Chapter 28: Persuasion
The next evening, the family's private driver drove Toan Phuong to Kieu Ly's boarding house. Toan Phuong opened the gate into the alley and first saw Quang Huy's room. Quang Huy had just returned home and was parking his motorbike. Toan Phuong approached and asked:
"Hey, can you tell me if Kieu Ly, who studies at Foreign Trade University, lives in this boarding house?"
Quang Huy looked carefully at him for a moment and seeing that the boy seemed gentle and well-behaved, nodded:
"That's right. I'll show you."
Quang Huy led Toan Phuong to Kieu Ly's room and then went back to his own room to prepare dinner.
Standing outside, Toan Phuong looked around the boarding house. Born into a wealthy family for generations, and having no friends from small towns, seeing the living conditions here made him feel a bit stifled.
At that moment, Huong Tra came out to hang clothes. Seeing a handsome stranger lingering at the door, dressed entirely in designer clothes, she couldn't help but be surprised. Hoang Anh also wore all designer clothes, but Huong Tra saw him as just trying to show off, whereas this guy looked like a genuine rich kid from birth.
Huong Tra put down the laundry basket and looked up, curious:
"Who are you looking for?"
Toan Phuong smiled and answered:
"I'm looking for Kieu Ly."
Huong Tra didn't know Kieu Ly was acquainted with such a stranger, her face still full of doubt. Seeing this, Toan Phuong quickly added:
"I'm Phuong, her student."
Huong Tra slapped her thigh and said:
"Oh, so it's you, the little devil."
After saying that, she realized she spoke out of turn and covered her mouth, laughing:
"Ah, come on in and wait a bit. Ly went out to buy some snacks and will be back soon."
Toan Phuong went inside and sat down to wait. Out of habit, he glanced around the boarding room. Although it wasn't a fancy house and was rather small, it was clean and tidy. The walls were decorated with lots of cute things, just like a young girl's room. He smiled involuntarily.
Huong Tra poured a glass of plain water and put it on the table, offering it to him:
"We're poor, so all we have is plain water to offer you."
Toan Phuong took the glass and drank, then casually asked:
"Does Kieu Ly still call me 'little devil'?"
Huong Tra was straightforward:
"Yeah. Isn't that what you are? I've never seen her take on a job as tough as tutoring you."
After speaking, Huong Tra took out her phone and messaged Kieu Ly to say she had a guest, deliberately not mentioning who, to surprise Kieu Ly later.
Toan Phuong happily took another sip of water, then put the glass down and sat anxiously waiting.