Chapter 10 — The Poor and Honored Soldier

His arms hung down at his side, his whole body curled up in his chair, his face gray and white like a wrinkled old newspaper. Lips moved, not knowing what he was mumbling. The people next to her all stood up and applauded, but she was the only one still sitting, as if her legs were no longer listening. I withdrew my gaze. Nothing worth seeing. That person no longer has any intersection with my life. The conference lasted more than an hour. After finishing, there is a souvenir photo session. Military zone leaders, local leaders, from round after round, all wanted to shake hands and take pictures with me. I struggled for half a day and my neck was tired. Finally after everyone dispersed, I walked out the side door, intending to get some air. Just turned the corner of the hallway. One person made a "thud" sound and knelt down in front of me. Vuong My Tran. I don't know when she followed, still waiting at the corner of the hallway. At this moment, his knees touched the ground, kneeling on the cold ground stone floor, his whole body trembling.
“Sir…… Mr. Ly…… no, chief……” Her voice seemed to be forced from her throat, “I…… last time I……”
I stopped walking, bowed my head and looked at her. She looked up, on her face was a complex expression mixed with fear, regret and despair. His eyes were red, tears were streaming down his face.
“I have blind eyes…… I didn't know you had such an identity…… the words I said that day…… I……”
Her forehead hit the ground. A “pop” sound.
"I apologize to you... please be generous sir... please don't... don't blame our Giai Giai..."
The sound of forehead hitting the floor echoed loudly in the hallway. Once. Twice. I stood still, motionless. The expression is not angry. No anger. Not even contempt. Only calm.
“Stand up.” I said.
She raised her head, her forehead was red, tears mixed with snot smeared all over her face.
“I……”
“I already said it.” My voice was exactly like that day at Vong Giang Lau——pale, light, without temperature.
"It has nothing to do with you guys. If you don't know, you don't know."
I walked around her and continued walking forward. From behind came the sound of uncontrollable sobbing. After walking more than ten steps, I heard her call behind me: "So... our Giai Giai... still doesn't have a lover... if you..." My steps stopped a bit. Then keep going. Don't turn around. There are no “what ifs”. Missing is missing. Not revenge. Not a grudge. It's just——there's really no need anymore. Turning to the end of the hallway, Trieu Cam Thu was leaning against the wall waiting for me. Maybe she saw the scene just now.
“That lady… are you okay?” she asked.
"No problem."
“You're not angry?”
“There's nothing to be angry about.” I walked next to her and stopped.
She looked at me. I looked at her.
“Let's go,” I said, “didn't you say you would take me out to eat delicious food?”
Trieu Cam Thu laughed.
"There's also delicious food here. The braised pork my grandmother makes is a hundred times better than the cafeteria at the Academy of Military Sciences."
"Go."
We walked side by side outside the main hall. The April wind brings warmth, and the roadside jade orchids bloom in full bloom. As I walked out of the gate, I looked at the banner above my head.
“Warmly welcome comrade Ly Xuyen, a first-class meritorious servant, honorably returning to his hometown.”
I tilted my head to look at Trieu Cam Thu. She was looking up at the banner, her ponytail swaying in the wind.
"What's up?" She accepted looked at me, turned his head and asked.
"Nothing."
Just suddenly felt—— It's been eight years. Eight years as a soldier. The hardships you've endured, the wounds you've carried, everything you've ever carried. All worth it. 【Chapter 7】 The third day after the commendation conference. The news spread throughout the entire district. I don't know who spread it—perhaps the "representatives of units" who participated in the commendation congress couldn't keep their mouths shut after returning. After just one night, the story "Ly Xuyen, who did a small business on Hanh Phuc Street, was actually a great figure in the army who had achieved first-class victories" seemed to spread wings throughout the district. There are several different versions. Some people say I'm a monk. Some people say I'm a special trainer. Some people say that I single-handedly destroyed an entire battalion. The more it spreads, the more absurd it becomes. Recently, when my mother went out to buy food, she was surrounded by people asking questions. Her mouth said "don't talk nonsense", but the smile on her face couldn't be hidden no matter how much. As for Vuong Giai's side. I don't proactively ask. But my aunt is very knowledgeable and took the initiative to tell my mother, and she told me verbatim.
“Do you know that Vuong Giai?”
“Huh?”
“He and the man with the gold watch——have broken up.”
“What does it have to do with you?”
"That man was already married, just tricking him. Now his mother cries at home every day, saying she missed out on a good son-in-law like you. Everyone she meets says 'I was just a bit quick-talking at the time, actually I always thought that guy wasn't bad'——ssh!"
Mom bit the melon seeds and looked angry. I don't feel anything. Actually. Not pretending to be calm, but actually——turning the page. Those things in my life don't even deserve to be considered a footnote.