Chapter 52
Revolving Lantern
December 3
Hoang Kim lies silent, showing no sign of waking after being hospitalized for a month following the traffic accident. The mother is tormented by past karma; every passing second of hatred carves new wrinkles into her tear-streaked face. Her relatives feel she is enduring ten years' worth of suffering.
The mother does not collapse, because she still has her family by her side. Whenever guilt wears on her, Sam and his father calm her down. Whenever she falls into despair, the girl from her dreams comes to her side. Her second son has been her support, helping her hold on to her spirit, which has been eroded by the feeble rhythm of his older brother's breathing. The pure flower is the belief that makes the mother persist in clinging to hope.
God has still been merciful, but she has brought torment upon herself by becoming angry and seeking revenge on JK. A mother—a grandmother—has accidentally pushed her offspring into the arms of the devil. Hatred has overwhelmed reason and has squirmed in the hell of pain.
Crying has not relieved the guilt; tears of regret have not washed away the reprehensible mistakes. Mistakes have formed a vicious cycle that has surrounded a lifetime of misfortune and gradually strangled the family, but she has only been able to cry silently.
Nightmares have surrounded her every night, and she has washed her face with tears every day. The mother has suppressed her anger every time the media has live-broadcast her conversation with her offspring and... JK. She has smiled sweetly, but bitter tears have flowed back into her heart whenever she has seen her daughter and granddaughter gathering with enemies.
Her dearest person has smiled at her gently. That warm smile has resembled the moment that has touched nostalgia—a sad smile that has accepted the cruel fate, natural and calm like any real feeling, as if nothing has happened.
JK has also been surprised. The old guy has never expected that the offspring would have performed more theatrically than reality itself. Every strong feeling, every gentle smile, every affectionate look, every word of love has just been to make the worldly people happy.
Every day has felt the same; life has held only two colors—gray and black—which have exhausted their tired spirit. The storm has tilted the family and has pushed Sam's emotions into a red-alert state. Suppressed psychology has forced him to become irritable for no reason, and he has tried several times to stop the impulse to get angry at his relatives.
The hot-tempered fellow is forced to leave the ward. He cannot bear to watch his older brother weakening, withering away. He holds a grudge but dares not take revenge, which drives him crazy with indignation that challenges his will. He crushes his cap, then immediately clutches his head and pulls at his hair, banging it against the wall to suppress the fierce nature that urges revenge.
Everyone is afraid of this moody guy and avoids him. Even the carefree and innocent children fear him. Everything returns to the time when he is snubbed. Sam wipes away the bitter tears burning in his red eyes and walks away. He does not care about the noise around him:
- What is that?
- That guy is crazy!
- Is it tired of rice and craving for land?
Sam keeps walking toward where he wants to go, but when he hears someone mention Hanna, he stops, scowls, and searches everywhere. Everyone is pointing at the screen on the wall in panic. Sam drives a bayonet-like glare straight into the livestreaming punk. The other party speaks with a righteous voice like a moralist:
- Pure? Who says pure flowers are more innocent than children? Pure, huh? Damn pure—dead-mother it laughing! - The streamer curls his lip and taps his head - You're all blindly maxed out. Use your brains: why doesn't she show up earlier or later, but pops up right when the accident happens? Unusual coincidence to this extent, and you guys still believe it! - He clasps his hands together and keeps kowtowing, nodding up and down like chopping wood. The posture itches the eyes, the tone itches the ears - The embroidered love story is full of rotten drama. This floating fame makes people nauseous. It sounds revolting—rotten to the core, so rotten it reeks unbearably, clogging the mother's damn nostrils!
He takes a sip of tea, smacks his lips; his mouth droops, then lifts again:
- I'm telling you the truth — young people, don't be so touchy. Be less sentimental, less romantic; stop dreaming of bullshit true love and deceiving yourselves. Damn, what the hell is true love? There's only the leg in the middle; where can you find true love? Fuck it, in this era where money reigns, personality isn't worth half a cent, lah. Brainstorm it quickly, fuck mother, what true love—if "someone" isn't a world superstar! - He raises his sluggish eyes with contempt - The flower of purity that you guys admire and respect as an idol has already been put in another guy's mouth to smell and lick, not having idle groins to be the shadow beside your husband, worrying and waiting eagerly just like now. Wake up from the dream, young people—she is just a prostitute who craves to become the girlfriend of a world star for fame...
