Chapter 44: The Wind on the Balcony
After finishing her second semester exams, Kieu Ly received an official notice from the school: she had been selected to study abroad for a year.
When she got the news, she was overwhelmed with joy. At last, all her hard work had paid off.
But there was one thing that weighed on her mind—her promise to help Toan Phuong get into Foreign Trade University.
Then she laughed at herself. A wealthy family like Toan Phuong's could easily find someone even more capable than her to take her place.
Soon, the scorching summer returned. Toan Phuong started his summer break a month earlier than Kieu Ly. In the evenings, Kieu Ly still came over to tutor him as usual. After assigning his homework, she stood up and silently pulled open the window curtains to look down at the street.
The roads surrounding the lake were lined with flamboyant flame trees. Every summer, the rows of crimson blossoms bloomed in full glory, as if to signal the season of partings.
This was the suburb, so even from up high, one could feel the playful summer breeze dancing through the leaves.
Seeing her like that, Toan Phuong got up, turned off the air conditioner, then opened the windows and the main door, letting the wind rush into the room, flipping through the pages of the open notebooks on the desk.
He closed his books and said:
"Ly, come out here. The view's better from outside."
With that, he stepped out onto the balcony.
And what a balcony it was—spacious, beautiful, and airy, just as you'd expect from a wealthy household.
Kieu Ly stood there, mesmerized by the million-dollar view, her gaze drifting into the distance.
The breeze from the lake blew her long hair around, playfully tugging at the hem of her blouse.
She looked up at the vast star-speckled sky, her heart filled with an indescribable emotion.
Her school years had already come to an end, and Toan Phuong's were nearing theirs too.
Absentmindedly, Kieu Ly said:
"You've only got one year left of school life."
Toan Phuong stood beside her, quietly gazing at the sky dotted with stars.
"Do you feel any regret?" Kieu Ly continued, still lost in thought.
Toan Phuong shook his head gently:
"Not really. I don't even have a girlfriend at school, so there's nothing much to miss."
Kieu Ly was a bit surprised and turned to ask:
"Handsome, rich, smart—and still no girlfriend at school?"
Toan Phuong turned to look at her. For a moment, his expression became dazed.
So, in Kieu Ly's eyes, he had that many good qualities?
He smiled and said:
"Do girls usually like that kind of guy?"
Kieu Ly nodded cheerfully:
"Of course they do."