"Xiao Minh, just carry that last box over there and we're done!"
A chubby man drenched in sweat held a notebook in his hand, scribbling while giving instructions.
"Yes, thank you, Uncle!"
A tall and slender young man was carrying a bulky box toward the corner of the warehouse. After putting it down, he wiped the sweat from his face and walked over to the uncle who was calculating something in his notebook.
"Xiao Minh, are you really quitting? You're doing so well."
He only smiled and nodded.
"Yes, Uncle. I guess we won't be grabbing drinks together anymore."
The uncle sighed softly, stood up, and patted his shoulder.
"Minh, if you've made up your mind, I won't stop you. But if you ever want to come back, I'll always keep a place for you."
Jiang Minh looked at the man who had helped and guided him for so long. His heart tightened, unsure of what to say. All he could do was bow deeply in gratitude before turning to leave.
What else could he do? His heart was in turmoil as he walked out of that place in a daze. On the way home, he stopped by a convenience store, bought a few cans of beer, and wandered down a dark street, trying to untangle his thoughts with each heavy step.
He stood in front of the apartment building, only a few steps away, yet he didn't want to go in. That place used to be home, but now it felt cold, empty, and strange.
His heart ached as he walked toward the rooftop. Opening the door, a rush of cold wind hit him. Jiang Minh shivered slightly and slowly walked over to a bench and sat down. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and looked at the sky. One sip after another, he unknowingly drank all the beer, his mind flooded with memories.
His name was Jiang Minh, an orphan with no knowledge of who his parents were. He spent his entire childhood in an orphanage. At 15, he left and started working odd jobs in small factories. Being young, he was often exploited and overworked.
Then he met the uncle—who gave him a job, introduced him to a place to stay, and treated him like a son. Jiang Minh was incredibly grateful and worked hard to repay that kindness. Without that man, his life might have spiraled into darkness.
He couldn't afford school, so he buried himself in books and stories to learn and comfort himself. He only finished elementary school, so whenever he encountered difficult words, he would search online to learn more. He had no friends, no lover, and no family—only envy for those who had them.
Then he met him—gentle, kind, always smiling. His name was Bai Diep—a beautiful name. Jiang Minh thought he had finally found the light of his life. Bai Diep became like family to him, a remedy for his painful childhood.
He started to rely on him. Whatever Bai Diep needed or wanted, Jiang Minh did his best to provide. Why? Because he was afraid. Afraid of losing the last bit of warmth he had. Afraid of being abandoned again. He didn't want to be alone anymore.
But Bai Diep began to ask for more—things far beyond what Jiang Minh could afford. Still, he gritted his teeth and borrowed money to satisfy him. But someone who borrowed happiness like Jiang Minh... eventually had to repay it.
One morning, like any other, he woke up and looked at the room across from his. Bai Diep was gone—along with all his belongings. Not a single word of goodbye. Lost in thought, Jiang Minh broke down and sobbed.
"I've paid all the debts! Hic Please come back to me... I'm so lonely... You've been gone for two years... Why haven't you returned yet?"
Jiang Minh collapsed on the bench, crying in silence. His heart hurt too much. He was exhausted. He had nothing left to hold onto. He had repaid his uncle's kindness, cleared all his debts—only one thing remained. Could he finally leave?
While his mind was in chaos, he saw a light.
"Like a doorway to heaven in those books..."
He mumbled and staggered toward the light. He was so tired. All he wanted was a long, peaceful sleep.
Step by step... he stood before the door. And just like that, he escaped the deep pit of despair—no more pain, no more loneliness, no more working three jobs, no more nights of only four hours of sleep, no more endless cycles of fatigue with no way out.
Tears rolled down his pale, exhausted face. He closed his eyes and smiled—the most peaceful smile he had ever shown in his dark life. And then, Jiang Minh jumped into the abyss…
He was dead.
Lam Jiang Minh – an orphan from Huong Duong Orphanage, 1.76m tall, 54kg, once an ordinary factory worker. He passed away at the age of 25, on November 28.
Will anyone still remember or mourn such a pitiful young man?
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"Mm... so soft..."
He mumbled, rubbed his eyes, and suddenly sat up in shock.
"What's going on? I thought I died? I was... 25 years old, right? But this body... it's clearly a child's?"
He looked around in confusion—a large room filled with bunk beds, and the sound of children laughing echoed from outside the window.
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