Chapter 79: Lunar New Year in London
Before long, Tết arrived. Kieu Ly wasn't rich enough to spend tens of millions of đồng flying back home for the holiday, so she decided to stay in London. Thuy Linh cheerfully came over and invited Kieu Ly to attend the year-end gathering hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association.
After they had been sitting for a while, Dang Bang Anh also arrived. This time, he took the initiative to sit near her, which made Thuy Linh's jaw drop in surprise.
Seeing Thuy Linh's reaction, Kieu Ly said:
"Why are you so surprised? Let me introduce you. This is Dang Bang Anh, my fellow Northerner from Bắc Linh."
Dang Bang Anh greeted her warmly:
"You're Thuy Linh, right? I've seen you sitting with Kieu Ly a few times."
Thuy Linh felt a little bitter. She had been in London for several years, yet he only knew her because she happened to sit with Kieu Ly. But then again, it wasn't a big deal. The more friends, the better—and truth be told, she used to think of him as an aloof, diva-like guy, and had misunderstood him quite a bit. Smiling, she replied:
"Yes, I'm Thuy Linh. Nice to meet you, 'Fridge'."
"Why are you calling me a fridge?"
"Because you're cold and distant."
"Me? Distant?"
"Who are you ever not distant with?"
Dang Bang Anh just laughed. So people really did think he was unapproachable. In reality, he did have a bit of that "genius-loner" syndrome—it wasn't like he was putting on a front. He had noticed Thuy Linh before, but back then, she seemed like someone who talked so much it gave him a headache. Now, somehow, she actually seemed kind of fun.
And just like that, the three of them chatted away happily.
At 5 p.m. London time—midnight back in Vietnam—they all gathered to watch fireworks, exchange New Year's wishes, and begin the feast.
The party ended quite late. Kieu Ly was about to return to her dorm when Dang Bang Anh offered to walk her back. She didn't object. In London, even just having a regular friend was something to cherish.
The two of them walked cheerfully through the dorm courtyard. The wind was bone-chillingly cold. Seeing Kieu Ly shiver, Dang Bang Anh quickly took off his outer coat and draped it over her shoulders. Having lived in London for a while, he was well-equipped to handle this kind of freezing winter weather.
Kieu Ly wanted to refuse, but the coat was already around her. She looked at Dang Bang Anh, a flicker of emotion shining in her eyes.
"Hoang Kieu Ly."
The voice came from the dorm entrance, warm and low—an unmistakable Northern Vietnamese accent. Though his tone was filled with sorrow and anguish, the familiar voice was unmistakable. It was Nguyen Toan Phuong.
But… what was he doing here? On New Year's Eve?
Startled, Kieu Ly quickly turned toward the voice. Nguyen Toan Phuong stood there, alone and desolate, tears streaming silently down his face.