Chapter 8 — The Real Female Lead Returns

At this moment, Tham Lan "heard the news and ran over". Upon seeing the scene in the room, she panicked and asked:

"Dad! Mom! What's wrong with you?!"

My mother turned around, her eyes like knives:

“Tieu Lan, did you give me milk last night?”

Tham Lan's face was bloodless, her eyes were wandering:

“I… I… don't…”

“Is that you!”

My mother roared, stepping closer step by step.

"Why did you do that? They are sisters!"

"I don't! It's not me! I don't know what's in milk..."

She backed away, speaking incoherently, unconcealed in panic. In front of "Queen" like me, her acting is truly a child's toy. My father trembled with anger, pointing at her without saying a word.

“It's not me… it's really not…”

Tham Lan made a "thump" sound and knelt down, hugged my mother's legs, and cried loudly:

"Mom, believe me! How could I harm you!"

At this moment, the room door was pushed open. Ha Tieu walked in, followed by two soldiers wearing police uniforms. His face was cold as ice.

“Uncle Khuong, Miss Tran.” He greeted my parents, then stopped his cold gaze on Tham Lan.

“Tham Lan, please come with us for a trip.”

Tham Lan's cry suddenly choked. She raised her head and looked at Ha Tieu in disbelief:

“Ha Tieu brother… you don't believe me either…?”

Ha Tieu took out a small bag from his pocket and threw it in front of her.

"This is the sleeping medicine found under your bed. The pharmacist also confirmed it — you bought it yesterday."

The evidence is clear. Tham Lan collapsed completely, falling to the ground, her face as white as ashes. I, still "comatose", but my eyes were slightly opened, watching the drama unfold. Inside — strangely calm. Tham Lan — in the end, she pushed herself down the cliff herself.

09

Tham Lan was taken away. Not taken to the police station, but directly escorted by the Military Region's Security Board. In the military general, poisoning military family members is much more serious than ordinary civil disputes. When I weakly "woke up", there were only my parents left in the house. My mother sat by the bed, her eyes were red and swollen, holding my hand tightly, apologizing repeatedly. My father stood by the window, smoking one cigarette after another, his back looking lonely and melancholy. I understand — they still have feelings for Tham Lan in the end. Fifteen years of living together day and night, how could it be fake? But I don't feel any pity. It was Tham Lan who gradually pushed herself to this step. If she was reasonable and kept to herself, she could probably still live in this family as a "younger sister". But it was jealousy and greed that destroyed her.

“Dad, Mom… this… could…”

I opened my mouth weakly, trying to act as if I couldn't bear it, "Maybe... I'm just temporarily confused..." The more they begged for me, the more they saw that I was gentle and forgiving, the more disappointed and angry they became with Tham Lan. Sure enough, my father stubbed out his cigarette and turned around, his voice hoarse and tired but determined:

"Tieu Nguyet, you don't need to ask for it. This matter... is not negotiable. Our Khuong family - we don't tolerate such evil-minded people."

In the end, Tham Lan was removed from the military list, which according to regulations, military family members are also under the military's management. She was deported back to her hometown. It is said that she was never an orphan at all. In the past, her gambling-addicted biological parents deliberately abandoned her in front of the military district's main gate, setting up a "suffering and humiliating plan" to make my parents take pity on her and adopt her. Over the years, those "parents" have still relied on the money she sent home and lived comfortably in the countryside. When Tham Lan was brought back, what awaited her was not love, but constant scolding and exploitation. All of this, Ha Tieu told me later. At that time, we were sitting on a hillside behind the General Military Region Hospital. I asked him:

“You predicted she would attack?”

“Just guessing that, with that personality… she won't let go easily.”

Ha Tieu looked toward the horizon, his voice calm.

“So, I informed the Security Committee in advance, asking them to pay attention.”

"Thank you." I speak sincerely.

Without him, my plan probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

“Don't thank me.”

Ha Tieu turned his head and looked straight into my eyes:

“Because I am the one who is smart enough and brave enough.”

His eyes were as deep as a lake, making me unable to help but immerse myself in them.

“Khuong Nguyet.” He suddenly called my name.

"Yes?"

"I have requested to be deployed to the southwest border. I will leave next week."

My heart suddenly tightened, as if someone had just poured a bucket of cold water into my heart.

"Why? You are growing very well here?"

“As a soldier, you must obey orders.”

He smiled, but the smile brought with it an indescribable sadness.

“Besides… that place needs you more.”

I was speechless, my throat was blocked, I couldn't say a word.

“Waiting for you to return.”

He suddenly raised his hand and patted my head — just like when we were kids.

“When I come back, I will come and ask you to marry me.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, falling like rain. I nodded vigorously, my voice choked:

“Okay… I will wait for you.”

He laughed. In the brilliant sunset, your smile — is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.

10

Ha Tieu is gone. Tham Lan also disappeared from my life. My life is back on track. I put all my focus into studying medicine. Under my mother's dedicated guidance, I made rapid progress. The following year, I passed the entrance exam to the best military medical university in the country with excellent results. During four years of college, I was like a sponge, diligently absorbing knowledge. Every summer or winter vacation, I go to the southwest border - where Ha Tieu works - to visit him. The conditions there were harsh and lacking in every way, but he never complained. Every time he sees me coming, he smiles like an idiot. We patrolled together, examined ethnic people together, stood in front of the border marker - solemnly saluting the national flag. The year I graduated, I proactively applied for assignment to the border, went to the same unit where Ha Tieu was stationed, and became a real military doctor. We held a simple wedding, no fancy wedding dresses, no elaborate rituals, only the sincere blessings of our teammates, and pure sunlight on the snowy peaks. I wear a white blouse. He wears military uniform. The two stood in front of the sovereignty milestone, taking a wedding photo together. In the photo, I smile brightly. He smiled gently. Many years later, I became the most famous female military doctor in the Southwest, affectionately known by everyone as the "Red Flower of the Plateau". As for Ha Tieu, he became the youngest border guard leader in the history of the region. We have two children. Someone like me — mischievous, mischievous. Someone like him — calm, mature. I sometimes still think back to the time when I first returned to the military headquarters - Days full of scheming, fighting and acting. Someone once asked me:

“If I could do it again,

Would you still choose that way to regain everything that belongs to you? I answer: Yes. Because I understand very clearly: Happiness - is not something to wait for others to give, but something that must be fought and won by yourself, with blood, tears and determination. Whether it's love — Or a lifetime. (Full text)