Chapter 17: In for a Penny, In for a Pound
Before we left, Mr Aunt handed me yet another stack of materials and said,
"Last time, I only gave you a third of the materials. Today is Saturday. Starting Monday, we'll officially begin work. In two months, we must have a finished product ready for the competition."
I held the pile of documents in my arms, completely dumbfounded. The first batch had already shocked me so much that I wanted to quit. Now there was more? Would I even survive until the competition? Was Mr Aunt using this opportunity to take revenge on me?
I was about to ask Duyên to take the bus home with me when my classmates reminded me.
"Hey Vân, Mr. BMW is here to pick you up."
Beautiful Butt stepped out of his BMW. I panicked. Who knew how long he had been waiting for me? Was this the price I had to pay for taking advantage of him? Unlucky me—I didn't bring my pink notebook.
Mr Aunt returned to that cold, indifferent expression, seemingly a bit annoyed. Mr Aunt left first. Duyên also didn't take the bus with me; instead, Hải Anh took her home. Duyên gave a slight nod to Beautiful Butt before walking away. He stared after her, utterly confused.
I obediently got into the luxurious BMW and meekly said,
"Can you leave me alone for a while?"
Beautiful Butt said nothing. I pressed on,
"Do you see this pile of documents? I need to focus on studying for the next two months. I have a really important competition coming up."
Still, no reaction from him—just steady driving. After a while, he finally asked,
"The Microsoft competition?"
"Yes."
"It'll be tough. If you need money, I have plenty. If you need a job, I can get you one. You don't have to struggle like this."
I was furious. What did I need his money for? Did he think I was some kind of sugar baby? My tone instantly turned sharp.
"This isn't just about money. It's about dignity."
Beautiful Butt didn't argue anymore. He simply nodded.
"Alright."
He drove me back to the dorm, but not before buying me a ton of food, reminding me to eat properly or I wouldn't have the energy to study. I was really touched. If there was one thing I never refused, it was food.
That night, I started reading all the materials Mr Aunt had given me. I knew my brain worked best around midnight, so I resigned myself to becoming a night owl—studying at night and sleeping during the day.
Duyên, on the other hand, had a strict schedule. She always went to bed at midnight and never failed to remind me to sleep early, worried that I might turn into a wandering ghost at this rate. Staying up late was terrible for my health and skin, but I had already committed. In for a penny, in for a pound.
After two days, I felt like a complete wreck—like someone with extreme burnout. It was too much for me. I couldn't do it. I thought about it while walking, while sitting, even when I wasn't trying to—like a sleepwalker.
Then Mr Aunt called me to the faculty office.
I lingered at the door, peeking inside like a thief. Mr Aunt came out to meet me, looking completely unbothered, as if nothing serious was happening. Of course, it wasn't Mr Aunt being tortured by this mountain of documents—it was me.
In a voice as light as air, Mr Aunt asked,
"So, how's it going?"
I lowered my head.
"I... I..."
Mr Aunt looked down at the school courtyard, still cold and indifferent.
"Are you trying to say you can't do it? I didn't think you were so slow. Maybe someone who only knows about romance like you really can't handle this. I must have misjudged you."
I hated being underestimated. Only I had the right to call myself dumb or weak. If anyone else—no matter who—thought that way about me, it was unforgivable. Even if it was Mr Aunt.
But what could I do? Dropkick Mr Aunt off the balcony? One solid jump, and Mr Aunt would be flying straight into the courtyard below. But no, I wasn't a violent person. My method was much simpler—I would prove Mr Aunt dead wrong for doubting me.
A few days ago, Mr Aunt had made me feel like I was on top of the world. And now? Straight into the mud. Why did Duyên even love someone like this?
I lifted my head, looking straight at Mr Aunt, and declared firmly,
"No. I will do it."
It almost looked like Mr Aunt was smiling. But when Mr Aunt turned to face me, that familiar cold expression was back.
"Good. Come to my place tonight."
With that, Mr Aunt walked back into the faculty office.
That evening, I went to Mr Aunt's house. Normally, my head would be filled with all sorts of suggestive thoughts—being alone with a single man, the possibilities, his intentions in inviting me over, and so on. But this time, my mind was too occupied with the pile of documents Mr Aunt had dumped on me to entertain any wild ideas.