The listeners find the philosophical analysis of moral life irritating, the noble attitude spraying pearls and spitting jade, but the tone is full of contempt for the insider. Everyone startles and turns to see the insider's reaction — but Sam has gone. The outsider shrugs as if to say: Stupid — go to hell. Everyone else shakes their heads and sighs that the block of life spares no one.
Sam is no exception.
***
Revolving Lantern is a nationally famous pedestrian street located in the center of the Eternal City. This street holds great status and a long history. The ancients design it as a unified whole, and the combined houses are shaped like a giant revolving lantern. Each luxurious villa is clothed in classic Western architecture.
The adjacent buildings connect closely, their discrete patterns forming a fresco of dancing angels in the Garden of Eden. Angels flutter their snowy wings and dance gracefully; the angel dance flies to the highest point of the villa, archangels and little angels joyfully lower the dance on the dragon-scale tiled stage.
Now the peaceful scenery turns into a battle with nature. The golden light no longer merely glitters; it now confronts the scorching sun, which pours flames down every street. The two sides clash fiercely, the golden light emitting a blazing halo and splashing eye-irritating rays back into the face of the god who likes to tease everything.
The "sun" is fierce and overbearing, covering everything as if it wants to burn the jade-green walls, arrogantly releasing scorching heat to consume the Garden of Eden. It is the middle of winter, and the crazy heat already makes itchy bodies as it attacks everyone dragging their feet on the crowded streets.
Everyone is uncomfortable, yet their faces remain fixed on their smartphone screens. The noisy crowd leans in to scorn the fame-sucking guy. All the vulgar words in bazaar style and the sighs of boredom ensemble into a classic score. That score, resounding countless times in the past, suddenly extinguishes amidst the shouting:
- Dead-dog guy's mom's a slut. Daddy's gonna kill you today!
Everyone turns their eyes to the two people chasing each other. The guy in front is in ragged clothes. His fluffy hair is crumpled, pulled and tangled by the other, like a messy spool of thread. His shiny face is swollen as if stung by a bee, his eyes are bruised, and there is a big lump on his cheek. As he runs, he shouts:
- Fuck you guys' mother, get out of my way. He will really kill me!
The guy chasing behind is full of murderous intent. His sharp machete-like eyebrows stab down into his wild white eyes, the purple veins squeeze his fierce face. He roars, shouting and cursing at people on the street:
- You guys get out of here, let me roast galangal that dog!
The guy being chased twists his butt in fear, hiding behind this person, hiding in the shadow of another, crouching in the tall and short crowd. The assailant slips to one side, and the guy slips to the other. After a few minutes, the pedestrians calm down; no one says anything to anyone, and at the same time they stay away from the two rabid dogs. With no protective barriers left, the chased guy runs to the police station in panic:
- Help me, it's trying to kill me, someone come quickly, there's a murderer!
The pursuer picks up speed, stamps his feet, jumps over the chaotic crowd, body swirling, then shoots straight into the tower. He kicks the pillar to gain momentum, swoops forward, swings his legs, and kicks his back to make the opponent fall headfirst.
The people around scream in fear, their faces pale as they watch the man who dared provoke the mad dog being beaten, bruises covering his body. Every punch to the ribs sends pain spiraling into his brain. Every kick hits with full force, as if killing insects, worms, and crickets. The attacker grabs the mad dog by the scruff, hoists it up, and clamps its muzzle shut.
He grips so tight that the guy with his liver sprouting in his mouth can't even cough. His cheek swells in purple-red, his eyes and nose scrunch up, and his mouth gapes wide, desperately trying to inhale oxygen. The attacker laughs cruelly:
- Hate rice, crave shit, taste your own kind, dog!
He throws the troublemaker to the ground, grabs his head, and presses it into the dog shit. From past to present, countless people despise this fame-seeking man, yet he enjoys gazing down at the world from his lofty tower of virtue. The god of philosophy who lives like... this deserves a miserable end, and plenty of people cheer for violence.
- Smash that fake-ass guy's great-grandfather to death, bro!
- I have been feeling itchy in my eyes and itchy in my ears for a long time because of his cheap tricks to attract likes and views. Now I am releasing all my anger and pleasure, to the extent of splattering the whole cage... Haha...
