Chapter 3. Thang Vu Is a Celebrity

The mist of the night gradually dissipated and the morning light appeared to bring light back to the beautiful city.

Thang Vu leaned against the door and looked out into the distance, where the lights scattered throughout the apartment complex were fading.

In his hand was a cup of hot tea.

Thang Vu had to pass the preliminary round held 3 months ago with over two hundred candidates. After that, he had to perform three solo performances in a row through stages to gradually eliminate until twenty-five spots remained to enter this upcoming final round.

Thang Vu didn't care whether he won or lost because he had a soaring artist's soul, but his mother was different. Certificates of merit or medals, gold and silver cups, always made her happy and proud of her son.

She kept and cherished everything like a treasure.

She said the awards were proof that she raised a grown-up child.

This time, because Mai Hoang encouraged Thang Vu too much, he took part.

After Thang Vu finished his cup of tea, he slowly lowered the curtain and went back inside to prepare to go to breakfast.

When he had just finished changing his clothes, there was a knock on the door from outside.

He reached for the phone and walked over and gently turned the round lock because he knew the person outside the door was Nha Tien.

- Brother, let's go.

Nha Tien winked mischievously. Her two centipede-shaped curls swayed with her movements.

Thang Vu nodded, closed the door, and entered the elevator with the girl.

This contest was age-restricted from twenty to thirty-two, so Nha Tien could take part.

The two of them have known each other since childhood. He was one year older than her. Nha Tien's father was a major shareholder of Thang Minh company and he was also a college friend of Thang Vu's father. The two families were very close to each other.

Many years passed. When the friendship grew and turned into love between men and women in Nha Tien's heart, Thang Vu remained indifferent and unmoved even though she was always with him. He still considered her like his sister.

- I found a place that sells delicious food to your taste. I guarantee you will like it.

Nha Tien excitedly said and read the address to the taxi driver.

Because she understood that Thang Vu did not like foreign cuisine and he only liked the taste of his hometown, she researched and discovered this place.

In the past few days, she saw he had eaten less, so she was very sad and worried that he would lose weight and not be healthy enough to perform in the upcoming competition.

- I can eat anything, you don't have to worry. - Thang Vu shyly said.

- You must eat well to be healthy. You will win first prize after you eat this breakfast. - Nha Tien smiled brightly, excitedly affirming.

Thang Vu gently shook his head because he also knew his ability.

If he was lucky, he might have won the third prize or the consolation prize, but the first prize would be too vague.

The International Piano Competition had always established itself as one of the premier opportunities for musicians to achieve fame, shine and strengthen their careers.

It was the most prominent event in the musical life of this country whenever it was held.

A lot of talent came out of the competition and they all made it to the list of the top piano, violin, and cello performers in the world. Most of the famous singers also had their starting points in this big competition.

- If I win first prize, what will you win? - Thang Vu turned his head and looked at the girl next to him, softly asked.

- I don't need a prize. I mainly follow and cheer you on.

Nha Tien's childish appearance made the driver laugh.

The car ran around the streets and stopped in front of a restaurant.

Thang Vu took his wallet to pay and then he and Nha Tien walked out.

The outside layout of the restaurant was enough to make him feel as warm as at home.

- You are great. You have found this place.

Thang Vu said while walking.

Nha Tien also followed him.

She didn't explain that she asked her friends because she wanted to get compliments for herself.

This country was the place where she was born and lived until the age of 6, so since childhood, she had a few close friends and they kept in touch until now. Sometimes when her father came here on business, she still followed him to travel and visit them.

Just like what Nha Tien thought. When Thang Vu saw the food with the taste of his homeland, he ate more, but compared to his friends of the same age, he still ate very little.

The way he worked, studied, or ate was always slow and gentle. That was what fascinates her.

- I'm sure your mother will watch you on TV too. - Nha Tien hastily swallowed the vegetable roll and then spoke.

- Today is still on company holiday. - Thang Vu replied.

- Ah, I forgot, all the employees in the company are on vacation. - Nha Tien smiled shyly.

