Chapter 26 — Bridge Yard Beats

Six months after their historic victory at the Olympics, Vy and Long officially entered the wedding preparation phase, after the year-end international season ended with two more championship titles added to the couple's remarkable collection of achievements. The busy competition schedule temporarily subsided, giving way to happy days of preparation.

"Where do you think we should have the wedding?" Vy asked one evening when they both sat down to plan, the notepad was full of ideas.

"I think, there is no place more meaningful than your hometown beach," Long replied, holding her hand affectionately. "That place witnessed so many important moments in our journey, from the first time I shared about my father, to the first confession of love."

That idea made Vy unable to hide her emotions. “I really like that idea,” she said, tears in her eyes. "Having the wedding right in my hometown, where my dad can watch from somewhere, will be the most meaningful thing."

Both families quickly agreed on the location and together began careful preparations for the big day. Although Vy's mother was initially worried about organizing a large-scale wedding in a small countryside, with the enthusiastic support from the Trinh family, all preparations gradually became much smoother than expected.

"Don't worry about the cost," Mr. Trinh Bao Son said at a meeting between the two families, his voice sincere. "This is a big day for both of us. We will take care of it as carefully as possible together."

"I thank you very much," Vy's mother replied, unable to hide her emotion at that thoughtfulness. "I never thought my daughter would be lucky to have such a kind husband's family."

While preparing for the wedding, Vy still maintains her job as an ambassador for the community badminton development program, regularly visiting youth training centers in many different provinces and cities. Long also actively participates in training activities for the young generation of athletes, sharing the valuable experience he has accumulated through his recent impressive journey.

One afternoon, while visiting the old training center to guide a group of young athletes, Vy happened to meet Tram again, now officially taking on the role of head coach of the national youth team after many months of tireless efforts in her new role.

"Miss Tram!" Vy shouted with joy when she saw her sister, her close friend who had accompanied her throughout her entire meaningful journey.

"Vy!" Tram responded, hugging her junior in the joy of reunion. "I just heard about your upcoming wedding, congratulations!"

"Thank you," Vy smiled, unable to hide her emotions. "I really hope you can come, you are an important part of our story."

"I will definitely come," Tram replied, her voice filled with sincerity. "By the way, I want to show you something — the youth team I'm coaching just won the gold medal at the Southeast Asian youth championship last week."

"How wonderful!" Vy couldn't hide her joy at that news. "I always believe that you will become an excellent coach."

"Thank you, for always believing in me, even in the most difficult times," Tram replied, her eyes full of appreciation. "The story of you and Long inspired me a lot in my journey to find myself after injury."

That unexpected meeting made Vy feel warm at the maturity of her sister who had gone through the most difficult period in her career. She left the training center with a bright smile, filled with gratitude to all the people who accompanied her throughout this meaningful journey.

That evening, when he recounted that meeting to Long, he could not hide his joy. "I always believe that Ms. Tram will find the right path for herself," he said, his eyes full of warmth. "It's great to see her really shine in her new role."

The following days, preparations for the wedding took place busily but full of joy. Vy, her mother and a few close friends spend rare weekends choosing wedding dresses, decorations, and a wedding menu that will combine both Vy's hometown specialties and familiar dishes that the Trinh family loves.

"What color scheme are you going to choose for the wedding?" Minh — a close friend he had just met while working at a community development program — asked as the group looked through the wedding dress catalog.

"I think the light blue tone is similar to the color of the sea in my hometown," Vy replied, her eyes sparkling as she looked at a simple but elegant dress. "That's also where Long and I had many of our best memories."

"It's so romantic," the friend laughed, unable to hide his admiration for the inspirational love story of this famous couple.

Meanwhile, Phong - Long's closest friend throughout the whole journey - was assigned the responsibility of organizing a surprise bachelor party for the future groom. He mobilized his entire team of teammates to join hands to prepare a memorable evening, full of memories and laughter.

"I have it all planned out," Phong informed Long over the phone, his voice filled with mystery and excitement. "You can rest assured to mentally prepare for the wedding, I'll take care of the celebration of single life that's about to end."

"Thank you very much," Long smiled, touched by the enthusiasm of his friend who had accompanied him since the first days of joining the national team.

Along with the wedding preparations, Mr. Trinh Bao Son, with all the experience and enthusiasm accumulated throughout his long coaching career, also silently prepared a special gift for both of them - he decided to build a small badminton academy right in Vy's hometown, to create conditions for children in poor coastal areas to have the opportunity to approach this sport from an early age, without having to leave their homeland like Vy did.

"I want me and Vy to jointly run this academy after finishing my top playing career," he told Long in a private conversation. "This will be the most meaningful legacy my whole family leaves behind for the next generation, not just medals."

When hearing about this meaningful plan, Vy could not hide her deep emotions. "I never dared to dream of such a wonderful thing," she said, tears in her eyes as Long told her the whole story. "This will be the most meaningful way for children in situations like mine in the past to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams without suffering too many disadvantages."

"That's exactly what my father always wanted," Long replied, holding her hand affectionately. "Her story has inspired my entire family in ways we never imagined before."

Exactly three weeks before the official wedding day, the whole family held a solemn wedding ceremony together in Vy's hometown, marking the final preparation step before entering the big day. The ceremony was cozy and simple but filled with sincere affection between two families who have been closely connected for more than a year, since the first day their two children were accidentally paired to compete together.

"We would like to officially ask permission from the bride's family to allow Long to marry Vy," Mr. Trinh Bao Son said solemnly in the presence of both families. "We believe that the two of you will build a happy and fulfilling married life together, continuing to write meaningful new chapters of the story that began on the badminton court itself."

Vy's mother responded with sincere blessings, unable to hide her emotions as she officially agreed to marry her daughter to the family that had loved and cherished her throughout her long journey. After the main ceremony, both families had an intimate meal together, chatting loudly about the final details for the upcoming wedding.

"It feels like a dream," Vy whispered to Long in the middle of the party, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Only three more weeks until we will officially become husband and wife."

"And I believe, this will be the most beautiful beginning for the next chapter in our lives," Long replied, gently squeezing her hand under the banquet table, his eyes filled with love and faith in a bright future that is open ahead for both of them, a future that they have worked tirelessly together to reach.