Chapter 22 — Elections and Hearts

Two weeks after the financial plan was officially approved, the renovation of the old warehouse officially began. Ngoc, Khang and the whole team of student volunteers - including Khanh Vy's group who proposed the idea of drawing graffiti - together started cleaning and painting work under the supervision of a small team of workers supported by Mr. Do Thanh Lam's company at a preferential cost.

"Look at this place, it's starting to take shape," Khang said, standing in the middle of the empty but clean space, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the newly installed glass door, illuminating the room that had been abandoned for many years.

"I still can't believe it, just a few months ago, this was just an idea on paper," Ngoc replied, her hands still covered in a few streaks of white paint from this morning's cleaning session. "Now it's really becoming a reality."

Khanh Vy and her group of friends are busy on the wall at the back of the room, carefully sketching the first strokes for a large mural depicting the growth journey of Nguyen Tat Thang school students through many generations.

"Miss Ngoc, can you take a look at this layout?" Vy called out, waving her hand to invite Ngoc to come closer.

Ngoc walked over and looked at the detailed sketch spread out on the wall - images of students reading books, playing music, drawing, playing soccer, interwoven together to form a vibrant overall picture. "So beautiful, Vy! The idea of integrating so many different activities really shows the spirit of Creative Space."

"We wanted this painting to be a symbol of everything our school can become," Vy explained, her eyes sparkling with pride. "A place where any passion is valued, not just academic achievement."

Khang stood nearby, observing the scene with a satisfied smile. "This is exactly what I dreamed of when I started drawing the first sketches in my notebook, hidden from anyone for two years."

"Now the whole school can admire your talent," Ngoc smiled, holding his arm naturally, without any shyness like the first days they met.

In parallel with the renovation of the Creative Space, the Companion Scholarship Fund also officially came into operation with the first scholarship review. The fund's executive board, including Ngoc, Khang, Huy and two teacher advisors, spent an entire weekend afternoon reviewing each application and discussing it carefully to ensure absolute fairness and transparency in the approval process.

"This file," Huy said, pointing to a set of documents he was reviewing, "is from a 10th grade student whose family faced difficulties after his father had an accident at work. He still maintains quite good grades even though he has to work part-time at night to help the family."

Ngoc carefully read the file and felt a deep sympathy when recalling her own situation in the past. "This case deserves priority. What do you think?" She asked the advice of the teacher advisor sitting next to her.

"I agree," the teacher nodded. "But we need to ensure the review process is fair for all other applications as well, not just based on personal feelings."

The whole team spent hours, carefully reviewing each case according to a set of transparent criteria that had been developed — family situation, academic performance, and efforts demonstrated through extracurricular activities.

"I think we should publicly announce all the criteria and approval process on the school bulletin board, along with a list of the review board," Ngoc proposed, taking notes on the regulations being completed. "So no one will doubt the transparency of the fund anymore."

"Agreed," Huy nodded immediately, without hesitation even though the proposal indirectly reiterated the same doubts he had sown before. "The more transparent the better. I think that's also the best way to rebuild trust from all students."

The counselor smiled at that sense of responsibility. "This is exactly how an organization should operate — not out of fear of suspicion, but out of the belief that transparency is always the strongest foundation."

At the end of the session, the list of the first ten students to receive scholarships was officially approved. Each case was carefully recorded with the reason for approval to ensure absolute transparency.

The first scholarship award ceremony took place on a Monday morning at the beginning of the month, in the same hall where Ngoc gave her first candidacy speech nearly half a year ago. Ten students whose names were announced stepped up on stage one by one, receiving scholarship envelopes and congratulations from Ngoc herself, who had stood in the same position as them many years ago.

When it was the turn of the 10th grade student whose father had an accident at work, Ngoc personally handed over the envelope, looking straight into his eyes, his voice filled with emotion. "I believe you will do many great things, just like I was trusted by a stranger many years ago."

The student bowed his head in thanks, his eyes red with emotion, speechless at that sincere concern.

The ceremony ended in endless applause. Many parents present could not hide their emotions at this meaningful moment. Ms. Ha stood in the last row, quietly wiping tears of happiness, witnessing the results of the efforts she had dedicatedly led throughout the turbulent election season.

After the ceremony, Mrs. Lan was also present to witness this important moment, standing in the crowd of parents, her eyes never leaving her daughter who was handing out each scholarship envelope with kindness and thoughtfulness.

"My daughter is really grown up now," she whispered to herself, her voice choked with emotion, recalling the difficult days when she herself did not know how to afford her child's tuition.

After the ceremony ended, Ngoc ran to hug her mother, both of them shed tears of indescribable happiness. "Mom, I did it. I can finally repay the favor in my own way."

"I'm so proud of you, Ngoc," Mrs. Lan replied, hugging her daughter tightly. "Your dad is definitely smiling down at you right now."

That warm moment is engraved in Ngoc's mind as one of the most precious memories throughout the long journey she has gone through since the first day she stepped on stage to deliver her trembling but determined candidacy speech.

After the ceremony, Ngoc received an unexpected call from an unfamiliar phone number. She hesitated a bit before picking up the phone.

"Hello Ngoc, I am the editor of Education City newspaper," the voice on the other end of the line introduced. "I heard the story about your Companion Scholarship Fund through an article in the newspaper school. I want to interview you for a column about typical school initiatives."

Ngoc was stunned for a moment at that unexpected suggestion, unable to believe that her story had spread so far, beyond the scope of a school.

"I... I'm honored," Ngoc replied, her voice still a little confused. "You can arrange an interview time whenever it's convenient for you."

The call ended, Ngoc stood silently for a moment, clearly feeling the growing influence of what she and Khang had built together - not just stopping within one school's campus, but gradually spreading to a much wider area, carrying the potential to inspire many other schools looking for similar models to help their own disadvantaged students.

She quickly found Khang to share the good news and saw him and a group of volunteers cleaning up the last debris from today's construction session.

"Kang! You won't believe it," Ngoc called out, running to him with a beaming face. "City Education Newspaper just called, they want to interview about the Companion Scholarship Fund!"

Khang looked up, his eyes bright with excitement. "Is that so? This is great news, Ngoc! If our story is spread more widely, maybe more schools will learn from this model."

"I think so too," Ngoc nodded, unable to hide her excitement. "But I'm a bit worried, I don't know if I'm capable of representing such a large movement well."

"You'll do fine," Khang reassured, taking her hand. "You've proven that through everything you've been through these past few months. I believe in you, and I will always be here to support you, whether on stage or behind the scenes."

Ngoc smiled, squeezed his hand, feeling deeply reassured by that unconditional support - one of the many reasons why she became more and more certain that the decision to give her heart to the person standing next to her was the best decision she had ever made.