Chapter 25 — A Sweetness Forgotten

The opening day of "Coi Quarter" fell on a fresh late autumn morning, the sky was clear and cloudless, as if heaven and earth themselves wanted to contribute to this important day.

From early morning, the whole neighborhood was bustling with a festive atmosphere - a traditional orchestra performed in the central square, decorative red silk ribbons curled along the awnings, and a large number of city residents eagerly flocked to visit this new but still nostalgic culinary space.

Ngọt Xưa stall, with a design bearing the mark of Lá Me tea shop in the past - rustic bare brick walls, light blue painted wooden doors, handwritten sign in the original style of Mrs. Ngọc Lành in the past - attracted a large number of customers right from the first hours of opening.

Diệp Chi stood behind the open kitchen counter, personally preparing the first cups of sweet soup on this special opening day, including the new dish launched for the first time - "Old Kitchen Smoke Tea", solemnly introduced on the menu board with a small caption: "The recipe was perfected after twelve years of incubation, dedicated to the mother who has given me a lifetime of love through each cup of sweet soup."

Each guest who tasted the new dish could not hide their surprise and delight at the unique and mouth-watering flavor while still retaining the brand's characteristic warmth and familiarity.

"This dish is so delicious, what's so special?" A young guest asked, looking curiously at Diệp Chi standing in the kitchen.

"That was the last recipe my mother left behind before she passed away, I just perfected it," Diệp Chi replied, her voice still a little emotional even though she had told this story no less than a dozen times that morning. "Thank you for enjoying."

Amidst the bustling crowd, Thế Khôi appeared in a neat suit, participating as Bách Khang's representative in the official opening ceremony, but he still took the time to stop by Ngọt Xưa stall many times a day, standing quietly watching Diệp Chi work with proud eyes.

In the afternoon, when the official opening ceremony took place at the central square with the participation of city leaders, representatives of partner brands, and a large number of media, Mr. Ôn Bách Quân stood on stage and gave the opening speech.

"Quoi Coi is not just an ordinary commercial real estate project," he said, his voice echoing through the speaker system, "but a commitment from Bách Khang to preserve and honor the traditional culinary values of our city. We are proud to partner with excellent local brands, including Ngọt Xưa — a living testament to the spirit of rising from adversity and preserving traditional values in an ever-changing world."

Loud applause rang out. Diệp Chi, standing in the crowd with Tường Vy and uncle Bảy Thông, could not hide her emotions when hearing those solemn statements, knowing that it was not just a social compliment, but a sincere recognition for a long journey she had put in tireless efforts.

After the speech, when everyone started to disperse to visit the booths, a young reporter approached Diệp Chi, asking for a quick interview for an article about her inspirational startup story.

"Ms. Diệp Chi, there are rumors that you have a personal relationship with Mr. Ôn Thế Khôi, the person in charge of this project. Can you share about that?" The reporter asked directly, without hesitation.

The entire crowd around, including Thế Khôi who had just stepped forward, were all silent, waiting for an answer. Diệp Chi took a deep breath, not dodging the question like she did before.

"That's right, Thế Khôi and I studied together in high school, and now we are seriously getting to know each other," she spoke, her voice calm and confident. "But I want to clearly affirm that the business cooperation relationship between Ngọt Xưa and Bách Khang is completely based on the capacity and intrinsic value of the brand, assessed by an independent board, not related to any personal relationship. I am proud of what Ngọt Xưa has achieved, with my own hands and mind, not thanks to anyone else."

That straightforward, brave answer made the surrounding crowd nod in approval. Thế Khôi stood there, looking at her with eyes full of pride and undisguised love, not feeling uncomfortable or confused at this sudden publicity, but on the contrary, feeling relieved because finally, the two no longer had to hide their feelings from the public anymore.

The afternoon gradually turned to dusk, the fading sunlight dyed the whole new neighborhood yellow, when Thế Khôi came to Ngọt Xưa stall when the flow of customers had thinned out. He walked to the kitchen counter, where Diệp Chi was taking the time to clean up after a long, busy day.

"That answer was very brave," he said, smiling at her.

"I think it's time to stop hiding anything," Diệp Chi replied, wiped her hands on her apron, and looked up at him with radiant eyes. "Twelve years of hiding and hiding is more than enough." Thế Khôi nodded, then from his jacket pocket, he took out a small box wrapped in simple kraft paper - not a sparkling diamond ring, but a rustic silver bracelet, engraved with a small inscription that was difficult to recognize if you didn't look closely.

"This..." Diệp Chi was surprised to receive the gift box and opened it.

"I asked the craftsman to carve that inscription," Thế Khôi explained, his voice a rare bit of nervousness. "Let's read it."

Diệp Chi squinted her eyes to read the tiny words engraved inside the bracelet: "Sweetness is never forgotten, just waiting for the right person to find it."

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes again, but this time they were tears of complete happiness, without any fear or doubt.

"Can you help me put it on?" She asked, her voice shaking slightly, holding out her wrist.

Thế Khôi carefully placed the silver bracelet on her wrist, his fingers gently touching the soft skin. They were both silent for a moment, just to fully feel this simple but sacred moment.

"I'm not proposing right now," Thế Khôi said, smiling slightly when he saw a slightly confused look in Diệp Chi's eyes. "I think we need more time to get to know each other properly first, like adults, not in a hurry. This bracelet is just a promise, that I will always be here, waiting and accompanying you, until both of you are ready for the next step."

"Thank you," Diệp Chi said, her voice choked with emotion, looking down at the silver bracelet sparkling in the sunset. "Your patience makes me feel safer than any hasty promise." Uncle Bảy Thông, watching from afar with Tường Vy, smiled slightly and nodded, his eyes shining with indescribable joy when witnessing that warm scene.

"She's finally found her happiness," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion.

"It's well deserved, uncle," Tường Vy replied, her eyes equally red. "After all she has been through, she deserves such complete happiness."

That evening, when the neighborhood was brightly lit, the light from hundreds of small lanterns hanging along the eaves reflected onto the paved road, creating a shimmering, magical scene. Diệp Chi stood in front of Ngọt Xưa stall, looking back at the long and meaningful day that had just passed, her heart filled with a deep sense of gratitude - grateful to her mother for giving her the strength and love of food, grateful to uncle Bảy Thông for guiding her through the most difficult years, grateful to Tường Vy for her strong friendship over the years, and grateful to Thế Khôi for patiently waiting, so that they could both find each other again at the right time when they were both mature enough to appreciate what they had.

Mr. Bách Quân, before leaving the ceremony, also stopped by the stall and tasted the "Old Kitchen Smoke Che" that the whole neighborhood was talking about. He took a spoonful, tasted it slowly, nodding appreciatively.

"It's really delicious," he commented, looking at Diệp Chi with affectionate eyes like a father looking at his daughter. "I congratulate you, not only for the food, but for the whole journey you have gone through to get to where you are today."

"Thank you for always supporting and respecting my decisions," Diệp Chi replied, her voice sincere.

"That's the least a father should do, when he sees his son finding someone worthy of love." Mr. Bách Quân smiled, glanced at Thế Khôi standing next to him, his eyes full of pride. "I wish you both all the best."

He turned and left, leaving the two of them standing together in the brightly lit neighborhood, filled with hope for a future that they both believed would be sweeter than any cup of tea they had ever tasted.