Half a world away from here, Mai Hoang was constantly sneezing.

She was sitting in front of the TV screen and her hand was holding the remote to change channels continuously. Occasionally, she looked up at the clock hanging on the wall, even though she knew it was a few hours before the competition started.

In the neat and clean kitchen, Thi San had just finished cleaning everything. After she dried her hands, she quickly left.

When she passed through the living room, Mai Hoang's call stopped the girl's footsteps.

- Come here, Thi San, I will show you my talented son's face.

The country girl hurriedly went to Mai Hoang's side and stood behind the mistress, her face as bewildered as a male swan.

She glanced at the big screen that was showing a shampoo advertisement and she saw the handsome angular face of the male model, so she nodded slightly and silently praised him.

He looked very manly and had a hybrid look. She did not expect Thang Vu to be a model.

- Sit down, baby, it's only a few hours left.

Mai Hoang excitedly slapped her hand on the sofa next to her and she eagerly urged Thi San.

Because the competition was nearing its end, it was not surprising that she was nervous and hungover.

The heart and intuition of a mother who has always followed her child every step of the way from toddler to adult had told her that Thang Vu would win the top prize in the piano performance category.

Although Thi San was embarrassed, she obediently obeyed Mai Hoang and sat down next to the mistress.

The smell of shower gel from Mai Hoang's body crept into Thi San's breath and made her feel very close, even though it was not like the smell of the sun on her mother's skin and hair.

Mai Hoang reached for the cake on the table and put it in Thi San's hand.

While she waited, she showed Thi San how to use the television.

Thi San secretly thanked Tam Lan because Tam Lan helped her find this temporary accommodation.

- My son is only a year older than you. He's been passionate about piano since he was a child. Tonight is the international piano final.

Thi San's lips suddenly smiled when she saw Mai Hoang's proud face.

It was not wrong to say that children were always the pride of their parents. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do for her mother. Before Thi San's mother passed away, she carried with her worries about her immature daughter.

From then until now, all Thi San could bring back to her mother were certificates of merit from her classes, but all of that became meaningless when she stopped on the doorstep of the university.

Time passed and when the clock hit eight o'clock, the show was televised live.

After the MC introduced the members of the jury, the contest officially started with the first part of the piano performance.

- That girl is Nha Tien. She is my son's childhood friend.

Thi San's eyes widened when she heard Mai Hoang say that the girl sitting in front of the piano was Thang Vu's friend.

Thi San dreamed that she could wear a flowing dress and waved her fingers rhythmically on the keyboard.

The girl on TV seemed to have it all.

After Nha Tien finished the opening performance, the applause resounded throughout the auditorium and continued to be contested performances by young male and female artists.

Mai Hoang took a sip of water and then she secretly guessed that her son was the last contestant, so she had not seen him appear.

- That is my son. - Mai Hoang hissed in confusion when Thang Vu appeared.

Thi San's eyes continued to stare at the TV screen where the camera was filming a close-up of the handsome and somewhat romantic white face of the male pianist.

Thang Vu wore an extremely elegant black suit. His hair was divided into two parts to let it loose, but it did not cover his handsome features.

After he bowed to everyone, he slowly sat down next to the piano and began his performance.

Thi San and Mai Hoang almost held their breath so as not to miss any melody that came from the angelic hands.

Romantic melodious music seems to bring people to heaven, lost in dreamland.

Thi San didn't see the TV anymore. She only saw the young man playing the piano in the middle of a field full of sunflowers reaching for the sun.

Magical light from heaven painted his face and piano with a halo.

The moment the music stopped, and the applause sounded, Thi San still dropped her soul into the distance.

When Mai Hoang turned her head and asked Thi San how she felt, she was startled to wake up.

- He plays so well, it's like a tune for the gods. I like to see a flower paradise in front of my eyes.

The young girl's honest answer and sparkling eyes full of emotion made Mai Hoang extremely satisfied.

Thi San's expression showed that she felt it with all her heart.

- Thang Vu often plays the piano at home. If you like, you can sneak upstairs to listen. - Mai Hoang winked and smiled.