The Doomed Meal: Beggar Boy Screams ‘Don’t Eat! It’s Poisonous!’ Exposing the Wife’s Vicious Murder Plot.

 

Chợ Lớn at night was a symphony of blurred yellow lights from bustling eateries, intertwined with the constant roar of traffic. The air buzzed with activity, yet amidst the throng, a small, solitary figure wove through the crowd, silently stooping to salvage scraps of leftover food. This was Minh, a 13-year-old boy with tangled hair, a gaunt face, and deep, sorrowful eyes.

His hand trembled as he carefully rummaged through a trash bag beside an eatery. Disappointed, Minh squatted on the cold ground, his stomach cramping with hunger, a searing pain that threatened to tear through his frail body. He looked up, his gaze catching the bright red sign of Phúc An Lẩu, a hotpot restaurant. To him, it was both a beacon of hope and a bitter reminder of everything he could never have.

“Just a little, just a little is enough to get through tonight,” Minh whispered to himself, his thin hands clutching his stomach. The shimmering light from the restaurant’s glass windows spilled into the narrow alley where he sat. The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, stimulating his senses. Minh closed his eyes, swallowing hard, as memories of his mother flooded back. He remembered the last time they had a full meal together, when she was still healthy: a simple meal of boiled morning glory, a bowl of fish sauce, and plain white rice. But for Minh, it was the warmest moment of his life. “Mom, I’m so hungry,” he murmured, silent tears tracing paths down his face.

Minh looked into the restaurant, where bright lights reflected on elegant dresses and luxurious clothes. Elaborate dishes adorned the tables. This scene contrasted sharply with the dark, hungry world he inhabited. “Just a little is enough,” Minh mumbled. But the images of the carefree laughter and well-fed people inside made him feel a pang of injustice. Why is it so unfair? Why do they live in the light while I must quietly exist in the shadows?

He forced himself to stand up and approached the kitchen window. His eyes lit up with a flicker of hope as he saw the chefs busily preparing food. But suddenly, another image froze him in place. Inside, an elegant woman entered the kitchen. She wore a striking red dress, and her shiny high heels clicked softly on the tiled floor. A hushed conversation between her and Mr. Quý—the head chef—was overheard by Minh.

The woman, Ms. Lệ Xuân, held a small vial from her handbag, instructing Mr. Quý to pour its contents into a dish meant for her husband. Chef Quý complied, carefully tilting the vial and pouring a few drops of the liquid onto the elaborately presented dish. Minh held his breath, his hand instinctively grasping the window ledge, his eyes wide, disbelieving what he had just seen.

What is she doing? Minh stammered in his mind, his whole body trembling.

A server quickly took the dish away. Minh watched it go, his heart pounding. The dish was placed on the table of a middle-aged man with a stern face and tired eyes. That was Mr. Trần Thanh, the owner of Phúc An Lẩu, who had once saved Minh from the brink of death. Minh was just a thin, exhausted child lying unconscious by the roadside. Mr. Thanh had immediately taken him to the hospital, covered all the costs, and even treated him to a delicious meal Minh had never dreamed of. That taste of kindness was etched deep into his heart. One day, I will surely repay this debt of gratitude, he vowed.

Minh’s panic intensified. The image of the woman with the vial and her strange actions haunted him. He wanted to flee, to forget everything, but an inner voice urged him: Minh must do something, or Mr. Thanh will be in danger. But his dirty hands and ragged clothes made him hesitate. Who would believe me? A beggar boy like me?

Minh closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Don’t be afraid! I can’t leave him!” He gathered all his courage and rushed toward the restaurant’s main entrance. All eyes turned to Minh, filled with curiosity and contempt, but he paid no mind. He ran straight toward Mr. Trần Thanh’s table.

“Don’t eat! Don’t eat that dish! It has poison!” Minh’s voice rang out desperately, shattering the restaurant’s quiet ambiance. The security guards immediately blocked him. “You are not allowed in here! Get out now!” they said sternly. “He will die! I’m not lying! Don’t eat that dish!” But the surrounding gazes were only filled with annoyance and disbelief. Minh knew no one would trust him.

Minh’s desperate shout tore through the luxurious atmosphere. Eyes filled with curiosity and displeasure immediately turned toward the scrawny boy in tattered clothes. Minh stood there trembling, but his eyes were bright with a strange determination.

