
HAN TRINH AND ANH DUONG#2
Chapter 3: The Run of Youth
April arrived, bringing with it the first buzzing of cicadas and the stifling atmosphere of
approaching exams. For Linh, this was the busiest time since she transferred to the advanced
class. The school-level English competition was fast approaching, and Linh spent most of her
free time in the library solving problems and improving her vocabulary.
Besides the academic pressure, Linh also set herself a major physical challenge. Looking at the
strict admission requirements of the armed forces, a field she longed for, Linh knew her current
height was a significant disadvantage. Every morning, she woke up at five o'clock to jog and do
stretching exercises, combined with a strict diet. She promised herself she would reach the 1.60
meter mark before the official admissions process began.
The day of the English competition finally arrived. Stepping out of the exam room with fingers
aching from continuous writing, Linh breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of the outcome, she
knew she had given her all during those past months. The sweet reward came a week later
when Linh's name was announced as the second-place winner at the school level. This
achievement not only made her teachers and parents proud but also affirmed the tireless efforts
of this 11th-grade student.
Chapter 4: The Crossroads
Entering the new school year, the pressures of a final-year high school student began to
become apparent. Amidst the hectic schedule of extra classes and mock HSA (Higher Skills
Assessment) exams, Linh's school organized a career guidance trip to a cluster of major
universities. Coincidentally, the destination was the engineering school where he was studying.
Stepping onto the vast university campus, Linh couldn't help but feel bewildered. Among the
enthusiastic group of student volunteers in blue shirts, Linh's eyes suddenly stopped at a tall,
striking figure, nearly 1.8 meters tall, a familiar sight. It was him. Linh's heart suddenly skipped
a beat, and all the sounds around her seemed to fade into the background.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, he turned and recognized Linh. He smiled and proactively walked
towards her: "Oh, Linh, right? Long time no see, are you here for a career orientation tour?"
"Yes... hello," Linh said, slightly flustered, her cheeks blushing.
He enthusiastically led Linh's group on a tour of the laboratories, excitedly sharing about student
life and his past exam preparation experiences. Seeing his confident and mature demeanor,
Linh's admiration grew even stronger. Before parting ways and letting Linh get into the car to go
home, he gently patted her head, smiling warmly: "Good luck, little girl, I'll be waiting for you at
the university."