Chapter 1 — Two People Get 748 Points

My sister got 748 points on her college entrance exam, and the whole family lit firecrackers to celebrate. Mom hugged her and cried: "Our family has a valedictorian!" Dad booked a party that night, relatives constantly surrounded his sister. No one asked me how many points I scored, I stood in the corner like thin air. It wasn't until my sister looked at me smugly: "Little sister, how was your exam?" I calmly replied: "It's okay, just two points less than the perfect score." The living room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Mom froze in place, her chopsticks fell to the ground with a "clack" sound. I continued to add: "The absolute score of the university entrance exam is only 750 points." 01 On the day the university entrance exam results were announced, downstairs at the Tham family's house they lit three rounds of firecrackers. Red firecracker corpses covered the ground. Luu My Quyen stood in front of the door, screaming until her voice was hoarse. “Nhuoc Duong scored 748 points!” “My daughter has a future!” "Our Tham family has a valedictorian!" Neighbors poked their heads out to see, relatives crowded in the door, and the living room was filled with congratulatory sounds. Tham Nhuoc Duong is wearing a white dress, sitting in the middle of the sofa, her eyes are red, her hands are holding the phone. Every time she bowed her head, Luu My Quyen hugged her once. “My poor daughter, you have worked so hard these past three years.” Tham Duc Thang took out the most expensive bottle of wine from the wine cabinet and filled the tea table. “No cooking tonight.” “To the hotel.” “Dad invites the whole family to have a meal.” She immediately clapped her hands. “You are truly blessed.” "The eldest daughter is so talented, she later enters a prestigious school, and the whole family prospers." I stood at the door of the dining room, still holding the plate of fruit I had just washed. No one looked at me. The juice on the apple peel flows down the wrist. Luu My Quyen turned her head and glared at me. “Thanh Hoa, what are you doing standing there blankly?” “Bring the fruit here.” “Your sister is happy today, don't show that cold expression.” I put the fruit plate on the tea table. Tham Nhuoc Duong looked up at me and smiled. “My sister has had a hard time.” She spoke very quietly, but someone in the living room still heard. Aunt Hai immediately responded. "Thanh Hoa has understood things since she was young." "Unlike Nhuoc Duong, his mind is focused on studying." “In a family, having one child who knows how to study is enough.” Luu My Quyen smiled and nodded. “Thanh Hoa has a calm personality.” “In the future, find a school a little closer to home, graduate and then come back to help your family.” I lowered my eyes. The phone on the tea table kept lighting up. That's my phone. Since ten o'clock in the morning, strange numbers have continuously called. I refused three times. The fourth time, the calling number changed to a landline number. The place called is the provincial capital. I don't answer the phone. It's not because I don't dare. But because I wanted to see how long it would take this family to remember that I was also taking the university entrance exam. Do not have. From morning to afternoon, no one asked. Luu My Quyen was busy changing clothes for Tham Nhuoc Duong. Tham Duc Thang is busy booking hotels. Relatives were busy posting good news in the family chat group. On the greeting card, there was only the name Tham Nhuoc Duong. 748 points. Top in the whole city. Almost guaranteed a spot at Tsinghua University. I stood in the kitchen and heard her ask: "Are Thanh Hoa's grades available yet?" The living room was silent for a second. Luu My Quyen quickly burst into laughter. “It's just like that.” “Normally, it's always quiet.” “It's great to be able to pass a normal university.” She lowered her voice. “Then I should ask a question.” “Two sisters competing together, is it possible that one is in heaven and the other is on earth?” Luu My Quyen placed the wine glass firmly on the table. “Today is a happy day for Nhuoc Duong.” “Don't mention losing interest.” My hand holding the glass of water stopped. The glass cup is very cold. So cold that my palms are numb. Tham Nhuoc Duong turned around in front of the mirror. In her ears, she wears a pair of pearl earrings that Luu My Quyen just bought. “Mom, don't say that.” “Thanh Hoa also tried.” She looked toward the kitchen. “Girl, don't take it to heart.” I said nothing. She smiled again. "Later, when we come to the university entrance celebration party, please sit next to me." “I'm afraid your relatives will ask about your grades and you'll be embarrassed.” Luu My Quyen immediately frowned. “Nhuoc Duong is really soft-hearted.” “Thanh Hoa, have you heard?” “Later if you

