I frowned; this family, from top to bottom, could never stay quiet.
Before I could ask Fat Bang for the full story, Khang, sitting beside me, shot to his feet and sneered: "That little brat was just taught a lesson, and already he's looking for trouble again."
Both Fat Bang and I were stunned.
Fat Bang looked at Khang with a less-than-friendly expression: "Hey, Khang, from your tone, it sounds like you know that kid too."
I looked at Khang, also very curious.
Seeing that I was also eager for gossip, Khang burst out laughing: "Luong, you tell them."
Luong looked blankly as all three of us turned to him. He scratched his head and pushed his rice bowl aside.
"I knew I couldn't get out of this. It's not a big deal. That Khe kid looks scholarly, but he knows a bit of martial arts. Back when we had just arrived in Moc Chau town, he had nothing better to do and went looking for a fight with Khang, his attitude all arrogant and domineering.
The result was that he was taken down by Khang in just a few moves. We all just thought of it as a joke, but who would have guessed that kid would take advantage of Khang letting his guard down to touch his face. As for what happened next, you can guess without me saying much. Khang dislocated one of his arms."
"Haha..." Fat Bang couldn't stop laughing. He clapped Khang on the shoulder and said: "Khang, I didn't expect that. Not bad, well done."
Khang was incredibly smug, his eyes sparkling: "That's because I've been training with my old man since I was a kid, and then I followed my brother in the army for a few years. His cat-scratch kung fu was just like scratching an itch for me."
This was the first time I'd heard Khang mention his family; I found it extremely rare. It was hard to imagine that someone as thin as Khang could be so skilled. It seemed I had to see him in a new light.
"By the way, what trouble did he cause this time?" After being smug for a moment, Khang didn't forget the main issue. But I had a feeling that he really wanted to go and deal with Khe right now.
Luong sighed.
"After you taught him a lesson, that kid settled down for a while. He worked quickly and was obedient. I stopped paying attention to him. But I guess a dog can't be taught not to eat shit. He went and started trouble again, even tried to grope someone. Fat Bang and I happened to see it, so we stepped in and taught him a lesson."
Khang was furious: "That guy is a perverted scum. Keeping someone like that around is a disaster waiting to happen."
"Tell me about it. I've already told Vu. Tomorrow morning, we're kicking that kid out to fend for himself," Luong said angrily.
I had no impression of Khe. He was much younger than me, and I'd never seen him during the few rare family gatherings when we were children. But thinking about the ugly faces of that whole family, how good could he possibly be? Whether he lived or died had nothing to do with me.
Seeing that they had finished eating, I said to Fat Bang: "It's getting late, let's pack up and head back."
Hearing this, Luong became anxious: "What's the hurry? Stay for one night and leave tomorrow morning. If you go back now, you'll have to travel at night. The mountain roads are difficult to navigate. Leave tomorrow, listen to me."
Khang and Fat Bang also looked at me.
Seeing my hesitation, Luong added: "Vu will be back later and said he had something to discuss with you all. It's not worth rushing for a moment."
Luong was right; the mountain roads were not easy to travel at night. I might not worry for myself, but I had to consider the safety of others. Thinking this, I had no reason to be stubborn and had to agree.
Luong laughed heartily: "Good, good, then tonight we'll do the same as usual."
With that, he picked up his rice bowl from the table: "I have something to do, you guys make yourselves at home."
Fat Bang looked very excited and nodded eagerly: "Yes, yes, we won't disturb you."
Seeing Luong had gone outside, Fat Bang and Khang looked at each other. These two made a few shady little gestures right in front of me. I just lowered my eyes and pretended not to see.
It was clear they had reached an agreement. Khang grinned: "Let's go. We're going out to find some fun. You can do your own thing."
I nodded, trying to suppress a laugh, thinking to myself that I'd see what trouble these two were planning to stir up. Seeing that I didn't object, Khang pulled Fat Bang away.
I followed them quietly. They went deeper into the camp, and the further in we went, the more civilians we saw. It seemed these two were planning to find Khe and start something.
Arriving at a tent, Khang lifted his leg and gave it a thuggish kick.
A curse came from inside: "Damn it, who the hell dares to kick my door?"
A young man of about eighteen or nineteen with a fierce look on his face crawled out of the tent. He had a crew cut and looked quite sharp. This was Khe.
Khe's mouth was a non-stop stream of vulgar curses.
Khang glanced at him, his eyes cold and disdainful: "I kicked it. You got a problem?"
Fat Bang grabbed Khe by the collar: "What's with the attitude?"
Khe rubbed his eyes and looked closely at Khang. His expression changed instantly, a fawning look appearing in his eyes: "Oh, Khang, it's my bad eyes, I didn't recognize you. Kick it however you want, I absolutely won't make a peep."
Seeing the man's quick change of face, Khang's disgust was plain to see: "Get out of my sight, don't disgust me. You're itching for a beating again, aren't you? Going around groping people. Do you want your arm dislocated again, huh?"
Khe shrank back, sweat pouring down his forehead: "No, no, I just thought she was beautiful and wanted to pursue her..."