“Don’t eat! Don’t eat that dish! It has poison!” Minh screamed, his voice hoarse, echoing through the room.

Murmurs started to spread. “Who is this child? Why is he rushing in like this?” a guest frowned, whispering to their companion. Some guests chuckled softly, assuming it was a prank, while others showed blatant contempt.

The security guards immediately grabbed Minh, pulling him toward the exit. “You are not allowed to cause a scene here! Get out now!” they insisted.

“I’m not lying! Don’t eat that dish! It has poison!” Minh struggled.

At his table, Mr. Trần Thanh, the man Minh risked everything to save, paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. His surprised eyes looked through his glasses at Minh. Despite the boy’s frail appearance, his bright eyes made Mr. Thanh hesitate. The boy broke free from the guard’s grip and pointed toward the kitchen: “I saw the lady! She put poison in the dish!”

The room went silent, frozen. Guests stopped eating, looking around suspiciously.

From behind the kitchen door, Ms. Lệ Xuân emerged. Her striking red dress and graceful demeanor immediately drew all eyes. Her eyes held a barely concealed coldness, but her lips maintained a light smile.

“What is going on here?” Her voice was gentle but held an undertone of annoyance.

“Madam, this boy is causing trouble. He’s saying nonsense about the dish,” the guard quickly reported, still holding Minh.

Lệ Xuân’s eyes scanned Minh from head to toe. She paused, the smile fading, replaced by dangerous sharpness. “What are you saying, child? You’re disturbing the guests. Someone, take him out!”

“I’m not making it up! I saw you, you took something from your bag and poured it into the food!” Minh yelled.

Minh’s direct accusation created a stifling silence. All eyes turned to Ms. Xuân, waiting for an explanation.

A sharp, cold laugh cut through the tension. “A dirty beggar boy daring to falsely accuse me! How ridiculous!” she sneered, her eyes openly angry.

“I’m not lying! I saw it with my own eyes!” Minh insisted, looking at her without fear.

Lệ Xuân walked closer to Minh, bending down until their eyes were level. “Who do you think will believe you? Look at yourself. A filthy, ragged beggar boy. Who will believe your words?”

Mr. Trần Thanh put his fork down, his eyes filled with doubt. “Xuân, what is this? What is the boy saying?”

“Don’t worry, dear. He’s just a child trying to make money by causing trouble,” Lệ Xuân turned back, smiling softly, her hand resting on Mr. Thanh’s shoulder to reassure him.

Just then, another voice cut in from the doorway. “Wait! I want to hear the boy more clearly!”

Everyone turned. It was Lộc, a tall man in a police uniform. He walked in, his expression both severe and curious as he looked at Minh.

“You say this dish has poison? What exactly did you see, tell me clearly!” Lộc asked.

Minh took a deep breath, swallowing hard. “I saw the lady… she took a small glass vial from her bag and poured something onto the dish…” His voice was trembling but held a firm conviction.

Lệ Xuân stood up, turning to Lộc. “Son, do you really want to believe this boy’s words? Who is he? A homeless child daring to accuse his own mother?”

Lộc looked at his mother, his eyes conflicted. “I’m not saying I believe him, but every accusation must be investigated.”

Lệ Xuân gave a cold, faint smile. “Fine. If you want to investigate, go ahead and check. But don’t blame me if this whole thing turns into a scandal because of a mere child.”

A server quickly brought the dish away for testing. The atmosphere in the restaurant became suffocating. People whispered, their eyes shifting from curiosity to suspicion. As they waited, Lệ Xuân turned to Mr. Thanh, her voice softer: “Don’t worry, dear. It’s just a trivial prank. A child cannot ruin our evening.”

Mr. Thanh didn’t reply, his gaze moving from Minh to Ms. Xuân, a scrutinizing look in his eyes. “Xuân, I think this boy doesn’t look like he’s lying.”

The kitchen staff returned with another police officer. They carried the preliminary test results, their faces grave. “The dish contains an unfamiliar substance confirmed to be a toxin. If accumulated over time, it will cause serious health damage.”

The entire room fell silent. All eyes were now focused on Ms. Xuân.