If asked another question, you keep saying you haven't checked the scores yet." “Don't make your sister unhappy.” I put down the glass of water. “Why?” Luu My Quyen was stunned. The people in the living room also stopped talking. She didn't seem to expect me to ask. “Why what?” I looked at her. “Why can't I say it?” Tham Duc Thang's face darkened. “You must cause trouble today, right?” "My sister got 748 points on the exam, the whole family is happy." “Being a younger sister makes you understand things a little bit.” Understand the story. I have heard these two words for eighteen years. Tham Nhuoc Duong learns to play the piano. I understand, so I don't make any noise. Tham Nhuoc Duong studied more, I understood, so I gave up the room. Tham Nhuoc Duong improved in the monthly exam, Luu My Quyen took her to a restaurant, I understood, so I stayed home to reheat the leftovers. On the day of the university entrance exam, I still had to understand. The phone lights up again. This time there was no strange number on the screen. Which is a message. The sender is the Provincial Admissions Board. Luu My Quyen also saw it. She walked quickly and directly held out her hand. “Who texted you?” I placed the phone face down in my palm. “My phone.” Her face immediately became unsightly. “I am your mother.” “Is there anything else you can't show me?” Tham Nhuoc Duong gently said: "Mom, don't be angry." “Maybe the school informed my sister to check her grades.” After speaking, she looked at me again. “Thanh Hoa, do you finally have your points?” In the end, everyone's eyes fell on me. Not out of concern. But because I waited and watched, I lost face. I looked at Tham Nhuoc Duong. There was a smile in her eyes. My phone is still vibrating. The callback is called. Four words appeared on the screen. Provincial Admissions Board. 02 The living room was quiet for a moment. Luu My Quyen stared at my phone. “Listen.” Her voice became tense. “Turn on speakerphone.” Tham Duc Thang also frowned. “Why did the provincial admission board call you?” “You didn't fill in the wrong information, did you?” Aunt Hai smiled conciliatoryly. "Thanh Hoa is usually very careful, maybe the school makes a general announcement." Tham Nhuoc Duong said nothing. She looked at the phone in my hand, her fingers slowly tightening the hem of her dress. I received the call. Do not turn on the speakerphone. “Hello.” The voice on the other side was very polite. “Excuse me, is this Tham Thanh Hoa?” “It's you.” "The test scores and the school I want to register for have received feedback." “We want to confirm whether your own phone can be contacted normally or not.” Liu My Quyen took a step forward. “Who is that?” I leaned away from her. “Maybe.” The other person continued to say: "Then the university's admission team will contact you." “Please keep the phone clear.” "At the same time, make sure that no one else registers your wishes on your behalf." I raised my eyes to look at Luu My Quyen. “Yes.” The call ended. The living room became bustling again. Only this time, the excitement was somewhat forced. She was the first to ask. “Thanh Hoa, why did the Admissions Committee call you?” Luu My Quyen immediately responded. “What else could it be?” “Definitely a reminder to fill in the request.” "There are a lot of scammers these days, don't pick up the phone casually." Tham Duc Thang nodded. “Yes.” "Nhuoc Duong's scores are high, there will definitely be someone calling at school." “Thanh Hoa, don't take this seriously.” Having finished speaking, he raised his glass of wine. “Come on, continue.” “Today I just congratulate Nhuoc Duong.” I still stood still. Luu My Quyen saw it and frowned again. “Thanh Hoa, go to the kitchen and order food.” "The hotel said the party will start at seven o'clock, so you should clean up the things in the house first." Tham Nhuoc Duong gently pulled her back. “Mom, let my sister sit for a moment.” “Maybe she's upset inside.” Luu My Quyen sighed. “Nhuoc Duong, don't always think about him.” “People must know how to accept their fate.” “Not everyone can get 748 points on the exam.” Tham Nhuoc Duong bowed his head, the corners of his lips could not hide the smile. I put the phone in my pocket. “I don't go into the kitchen.” Luu My Quyen was stunned. “What did you say?”

I looked at her. “I also finished my exam today.” “I also checked my grades.” “You also have the right to sit here.” Tham Duc Thang suddenly put down the wine glass. “Tham Thanh Hoa!” “Today your sister is the main character.” “Do you have to fight for this bit of dignity?” I asked him: "Do you call it a fight if you say one sentence about your score?" His throat was blocked. She couldn't look anymore, so she whispered: "It's okay to ask a question." “Thanh Hoa, how many points did you get?” Luu My Quyen's face became even darker. “What are you asking?” “She has thin skin.” “If he doesn't test well, how do you tell him to get off the ladder?” Finally, Tham Nhuoc Duong also spoke up. “Mom, it's okay.” She raised her head to look at me. The smile in his eyes appeared again. “Little sister, how was your exam?” As soon as the words came out, everyone in the house stopped. Her voice wasn't loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. I looked at her. She sat in the middle of the sofa, behind her were her relatives, next to her parents. Like a flower held in the palm of your hand. Since childhood, I have stood by her side, watching her being praised and hugged. If she just cries, the whole family will panic. And every time I brought home first place, Luu My Quyen only said one sentence. “Don't be arrogant.” After that, I no longer brought home certificates of merit. Because there's no place to stick it on the wall. It's not that the wall is too small. But because there are too many pictures of Tham Nhuoc Duong. I withdrew my gaze. "That's OK." Luu My Quyen smiled coldly. “How many points is it?” “Don't learn from people who lie to save face.” I looked at the plate of apples on the tea table. That's the apple I just cut. No one eats. I calmly said: "Absolutely two points behind." The living room was immediately silent. The melon seeds in Second Aunt's hand fell to the ground. She opened her mouth. Tham Duc Thang frowned. “What perfect score?” Luu My Quyen reacted the fastest. As if she had caught an opening, she immediately raised her voice. “Don't play with words here.” “Which test has a perfect score?” “Test test at school?” “Aspiration assessment?” “Today my sister is talking about the university entrance exam.” The smile on Tham Nhuoc Duong's face stiffened. She stared at me. “Little sister, don't joke like that.” “The relatives are all here today.” “If you feel uncomfortable in your heart, I can understand.” I took out my phone. “I'm not joking.” Luu My Quyen reached out to grab it. I took a step back. She missed and her face immediately changed. “I am your mother!” I opened the message. The screen lights up. Each row of black letters is extremely clear. Full name. Registration number. Total score. I didn't give it right away. I just held up the phone, letting the girl standing closest look first. She squinted her eyes and read half of it, her voice suddenly choked. She suddenly raised her head to look at me. “Thanh Hoa, is this real?”