Chapter 9 — The Poor and Honored Soldier

But she understood the attitude of the officers and leaders next to me toward me—— Respectful. Be careful every little bit.
“Xuyen Tu…” Mother's voice became hoarse, her lips began to tremble.
I walked over and stopped in front of her.
“Mom, I'm home.”
Mother raised her hand, tremblingly touching the medals on my chest. One, two, three. Her finger stopped on the largest one——the First Class Victory Medal.
“This is……”
“Granted by the state.” I said, “Because your son has done something.”
Mother's tears immediately flowed down. She tightened her grip on my sleeve, her lips trembled for a long time, and in the end she only squeezed out one sentence: "I know... I know my son is not a normal person..." My aunt next to me burst into tears. I squatted down, holding my mother's hand in my palm: "Mom, I'm sorry, I hid it from you for eight years." Mom shook her head, shook her head as hard as she could, tears falling one by one: "I don't blame you... I know... I know you can't say..." She suddenly hugged my neck tightly, like the first day when I was a child when I took me to the school gate, squeezing tightly and refusing to let go. I closed my eyes. It's been eight years. The person who should return has finally returned. The official commendation conference began at 2:00 p.m. The location is the multi-functional hall of the district Military Command. The number of people who came——exceeded my expectations. Not only representatives of units in the district. The military region also sent people. Trieu Chan Quoc personally led the team. Chu Hang Chi was also present. There are also a few general level officers I have never met but know their names. Plus the local side——district president, district vice president, bureau chiefs, neighborhood directors... The whole hall was packed with people. I sat in the waiting area under the stage, flipping through the guest list. Then his eyes stopped. Fourth page of the list.
“Representative of Hanh Phuc Street Quarter Office: Vuong My Tran.”
Vuong My Tran. It's the future mother-in-law. She was a regular employee of the neighborhood office, invited as a "representative of the units". I closed the list, the corner of my mouth moved slightly. It is true that fate is forced to go through this life. Exactly two o'clock. Congress begins. The host introduced the background first, then the Military Region Political Department read the commendation decision. The wording is very formal, but not missing any important information:
"Comrade Ly Xuyen, since joining the army, has participated in twelve important military campaigns, in total achieving one First-class victory, three Second-class victories, five Third-class victories. In many dangerous life-and-death campaigns, he has demonstrated excellent command ability and extraordinary fighting will, making outstanding contributions in protecting national security and the lives and property of the people..."
Under the stage, there was a small sound of chatter. I sat in the waiting area, hearing small whispers.
"First class victory? Is it real or fake..."
"So young? Looks like twenty-seven, twenty-eight..."
“Twelve major campaigns……what concept is this?”
“Shh, stop talking, the generals on the podium have already arrived…”
After reading, decide. The host's voice rose a half-step higher: "Now, please invite Comrade Ly Xuyen, a first-class public servant, to the stage!" I stood up. Uniforms are flat. Polished leather shoes. Medals are arranged in a row in front of the chest. I walked towards chairman's podium. The sound of footsteps was especially clear in the quiet hall——step by step, the rhythm was neither fast nor slow. As I passed through the middle aisle, the corner of my eye glanced at the fourth row of audience seats. Vuong My Tran sat there. She was wearing a dark blue coat, clutching a conference book in her hand. The moment I passed by, she raised her head to look at me. After that—— The whole person felt like he was electrocuted and stiffened in the chair. The notebook slipped from my hand and fell to the ground. She opened her mouth, her pupils suddenly constricted, her facial muscles twitched twice with an amplitude visible to the naked eye. She recognized me. The faded cotton shirt is no longer there. The old Beijing canvas shoes are also gone. The person standing in front of her——was a young soldier wearing a military uniform and a medal on his chest, who was personally accompanied on stage by two generals. The person she once said in front of the whole table that "I can't even buy a toilet". I don't look at her. Not even one. Step on stage, stand at attention. Trieu Chan Quoc personally came forward, holding a brand new medal in both hands, solemnly placing it on my chest. Then he took a step back and stood at attention. Military salute.
“Comrade Ly Xuyen, thank you for your sacrifices and contributions to the country and people!”
The entire hall stood up. The applause sounded like thunder. I stood on stage, facing hundreds of people below. The light shines on the medal, reflecting tiny rays of light. I saw my mother in the first row sobbing. My aunt cried while giving her a tissue. I saw Trieu Cam Thu in the third row——today she also came, sitting in the corner, not wearing a military uniform but wearing a white shirt. She is clapping her hands. The corners of the lips curl up. Warm eyes. I also saw Vuong My Tran in the fourth row. She did not clap.