“No! This is a conspiracy!” Ms. Xuân screamed, her voice trembling. “Someone set me up to harm me!”

Minh couldn’t hold back, shouting: “No one set me up! I saw you do it!”

Mr. Thanh stood up, his eyes sharp. “Xuân, I cannot overlook this. If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear.”

Lộc stepped forward, his voice decisive: “Mother, if you did nothing wrong, let the investigation clarify everything.” Lệ Xuân was stunned by Lộc’s words. Her eyes were sharp, but her lips curled into a cold smile: “Fine. But remember, not all truth is what you see.”

Minh was panting. The vial was safe in his hand. “I finally did it,” he whispered, a small flicker of hope in his eyes. He clutched the glass vial tightly, his eyes burning with determination. He knew he held the most crucial evidence, but also understood it could put him in danger. Officer Lộc… Only he can help me. But will he believe me? Minh mumbled, conflicted.

Inside Phúc An Lẩu’s tense kitchen, Mr. Quý paced, sweat beading on his forehead. Every time he looked at the open storage room door, his heart seized. “That boy took the vial! If he gives it to the police, we’re done for!” he muttered, instantly falling silent when Lệ Xuân appeared.

She walked in, her high heels clicking ominously. Her eyes were sharp, her red lips curved into a sneer. “What are you talking about? Which boy?” Her voice was soft but dangerous.

“The beggar boy… He took the glass vial from the storage room! I… I couldn’t stop him!” Mr. Quý replied, his voice trembling.

Lệ Xuân narrowed her eyes, silently staring at Mr. Quý. Then, she gave a chilling, razor-sharp smile. “Useless. To be outsmarted by a mere child. Do you think I will forgive such carelessness?”

“Madam, I… I will find a way to get it back! It’s just a boy, we can handle him!” Mr. Quý assured her, fear evident on his face.

Ms. Xuân paced slowly, her eyes calculating. A moment later, she smiled faintly, a smile that sent shivers down Mr. Quý’s spine. “If he wants to play with fire, I will show him how dangerous fire can be. Listen to me: we will not only retrieve the vial but also turn him into a joke. No one believes a beggar child, and I will ensure that.”

“Madam, specifically, what should I do?” Mr. Quý asked, worried.

“First, you must create a fake vial containing a harmless substance. We will swap it before the police can test it.” Mr. Quý nodded, but his eyes were still anxious. “The police investigation team… What if they find something?” “Don’t worry. I have connections. They will make everything disappear. Just do exactly as I instruct.”

Meanwhile, Minh raced through the dark alleys, his small legs unsteady with fatigue. He dared not stop, dared not think of the danger lurking. Reaching the police station, Minh stumbled, panting. He looked up and saw Lộc preparing to leave.

“Officer Lộc! I… I found this!” Minh exclaimed, holding out the glass vial.

Lộc froze. He approached and took the vial from Minh’s hand, his expression serious. “Is this what you spoke of?” His voice was low. “Yes! I saw her pour this into the food. I risked a lot to get it!” Minh replied, his eyes shining with hope.

Lộc looked at Minh, then called the station, requesting the substance be tested immediately. “You did well, Minh, but you must be careful. This is not simple,” Lộc warned, his voice filled with concern. Minh nodded, but a vague unease lingered. “You must hurry before she hides everything!”

In her private room at the villa, Lệ Xuân sat at her desk, the yellow light highlighting her cold, calculating features. She called someone: “He still suspects nothing?” she asked evenly. “Everything is still under your control, but that boy is an unforeseen complication,” the voice on the other end replied, low and cautious. Lệ Xuân gave a faint, sharp laugh. “Then deal with him. I don’t want anyone ruining my plan.”

Hanging up, she leaned back, her eyes staring blankly out the window. Memories flooded back, pulling her to the early days of her marriage to Mr. Thanh. She was ambitious, willing to do anything for her current position. But she realized Mr. Thanh’s heart was never truly hers. He kept a photo in his drawer: a photo of another woman, the first love he had vowed to marry. Lệ Xuân never knew the woman, but she knew she was a ghost that never left his life. She once found a letter that confirmed his silent search for that woman. Every word was a knife in her heart. Why? Why can’t he love me? I’ve done everything to be perfect, but he can’t forget her, she thought, her eyes burning with hatred. The plan for revenge began then.

