Page 21
Minh smiled through his tears.
Linh said softly, “Brother, don’t think you have to carry everything on your shoulders.”
Minh replied, “I’m the older brother.”
She fell silent for a few seconds before saying gently, “Being the older brother doesn’t mean you have to be a superhero.”
Minh lowered his head.
Those simple words made his chest ache.
“Do you remember when you told me that one day you’d buy the whole world for me?” Linh asked.
Minh smiled.
“Did I really say that?”
“You did.
I remember.”
She smiled brightly.
“But I don’t need the whole world.
I just want you to be healthy, and Mom and Dad to be healthy too.
Someday, we’ll have a little house.
Mom will grow vegetables, Dad will sit outside drinking tea, and you’ll cook for me.” New chapters come out on g.com first.
Minh covered his mouth with his hand.
“That actually sounds nice.”
“It does,” Linh said.
“A small house is enough.
An old car is enough.
Even rice with eggs is enough—as long as we’re all still sitting together.”
Her voice grew weaker, but she still tried to joke.
“Oh, except for you.
You have to become rich.
I’ll be your money manager.”
Minh burst into laughter, tears rolling down onto his wrist.
“And how are you going to manage my money?”
Linh answered without hesitation,
“For every dollar you earn, I’ll keep ninety-nine cents.”
Minh laughed.
“Then what am I supposed to live on?”
She grinned.
“You’ll live on my love.”
Linh whispered,
“Big brother…
don’t be afraid.”
Minh listened in silence.
“I don’t want to die yet.
You still haven’t taken me to the beach.
I haven’t tasted the food you’ll cook for me.
And I haven’t seen you grow old while still wearing that ugly shirt.”
Minh finally broke down in tears.
Linh was still smiling.
“So you have to keep going.
I’ll keep fighting too.
The two of us will get through this together, okay?”
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