Chapter 5 — The Real Female Lead Returns

05

Early the next morning, my father pulled me out of the blanket, "packed" and took me straight to Ha Tieu's dormitory. The name is called: re-education through labor. Ha Tieu's dormitory was the complete opposite of my father's messy, rat-like study. Blankets are folded into standard "tofu pieces", books and documents on the table are neatly arranged in rows, even toothbrush cups and towels are placed in a straight line like a ruler.

“My job is to clean this place up.” Ha Tieu pointed at the dustless floor, expressionless and said, "The standard is - not leaving any dust behind."

Me: “…” Is this punishing me, or torturing himself? This place is so clean that even a mouse would have to slide on ice if it crawled in!

"Report to commander! Commit to completing the mission!" I imitated the soldiers' appearance in the movies, giving a strangely distorted military salute.

The corner of Ha Tieu's mouth seemed to twitch slightly, but quickly turned back to a serious, cold-faced expression:

"Give me two hours. I'll go to the training ground, I'll check when I get back."

Having finished speaking, he left, leaving me alone to face this "arduous task". Of course I'm not stupid enough to actually clean the floor. I wet the towel, symbolically wiped it across the table twice, then calmly sat down on his desk and began to "scout for the enemy" in a dignified manner. On the table he placed a photo of them together. It's me, Ha Tieu and a few kids in the courtyard when we were young, about seven or eight years old. In the photo, I have my hair tied on both sides, smiling widely, missing a front tooth. Next to the photo frame is a military theory book. I conveniently flipped it over, inside there were many passages with red lines, strong and sturdy handwriting - just like Ha Tieu's personality. I was reading attentively when I noticed a piece of paper stuck in the book. Curious, I pulled it out — there was only one line on it:

“Nguyet, happy 15th birthday. Hope you come back soon.”

The handwriting is identical to the notes in the book. Date recorded — three years ago. My heart felt like someone had hit me hard, both bitter and choked. It turns out... he always remembered me. Even though I've been missing for so many years, he still hasn't forgotten my birthday. I held that piece of paper, my heart filled with unspeakable emotions. At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door. I was startled, quickly stuffed the paper back into the book, picked up the towel and pretended to wipe the table. Ha Tieu pushed the door open and walked in, seeing my back "hard at work".

“Are you done?” he asked.

“Report to command, not yet!” I quickly stood up, solemnly standing straight.

His eyes glanced across the desk, stopping at the book I had just flipped through. His eyes flashed strangely, but he said nothing.

“Okay, stop pretending.” He looked at me, a bit reluctantly, "Yesterday's performance wasn't bad."

My heart stopped — did you realize it?

“What drama?” I pretended to be bewildered.

“In front of me, there's no need to act anymore.” Ha Tieu pulled out a chair and sat down, poured himself a glass of water, "Intentionally angering your father, intentionally making him punish you - is to make him feel guilty, right?"

My face got a little hot.

"As for dirtying Tham Lan's shirt, was it intentional?" He took a sip of water and continued, "I want her to lose control, I want to dent the perfect image in my parents' eyes."

I was silent. This man is truly a mobile X-ray scanner, hiding nothing.

“I just… want to take back what belongs to me.” I said in a low voice.

“I'm not saying you're wrong.” Ha Tieu put down his cup and looked straight at me, "Dealing with someone like Tham Lan really requires tricks. But, Khuong Nguyet, your battlefield shouldn't just be in that backyard."

"What do you mean?" I was bewildered.

"My father is a military commander, my mother is a chief doctor. I am their child, born with things that other people wish they could not have." Ha Tieu's eyes became sharp, "You can become an excellent female soldier, a good military doctor, even more than that. Your value should not only be shown in competing with Tham Lan."

His words were like a sledgehammer, hitting me hard in my heart. That's right. It took me fifteen years to return from the mountains and forests, is it just to fight against a Tham Lan, life and death will not let go? My goal has never been just the love of my parents. What I want is Khuong Nguyet's life. A brilliant life, not defined by anyone.

"Also," Ha Tieu looked at me, changing his tone to a lighter tone, "If you do that, it will make your parents very embarrassed. They owe you, but they also raised Tham Lan for fifteen years. Both left and right are meat, you pressure them too much, it will only have the opposite effect."

“So… what should I do?” For the first time, I felt confused and disoriented.

“Prove that you are better than her, not by arguing or playing tricks, but by true strength.”

Ha Tieu stood up, walked in front of me, and reached out to pat my head. His hands are big and very warm. That action, merged into memory — exactly like the skinny boy from years ago.

“Next week, the military region will organize an arts festival, and the civil servants will also participate.” Ha Tieu said, "Tham Lan signed up to play the guzheng. You should also sign up."

“Me?” I pointed to my nose, "What kind of performance do you know? Cracking walnut shells with a stone?"

“I can sing.”

Ha Tieu's eyes looked at me, full of certainty.

“I remember… in the past you sang very well.”