Back in the present, Ms. Xuân looked at Mr. Quý, her voice even but sharp: “We must erase all traces, and not just that. You need to make that boy out to be a liar in front of everyone. No one believes a beggar, but we will make everyone not only disbelieve but despise him.”

“Madam, what do you mean?” Mr. Quý asked nervously. “You’ve already created the fake vial, haven’t you?” “Yes, Madam.”

Minh sat beside Lộc at the police station, his hands gripping the edge of the chair, his heart filled with growing unease. “Officer Lộc, what do you think she’ll do next? I’m afraid she’ll hide everything before we can do anything.” Lộc looked at Minh, his eyes gentle. “Don’t worry. I will do everything to bring the truth to light.” But Lộc was plagued by doubt: What if my mother is actually involved? What will I do? Can I face that truth?

It was late. Yellow streetlights cast a stressful silence over the empty Phúc An Lẩu restaurant. Lộc, Minh, and a police officer named Lan stood together. Lan suggested they couldn’t just wait. Minh, driven by determination, insisted on returning to the storage room.

Minh and Lan executed a second, risky break-in. In the faint light of a small flashlight, they sneaked through the alley. They found the storage room door blocked by a chair but unlocked. Once inside, they searched frantically for further evidence.

After finding nothing in the usual spots, Minh spotted a small wooden box tucked carefully into a corner, unlike the cardboard boxes surrounding it. Just as he reached for it, footsteps approached. He quickly pulled Lan into a hiding spot and whispered his fear.

Mr. Quý and another employee entered, their voices low and tense. “Madam told me to check thoroughly. Nothing must get out.” The beam of a flashlight swept dangerously close to their hiding place.

When the light passed, Lan reacted fast, pushing Minh toward the back door. “Run now!” she hissed.

“Stop!” Mr. Quý yelled.

Minh escaped, the wooden box clutched tightly. He raced through the maze of kitchen corridors and narrow alleys, Lan running ahead to distract Mr. Quý. “I can’t lose this! It’s too important!” Minh yelled.

As he reached the main street, a motorbike suddenly blocked his path. Lộc stepped off, his face a mixture of relief and anger. “What are you doing here? Why did you come back alone?” Lộc demanded. “You have to see this!” Minh panted, handing him the wooden box. Lộc opened it. His expression immediately hardened at the sight of old documents and small glass vials inside. “Let’s go! I’m getting both of you to safety before they return!” Lộc said, his voice low and serious.

On the way back, Minh looked over Lộc’s shoulder. “You believe me now, right?” Lộc was silent for a moment, then nodded. “You did well. But from now on, let me handle the rest. You’ve been too reckless.” A wave of relief washed over Minh, but a new anxiety settled in. The secrets in the storage room were just the beginning, and he knew Lệ Xuân would not give up easily.

The luxurious lights illuminated Mr. Trần Thanh’s entire villa, where an important party was underway. But beneath the opulent façade, a dark conspiracy was unfolding.

Back at the station, Minh and Lan, along with Lộc, prepared the evidence. Minh’s anxiety was palpable. “Officer Lộc, she won’t stop. I know she’s very dangerous.” Lộc stood at a crossroads: expose his mother or let the truth be buried. Could my mother really have done this? he thought, his childhood memories of her clashing with the accusation. “You did the right thing. I promise I won’t leave you alone in this.”

Meanwhile, at the villa, Ms. Lệ Xuân watched the party, her eyes cold and calculating. “Tonight will be his last night. After tonight, everything he has will belong to me,” she whispered to herself. Mr. Quý confirmed the final preparations.

Minh and Lan sneaked into the villa kitchen. They saw Mr. Quý preparing a special dish, carefully taking a vial—identical to the ones Minh found—and adding drops to a bowl of soup before stirring it. Lan pulled Minh aside: “We have to stop him! We can’t wait!”

Minh ran out, yelling: “Don’t take that dish out! It has poison!”

Mr. Quý was startled, but recovered quickly. “That boy again! Catch him!” The kitchen staff lunged. Minh dodged them, running around the tight kitchen area to draw attention. Lan cleverly knocked over a tray of dishes, creating a loud crash. “Hurry up, Minh! Run!”

