Chapter 2 — Two-Face Roommate

I continue to move forward. Behind her came the sound of her chasing two steps, then suddenly stopping. At nine o'clock in the evening, I returned to the dormitory. Tong Huynh hasn't returned yet, but I have an extra portion of canned spicy hot pot on my table. The lid of the box is open, the heat is still rising. Next to it was a note: On Tu, bought it for you, eat while it's still hot. I took a look, peeled off the paper, crumpled it into a ball and threw it in the trash. I carried the entire box of spicy hot pot to the shared table at the end of the hallway. Whoever wants to eat can take it. Ten minutes later, the phone rang. Tong Huynh sent three text messages. "Don't you eat spicy hot pot?" "I purposely went to the restaurant at the North gate to buy it. You said you liked the broth from that restaurant before." "I know you're angry, but I really don't have any malice." I didn't answer. The next morning, I was called into the office by the consultant. When he pushed the door open, Tong Huynh was already sitting inside. She bowed her head, her eyes were red, and she held a tissue in her hand. Seeing me come in, she quickly wiped the corners of her eyes. The advisor, surnamed Tran, is a woman in her forties, her hair is neatly tied into a bun. She motioned for me to sit down, then closed the file in her hand and pushed it in front of me. "On Tu, are you accusing Tong Huynh of defaming you?"4 I didn't rush to sit down. First put the backpack on the back of the chair, then pulled out the chair, sat down very firmly. "I'm not denouncing her for defamation." Advisor Tran raised his eyebrows: "So these photos..." "The photos were saved by me, but the complaint was not filed by me today. It was she who wrote the letter saying that I used stimulants. After the group meeting ended, I showed it directly to Mr. Luc. "I paused for a moment. "Mr. Luc said to keep the letter for now, I respect. respect his judgment. I called you here today, because of what she said to you?" Advisor Tran's eyes glanced back and forth between me and Tong Huynh, then opened the file again. "Tieu Tong told me that recently you have been spreading false information about her, saying that she has tried everything to harm you. eyes turned to Tong Huynh. She bowed her head, her shoulders trembled slightly, her fingers pressed on her temples, looking even more haggard than me. "So you made the first move, ran to the counselor and cried." "I'm not crying." Tong Huynh raised his face, his voice hoarse like sandpaper grinding on an iron plate. "On Tu, I just feel that if there is a misunderstanding between us, we can sit down and talk properly. You don't have to go around saying I'm a thief, saying I'm a robber. Your scholarship." "My scholarship is approved by the faculty, not you giving it to me." "It's true that you didn't steal." I nodded. "You only kicked me out through the denunciation. In terms of process, the scholarship you received is completely legal and in accordance with regulations." "So why do you..." "Because my mother once taught, as a person you must know the rules, you can't turn over other people's stalls for your own loss. But that doesn't mean I can't Tell me from start to finish how that stall of yours was set up." Advisor Tran tapped on the table, bringing the topic back: "Okay, you two don't argue in the office. On Tu, if you have any evidence in your hand, show it to me first." I unlocked the phone, found the specially created photo folder and gave it to her. Advisor Tran's finger paused on the screen. She put the phone on the table and pushed it towards me. The emotions in my eyes left me and turned to Tong Huynh. "Tieu Tong, do you accept the handwriting on this denunciation?" Tong Huynh's lips moved slightly. The tears in the corners of my eyes had dried, leaving only a thin layer of shine. She was silent for a few seconds, and when she opened her mouth, her voice lowered

dropped very low: "Yes, I wrote it." The temperature in the office felt like someone had suddenly turned it down a notch. Counselor Tran didn't speak, waiting for her to continue. "But what you said is the truth." Tong Huynh's voice suddenly got a little higher, carrying a vibrating sound as if he was forced to the end. "On Tu did indeed use illegal electrical equipment in the dormitory. I saw it, took a photo and reported the situation to the faculty. What's wrong with what I did?" The more she spoke, the faster her speed became, as if she was giving herself more courage: "The school has regulations. Student dormitories are not allowed to use electric cookers and high-power equipment. This is clearly written in the dormitory management rules." "She violated the regulations, I denounce, it is every student's right to do wrong, how can I blame you?" Counselor Tran looked at me: "On Tu, do you admit to using illegal electrical equipment?" "I admit." Counselor Tran nodded: "Disciplined, disqualified." In terms of emulation, the faculty's handling is not a problem." "I accept the disciplinary action." I said: "It's my fault, I don't deny it. But the fact that she denounced me and the fact that she accepted my scholarship are two different things." "Why are they two different things?" Tong Huynh's voice trembled slightly.