Chapter 19

Despite the bad weather that can somewhat affect the studying atmosphere, the youth's passion for gossip and fun remains unaffected. During recess, the classrooms tend to become noisier as students cannot go out to engage in outdoor activities. Amidst all the noise, Thuy strikes up a conversation with her friend Ngoc Lam as she often does. During their conversation, Ngoc Lam learns that Thuy has set a new goal for herself - to improve her English skills.

Yesterday, Thuy was an eyewitness to Ngoc Lam's impressive communication skills in English. She saw her friend talking to two foreign teachers, K and M, in English and was completely amazed. The experience was completely different from the usual listening and speaking lessons in class. Thuy was unable to understand anything, but she was in awe of Ngoc Lam's fluency. 

Apart from her impressive language skills, Thuy admires another aspect of Ngoc Lam. She has a unique ability to be kind and empathetic towards others, which Thuy finds truly inspiring.

Ngoc Lam writes down a few English channels on YouTube for Thuy to practice her English. Thuy happily smiles from ear to ear, and Ngoc Lam's eyes become warmer. In the meantime, Van Thac captures those heartwarming moments while chatting with his friends from the back of the class.

Contrasting with the vibrant energy of the students, Mr Woods is pouring a cup of hot tea to give to the woman - the same person who splashed water on Van Thac earlier while driving her luxury car.

"Drink this cup of tea and then go home." The teacher says coldly.

"Have you just chased me away? It's still raining like cats and dogs outside." The woman laughs.

"What are you doing here?"

"You reduced your workload at the Conservatory of Music to come here to be a school performance judge. K and M also determined not to accept money from the rector to give free guidance here. I'm curious, so I come here to see."

"K and M are not here."

"I know."

Mr Woods frowns and looks at the woman.

"Leave her alone. She and her family have nothing to do with you guys anymore."

"A lot of people have noticed that. The photos updated on Social media by students in this school soon revealed where she was."

"You must stop, now! Ngoc Lam only participates in the school's performance."

"Yet K and M are not afraid to show up with her? Today it's a school performance, but who knows tomorrow it's-"

BAM! Mr Woods slammed his hand on the table.

"I warn you and your husband not to cause any harm to her! Haven't you two done enough?"

The woman glares at Mr Woods with eyes full of hatred.

"She is your student. Of course, you will try to defend her! I also have a son! Is it wrong for me to stand up for my child?"

"That's not how you stand up for him! All that you are doing is venting your anger on another kid!"

"You know nothing about us!"

Seeing that he cannot continue this conversation, Mr Woods waves his hand.

"You should go home!"

The woman withdraws her hostile attitude towards Mr Woods and smiles calmly.

"I can't go back yet. Today I come here on behalf of my husband to survey and then propose to the Ministers to invest in art facilities for high schools. I am about to see the principal."

"If you say so!" Mr Woods takes a deep breath, "Go ahead and take care of your work. But you need to know this: Never exploit the power in your hands to harm any child! Or I will not let you flee that easily!"

"Whatever," The woman shrugs her shoulders "But you should remember this, too: She is not a child!" She turns her back to Mr Woods and grits her teeth, "She is a monster!"

Once the woman gets out of the room, Mr Lam picks up the phone and quickly dials the number.

"Hello, son? It's me, Dad... I have a favour to ask. Yeah… yeah… can you arrange it? Yes... Call me back if anything happens."

As soon as he hangs up, the teacher immediately makes another call.

"Teaching assistant, right? I have this task for you. Please investigate further on this issue... that's right... don't forget to let me know as soon as you find something."

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There's only one week left until the rehearsal, and the next day will be the performance day.

The spirit of Teacher's Day is increasingly higher. The rooms are full of pictures, banners, posters, etc. for this occasion. Competitions are also organized one after another. Tonight, there will be a flower arrangement and art competition with teachers registering to participate. Teachers can invite family and friends to watch. And because there will be strangers entering the school premises, as soon as the class bell rings, students quickly clear their seats. This allows teachers and supervisors to lock the classroom doors. Closets, storage rooms, music rooms, laboratories, etc. are all carefully sealed. The class's drama team quickly asks to take the digital piano out early to practice in a spacious hallway corner.

The hallway and outdoor lights have been turned on for the event, and supervisors and security guards are mobilized to monitor and ensure order. Thuy is roaming around taking pictures of the flower vases created for the competition and the teachers' performances to show them to the drama team during the break. Some of the students admire and applaud the performances and then invite each other to go out and take a look around before they get back after the break to practice again.

Meanwhile, the group of musicians must stay to look after the electric piano. In the hallway, only Van Thac, Ngoc Lam and the piano player remain.

"Are Mr K and Ms M not coming today?" The pianist starts a conversation. Over the past time, they have also actively helped him.

"Looks like they are tired up with work today, right, Ngoc Lam?" Van Thac turns to Ngoc Lam

"They are" Ngoc Lam replies.

Van Thac and his friend are engaged in a conversation while Ngoc Lam carefully reviews the videos of their group's practice progress. After a few minutes, she wants to use the restroom and informs her friends before walking down a deserted hallway. She does not realise that someone is following her quietly.

After using the restroom, Ngoc Lam washes her hands and heads back to Van Thac's place. Suddenly, she encounters someone waiting for her outside, completely unaware of his presence. She stops abruptly and looks at the person in disbelief, as it's been an incredibly long time since she last saw him.

"... Are you?" Ngoc Lam cannot believe in her eyes.

"Long time no see." The stranger grins

As soon as the voice is spoken, Ngoc Lam looks at the person in front of her in surprise.

"Thanh? Is that you?"

"Why are you so shocked right now?" A stranger named Thanh walks up to Ngoc Lam, caressing his face as he moves. "Since the day he passed away, we have all suffered. His mother was seriously depressed. It's inconsolable."

He continues to look straight into her eyes.

"We have never forgotten. I have to live for him. I live his life. Every time I look at this face, I can't forget the last moment we met."

He leans into Ngoc Lam's ear.

"Do you understand?"

Pause for a moment, he says.

"Why? Why can you move on so easily as your soul has set in peace?"

"You are a murderer!"

As the man finishes his sentence, he gently places his hand on Ngoc Lam's shoulder, offering her a reassuring touch. With his parting gesture, he turns and strides away, leaving Ngoc Lam standing motionless in the long hallway.