Chapter 28 — Bridge Yard Beats

Two weeks after the wedding, Vy and Long took advantage of their rare days off to enjoy a short honeymoon on a small island on the Central Coast, completely away from the pressure of work and public attention throughout the past year. This is the first time since becoming Olympic champions that the two have had complete private time for each other.

"It feels strange that no one recognizes us here," Vy said, smiling as the two walked on the deserted beach, with no reporters or fans watching.

"I like this feeling," Long replied, putting his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Sometimes, I miss the simpler days before everything became as noisy as it is now."

The days on the island passed peacefully, completely away from the busy daily grind. The two spent time enjoying simple moments together — swimming together, diving to see the coral, or simply sitting quietly watching the sunset without saying a word.

One afternoon, while walking together along the beach, Long suddenly stopped and pulled Vy to sit down next to a large rock overlooking the ocean. "I have something to share with you," he said, his voice becoming unusually serious.

"What do you want to say?" Vy asked, curious about that unusual attitude.

"I'm thinking about the future after finishing my career at the top," Long shared, looking far out to sea. "I want us to build the badminton academy that my father proposed together, not just as a family project, but as a shared dream for both of us."

Vy listened silently, clearly feeling the sincerity in each shared word. "I've been thinking about that too," she replied, clutching her husband's hand. "I want that academy to become a place that welcomes all children with dreams, regardless of their background or family situation."

"We could name the academy in a meaningful way," Long suggested, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Not in my family's name, but in a name that represents both of our journeys."

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Vy asked, curious about that new idea.

"Beat Academy," Long replied, smiling. "Because it all starts with the common pulse we find on the field, and I want every kid who steps in there to find their own passionate pulse as well."

Vy was touched by that meaningful name and hugged her husband in indescribable happiness. "I like that name a lot," she said, her voice choked up. "That will be the most beautiful legacy we leave behind."

Returning from their honeymoon, the two immediately began to realize the academy project, spending their rare free time with Mr. Trinh Bao Son on detailed planning - from choosing a construction location right in Vy's hometown, recruiting a team of enthusiastic coaches, to building a full scholarship program for students with difficult circumstances but rich potential.

"I think we should invite Ms. Tram to be the professional director for the academy," Vy proposed at a family meeting to discuss human resources. "She has excellent coaching experience and understands better than anyone what the academy should aim for."

"That's a great idea," Mr. Son agreed immediately. "Tram is someone who has both the expertise and heart suitable for this mission."

When asked, Tram could not hide her deep emotion at that precious opportunity. "I never thought I would have the opportunity to build something so meaningful after an injury ended my playing career," she said, her voice filled with sincerity as she accepted the invitation. "I promise to put all my heart and soul into this academy."

Six months later, Beat Academy was officially inaugurated right in Vy's coastal hometown, with modern facilities and a team of dedicated coaches, ready to welcome the first batch of students - mostly disadvantaged children from poor rural areas across the country, selected through a full scholarship program.

The inauguration ceremony took place solemnly but warmly, with the participation of a large number of sports officials, the media, and the children who will become the first generation of students at the academy. Vy stood in front of the crowd, her eyes unable to hide her emotions as she looked back at the journey that brought her to this meaningful moment.

"Many years ago, I was a poor girl growing up on this beach, with a seemingly distant dream of playing badminton professionally," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Today, I stand here not only as an Olympic champion, but also as the founder of a place that I wish I had when I was a child. I hope, this academy will be the place to give wings to many other dreams, just like my dream was given wings."

Long continued, standing next to his wife in front of the crowd, his eyes filled with pride. "When I first met Vy, I never thought that collision-filled teammate would become my life partner, and build something so meaningful with me. Beat Academy is not only a place to train athletes, but also a place where we want to sow the seeds of the values that we both always cherish — perseverance, integrity, and the belief that background never determines the future."

After the speech, the two cut the inauguration ribbon together amid warm applause from all guests. The children in the first batch of students, their eyes sparkling with excitement, rushed into the new academy campus, exploring each modern training ground that perhaps they had never dared to dream of before.

A small, timid boy approached Vy after the ceremony, his voice still shaking slightly because of nervousness. "Sister, I also come from a poor family like you in the past. Can I become a good athlete like you?"

Vy sat down, eye level with the boy, a warm smile clearly visible on her face. "I believe you can, as long as you never give up on your dreams. I once stood in your position, and now I'm standing here, proving that it's possible."

The boy smiled brightly, his eyes filled with new hope at that sincere encouragement. Vy stood up and watched the boy run away to join his peers, her heart filled with a deep sense of satisfaction that no medal could compare to.

"This is the true meaning of all success," Vy told Long as they both stood and watched the academy campus bustle with the laughter of children. "It's not what we achieve for ourselves, but what we can pass on to the next generation."

"I completely agree," Long replied, putting his arm around his wife's shoulders, his eyes filled with pride and happiness as he witnessed their shared dream officially come true, opening a new meaningful chapter in the journey that they had written together since that controversial first day.

That evening, after the inauguration ceremony ended, Tram invited the whole family and the academy's new coaching team to stay for an intimate dinner to officially start a new chapter of work. A warm, enthusiastic atmosphere enveloped the banquet table, as everyone shared their plans and plans to develop the academy in the near future.

"I'm already planning the next admission course," Tram shared, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I want to expand the selection to remote mountainous areas, where children have even less opportunity to access sports than this coastal area."

"That's a great idea," Vy agreed immediately. "I will support you in connecting with charity organizations to organize talent recruitment trips in those remote areas."

Mr. Trinh Bao Son, sitting at the head of the table, looking around at all the young, enthusiastic faces building a meaningful future together, could not hide his deep emotions. "I believe, this is just the beginning of many good things that this academy will bring to the entire country's sports industry," he said, his voice full of pride.

The entire banquet table raised their glasses and clinked glasses in joy and warm connection, closing a meaningful and important day, marking the official start of a new mission that Vy and Long vow to stick with for the rest of their lives, along with the happy married life that they are cultivating together every day.