Chapter 7 — Valedictorian Without Desire

"The fact that Tham An is so weak that she can't take care of herself is just an excuse that our whole family has built up together for many years." "She knows the truth but still takes advantage of it time and time again to hurt Tham Ninh." Finally, he bowed deeply in front of the camera. "All curses and scolding should be directed at me." "From beginning to end, the only thing Tham Ninh did wrong was being patient for too long in this family."After The video was posted, social media absolutely exploded. People who previously scolded me started deleting their comments. Someone apologized. Some people are silent. More people flooded into Tham An's account to question it. It quickly deleted the posts but it was too late. The background in the photos of him pretending to be sick was discovered by others. The health examination report is verified by the school. Its anonymous posting history is also publicly handed over by the platform. The local university immediately issued a notice overnight, temporarily suspending its student status and coordinating the investigation. I sat in front of the computer, watching each message continuously appear on the screen. I neither cry nor laugh. I have been in pain. But those pains are not what I deserve.10Three months after the storm subsided, I received the National Young Scientific Research Award. The instructor patted my shoulder. "Tham Ninh, congratulations." Everyone around smiled and clapped. I looked at them and smiled and said, "Thank you." On the day I received the award, I wore a white shirt and my long hair was tied behind my head. After the ceremony ended, I just walked out of the hall and saw my brother. He stood on the steps, holding a suitcase in his hand. Seeing me, his eyes lit up and then quickly darkened. "Ninh Ninh." I stopped walking. "What's wrong?" His throat moved slightly. "I'm about to leave." "I'm going to another place." "I can't continue to stay at the company." "I probably won't come back from now on." I nodded. "Good luck." When those three words were said, his eyes turned red. He bowed his head, seeming to laugh but not like he was laughing. "I know you won't care about these things." I didn't deny it. He was silent for a long time before speaking. "Today I didn't come to ask for your forgiveness." The wind blew from the steps, making the hem of my shirt flutter. My brother raised his head and looked at me. "I just want to say sorry to you directly." I have been waiting for this sentence for many years. As a child, I waited for it while my hair was cut. I waited for it while locked in the attic. I was waiting for it as I watched Tham An wearing her dress, twirling around in the living room. After that, I won't wait anymore. After I stopped waiting, that sentence finally appeared. But it no longer matters. I looked at him and calmly said. "Thank you for standing up and clarifying the situation last time." His eyes trembled slightly. "Ninh Ninh." "But I will not forgive you." "When you hurt me, everyone was not careless." "Every time you did those things, everyone knew very well what they were doing." "It's just that at that time, everyone felt like I wasn't important." His brother's face slowly turned white. I continued speaking. "So, I have received your apology." "I have also seen the consequences you have had to endure." "But all of that cannot erase the past." He bowed his head, his fingers tightening on the handle of the suitcase. I said, "Don't come looking for me in the future." After those words fell, he stood still for a long time. It seemed he finally understood that some doors were not closed. But it will never open for you again. I turned around and walked towards the school gate. From behind came a broken, suppressed voice

"Ninh Ninh, you must live well in the future." I didn't turn around. "You will live well." I walked forward step by step. On the phone, the instructor sent a text message asking if I could participate in a discussion about the new project tomorrow. Teacher Co also sent me a message. "Congratulations, Tham Ninh, keep moving forward." I paused for a moment and then replied. "I will continue." Then, I put the phone in my pocket. The wind was very cold but I didn't shrink my shoulders. I knew there was someone behind me standing still, watching me leave. I also know that from today, in my life there will no longer be that family. But I don't feel empty. I used to think that walking alone would be very difficult. Later I understood, what is really difficult is having to carry chains on your back that do not belong to you and still have to pretend to call them love. Now, the chains are broken. I finally belong only to myself. Ahead, the night gradually becomes deeper, the starlight gradually brightens. I walked towards the experimental building. I walked to a farther place. I don't turn around. Run out of.