Chapter 11 — The Poor and Honored Soldier

What's really important is—— Trieu Cam Thu and I have established our relationship. There were no grand declarations of love. The evening of the commendation conference, she took me to my grandmother's house for a meal. Braised pork is truly delicious. After eating, she went out, the night wind was a bit cold, she shivered slightly. I took off my coat and put it on her. She took it, then called out: "Ly Xuyen."
"YES."
“From now on, every time you go on a mission, you must tell me when you will return.”
I looked at her face sideways. The streetlight fell on the bridge of his nose, outlining a gentle line.
"Okay."
"Also," she squeezed the collar of my jacket, "in the future, stop wearing that tattered cotton shirt. I'll buy you a new one."
“You have great prejudice against my cotton shirt.”
"Yes. Bad."
I laughed. Then reach out and hold her hand. She didn't pull out. The cold fingers gradually warmed up in my palm. Just like that. There are no sworn vows. There was no kneeling down to propose. Just two people walking on a night road, holding hands, breathing quietly. That's enough. The following days, I continued to perform the task, she continued to research. See more or less. But every time I return from completing a mission, there are messages from her on my phone. Not much. Just enough for me to know——there's someone waiting. June. Things have changed again. Chu Dinh quickly ran to find me: "Chief, something happened."
“What?”
“In your hometown——someone accused you of accepting the honor against regulations.”
I put down the documents in my hand: "Who?"
"Anonymous denunciation. The content said that your achievements were questionable, that the congress's commendation was 'fake', that you had a personal relationship with Commander Trieu of the military region so you were 'taken care of'. The denunciation document was sent directly to the disciplinary inspection agency."
I was silent for three seconds.
“What is written in the document?”
Chu Dinh handed over the printed denunciation letter. I scrolled through it once. The word usage is very "folk" - full of spelling errors, chaotic logic, but the core request is very clear: doubt the authenticity of the feat, request to cancel the commendation. Although the accuser was anonymous, the style of writing and some of the details mentioned—for example, "arrogant attitude during a blind date", "dressing in rags and pretending to be rich"——made me immediately identify the source. Vuong My Tran. Or more accurately, Vuong Giai was behind the orders. I put down the denunciation letter.
“What did the disciplinary inspection side say?”
"It's been verified, there are no problems. All of your achievements have complete records and can withstand inspection. The opinion of the disciplinary inspection agency is not to file a case, but——"
“But what?”
"A copy of this denunciation letter has been posted on the district's online forum. Although it doesn't include the real name, the implications are very clear. There are people talking about it."
I closed my eyes and tapped my fingers on the table. Stupid. Really stupid. The disciplinary inspection agency did not make a case, proving that this letter did not even meet the threshold for acceptance. But posting it online——is a different story. The so-called public opinion does not need truth, it only needs doubt. Chu Dinh looked at my expression and carefully asked: "Chief, do you need to... do something about it?" I opened my eyes. The two words "process" can be big or small. If I want, just one phone call, in half a day that post will disappear, The poster will be found, I don't even need to think about the next procedures. But——
“No need.”
“Chief?”
“Just let it post.” I stood up, walked to the window and looked at the training field outside.
"The disciplinary inspection agency has verified, the results are clean. An anonymous denunciation letter full of loopholes does not need me to personally step on the field."
Chu Dinh opened his mouth, wanting to speak again.
"But there's one thing——" I turned around, "Find out who the accuser is. Confirm it for sure. Don't fight the snake."
“Clear.”
“Let me know when you finish investigating.”
“Yes!”
After Chu Dinh left, I sat back in my chair. The phone lights up. Message from Trieu Cam Thu: "I heard it. Are you okay?" News is fast. I answered with two words: "It's okay." She sent again: "Do you need me to do anything?"
"No need. Just wait."
"Okay."
A few seconds later, she sent another message:
“Ly Xuyen, no matter what the situation is——I believe in you.”
I looked at the screen for a few seconds. Then type three words: “I know.” The weight of these three words——is heavier than the words love. Three days later. Chu Dinh reported: "Confirmed. The denunciation letter was ordered by Vuong Giai, specifically an ex-boyfriend of hers who works at the District Cyber Information Office. The forum post was also posted by him."
"Engine?"
"According to the investigation, after knowing your true identity, Vuong Giai's emotions were extremely unstable. After the married man left, she kept telling the people around her that 'it was all because her mother didn't give her a chance before'. After that, she didn't know who instigated her. She felt that if she could ruin your recognition, it would prove 'she didn't make the wrong choice before'."
I leaned back in the chair and breathed a sigh of relief. Fabulous. How distorted can one's jealousy and unwillingness be.