- Cheap tattered penis-head… dead you mother! You deserve it, cage-faced guy!
- Damn, you're as stupid as a dog, mocking a national hero's family. Surviving today is a blessing from eighteen generations of ancestors!
All insults rain down on his battered body like rags. Life always has its exceptions. Whether it's the blood-dog guy or anyone else, the exception never changes. Teenage girls and young boys, not yet fledged, rush up to curse and push the assailant:
- Stop, you bastard!
- You're a public figure, but you dare beat someone in public? You'll rot in jail. You're uneducated!
- Don't think everyone is afraid of you, bastard, daddy's not afraid…
The attacker doesn't give a shit about the urchin. Now, only the guy who dares to offend his family appears in his turbid, ghost-black eyes; his sharp hearing catches nothing but groans of pain. He approaches coldly, like a death god ready to kill his enemy.
The loud-mouthed crowd is terrified, words stuck in their throats, legs retreating involuntarily. The girls still defend their idols, shouting with mouths five and ten:
- Are you okay? Poor you!
- Are you in pain? That bastard beast is not human!
- Don't worry, we'll protect you. He doesn't dare hit a girl!
The man beaten to a pulp panics, frantically urging his fans to call the police. The girls separate: one tries to call, but there's no signal, so she runs to the police station. The other cares for the idol while taking a photo, posting it with the caption:
"My brother was bitten by a mad dog. Good deeds are not rewarded! Pity you so much!"
A bunch of people rush to like, rage, give hearts, share, and interact—arguing and cursing more fiercely than a broken market. The girls, satisfied, raise their phones to show the thug the consequences of his habits:
Unbelievable, where are the police? Catch that thug!
Damn it, I scold it for having star disease, yet a bunch of punches from crazies[1] are still defending it. Are you guys blind? Your idol is nothing more than a thug, nothing less!
He beats him half dead, and the police don't come? Is justice here only for those who glorify the country?
The girls are extremely contemptuous; they lift up their skirts, gynecological rake, and throw tantrums on behalf of their idols:
Look, dog guy, your life is withering away!
Are you having fun? The world superstar is showing off his thug side again! Grandmother is waiting for you to reveal your true nature as a herd of dead dogs!
You usually keep scolding everything, but now shut your dog mouth. Are you scared?
- You are a world superstar. He is the youth idol, no less than you. My brother's morals are even better than yours. Go back and learn elementary morals, you dog!
If you dare touch my brother, even if you're Hoang Kim's younger brother or JK's offspring, we will feed you blood… lah, stupid dog!
A pile of stinking garbage and gynecological filth collapses on his head, and countless insults that splash saliva are just flies and insects buzzing around him. But the words "JK descendants" poke his ears, and the madness twists his body into a monster that no longer resembles a human form.
Facing the beast that wants to chew troublemakers alive, everyone turns pale. Some people cry and scream, some shout as if they're about to be torn to pieces, some become speechless, not daring to cough a single word. A bunch of drama addicts immediately suck fame like crazy, shouting and inciting violence:
- In an era of gender equality, girls' mouths must also be smashed for their mistakes.
- Smash those ovulating bitches' mouths to break their crazy-for-boys habits!
People shake their heads in disgust at today's youth. Some don't even sigh and quietly leave, not wanting to dirty their eyes again. Others wait patiently for the police to show up.
Everything spins out of control. The "thug" guy is about to rush over, but hearing the voice of agitation he restrains his madness turning himself into a pastime for the world.
He pushes a bunch of ovulating girls aside, ignoring those crazed fans who scratch, pinch, pull, and shove him. He grabs his enemy's neck, roars like a beast, and drives his fist straight into his face.
- Stop!
A sharp and forceful voice resounds throughout the street, and everyone hurriedly makes way to let the police do their job. The provocateurs mutter, annoyed at not being able to watch the good drama, and quickly try to escape to avoid committing the crime of inciting violence. Phuong Hoang shouts into the loudspeaker:
- Anyone who leaves the scene is admitting guilt. Street cameras record everything. Anyone who resists orders will be charged, the offense will be escalated.
They cower in fear, not daring to move. Pedestrians stand still. The girls shamelessly provoke the madman, who is being restrained by Kim.
