Page 6
Hạnh lightly tapped her fingers on the table.
“Poor people are really good at lying about being fine.”
Minh looked up.
She smiled.
“You’re the same.
I can tell just by looking at your face.”
Minh was about to argue, but right then, his stomach growled loudly.
Hạnh burst out laughing.
“See?
Your stomach is more honest than you are.”
Minh lowered his head and laughed along.
Hạnh turned back to the kitchen, scooped up some more rice, and placed it in front of him.
“Eat.
It’s free.”
Minh stared at her.
“Why are you suddenly giving it to me for free?”
Hạnh turned her face away.
“Because I accidentally cooked too much today.”
She immediately snapped, “What are you looking at?
Eat!”
Minh ate slowly, one bite at a time.
The warm rice filled his stomach, and its warmth spread through his chest.
Suddenly, he felt a lump in his throat.
Hạnh pretended to wipe the table, avoiding his gaze.
After a while, she said, “If you have work tomorrow, come by.
Even if you don’t have work, come anyway.
Don’t stand out on the street smiling to yourself.
People will think you’re crazy.”
Minh lowered his face, smiling until his eyes turned red.
Minh put down his chopsticks and looked seriously at Hạnh.
“Sis Hạnh.”
She turned around.
“What?”
Minh took a deep breath.
“The rice you gave me…
Hạnh crossed her arms.
“I know.”
Minh swallowed.
“But I can repay you with…
love.”
The entire restaurant fell silent.
An old customer who was drinking water immediately choked and spat it all over the table.
Hạnh stood frozen.
The spoon in her hand slipped and clattered onto the floor.
She looked Minh up and down: his patched shirt, torn pants, broken sandals, and hair still covered in fish scales from that morning.
“Are you confessing your love to me?”
Minh nodded with utmost seriousness.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Hạnh covered her forehead.
“Oh my God…
I gave you extra rice, not extra courage.”
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