Chapter 20 — The Path of Remembrance

She said “brighter”. Those three words made me feel for the first time that Luc Uyen Dinh was more than just an opponent. She is also someone who has lost her position. But empathy is empathy. I won't forget what she used to do. I remember all the small tricks, the times when I used someone else's hand to hurt me, and the daggers hidden behind the words "I don't know". Sympathizing with someone and forgiving someone are two different things. I spent three weeks preparing my work for the Provincial Youth Art Contest. The theme is “Life”. I drew something I've never drawn before. On the picture is a piece of land. The left side is dry and cracked. In the crack, a seed has just sprouted, green, weak but still hanging on top. On the right are the roots of an ancient tree, intertwined, strong and strong, buried deep into the ground. Between the seed and the old tree's roots there is a small underground water circuit. The top part of the painting is the sky, nothing at all, just a clean blue color. When seeing the finished version, Professor Tran stood in front of the painting for a long time. Longer than any time before. “This painting of mine…” “What's wrong?” "I don't draw a tree and a seed. I draw time." “I draw what I see.” “Where did you see it?” "On the mountain. Behind my yard there is an old walnut tree. Its roots are very large, exposed to the ground. Last fall, under the tree grew a small plant. Mom said it was wild bitter lettuce. It grew from the gap between the roots of the old tree. There is a small ditch underground that connects to the spring water on the mountain." “So this picture is the scene you saw with your own eyes?” "Almost like that. I added some imagination. The underground water line was drawn by me, in fact it cannot be seen underground." Professor Tran nodded. “Do you know where the most touching point of this painting is?” “Where?” "In that the seed and the old tree are not opposites. They share the same water source. One is growing, the other is supporting. But they do not know each other's existence." I said nothing. Because what he said was deeper than I ever thought. When I draw, I only draw what I see. But he saw something I hadn't seen yet. On exam day, I didn't come. Ms. Ton helped me carry the work away. That day, something big happened at school. Luc Uyen Dinh did not pass the ninth grade piano exam. This news was said by Luc Uyen Dinh himself in class. “During the upgrade exam, I was so nervous that I made two mistakes.” Ms. Phuong consoled her that it would be okay to retake the exam next time. Trieu Giai Giai patted her back next to her, telling her not to be sad. But I noticed one thing. When talking about this, Luc Uyen Dinh deliberately chose when I was in class. She was observing my reaction. I didn't give her the reaction I wanted. I just sat in my seat flipping through textbooks. She wants to see me happy at the pain of others. Or want to see me pity her. Any reaction she can use. Rejoicing in her pain can prove that I am a "little person". Pity can prove that she is "a weak person in need of protection". I didn't give her anything. After school, Lam Tieu Ha walked alongside me. “Do you think it's true or false that she didn't pass the upgrade exam?” “Whether it's real or fake, what does it have to do with me?” “You are becoming more and more cruel.” "It's not about being cruel, it's about not blocking her moves anymore. I'll block every ball she throws, so I'll be led by her. No matter what she does, I won't block it, she'll be impatient." “When did you learn these things?” "When driving a goose, the goose's temper is hotter than a human's. You confront it, it becomes more ferocious. You don't pay attention anymore, otherwise it will calm down." Lam Tieu Ha looked at me. “To Niem Niem, you will definitely be very formidable in the future.” “Don't praise me, if you praise me, I'll be arrogant.” “It's okay for you to be a little arrogant.” That evening, the preliminary results of the province-wide competition were announced. Ms. Ton sent me a message. "Nien Niem, your painting has made it to the next round. Out of more than eight hundred works submitted across the province, seventy-two were selected, you are among them." “The final round takes place after two weeks, when it will be judged directly at the fine arts museum

conscious. Some famous artists in the province will also come.” “There's one more thing I haven't told you yet. When reviewing the candidate's information, the organizers discovered that she was the daughter of Ms. Ha Tieu Man. Last year, a work by Ms. Ha Tieu Man was selected for a provincial exhibition for adults. They paid special attention to me.” I put down the phone. Outside the window, the city is bright with lights. I remember the stars in the mountains. Those stars are very far away. But they are always there. I picked up the pen and conveniently drew a goose on the drawing board. This goose stands on a sign of lights, neck stretched straight. Not calling. But looking at something far away. On the day of the final round at the Provincial Fine Arts Museum, many people came. It's not just judges and contestants. There were also media, education leaders, several famous artists in the province and people in charge of admission at some art schools.