* He’s really handsome, I wonder if he has a girlfriend yet?

* Oh please, handsome but arrogant. I heard he’s gay.

* Really? What a pity! So handsome and yet…

The whispers reached Minh Hung’s ears, but he didn’t pay them any mind. For many years, Hung had never paid attention to any girl. It wasn’t that no one noticed him, but because Hung’s mind was completely focused on his career.

Minh Hung’s family was the poorest in the region. His older brother, second sister, and third sister had to drop out of school early to help their parents raise their younger siblings. When he was young, Minh Hung was not only a studious boy but also very intelligent. Teachers and family were always proud of him. When Minh Hung was in 9th grade, his father fell seriously ill. Medicine was expensive, and the family had to run around borrowing money to treat him. Seeing everyone struggling to earn money to pay off debts and care for his father, Hung found his mother and said:

* Mom! I want to quit school to go to work and help everyone.

Surprised by her son’s words, Hung’s mother, Mrs. Ha, eventually composed herself. Her expression became serious as she looked directly at her son:

* I will not allow you to quit school. If you want to escape poverty, you must study hard. Only then will you have hope for a better life.

Minh Hung said nothing more, letting his mother scold him, but in his heart, he had already decided to drop out of school to work. The next day, instead of going to school, Hung wandered everywhere looking for a job and finally found one washing dishes at a restaurant.

From then on, young Minh Hung diligently worked at the restaurant every day. After a week, his dropping out of school was discovered. His mother gave him a severe beating. From then on, people took turns watching him go to school twice a day, which also affected the family’s income. One day, suffering from a stomachache, the boy woke up to hear his parents talking:

* This month’s income is too low, just enough to pay off debts, with no money left over. If only Hung hadn’t rebelled, there would have been some savings later to care for the children.

His father sighed:

* Well, we have to endure it. We have to endure it so that he won’t suffer for us later.

Hung’s nose twitched, tears welled up, and he rushed to apologize to his parents, vowing never to drop out of school again. From that day on, he threw himself into his studies, no longer thinking about quitting school to work. Time flew by, and the boy Hung of yesterday was now a mature young man. For his family, he put aside everything else and focused on his work, hoping to ease his parents’ and siblings’ burdens.

But life didn’t go as he wished. No matter how hard he tried, he was just an employee, not saving much, and his father’s illness grew worse day by day, with increasing medical expenses. He barely managed to earn enough to care for his father. From then on, Hung became even more engrossed in making money, neglecting everything around him.

Time flew by, and soon Hung was over 30. His siblings had their own families, yet he hadn’t even had a fleeting romance. People spread many unpleasant rumors about him. But he didn’t care about those things because what Hung cared about was how to earn a lot of money to alleviate his parents’ hardship.

* Hey everyone! Today we have a new member joining us. Her name is Nguyet Anh. She just graduated. Please help her out. – The manager turned to Hung and called out: – Hung! Please guide her!

Engrossed in his work, Hung looked up when his name was called and replied “yes” to get it over with. But the moment his eyes met the girl’s face, his heart seemed to skip a beat. For the first time in his life, Hung knew what it felt like to be moved.

Nguyet Anh wasn’t beautiful or fashionable like the girls he had met before, but there was something about her that made Hung unable to take his eyes off her. From that day on, he guided Nguyet Anh very enthusiastically, mainly so he could be a little closer to her. Gradually, the flutter of his heart turned into love without him realizing it. But Hung had never been in love before, so he didn’t know how to express his feelings. Every time he was next to her, his heart felt like it would jump out of his chest, and he stammered for a long time before he could speak.

Those not involved could see clearly what was happening. Once, a colleague curiously asked Hung:

* Do you like little Nguyet Anh?

Hung blushed and stammered:

* N… no way. Just talking nonsense. She’d misunderstand.

* Don’t deny it, I know everything. If you like her, just say it. Why keep it to yourself and suffer?

Hung lowered his head and mumbled:

* I’m just afraid she won’t accept and will end up hating me.

* You have to try to know. Be confident!

Hung hesitated and said:

* I…

* Don’t be shy. Men have to be strong. That’s how you win the person you love.

Listening to his colleague’s advice, Hung decided to tell Nguyet Anh about his feelings. He shyly approached her and stammered:

* Nguyet… Nguyet Anh! Are… are you busy today?

Nguyet Anh looked up and replied:

* I’m busy today. I’m going to pick up my boyfriend. He’s coming back from overseas today. See you another day.

Hung was stunned when he heard Nguyet Anh’s words. His heart felt like it shattered into pieces. It hurt so much, he couldn’t breathe. He didn’t know why it hurt so much, as if something was squeezing Hung’s heart and soul. The words of love he could only bury deep in his heart, never to be spoken. He quietly stood from afar to watch, care for, and look after her.

The End