Chapter 16 — Directions to Cloud Valley

A week after the inauguration of the medical station and the emotional proposal, Dang Khoi took Thao Vy back to the city to officially introduce herself to her family. This was the first time in five years that Thao Vy returned to the city she had left in pain, and that feeling brought with it more complex emotions than she expected.

"Are you okay?" Dang Khoi asked when he saw Thao Vy silently looking out the car window, looking at the high-rise buildings and busy traffic of the city that she had been away from for so long.

"I'm fine," Thao Vy replied, smiling to reassure him. "It just feels a bit strange coming back here after all these years. Things have changed so much."

"Do you miss the city?" he asked, curious.

Thao Vy thought for a moment before answering. "There are things I miss — the comforts, my favorite coffee shops, my old friends. But I don't miss the hustle and bustle of life, the constant noise. The mountains and forests have taught me to appreciate silence in a way that I don't think I can give up."

"I understand," Dang Khoi replied, holding her hand tightly. "That's also part of the reason I decided to build our lives in a way that balances the two."

***

The family meeting took place at the familiar house of Dang Khoi's family, where Mrs. Hanh prepared a sumptuous meal to welcome her future daughter-in-law. Thao Vy felt a bit nervous when entering the house, even though Dang Khoi reassured her a lot on the way.

"Hello," Mrs. Hanh said, hugging Thao Vy as soon as she entered the door, a warm gesture that made Thao Vy feel much more relieved. "You've been waiting for this day for a long time."

"Thank you for welcoming me warmly," Thao Vy replied, bowing her head politely.

"Don't be so polite," Mrs. Hanh said, smiling warmly. "You're going to be my daughter."

The meal took place in a cozy, intimate atmosphere, with stories being shared and laughter resounding throughout the room. Mr. Long, Dang Khoi's father, although his ability to communicate was limited due to his illness, still tried to show his welcome to Thao Vy with simple but sincere gestures.

After the meal, Thao Vy spent time sitting next to Mr. Long, holding his hand gently. "It's nice to meet you," she said, even though she knew he might not fully understand what she was saying. "I promise to take good care of Dang Khoi, and I hope he will always be healthy to witness the happiness of both of us."

Mr. Long, although unable to respond with clear words, gently squeezed Thao Vy's hand, his eyes shining with warmth and acceptance without the need for words. Dang Khoi, observing that scene from afar, felt his heart filled with happiness and deep gratitude.

"Dad likes you," he told Thao Vy later, when they sat alone in the living room. "I can tell by his eyes."

"I feel that too," Thao Vy replied, smiling emotionally. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your family."

***

During the following days in the city, Thao Vy also took the opportunity to visit some old friends, those who had known her during the most painful period of her life, and now witnessed her change and new happiness with sincere joy.

"You look so different, in a positive way," his close friend Lan Anh commented when they met again at a familiar coffee shop. "Mountain life really suits you."

"I think so," Thao Vy replied, smiling happily. "It taught me a lot about myself that I didn't think I could learn here."

"So what do you plan to do now? Move back to the city after getting married?" Lan Anh asked, curious.

"No," Thao Vy replied firmly. "We discussed and decided to maintain a balanced life between both places. Dang Khoi will spend most of his time in Ta Chai with me, only returning to the city when necessary for work and to visit family."

"Sounds like a pretty special arrangement," Lan Anh commented, though her voice couldn't hide the respect. "But if it's right for both of you, I think that's the most important thing."

The encounter with old friends, although brief, helps Thao Vy gain a clearer sense of her own growth journey — from a heartbroken young girl who fled the city, to a confident woman who has found a way to reconcile the past and the present, between what she has given up and what she has found on her healing journey.

***

During this visit to the city, Thao Vy also decided to stop by the old architectural office where she used to work before leaving five years ago, a decision that she carefully considered before implementing.

"Thao Vy? Is it really you?" Her former manager, Ms. Minh Chau, could not hide her surprise when she saw her appear at the office. "How long has it been, five years?"

"That's right, Ms. Chau," Thao Vy replied, smiling at the warm welcome. "I just stopped by to say hello to everyone, and also because I was curious to see how the office had changed."

"You look a lot different, in a good way," Ms. Chau commented, leading her tour the office, which had been renovated and expanded significantly compared to Thao Vy's memory. "I heard you are working as a trekking guide in the highlands?"

"That's right," Thao Vy confirmed, her voice filled with pride. "And recently, I also participated in a project to build a community health station, combining the knowledge of topography and spatial planning that I learned here."

"So my architectural knowledge was not wasted," Ms. Chau commented, smiling. "It's just applied in a completely different way."

That conversation made Thao Vy realize something important — even though she left the traditional career path as an architect, the knowledge and skills she learned continue to be valuable, applied in new, more meaningful ways in her current life.

"If you have a project that needs advice on sustainable design for highland areas, don't hesitate to contact the office," Ms. Chau suggested before Thao Vy left. "We are always willing to support such meaningful projects."

"Thank you," Thao Vy replied, grateful for that sincere suggestion. "I will remember, maybe we will have the opportunity to cooperate in the future."

Leaving her old office, Thao Vy felt a new sense of relief, as if she had just closed an old chapter of her life completely, without regret or regret, but with a sincere gratitude for what the past had taught her, so that she could build a brighter present and future.

That evening, when telling Dang Khoi about his visit to his old office, he couldn't hide his pride. "I always believe that every experience in life, whether good or bad, has its own value," he said. "And I think, you demonstrated that brilliantly."

"Thank you," Thao Vy replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "With you by my side, every journey, no matter how difficult, becomes much easier."

Before leaving the city to return to Ta Chai, the two spent an afternoon shopping for wedding rings, a simple but meaningful experience for both of them. They chose a simple, uncomplicated ring that fits the lifestyle they have built together — sincere, rustic, but containing profound value.

"I think, this is exactly the symbol of the life we are building," Dang Khoi said as he looked at the simple ring in the jewelry box. "Unpretentious, but sustainable and genuine."

"I completely agree," Thao Vy replied, smiling happily as she envisioned the upcoming big day where these rings would officially mark their lifelong bond.

On the car ride back to the highlands, the two sat quietly together, hands clasped, hearts filled with excitement about what was waiting ahead — not just the upcoming wedding, but a shared future that was gradually being built firmly on the foundation of love, truth, and the courage to face all challenges together.

Outside the car window, rolling mountains gradually appeared to replace the city's high-rise buildings, signaling that they were returning to the place they both now called home - a home not only built of wood and stone, but also of love and understanding that had been forged through many ups and downs of life, ready to welcome the next chapter of their story.