one points. She looked at the test paper and was silent for a long time. “To Niem Niem, your solution method is not exactly like the textbook.” "I'm self-taught, the method is of my own devising." “But the answers are all correct.” "Yes." “Furthermore, the solutions to the two questions are more concise than the standard answer.” She was silent again for a moment. "Okay, go home. This won't happen again." I stood up and walked to the door. “Miss.” "YES?" “Can you tell me who said I cheated?” Ms. Phuong hesitated a bit. “It's not a specific person, but… the situation is reflected.” I don't ask anymore. Leaving the office, Luc Uyen Dinh just walked from the beginning of the hallway. Seeing me walk out of the office, something flashed across her face. “Nien Niem, are you coming to find Ms. Phuong?” “Miss Phuong is looking for me.” "What is up?" “Some people feel that my achievements are increasing too quickly and suspect that I am cheating.” Luc Uyen Dinh's expression changed. “Why would anyone think like that?” "I don't know. But Ms. Phuong told me to do one question right away, ninety-one points in math." I looked at her. “So, those who think I cheated can rest easy.” Luc Uyen Dinh did not answer. She stood there, still half-smiling on her face, but cracks had appeared on that smile. Not exposed by me. But it was never solid. Things didn't calm down because of that exam question. Or more accurately, it calms the waves on the surface, but the underground water flows faster below. Although he did not dare to openly mock me anymore, Trieu Giai Giai changed to another method. She started sharing "learning methods" in the class group, each time adding the sentence "those with a good background can refer to it". These words sounded neither painful nor itchy, but everyone knew what she was implying. Lam Tieu Ha took a screenshot and sent it to me. “Look at the way she insinuates this.” “Just let her talk.” “Aren't you angry at all?” "What's the use now? The test scores are still there." Lam Tieu Ha pushed her glasses. “You have changed.” “Change where?” “When I first arrived, c

You look like a taciturn donkey. Now you're like a donkey who knows where he wants to go.” I glared at her. “You are the fool.” She laughed. That weekend, grandmother came to Luc's house to eat. This time it was more crowded than before, because the family of Luc's father's younger brother, Luc Chan Minh, also came. Luc Chan Minh is Luc's father's younger brother, doing business in construction materials in the provincial capital. His daughter, Luc Tu Tu, is one year older than me, in sixth grade, and is the type of person who grew up with Luc Uyen Dinh since childhood. Luc Tu Tu resembles his father, has a square face, big eyes, and talks very loudly. The first thing after entering the door is to rush to hug Luc Uyen Dinh's neck. “Miss Uyen Dinh! I miss you so much!” Then she saw me. “Is this the person who was transferred back there?” Luc Chan Minh coughed behind him. “Tu Tu, pay attention to what you say.” Luc Tu Tu evaluated me from top to bottom. “Looks pretty solid.” This description makes me not know whether to say thank you or punch her.