Chapter 8: The Perfect Plan
1156 Words
> “Bảo, where are you going?”
Thiện had finally caught up, calling out to him.
> “Just out for a walk. Maybe swing by the market, pick up a few things.”
Bảo answered flatly, glancing at Thiện without breaking stride.
> “What do you need? Want me to come help carry the bags?”
Thiện moved up beside him, keeping pace — Uncle Bảy’s words echoing in his mind: Don’t let the boy out of your sight. Keep him safe.
Bảo stopped, looking at him with a faintly weary expression before sighing.
> “No need. I just want to clear my head — maybe grab a few things, that’s all.”
> “That so? I was thinking the same thing. Let’s go together then.”
Thiện smiled, reaching out to ruffle his brother’s hair.
Bảo brushed his hand away and smoothed his hair back, frowning.
> “Do what you want. But don’t touch my head — I’m not a kid anymore. People will stare.”
Thiện laughed — a warm, nostalgic sound. His voice softened as if speaking to himself.
> “Hard to believe. Feels like yesterday we were just two street rats, wandering alleys together… and now, we’ve got a roof over our heads, people who care. Especially…”
He turned, his eyes gentle, filled with quiet sincerity.
> “My little brother — grown up, strong… more mature than I am.”
Bảo stopped walking. For the first time in a long while, he really looked at Thiện — not as blood, not as obligation, but as one human being seeing another.
> “Yeah… it’s been a while since we talked like this. You’ve grown up too. One more year and you’ll be an adult.”
> “Seventeen already,” Thiện nodded, his eyes bright with a fragile hope.
“One more year, I can work officially — at the company during the day, help Uncle Bảy at night. I’ll save up. Bit by bit. And someday, I’ll buy us a house. A place of our own. No more living off anyone’s kindness.”
Bảo blinked, startled. For a second, he just stared at his brother — this dreamer who still believed in impossible things.
In a world where land cost more than life, even a lifetime of labor couldn’t buy two square meters to die in — let alone a home to live in.
But he didn’t say it.
Not yet.
He smiled — a soft, counterfeit smile, equal parts warmth and deception.
His tone light, almost playful:
> “Really? Then when I’m old enough, I’ll help too. We’ll make money together, buy a huge house — big and beautiful. Then we’ll invite everyone over to celebrate. Heh… just thinking about it makes me shiver with excitement.”
> “No,” Thiện said firmly, his tone suddenly serious.
“You have to go back to school.”
Bảo froze, eyes narrowing.
> “Only by studying can you have a real future. I’m done for — but you still have time. I’ve already talked to Uncle Bảy. He agreed to add you to his household registry, along with Na Na. He’ll be your legal guardian. In a few months, we’ll get you enrolled in the local high school.”
Bảo stared at him — stunned. His voice trembled.
> “You… you’re serious?”
> “Of course. Have I ever lied to you?” Thiện said, smiling with certainty.
> “Why didn’t you tell me first?”
> “I wanted to make sure Uncle Bảy agreed before I said anything. I’m telling you now, aren’t I?”
Bảo’s voice hardened, quiet but sharp.
> “You mean after everything’s decided, you just… tell me? That’s not asking — that’s informing me I have no choice.”
Thiện blinked, taken aback by his tone.
> “No, that’s not what I— I just didn’t want to get your hopes up if Uncle Bảy said no, I thought—”
> “Forget it,” Bảo cut him off, exhaling slowly.
“It’s already done. Being angry won’t change anything now.”
Thiện hesitated, then his face brightened with relief when he realized his brother wasn’t resisting.
> “So… you’ll go back to school?”
> “Yeah. If it were anyone else, I’d refuse. But since it’s you…”
Bảo punched his shoulder lightly, forcing a small grin.
“You’re all I’ve got left in this world, right?”
Thiện’s face lit up. He pulled Bảo into a sudden hug, his voice brimming with pride:
> “I knew it! My little brother’s the sensible one. Come on — let’s head back and tell Uncle Bảy the good news. We owe him that much.”
Bảo grimaced, pushing him away.
> “There you go again. Two guys hugging in the middle of the street — not exactly a good look.”
He sighed, lowering his voice.
> “You go on ahead. I’ll come later. I just want to walk a bit — stretch my legs. Been stuck in bed so long I feel my spine’s about to twist sideways.”
Thiện hesitated, then nodded.
> “Alright. Just be careful. Those punks have been hanging around a lot lately. Yesterday they even bothered Na Na…”
At the mention of her name, a flash of anger burned through Thiện’s eyes. His jaw clenched.
> “Damn it. If Uncle Bảy hadn’t stopped me yesterday, I would’ve cut them down myself. Those bastards — how dare they touch Na Na. Lucky you caught them in time. If not…”
Bảo looked at him, quietly surprised.
He knew his brother — gentle, calm, never fought back unless cornered.
Yet now, the air around him was thick with killing intent.
A faint smile tugged at Bảo’s lips — one Thiện couldn’t see.
He patted his brother’s shoulder.
> “It’s over now. Na Na’s safe. Killing them won’t undo anything. Just be careful next time.”
Thiện exhaled, the fury in him subsiding. His voice softened.
> “Yeah… you’re right. Alright then, I’ll go. Don’t stay out too late.”
> “Got it,” Bảo replied, waving him off before turning away.
“Go on. I’ll head back soon.”
Thiện stood watching until Bảo disappeared around the corner, then finally turned to head home.
But just out of sight, pressed against the wall in the shadows, Bảo waited.
He watched his brother’s silhouette recede into the distance, then leaned back, letting out a long breath — and laughed.
A sharp, quiet laugh that echoed off the brick.
He hadn’t even figured out what excuse he’d give when he came home later.
Now he didn’t have to.
His brother had just handed him the perfect cover.
Even the heavens, it seemed, were helping him hide.
- Writer
