Chapter 25 — Debt Book at the End of the Alley

A week after Nam's assault, the investigator called lawyer Khoa to inform him: Tran Minh Phat had been summoned to work, and under pressure from the evidence collected - including a recording of a threatening call to Dieu, a suspicious motorbike license plate, and testimony from many households - he began to show signs of wavering, confessing part of his role in "introducing customers" to Kim Phat to receive a commission, although he still firmly denied knowing about the forgery plot. signature or land acquisition plan.

“This is an important breakthrough,” lawyer Khoa told Dieu on the phone, his voice unable to hide his excitement. "Once the first link begins to open, there will often be a domino effect. I believe that in the near future, Lam Van Duc and the people behind Kim Phat will also have to officially work."

As expected, just three days later, Lam Van Duc suddenly appeared at the restaurant, no longer as aggressive and threatening as the first time, but with a completely different attitude - cautious, even somewhat fearful.

“I didn't come here to collect a debt,” he said, his voice much quieter than usual, his eyes constantly moving around as if on alert. “I... I want to talk to you in private for a moment.”

Dieu hesitated, but thinking that the shop always had Huong and a few regular customers around, she decided to listen to him, although still keeping a careful distance.

“The police invited me to work,” Lam Van Duc said, his voice shaking. "I know I'm deeply involved in this case, I can't deny it anymore. But I'm just an employee, receiving orders from above, without knowing the entire plan behind it. I want... I want to cooperate, tell the truth, in exchange I hope you and your lawyer can help me out, so that I can receive leniency."

Dieu looked at him, a complicated feeling rising in her heart - both disdain for the cowardice of the person who had loudly threatened her family, and also realizing that this could be an important opportunity to gain more internal evidence. “You should speak directly to the investigation agency,” she said, her voice cold but not losing her temper. "I have no authority to promise you anything. But if you really want to redeem yourself, tell the whole truth, don't hide anything."

Lam Van Duc nodded, his expression showing relief mixed with fear, then hurriedly left. Dieu immediately called lawyer Khoa to report this unexpected meeting. He assessed this as a very positive signal that the entire line was starting to fall apart from the inside.

Exactly one week later, the official news was announced: the investigation agency prosecuted the case, indicting three people directly related to Kim Phat company's high-interest lending activities and forged documents, including Tran Minh Phat and Lam Van Duc. At the same time, the investigator also confirmed that they are expanding the investigation to clarify the connection between Kim Phat and the individuals and organizations behind the Ben Cat Riverside project, although details have not been announced because of the sensitive nature of the case.

The news spread quickly throughout the alley, bringing an atmosphere of relief that had not been felt in many months. Ms. Suong hugged Dieu, tears streaming from happiness when she learned that her debt and that of many other households would likely be reviewed, or even canceled if signs of fraud or coercion were proven.

That evening, the whole neighborhood surrendered Phat organized a communal meal right in the front yard of the restaurant, each family contributed a dish, together to celebrate this important turning point. Dieu sat among everyone, looking at the bright smiling faces after many stressful days, her heart was filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the power of solidarity.

Uncle Tu sat next to her and raised his glass of sugarcane juice. "The road ahead is still long," he said, "the case still needs to be investigated, tried, and getting justice is not something that happens overnight. But tonight, let's just allow ourselves to have a little fun, okay?"

Dieu smiled, raised her glass of water and lightly touched his glass. “Yes, I deserve to be happy tonight, Uncle Tu.”

Nam, even though he still had a few bruises that had not yet completely healed, was also present at that meal, sitting next to Dieu, quietly observing the warm scene of the small alley that he had contributed greatly to protecting. When night falls, the lights from the houses in the alley shine onto the small road, mixed with chatter and laughter, creating a picture of peace and warmth - something that just a few months ago, when the storm named Kim Phat first hit, no one was sure whether it could still be maintained or not.

In the middle of the party, Ms. Sau Lien stood up and lightly tapped her chopsticks on the glass to attract everyone's attention. "I'm old, I don't know what to say," she said, her voice trembling with emotion, "but I want to thank Dieu, Tu, Nam, and the whole Suong family for not being afraid of difficulties or suffering, standing up to take care of the whole neighborhood's problems. If it weren't for you guys, this whole alley would probably be in ruins by now, each holding a debt, afraid to raise their heads."

Everyone applauded loudly, some older people could not hide their tears of emotion. Dieu stood up, bowed her head to thank everyone, her voice choked up. "I only do what I think is right. Without the trust and solidarity of my whole neighborhood, I alone certainly cannot do anything. This is a victory for all of us, not just anyone."

That night lasted until late, with laughter, toasts mixed with stories reviewing the difficult times that had passed, as a way for the whole neighborhood to heal together the mental wounds they had suffered for many months. Dieu sat quietly looking at that scene, her heart filled with a new belief - that although there is still much work to do on the road ahead, this Ben Cat alley, with its cohesion that has been forged through storms, will no longer be easily conquered by any evil force.

When the guests gradually left, only Dieu, Uncle Tu, Huong and Nam remained to clean up the last tables and chairs under the rising moonlight. Nam looked around the now deserted yard, his eyes distant.

"When I was a child," he said, his voice was deep and full of nostalgia, "I used to sit in this corner of the yard, watching the adults gather to eat and drink every Tet holiday. I didn't expect that now, after so many years of separation, I would be sitting here, in such a special situation."

“Do you regret getting involved in this?” Dieu asked, sitting down next to him, looking at the bruises gradually fading on his face under the moonlight.

Nam shook his head, turned to look at her, his eyes were sincere. "Not at all. If I could choose again, I would still do the same thing. Yes Things are worth trading for, and protecting the place you grew up in, protecting the people you care about, is one of them.”

Huong, who was rearranging the last stack of chairs, glanced at the two people and then smiled softly at Uncle Tu. The two quietly exchanged a look of understanding, allowing Dieu and Nam to have one more private moment in the quiet middle of the night, before ending a long, emotional day together in the small alley.

Before leaving, Nam lingered a little longer, hesitantly looking at Dieu as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words. “Dieu,” he finally spoke, his voice holding a rare awkwardness in someone as calm as him. “After everything calms down, maybe I will resign from my old company. I don't want to continue working for a place I can no longer trust.”

“So what are you going to do next?” Dieu asked, curious mixed with a bit of worry for his future.

“I don't know for sure yet,” Nam replied, smiling slightly. “But I think, maybe it's time for me to return closer to this place, to do something truly meaningful, instead of just chasing after big projects without knowing the real purpose behind them. Who knows, maybe you'll find a job that's close to the alley that nurtured the most beautiful memories of your childhood."

Dieu smiled, feeling a warmth spreading in her heart at that sincere sharing. “Whatever path you choose,” she said, “I believe you will do well. And this alley will definitely always welcome you back."

They stood there for a while longer under the moonlight, not needing to say anything else, simply enjoying the rare peace after a stormy journey, before Nam said goodbye and left, leaving Dieu standing alone in the middle of an empty yard, her heart relieved and full of hope for what lies ahead.