Just as Mr. Thanh was about to give a speech, Minh burst into the main hall. “Don’t eat! That dish has poison!”

The room fell silent. Lệ Xuân kept her composure, but her eyes flashed with fury. “This boy wants to cause trouble again! Someone take him out now!” But before the guards could act, Lộc entered, raising his hand. “No one touches the boy! I am a police officer and I have reason to believe his words are true!”

Lộc faced Mr. Thanh: “Mr. Thanh, the dish you are about to eat has been poisoned. We are investigating, and we have evidence to prove this.”

Lệ Xuân turned pale. “Lộc, what are you saying? Are you trying to embarrass your mother in front of everyone?” “Mother, I know everything. What you’ve done will soon be revealed.” Lộc’s gaze was icy.

Police officers entered, carrying a warrant to inspect all the food. The guests began to murmur, suspicion mounting against Lệ Xuân. “No! This is a setup! They are trying to frame me!” she cried. Then, a former employee stood up: “I’ve suspected for a long time. Madam frequently entered the kitchen suspiciously, but I didn’t dare speak…”

Lệ Xuân could no longer hide the truth. Minh knew the tide had turned.

In a dark hallway, Mr. Quý cornered Minh, grabbing his shoulder tightly. “You think you’re smart? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do!” Minh struggled, but Mr. Quý dragged him into a small storage room. “Hand over whatever you’re hiding, or you’ll regret it!”

Lan, seeing the struggle, immediately ran to Lộc. “Officer Lộc, Mr. Quý took Minh somewhere! They are trying to harm him! We must act now!” Lộc rushed, Lan leading the way.

Inside the room, Mr. Quý was about to strike Minh when Lan distracted him by knocking over a food tray outside. As Mr. Quý turned, Lộc and two officers burst in. “Freeze! You have nowhere to run!” Lộc yelled.

Minh was rescued and ran to Lộc and Lan. “I’m fine! But she has other plans! We must stop her immediately!”

Back in the hall, Lộc presented the final test results. “The liquid contains components that can cause severe damage to the liver and kidneys if used long-term.” Mr. Thanh was heartbroken. “Xuân, I can’t believe it. Why would you do this to me?”

Lệ Xuân was unyielding until the very end. Lộc regretfully ordered her arrest. As she was being handcuffed, Lệ Xuân turned to Lộc, her eyes filled with pain and hatred: “You will regret this day, Lộc. You will lose everything, both your mother’s love and this family!”

Minh placed his small hand on Lộc’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. I believe you will never regret choosing justice.”

A week later, Lệ Xuân was sentenced to many years in prison for attempted murder and conspiracy. Mr. Quý also confessed and revealed Lệ Xuân’s entire plan.

Mr. Trần Thanh, though devastated, found a new purpose. He approached Minh: “Minh, I owe you not just my life, but also an awakening. You helped me see what I couldn’t for my whole life.”

“I did it for the truth. But if you want to help, I have a dream,” Minh said. “I want a place for children like me, a place where they no longer have to sleep on the streets, no longer suffer from hunger or fear.”

“Agreed. I promise you, we will do that.”

Lệ Xuân eventually changed in prison, motivated by Lộc’s letters and her own regret. She was released early and dedicated herself to charity work, using her story as a lesson. Mr. Quý opened a small, humble eatery for the poor.

Mr. Trần Thanh fulfilled Minh’s dream by establishing the “House of Hope” center for street children and invested heavily in social projects.

Minh, the former beggar boy, became an inspiration, guiding the children at the center.

At the fifth anniversary of the House of Hope, Lệ Xuân made a surprise appearance. She approached Minh, her eyes filled with sincerity: “Thank you, Minh. If it weren’t for you, perhaps my life would have been lost in the darkness forever.”

Minh smiled softly: “I did nothing, Ms. Xuân. You chose to change, and that is the most wonderful thing.”

Mr. Thanh looked at Minh with a gentle smile: “Because you taught me one thing: everyone deserves a second chance. And you were the one who gave that chance to me, to Ms. Xuân, and to Mr. Quý.”

Minh looked up at the star-filled sky, his faith in life stronger than ever: even if people make mistakes, as long as they repent and love, they can always find the light again.