Chapter 28 — Debt Book at the End of the Alley

Three months passed quickly, bringing with it a lot of busyness but also full of positive signs. The Kim Phat case was officially brought to a first instance trial, with the result leaning heavily in favor of the victim households - the court invalidated all loan contracts with signs of forged signatures, and at the same time prosecuted two more individuals in the senior leadership team behind the cross-ownership scheme that Nam had worked hard to collect evidence for. The Ben Cat Riverside project, faced with public and legal pressure, was forced to declare an indefinite pause to review the entire land acquisition process.

The day the restaurant officially changed its name to "Debt Book Restaurant" coincided with this occasion, becoming a double celebration for the whole Ben Cat hamlet. From early morning, everyone gathered together to redecorate the front of the shop with flashing lights and a brand new sign painted by a young artist in the neighborhood, with the words "Debt Book Shop" prominently above the stylized image of the old debt book.

Neighbors came one after another to congratulate, bringing all kinds of gifts, cakes and fruits, everyone beaming with smiles after the past stressful months. Ms. Suong, who has now regained her usual optimistic spirit, is in charge of welcoming guests, constantly telling her story to those who do not know the beginning or the end, as a way to spread belief in the power of solidarity.

Lawyer Khoa also arranged time to stop by and give Dieu a copy of the court's decision as a special gift. “This is the achievement of everyone,” he said, shaking hands to congratulate Dieu and Uncle Tu. "I believe that my neighborhood's story will become a valuable lesson, not only for those involved, but also for many other communities facing similar tricks."

In the middle of the ceremony, Nam was also present, no longer an employee of the old real estate company - as planned, he officially quit his job immediately after the case was prosecuted, and is currently in the process of finding a new direction, closer to the values he truly believes in.

“I have good news,” Nam said to Dieu, when the two found a quiet corner among the bustling crowd. "I just accepted a part-time job as a legal consultant for a non-profit organization that specializes in supporting people caught up in black credit. The job doesn't pay as much as before, but I feel it is much more meaningful."

“I'm happy for you,” Dieu said, smiling sincerely. “Perhaps, this is the most suitable path for me, after everything I have gone through for my neighborhood.”

They stood next to each other, looking at the bustling, warm scene of the ceremony. They both felt an increasingly deeper connection, far beyond childhood friendship, even though no one had officially named that feeling. Mother Dieu, sitting on a specially arranged chair in the most solemn position, watched her daughter with gentle, contented eyes, occasionally exchanging a few stories with Uncle Tu sitting next to her. Both could not hide their happiness when witnessing the fruits of many years of attachment and sacrifice finally coming to fruition in the most complete way.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony took place at noon, when bright golden sunlight shone down on the new sign. Dieu, standing with his mother and uncle Tu, cut the red ribbon together in front of the witness opinions and enthusiastic encouragement from the whole neighborhood. The sound of confetti flying and bustling applause echoed throughout the small alley, creating a rare bustling scene.

“I want to say a few words,” Dieu spoke, standing in front of the crowd, her voice trembled slightly with emotion but was still loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. "Six months ago, when I returned here because of the news that my mother was sick, I never thought that I would go through such an eventful journey. But it is thanks to my mother, Uncle Tu, Huong, Nam, and above all all the relatives in my neighborhood that I have enough strength to go through it all."

She looked around, her eyes scanning every familiar face that was listening attentively. "'Debt Book Restaurant' is not just the name of a restaurant. It is a reminder that, in life, there are debts that cannot be measured in money - debts of gratitude, debts of protection, debts of silent sacrifices that one person makes for another. I hope that my restaurant will forever be a place where those debts are recognized, respected, and never become a burden."

The applause rang out again, many people could not hide their emotions, their eyes turned red. Ms. Sau Lien stood up, her voice trembling but full of pride. "You said it very well, Dieu. I believe, your mother is up there - no, your mother is sitting right here," she suddenly corrected, making the whole crowd laugh at that adorable mistake, "she is definitely very proud of you."

The party lasted until late afternoon, with a variety of dishes brought by each house in the neighborhood to entertain, mixed with music emanating from the small speaker that Uncle Tu borrowed, creating a warm and united festive atmosphere unprecedented in the history of this small alley.

While everyone was gathering to sing, Huong pulled Dieu to a private corner, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I saw you and Nam standing and talking all this time, smiling from ear to ear. If there's anything interesting, tell me the truth."

Dieu blushed, deliberately avoiding her friend's probing eyes. “It's nothing, we were just talking about work.”

“Stop it, ma'am,” Huong laughed, gently nudging her friend's shoulder. "I've known you for so many years, the way you look at him doesn't look like you're talking about work at all. Take your time, I won't rush you, but if there's anything, remember to tell me fully."

They both burst into laughter, their laughter blending into the general bustling atmosphere of the party. Dieu looked towards the South, who was chatting happily with Uncle Tu and a few older men in the neighborhood. Her heart suddenly felt a warm, gentle feeling that she hadn't dared to name, but she no longer wanted to avoid it like before.

As dusk fell, dyeing the entire alley in warm orange light, people began to pack up, bid farewell to each other and leave after a long day full of joy. Dieu stood at the door of the restaurant, seeing off each customer, her heart filled with a deep sense of gratitude for everything that had happened - both the suffering and the happiness - because they had woven together the complete story of her life until today.

Nam is one of the last people to stay behind to help clean up. When everything was finished, he stayed a little longer, standing next to Dieu and watching the alley gradually sink into darkness, with only a few lights left from a few houses still on.

“Today is a wonderful day,” Nam said, his voice gentle. “I'm glad I got to witness this moment, to see you and the whole neighborhood so happy.”

“Thank you for everything,” Dieu replied, turning to look at him, her eyes filled with appreciation. “If it weren't for you, this story would probably have had a different ending.”

Nam shook his head and smiled. “I only contribute a small part. It is you, with your resilience and love for your family and your neighbors, who truly makes all these miracles happen.”

They stood silently together for a moment, not needing to say anything more, simply enjoying the rare peace between what had passed and what was still ahead, like two companions who had gone through the storm together, now ready to move forward together on a new, gentler and more hopeful path.

Before leaving, Nam turned to Dieu, his eyes were a bit hesitant but still brave enough to say what was in his heart. “Hey, hey, I'm free next weekend. I wonder if you want to... go somewhere with me, like not to discuss neighborhood issues or legal documents at all, just simply the two of us hanging out?"

Dieu paused for a moment, her heart beating faster at the unexpected question, but it was no longer strange to what she had secretly felt over the past few months. She smiled and nodded. “Do you want to,” she replied, her voice gentle but sincere. “It's been a long time since I've had a chance to go somewhere just to relax and not have to worry about anything.”

A bright smile appeared on Nam's lips, erasing all the remaining bruises on his face. "Then see you this weekend," he said, then said goodbye, walking away in the last remaining sunset on the small alley, leaving Dieu standing there with a smile that was hard to hide and a heart throbbing with new, bright emotions, signaling a completely new chapter waiting for her ahead, completely different from everything she had experienced during the past tumultuous half year.