Chapter 22 — The Path of Remembrance

After the news that I won the provincial gold award was transmitted to the school, the whole school was excited. The principal personally commended me during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday morning. "To Niem Niem, from the Third Year class of our school, won the gold prize in the Provincial Youth Art Competition. This is the best achievement the school has achieved in a provincial art competition since its founding." As the whole school applauded, I stood on the field, my uniform blown up by the wind. The people next to me all looked at me. It's no longer the look of laughter like before. But truly admirable. Returning to class, the atmosphere was completely different. Previously, only Lam Tieu Ha was close to me. Now, a few girls proactively come to talk and ask me about painting, about life in the mountains and about Gray Grey. Trieu Giai Giai sat in his seat, not saying a word. Next to her there is an empty seat. The girl who used to sit there has now moved behind me. No one said why, but everyone knew why. Previously, Trieu Giai Giai relied on Luc Uyen Dinh's aura to attract others. Now the aura is shifting. She couldn't hold it anymore. At lunch in the cafeteria, Trieu Giai Giai passed in front of me carrying a tray. She paused for a moment, as if she wanted to say something. But in the end, he just bowed his head and left. She didn't apologize to me. But I don't dare stretch my legs to get in my way anymore. This is more effective than an apology. Before school ended in the afternoon, Ms. Phuong called me again to talk. This time, her expression was completely different from before. "Nien Niem, I heard about the high school affiliated with the Provincial Academy of Fine Arts. Are you planning on going for an interview?" “My mother is considering it.” “If I pass the interview, will I transfer to the affiliated school?” “Maybe.” "So are your current cultural achievements keeping up? Even though the affiliated school favors fine arts, the cultural subject requirements are not low." “Last month's exam, I ranked ninth in the entire grade.” Ms. Phuong nodded. "Nien Niem, I'll tell you the truth. When you first transferred here, I was prejudiced and felt that your foundation was poor and your habits weren't good. After that, you gradually used your achievements to make me realize you were wrong." “Miss, I don't intend to embarrass anyone.” "I know. But you really did it. You used your own way to prove a point." “What is it?” “The starting point is not important, the direction is important.” I looked at her. This is the most similar sentence to what a teacher said to me. “Thank you.” "Go ahead. Prepare well for the interview." When leaving the office, Luc Uyen Dinh stood by the window in the hallway. She looked like she was waiting for me, or just happened to be passing by. “Nem Niem.” "Yes." “Are you about to leave?” “Not sure yet.” “If you leave, I'll be the only one left in this class.” “What do you mean?” “I'm the only one who came from outside.” When she said this, she did not smile. What she meant was that after I left, there would be no more objects for her to compare to in class. Without me, "the one from the countryside", her "perfection" would have no comparison. It sounds like she's worried she'll be bored. But I know what she's really afraid of. She was afraid that after I left, everyone would remember that "the girl who came from the countryside, ranked ninth in the entire grade and won the gold award in the entire province, left." And she remained where she was. “Uyen Dinh, have you ever thought about what you really want to do?” “What do you mean?” "It's not what grandma wants you to do, it's not what Miss Phuong wants you to do, it's not what Trieu Giai Giai feels you should do. What do you want to do yourself?" She was stunned. Perhaps no one has ever asked her this question. Maybe she herself never asked me. “I…” She opened her mouth and then closed it again. “I don't know.” “Then you should think.” I left. At the top of the stairs, I turned around and looked back. She was still standing by the window, not moving. The wind blew from the other end of the hallway, lifting the corner of her skirt and then lowering it. She doesn't look like a perfect class president. But like a person who has lost his way. But getting lost is her problem. I can't help. Not planning to help either. Party

The Luc family that weekend was personally summoned by grandmother. People present included Luc's father, Luc's mother, Luc Chan Minh's family, Luc Tu Tu, grandmother, me and Luc Uyen Dinh. At the dinner table, grandmother spoke first. “I called everyone here today, there are two things I need to talk about.” "The first story is that Niem Niem won the gold prize in the provincial art competition, bringing glory to the family. A grandmother like me must be commended." When she said this, she looked at me with completely different eyes than before. Previously, it was "much darker than Uyen Dinh". Now it's "this child has a future". “I will give you a lucky money envelope.” “Thank you.” “Second story.” Her eyes turned to Luc Uyen Dinh. "Uyen Dinh's background has been clearly investigated." There was silence at the table. Luc Uyen Dinh put down his chopsticks. "Uyen Dinh's biological parents have been found. They live in a nearby city, conditions are normal. Dad drives a truck, mother works in a garment factory."