Chapter 2 — The Real Female Lead Returns

I bowed my head, my feet lightly drawing circles on the ground, looking like a country kid who did something wrong and didn't know what to do.

“I just want to get close to you quickly… sorry mom… don't be angry with me…”

As soon as he finished speaking, two tears rolled down his cheeks. This trick, you can try it a hundred times and get it right. My mother has always been weak towards me. When I was little, if I cried, her heart would break. Sure enough, she sighed, let go of Tham Lan, and tried to reach out to pull me back:

“Okay, I don't blame you, it's just…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Tham Lan suddenly felt weak in her heart and fainted.

“Tieu Lan!”

My mother was startled, not paying attention to me anymore, and quickly bent down to rub her vagina. My father's face also changed and he shouted loudly:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry and take me to the hospital!"

During the chaos, I watched Tham Lan being picked up by my father, her face "pale", the corner of my lips curled up in a cold smile that no one noticed. Want to have an acting match with me? Tham Lan, you are still very young. I've been tired of playing this game of pretending to faint since I was three years old.

02

Tham Lan was taken to the General Military Region hospital at night, and it was my mother who directly examined her. The result was of course — nothing happened, simply “being scared too much.” My father, Khuong Chan Quoc, called me into the study. He crossed his arms behind his back and walked back and forth in the room, his tall body casting shadows on the wall, creating a feeling of heavy pressure.

"Khuong Nguyet," he finally stopped, his cold tiger eyes staring at me, "I know you have suffered a lot these past years outside. Mom and dad owe you, we will make up for it. But Tieu Lan is your sister, she has been with us for fifteen years, and is also a part of this family. I don't want to see you use a method like today to deal with her."

I bowed my head, twisted my shirt with both hands, appearing obedient and meek.

“Dad, I really didn't mean it.” I said softly, "I thought that snake would make you happy..."

“Stupid!” Khuong Chan Quoc's voice was not loud, but full of majesty. "You're used to living a wild life in the mountains, you've forgotten what's proper! From today, you have to learn how to be a proper lady, don't cause embarrassing things anymore!"

Miss Khue Ca? I laughed coldly in my heart, but on the outside I still looked apologetic and nodded strongly: "I understand, dad." He must have thought I was really scared, his expression softened and he sighed:

"You just came back, there are still many things you need to adapt to. Remember Ha Tieu? He is now my soldier, also the best young officer in the military region. You should learn more from him in the future, he is very mature."

When I talk about Ha Tieu, his cold and hard face appears in my mind. Just now you helped me talk things out, was it because you still missed your old love, or did you... have your own agenda? Coming out of the study room, I saw Ha Tieu standing in the hallway waiting. He had taken off his military uniform, wearing only a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong arms.

“Follow me.” He said briefly, turned and walked away.

I leisurely followed, and the two stopped under a large tree in the yard. The summer night wind blew past, the leaves rustled.

“Why give snakes?” He got straight to the point, his eyes deeper than the night.

"Didn't you tell me? Just kidding." I leaned against the tree trunk, pretending not to care about life.

"Khuong Nguyet," Ha Tieu took a step forward, her tall body almost covering me, "Fifteen years ago, you weren't like this. At that time, even though you were mischievous, your eyes were very bright and clear. But now, in your eyes... you hide too many things."

My heart suddenly tightened. This man… is too sharp. I laughed softly, wanting to use laughter to hide my fluctuating mood:

"Brother Ha Tieu, people will change. Having lived for more than ten years digging deep in the mountains, if I had still maintained my innocence as before, I would have been stripped to the bone long ago."

I deliberately emphasized the word "dig up", then raised my hand to show him the old scar on the back of my hand - it was from being bitten by a stray dog when fighting for a corn cake in the past. This is one of the "memory anchors" I intentionally created - used to recount the hardships I have endured. Ha Tieu's eyes stopped on that scar, his eyes changed slightly, he was silent for a moment then slowly spoke:

“My parents love me very much.”

"They've been looking for you for fifteen years, never giving up. Tieu Lan's appearance is just an emotional deposit."

“So what?” I raised my eyebrows at him, "So I have to split my parents in two and give half to that 'deposit'? Ha Tieu, what you say sounds good. If the kidnapped person is you, opening your eyes and seeing another kid living in your room, spending money with your parents, sleeping in your bed, calling them mom and dad - are you happy?"

“Not happy.” Ha Tieu replied very quickly, surprising me, "So, I will use a legitimate way to get back everything that belongs to me."

"For example?"

“For example, prove that you are more worthy than her.” He looked straight into my eyes and said each word clearly:

“Rather than using a snake, turning herself into an unreasonable country girl, pushing everyone's sympathy towards her.”

I was dumbfounded. I have to admit, Ha Tieu's words hit me where it hurts the most. My actions tonight seemed like a preemptive strike that made Tham Lan wary, but actually made me lose points in my parents' eyes. I turned myself into a "harmer", and Tham Lan became a "victim in need of protection". High-handed, really very high-handed.

“Thank you for your teaching.” I withdrew my joking expression and spoke sincerely.

Ha Tieu seemed surprised by my straightforwardness. He looked at me, then turned around and took out a small object from his pocket and gave it to me. It was a small rabbit woven from dogtail grass, made very clumsily, but looked very adorable.

“This is…” I was a bit skeptical.

“When I was little, every time you cried, I braided this for you.”

“I once said, this is my charm to not cry.”

My heart felt like someone gently touched it. In a corner of vague memories, a boy clumsily stuffed a grass rabbit into a girl's hand, and his immature voice rang out:

"Nguyet, Nguyet, don't cry anymore, cry anymore and you'll turn into a stray cat!"

I squeezed the little rabbit in my hand, not knowing how to react. Ha Tieu… he… still remembers.