He doesn't like Kim at all. Now, the thug police prevent him from seeking justice for his family, so the crazy guy doesn't care whether the light is green or red. He immediately gets angry, struggles, and then pulls and pushes violently. Kim pours out all his strength, his arm muscles buzzing with numbness, and only then can he hold down the unruly horse.
- You don't need face, but you should at least keep dignity for your family!
He yells frantically:
- Damn it, let me go! I have to kill it!
Kim still demurely tries to persuade him:
- If you kill someone and get sentenced to death, who will argue with your father? Who will comfort and encourage your mother? Who will become the younger brother of a national hero? Who will protect your future sister-in-law?
These are very emotional and reasonable words, but coming from someone he hates, they are hard to hear—even though absolutely convincing. The guy who values affection is going crazy and doesn't want to listen to a single word. He shouts angrily:
- I HAVE NOTHING LEFT IF I CAN'T PROTECT MY FAMILY!
Phuong Hoang grows tired of the hump-headed buffalo brat. She mutters curses as she approaches, right when he shoves Kim aside and hunts down the enemy. Phuong Hoang immediately spreads her wings and slaps him in the face. Everyone is stunned, not expecting her to dare attack this dog-blooded lunatic.
He can't believe he's beaten by a woman in front of the lump of life he hates. The slap adds fuel to the fire, but the burning rage immediately turns to ashes under her reminder:
- Do you want your future sister-in-law and family to be delicious bait for a feast for corpse-pecking vultures? You're foolishly impulsive.
He stands motionless. A stranger's admonition extinguishes the rage, straight slapping the frenzied spirit:
- Your future sister-in-law is stronger than anyone. But… she is still… the girl! — Her voice suddenly chokes, forcing her to hold back tears - Maybe she's crying alone. You don't feel her pain, but take crazy revenge to satisfy your brutal nature!
Phuong Hoang blazes with fury, her frustration igniting a fire that scorches her rosy face red-hot. Her blood boils. Her sorrowful voice seems to cry for her own pain:
- Family needs its dearest person, not revenge!
Kim rubs his hair until it tangles, muttering to herself, because the brat inadvertently evokes Phuong Hoang's painful past. The girl criticizes the other party for finding an excuse to retaliate to satisfy his bestiality, not necessarily condemning or awakening the emotional guy. She just "borrows" the life story to help herself let go of the burden of her confiding.
He wakes up from the frenzy, the evil demon is no longer there. Rage, impulsiveness, madness, contempt—every emotion competes to mock the person who is angry with himself.
The guy who lives for his relatives and dies for his family is still proud of giving his affection to his family. That is everything to him, and yet, all of it cannot control his brutal nature.
In the end, the "everything" he values is not equal to his selfish feelings and ego. He shamefully realizes that he has just given up "everything" to show how much he values his family.
Family members need affection, not demonstration.
The family needs him around, not revenge.
He must return to the family.
- Tomorrow I will go to the police station to surrender!
He doesn't need to use his reputation to keep his oath. From the people to the police, from his enemies to his crazy fans—those who hate him all know that he has never dared to act, but he doesn't dare to take responsibility. Kim stops the handcuff No. 8 on the attacker's wrists. The police guy sighs, puts the handcuffs in his pocket, and says calmly:
– Everyone will be summoned to the police station tomorrow to take their testimonies and make a report!
The police team advises the deputy captain not to deal with it emotionally. Kim still looks at others with sleepy eyes, but the guy is not as "tired" as before. The attacker sees only the existence of a trust that is not yet absolute… but… enough for him to feel that he must not betray the trust of a police officer.
Otherwise, he has to taste the life of breathing without breath — a suffocating existence, hunted more fiercely than any criminal past or present. He never manages to live peacefully under extreme surveillance.
From beginning to end, Phuong Hoang sees that young buffalo guy still raises his hands, waiting to be handcuffed. He doesn't blame anyone, not even the strict law enforcement police team... or... the most annoying and hateful "policeman" among a bunch of people's servants. He shows no unpleasantness and doesn't roar. The emotional guy faces Kim with an icy fear that freezes the blazing fire of hatred in his heart.
He fears that Phuong Hoang's words come true, as if the person he respects... never... wakes up. The fear of a series of tragedies with no end... forces... him to stare at... Kim.
