Chapter 20 — Three Hundred Twenty Eight Yuan Card

I don't accept. He stuffed the envelope into my hand.

“If your father was still alive…”

“I will definitely give you more than you.”

“But he is no more.”

“The youngest son takes care of him.”

“In the future, when you're short of money in Beijing, call.”

“Not for anyone else.”

“Just out of gratitude to your father…”

“The youngest son also has to take care of it.”

Envelope is in hand. One layer of paper thin. But it was so hot that it made my nose sting. August 19. Departure day. Early in the morning, the youngest boy drove downstairs. Mom wore a dark blue shirt that had been ironed countless times. Hair tied neatly at the nape of the neck. Luggage is transferred to the vehicle. Mother and daughter sat in the back. The youngest aunt also went along, sitting in the passenger seat. She brought over a bag of boiled eggs and some self-wrapped meat dumplings.

“Eat along the way.”

“The stuff on the train is so expensive.”

“Thank you, aunt.”

The car drove out of the apartment complex. I turned my head to look back. Fifth floor window frame. The old house has been lived in for more than ten years. The paint on the door frame is starting to peel off. Go a little further to reach the supermarket. Where my mother worked for more than ten years. Further... It's the high school I attended for three years. Industry and Trade Bank Branch. I took a look at that glass door. Inside there is a transaction counter. There is a dialer. There are waiting chairs. There was also a receipt for 328.00 yuan... Mom folded it in half and pressed it at the bottom of the luggage box. The car arrives at the train station. The square in front of the station was crowded with people. The person pulling the suitcase. Person carrying a sack of pineapples. People hold signs to say goodbye to relatives. The youngest boy helped me unload my luggage and put it on the cart. He patted my shoulder.

“Go to Beijing and study well.”

“Don't put too much pressure on yourself.”

“The person who passed the Thanh Hoa exam…”

“Whatever you do won't be bad.”

The youngest aunt stood next to her and wiped the corners of her eyes.

“This girl…”

“Just like Chi Vien when he was little.”

“I don't like to talk much when I meet anyone.”

“But in my heart I understand everything.”

Mom pulled her suitcase and walked with me into the train lobby. The youngest boy and youngest aunt stood outside the square, watching forever. It wasn't until we passed through the security checkpoint that the two of us turned around and left. It's very noisy in the waiting room. My mother and I found two empty seats and sat down.

“Mom, are you really not going to Beijing with me?”

“Don't go.”

“Mom still has to go to work tomorrow.”

“Mom, please take two days off.”

“At the end of the month, the supermarket takes inventory.”

“Mom can't go.”

Mom adjusted the collar of my coat.

“Remember to text mom when you get there.”

“Then go see Uncle Chu's friend and tell him.”

“I know.”

“Have you saved your scholarship card yet?”

"I also put a photocopy of the debt note in the extra drawer of the suitcase for you."

“I kept the original.”

I looked at my mother.

“Why did you leave me a photocopy?”

“Let me remember.”

“The things your father left you…”

“It's all true.”

“No matter what anyone says later…”

“Your father's 500,000 yuan is real.”

“That phone call was real.”

“The fact that he wants me to go to the best university…”

“It's also true.”

“These things…”

“You are the person most qualified to know.”

The loudspeaker rang out. My train started checking tickets. I stood up. Mom also stood up. Mom pulled the backpack strap on my shoulder neatly. I hugged my mother. The mother was much thinner than in my memory. Shoulder blade pressed against hand.

“Don't cry.”

“I'm not crying.”

“Lie mother again.”

I let go of my mother, pulled my suitcase and walked towards the ticket check gate. After walking more than ten steps, I turned around and looked back. Mother remained standing in place. That dark blue shirt... In the middle of a crowded gray waiting room, it didn't stand out at all. But I only need a glance to find it. Go through the ticket gate. Find a seat. Sit down. The station platform outside the window slowly moved backwards. The phone vibrates. Mom sent a message:

"When you arrive, remember to announce peace to your family."

"Uncle Chu's friend is named Vuong Quan. Mom has saved the number in my phone for you."

One more news:

“Eat and drink properly.”

“Don't regret money.”

Then added a third message:

“Your father will…”

The message stopped midway. Ten seconds later, my mother sent another message.

“Your father will be proud of you.”

I placed the phone face down on my knee. Looking at the fields and electricity poles outside the window, little by little, they recede into the distance. I don't know from what moment... The corners of my eyes were already wet. But not a single drop fell. Mom already said it. Don't cry. The day I arrived in Beijing was August 20. As soon as I left the station, the air was dry and crisp, completely different from home. Following my mother's instructions, I texted first to say I was safe. Then call Uncle Vuong Quan.

“Nien An, right?”

“Minh Vien told me.”

"After checking in to the dormitory, come find me for dinner."

Not being polite. He actually took me out to eat. A normal Hunan food shop. Four dishes, two bowls of rice.

“Your father and Minh Vien are close brothers.”

“Minh Vien's story thanks…”

“You treat it like your own business.”

“Thank you, Uncle Vuong.”

“What politeness.”

“If something happens, call.”

The first week of school, everything is new. Do the procedure. Physical examination. Get the textbook. Get to know your roommate. The dormitory has four people. One is a native Beijinger. A person from Guangzhou came. A person from Chengdu came. My friend in Beijing is Co Hieu Vy. The family works in construction. She looked through my suitcase and my old backpack once. But said nothing. My friend in Guangzhou is Lam Giai Am. Skin is very white, speaks softly. My friend in Chengdu is named La Tieu Tay. The most vivacious personality. On the first day, a chat group was created, named "Four little swans". I live with them quite well. No one knows about my family. No one asked. Third day of admission. While I was lining up to get food at the cafeteria, my phone received a bank notification. Receiving account: 137,000 yuan.