The journey back south was long and considerably more... stifling than the trip out. The focal point of this stifling atmosphere was none other than the old đàn bầu case that Lam Minh was constantly clutching to his chest.
He took it with him to the bathroom. He carried it when he went to get water. Even when he slept, he propped his leg up on it, determined not to let it leave his side for a second.
This "unusual" behavior naturally did not escape the eyes of the two "spies" sitting opposite him.
"I'm 100% sure there's something wrong with it," Quynh Nhu whispered to To Quyen, her eyes never leaving Lam Minh. "Look at him, does anyone carry a đàn bầu around like that? And his face is as tense as if he's about to go into battle."
To Quyen also nodded in agreement. "Mmm, it's very suspicious. I noticed he was acting strange back in Hanoi. It's like he's hiding something."
"How about we make a bet," Quynh Nhu suddenly had an idea, her eyes lighting up mischievously. "I bet it's some kind of weird weapon he stole. What about you?"
To Quyen thought for a moment and replied, "I think differently. Based on his behavior, I'm guessing it's some kind of ancient document or an important artifact related to research. He's hugging it because he's afraid of damaging it."
"Tsk, the class president always thinks in a scientific way," Quynh Nhu pouted. "So boring. Fine, a bet's a bet. Whoever loses has to treat the other to a meal at the most expensive restaurant in the city. Deal?"
"Deal," To Quyen smiled and accepted. She was also quite curious to know what Lam Minh's secret was.
And so, a silent bet was made. The two girls began their "investigation" campaign.
First up was Quynh Nhu. She used the "direct assault" tactic.
"Hey, punching bag!" she called out loudly. "Your instrument looks so old, what if it has termites? Let me check it for you. I'm a termite-catching expert."
As she spoke, she reached out to snatch the case.
Lam Minh reacted extremely quickly, hugging the case tightly and recoiling. "No need! It's my grandfather's instrument, I know how to take care of it. Thanks for the offer."
"Stingy!" Quynh Nhu glared at him. Plan failed.
Next was To Quyen's turn. She used the "soft, psychological approach."
"Hey Lam Minh," she said, her voice gentle. "If it's a gift for your grandfather, you should take good care of it. The humidity on the train is quite high, which could affect the wood. How about you put it in my specialized moisture-proof bag? I brought one with me."
She held out a very professional-looking silver bag.
Lam Minh once again refused. "It's fine. I've wrapped it very carefully. Thank you."
To Quyen's plan also failed.
The two girls looked at each other, helpless. This guy's defenses were too tight.
But they didn't give up. They decided to resort to a "low blow."
That night, when Lam Minh was sound asleep (or pretending to be), To Quyen and Quynh Nhu tiptoed over. Their plan was: Quynh Nhu would use her special operative skills to create a noise at the end of the carriage, attracting the attention of the security guards. Meanwhile, To Quyen would quickly use a mini-scanner to see what was inside the instrument case.
"Let's begin," Quynh Nhu signaled.
She tossed a coin into an empty can at the end of the carriage. The "clinking" sound echoed in the quiet night. The two security guards immediately became alert and moved towards the sound to investigate.
"Now's our chance!"
To Quyen quickly took out a small, palm-sized device and was about to scan the case.
But just as she raised it, a hand grabbed her wrist.
It was Lam Minh. He had opened his eyes at some point, and they were shining brightly in the dark.
"What are you two doing?" he asked, his voice calm but startling the two girls.
"Ah... um..." To Quyen stammered, her face blushing. "We... we saw a cockroach and were trying to catch it."
Quynh Nhu also quickly chimed in. "Right, right! A huge cockroach! It just ran under your seat!"
Lam Minh looked at the two of them and their clumsy acting and could only sigh. He let go of To Quyen's wrist.
"There's no cockroach," he said. "And there are no weapons or ancient documents in here either."
He looked straight into their eyes, then slowly unlatched the instrument case.
To Quyen and Quynh Nhu held their breath, peering inside. Both were anxiously waiting to see if they had won or lost the bet.
Inside the case, lined with velvet, was a...
A dry tree branch.
A long, straight, dry tree branch, looking utterly ordinary and worthless.
"What... what is this?" Quynh Nhu stammered.
"It's a tree branch," Lam Minh replied nonchalantly.
"Why... why are you carrying a tree branch?" To Quyen was equally baffled.
Lam Minh looked at the two of them, then concocted a story with an extremely serious and slightly nostalgic expression.
"This isn't an ordinary tree branch. This is a branch from the banyan tree at the head of my grandfather's old village. My grandfather said it's a piece of our homeland. He told me that wherever I go in the future, whatever I do, I must carry it with me, to always remember my roots."
As he spoke, he reached out and stroked the branch with great reverence. His acting had reached the pinnacle of realism.
After hearing the story, To Quyen and Quynh Nhu were stunned. The story was so moving and plausible that they couldn't possibly doubt it. They felt extremely ashamed for having suspected his filial piety.
"Oh... so that's it..." To Quyen mumbled. "I'm... I'm sorry, Lam Minh. We misunderstood you."
"It's okay," Lam Minh said, then closed the case and hugged it. "Now, you two should go back to sleep. And stop chasing cockroaches all over the place."
The two girls sulked back to their seats, their hearts filled with guilt. Their bet, in the end, had no winner.
Lam Minh, meanwhile, let out a silent sigh of relief. He had used a little illusion, a type of mirage based on the control of "qi" to deceive them. They only saw what he wanted them to see.
"Good thing I reacted quickly," he thought. "That was a close call. It seems my cultivation level is still not high enough to fool these two 'aunties.' I need to be more careful."