Chapter 8 — Twenty Years of Reclaiming Justice

She wore clothes that were faded from washing too many times. His face is full of traces of hard years. Just walked in. She pulled Giang Ha's arm.

“Giang Ha!”

“Follow mom home now!”

“Are you crazy?”

“You still dare to get involved in something like this?”

Behind her. He is a thin, timid middle-aged man. It is Giang Ha's father. Giang Ha's mother looked at the whole hospital room. Especially when I see my four sons. Her eyes immediately filled with alertness.

“Who are you?”

“Are you the ones who dragged my son into this?”

“I'll say it first!”

“Our family is just a normal family.”

“Can't compete with rich people like you!”

“We feel very sorry for Nguyet Nguyet's story.”

“But we don't dare get involved!”

She pulled Giang Ha to leave.

“Let's go!”

“Go find class leader Trieu to apologize!”

“I beg him to be generous and forgive our family!”

Those words were like a blade. Stab into Giang Ha's heart. Also pierced my heart. I understand your fear. The helplessness of a normal family when facing power and injustice. But I don't agree with that choice. By humility and compromise. Respect can never be exchanged. Only in exchange for more cruel bullying.

“You can't do that.”

I walked over to stop her.

“If you take Giang Ha to apologize today.”

“It means you are telling everyone that the wrong person is Giang Ha.”

“It means you are telling bullies that justice can be trampled.”

“Have you ever thought about how much that would hurt him?”

Giang Ha's mother pushed my hand away. Both eyes were red.

“What else can I do?”

She almost screamed.

“I don't need justice!”

“I just want my son to safely finish high school!”

“Pass the exam to a good university!”

“Trieu Ve Dong is the class leader!”

“Just one sentence from him is enough to put another black mark on my child's record!”

“What can we use to fight him?”

Those words are full of the cruelty of reality. Giang Ha stood next to him. Fist clenched until it turned white. Face pale. He wanted to refute. But speechless. Because you know. What my mother said is all true. The atmosphere in the room immediately fell into a deadlock. Right at that moment. The boy who speaks the least. Suddenly spoke up. His voice was very calm.

“Trieu Weidong has been suspended from work pending investigation.”

Giang Ha's parents were simultaneously stunned.

“What...what did you say?”

“Thirty minutes ago.”

“People from the City Discipline Inspection Committee took him away.”

“Full evidence.”

“Caught red-handed on the spot.”

“He will never have the opportunity to return to education again.”

Every sentence of Co Bac. Like heavy bombs. Exploded in the couple's heads. They looked at us. His eyes seemed to be looking at people from another world.

“What about Trieu Khai?”

Giang Ha's father stuttered and asked. Luc Minh continued.

“Intentionally causing injury.”

“Disturbing peace.”

“Organized bullying.”

“Multiple violations at the same time.”

“With the available evidence.”

“Being sent to reform school is almost certain.”

“There will be an indelible black mark on his personal record.”

“In the future, whether I take the civil service exam or apply for a job in a regular business will be fine will be seriously affected.”

Giang Ha's parents were completely stunned. In their eyes. That great unshakable mountain. Yet in front of us it collapsed so easily. Giang Ha's mother looked at me. Eyes of vigilance. Gradually turned into awe. Then finally shame.

“Sorry… sorry…”

She bowed her head.

“It's us…”

“It's us too...”

I shook my head.

“You are not wrong.”

“I'm just a mother who wants to protect her child.”

"Me too."

I turned to look at Giang Ha.

“Giang Ha.”

“I want to negotiate something with you.”

"Is that Okay?"

Giang Ha was stunned. Then nodded. I looked at you. Then looked at Nguyet Nguyet sitting on the hospital bed. His eyes were full of pain.

“After this.”

"Nguyet Nguyet's psychology has suffered great damage."

“This year's university entrance exam…”

“Maybe she can't participate anymore.”

“Her biggest dream.”

“To get into Jinghua University.”

I looked straight at Giang Ha. Say each word slowly.

“I hope.”

“I can fulfill that dream for her.”

Giang Ha was stunned. Even Nguyet Nguyet raised her head in surprise. I continue.

“From today.”

“Until the university exams end.”

“I will invite the best teachers in the country to tutor you privately.”

“All your family's living and studying expenses.”

“I will help solve it.”

“I only have one request.”

I looked at the teenager in front of me. Serious eyes like never before.

“Do Jinghua University.”

“Let Nguyet Nguyet enter the school she always dreamed of.”

“Not just passed.”

“I want you to pass as valedictorian.”

The entire room was silent. Everyone was surprised by my words. Giang Ha's parents gasped. Can't believe my ears. Even my four sons suddenly looked over. As for Giang Ha, he was completely stunned. He looked at me. His eyes were filled with confusion.

“Why?”

“Why me?”

I smiled softly. A smile mixed with bitterness.

“Because you were the only one who reached out to Nguyet Nguyet when she was in the darkest.”

“Because I believe that a child with honesty and justice in his heart deserves the best future.”

I stopped. The voice became more steadfast than ever.

“Also because…”

“I want everyone to see.”

“In the end, what kind of people will this world reward?”

“Not those who bully others.”

“Not those who take advantage of power to trample on others.”

“But people like you.”

“Even though we live in darkness, we still choose to turn towards the light.”

“You are the flag that I want to raise for Nguyet Nguyet.”

“For all the kids who have been bullied.”

“I want your success to be the biggest slap for those bullies.”

Giang Ha's eyes gradually brightened. Like a fire that had just been lit. He looked at me. Then she looked at Nguyet Nguyet who was quietly looking at her. He took a deep breath. Trinh solemnly nodded.

“I promise.”

“I will definitely do it.”