Chapter 27 — Back Before The Wedding Day

A year has passed since Tam Viet officially launched, bringing with it many positive changes. The brand now has a spacious small store in the city center, next to the factory that is still maintained in a familiar alley as a way to preserve its roots. The staff has expanded to more than fifteen people, including a few older tailors who once worked with Khanh Linh's father, who are now invited to cooperate with stable salaries, worthy of their skills.

"Revenue this quarter doubled compared to the previous quarter," Lam Quoc Bao reported at the year-end summary meeting, his voice unable to hide his pride. "We already have orders from three other provinces outside the city, and a few foreign customers have also begun to show interest in the brand through social media channels."

"This is the result of a whole team," Khanh Linh said, looking around the meeting room where Bao Ngoc, Thu Ha, and other members were listening proudly. "We have proven that a brand built on a foundation of sincerity and quality can truly stand and develop sustainably."

Bao Ngoc, now holding the position of creative director in charge of color coordination and accessories — as is her forte — has matured a lot compared to her early days. She is no longer the girl who used to tremble and panic under pressure, but has become a confident, steadfast woman, respected by the whole team for her dedication and true talent.

"I just received an invitation to participate in an independent fashion exhibition abroad," Bao Ngoc announced, her voice filled with excitement. "They wanted Tam Viet to display a small collection, introducing a story of sustainable fashion combining traditional Vietnamese culture."

"This is a great opportunity," Khanh Linh said, her eyes shining with excitement. "We should catch it now."

As for Dang Khoa, after officially taking over the leadership position at Bao Tin with the new executive board, he gradually brought the group through the crisis period, rebuilding its reputation with more transparent and responsible policies than before. Occasionally, he still stops by Tam Viet to order uniforms for company employees, maintaining a healthy, respectful partnership with Khanh Linh and the whole team.

"The company is much more stable these days," he shared during a visit, his voice calm but his eyes still tinged with some regret when looking at Khanh Linh who was happy next to Lam Quoc Bao. "My mother now lives a rather private life, focusing on taking care of her health. Occasionally, she mentions her with a respect that I have never seen before."

"I'm glad that everything is gradually stabilizing," Khanh Linh replied, sincerely. "I hope, both you and your mother find true peace after all that has happened."

As for Ms. Hanh, her health has completely recovered. She even volunteered to support part of the quality management work at the Tam Viet factory, taking advantage of her meticulous housewife experience to ensure that each product that comes out of the oven meets the highest standards.

"I never thought that at this age, I could still contribute to such a meaningful thing," Mrs. Hanh shared during a family gathering evening, her eyes shining with pride as she looked at her daughter. "I gave it to my whole family an opportunity to build something beautiful together."

"This is the effort of our whole family, mother," Khanh Linh replied, hugging her mother tightly, clearly feeling the familiar warmth that she had lost forever in her previous life, now cherished and preserved more fully than ever.

That night, after a family meal, Lam Quoc Bao came to pick Khanh Linh up for a walk, using the excuse of wanting to breathe fresh air after a stressful day of work. The two walked along a familiar street, where the warm yellow streetlights illuminated each step.

"Do you realize," he said, his voice a little strangely nervous, "today is exactly one year since we officially admitted our feelings for each other, at the restaurant by the lake."

Khanh Linh stopped, looked at him, realized that his eyes were carrying an unusual seriousness and nervousness. "Do you remember," she replied, her voice also starting to tremble with the feeling that something important was about to happen.

Lam Quoc Bao stopped walking, turned around to face her in the middle of a small deserted street, the warm yellow street light shone on his face, revealing a rare nervousness in this normally calm man. "Khanh Linh," he said, his voice shaking slightly, "during the past two years, since the day I met you at your father's garment factory, my life has completely changed. You not only gave me the opportunity to rebuild my career, but also taught me how to trust and love again after all the previous failures."

He knelt down on one knee, pulled out a small box from his coat pocket, inside was a simple but delicate ring, studded with a small stone that sparkled under the streetlight. "I know, I don't have much to give you other than a sincere heart and a future I vow to build with you every day. Khanh Linh, do you agree to be my wife?"

Khanh Linh's tears rolled down her cheeks, not from pain or fear like the fateful rainy night of her previous life, but from the most complete tears of happiness she had ever experienced in both lives. "I agree," she replied, her voice choked with emotion, "I agree, Quoc Bao."

He stood up, put the ring on her finger, then pulled her into a tight hug, spinning happily in the middle of a small deserted street, the streetlights witnessed the sacred moment of two people who had overcome so many challenges together to find each other, to build a true, lasting love.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with emotion.

"I love you too," Khanh Linh replied, leaning her head on his shoulder, fully feeling the happiness that she had been waiting for two lifetimes to truly find.

When the two returned home to tell the good news, Mr. Tai and Mrs. Hanh were watching TV in the living room, unable to hide their surprise and happiness when they saw the sparkling ring on their daughter's hand.

"Mom and dad, me and Mr. Bao..." Before Khanh Linh could finish her sentence, Mrs. Hanh stood up, hugged her daughter, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

"The day has finally come," she said, her voice choked up. "I'm so happy for you, Khanh Linh."

Mr. Tai shook Lam Quoc Bao's hand tightly, his eyes full of trust. "Please take good care of my daughter. It has gone through many challenges, now is the time it deserves complete happiness."

"I promise to always cherish and protect Khanh Linh all my life, father," Lam Quoc Bao replied, his voice firm and full of determination.

The whole family hugged each other in overflowing happiness, bustling laughter echoed throughout the warm little house, marking another important milestone in the meaningful journey that Khanh Linh has gone through since that fateful day of birth.

The next morning, the good news spread quickly to Bao Ngoc and Thu Ha. They both immediately ran to Tam Viet workshop and hugged Khanh Linh with immense joy.

"The day has finally come!" Bao Ngoc exclaimed, unable to hide her emotions. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

"I will be in charge of all the stages of designing your wedding dress," Thu Ha announced immediately, her voice full of determination. "No, I will write a special article about the love story of you and Mr. Bao, which will definitely inspire many readers."

"And I will design that wedding dress," Khanh Linh said, her eyes shining with excitement at the idea that just came up. "This will be the most meaningful design in my career, fully combining tradition and modernity, the past and the future that I have built together throughout the past journey."

The whole group of friends discussed, laughed and talked loudly about plans for the upcoming wedding. The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement of friends who had gone through many ups and downs together, and now witnessed one of their members finding the most complete happiness.

Late in the afternoon, when everyone was gradually returning to their usual work, Khanh Linh sat alone in the design room, looking at the sparkling ring on her hand, her heart filled with a deep sense of peace that she had never felt so completely. She remembered the fateful rainy night of her previous life, where all her hopes, all her beliefs were cruelly extinguished — and now, standing here, with a happy future waiting ahead, she understood more clearly than ever, the true value of the second chance that fate had bestowed upon her.

"Thank you," she whispered to herself, not sure if she was thanking fate, or thanking herself from her previous life for teaching her valuable lessons to be able to fully appreciate the happiness of today.