People can't believe the dog-blooded maniac, the unstoppable monster, is frightened as if... not realizing... he worries Kim — the person he hates the most — might change his mind. The appearance of being frightened and losing awareness of the surroundings... recreates... the image of a person who values affection and righteousness more than anything else... forever... engraved in Kim's mind. The shaky image seems about to lose everything... without fading in the dark memory of Phuong Hoang.
Phuong Hoang turns in another direction. She doesn't want to, but her eyes naturally turn to Kim... like a habit she has developed a long time ago without knowing it. Every time she touches her heart that is difficult to open to anyone, she subconsciously looks for the policeman who has always been by her side.
The colleague, who is also a confidant, has been the first person to give... a deep affection... to melt the cold heart that is supposed to have become calloused over time. Now, the stranger accidentally touches the pain of her past, but it is he who awakens the warmth she never forgets.
The police guy smiles at the familiar expression. It is just a small smile, but it is so rare... it seems impossible to exist in the mind of a policeman who respects the law, believes in justice, and worships fairness. Even when facing any criminal, Kim only knows reason and doesn't care about emotion.
Now he suddenly shows mercy, makes concessions, and trusts the dog-blooded madman - even though that person is someone who dares to act and take responsibility. Most people don't understand the psychology that hacks the brains of even his colleagues.
One can't even tell if Kim is laughing at the guy who is afraid he will change his mind... or... he is laughing... at his companion — the one who stands by him in every situation, and who is also a valiant female police officer who breathes fire and treats criminals as sworn enemies. Now she seems to share the same feelings as the young buffalo guy who has once threatened to burn down the police station. She also agrees with the incredible decision of two people who believe that the law is the truth:
- If there is a mistake, Kim and I will take full responsibility!
Everybody talks noisily. Some police still suggest:
- Captain, please use reason to solve it! - That's right, captain!
Phuong Hoang speaks but still doesn't take her eyes off the "criminal":
- If I let the criminal escape, I will resign as captain!
Kim fixes his eyes on the most unique perpetrator in history:
- I will accept all disciplines!
The person who is trusted cannot believe that the person he trusts the least now trusts him almost absolutely. He stands quietly for a long time, the good impression that has just arisen suddenly disappears... under Kim's slightly raised lips. The attacker raises his lips and glares at the provocative behavior.
The police guy turns to Phuong Hoang, who is snickering at the two men... just now... feeling creepy and getting goosebumps and duck skin at the excessive "empathy pity" like a woman.
The two people still bear the name "not liking each other", so they have to "drag tendons" in front of each other to reduce the "warmth".
He smiles at her lightly, bows slightly to show his gratitude, and then runs towards the dormitory. He disappears. The guy who sucks fame shouts loudly:
- Damn, that dog guy almost kills me and you guys let him get away with it! Are you still the police? I'm suing you all!
Kim is listless, looking with half of half an eye at the liver bulging out from the mouth of a person who lives by the mouth. He asks Phuong Hoang indifferently:
- Why would you risk your career by trusting him!?
Phuong Hoang smiles slightly, she speaks but doesn't look at Kim:
- Because... the image of justice in a person that I have always believed in... exists in his demeanor! A righteous man will never betray his faith! - She smiles and says to Kim - You haven't answered "victim" yet?
Every time a companion shows their trust, Kim feels more at ease than ever before:
- Because the perpetrator is a person of dignity! – He takes out a cigarette, lights it, and laughs mockingly – And the "victim" should go back and relearn grade 1 ethics!
Kim, Phuong Hoang, and the police team spread out to arrest a crowd of agitators and take them to the police station. The fame sucker is so angry that he wants to vomit blood because he is ridiculed, but he doesn't dare to refute half a sentence. He is afraid, feels humiliated, but shamelessly moans and laments to the girls. The ovulation team enthusiastically helps him to the nearest hospital.
Along the way, the gang asks and pities him for a while, then curses the rabid dog that dares to bite my brother.
After cursing, they take out their phones to take photos of themselves helping Idol, and then post a bunch of pictures of the idol's body that is bruised, red, swollen, and bloated on the Internet.
How many abdominal muscles are worked hard to practice, but in the end it is still a pile of rags... for the crazy fans to get views and likes... just like the Idol sucking fame every day.
Notes
[1] The words crazy fans and punch of crazy are almost homophones in Vietnamese. This is the original Vietnamese word "fan cuồng" (crazy fans). This is the original Vietnamese word "phang cuồng".