Chapter 24 — Elections and Hearts

The official inauguration of the Creative Space was held on an afternoon at the end of the month, marking three months since the renovation started. The abandoned warehouse has now been completely transformed - the glass walls glow with sunlight, a colorful mural by Khanh Vy group covers a large wall, small corners are arranged separately for each type of creativity: a drawing corner, a music corner with a few donated old guitars, a filmmaking corner with a small projector, and an area displaying students' handmade products.

The entire school was invited to attend the inauguration, with the presence of principal Duc, Mr. Trong, Ms. Ha, and a few representatives from schools that have applied a similar scholarship fund model, invited to visit and learn.

Ms. Lan and Mr. Do Thanh Lam were also present early, standing side by side looking at the newly inaugurated space with proud eyes. The two have become much closer since the victory party, regularly exchanging phone calls about the progress of both projects.

"Look, you guys have turned an abandoned place into this," Mr. Lam said, his voice full of emotion. "I still remember clearly the day Khang first showed me this drawing. At that time, I still doubted its feasibility."

"The kids nowadays are much better than we thought," Ms. Lan replied with a smile, her eyes following the figure of her daughter who was busy guiding visitors in the other corner of the space.

The construction team, who have been involved with the project for the past three months, were also invited to attend the ceremony as honored guests. The team leader, a middle-aged man named Uncle Binh, could not hide his emotions when he saw the fruits of his labor being received so warmly.

"I've been working in construction for more than twenty years," Mr. Binh shared with Ngoc when she came to thank the construction team, "but this is the first time I feel like the work I do has such a special meaning, not just a construction project."

"Thank you and the whole team for your dedicated work all this time," Ngoc said, bowing her head in gratitude. "Without everyone's support, we could not have turned this idea into reality so quickly."

"This is truly a wonderful space," Mr. Trong commented as he walked around, his eyes unable to hide his impression of what had been realized from the detailed financial plan that he had asked for careful editing. "I have to admit, at first I was quite skeptical about the feasibility, but they have proven otherwise excellently."

"Thank you, teacher," Khang replied, unable to hide his proud smile. "If it weren't for your carefulness forcing us to complete the plan more thoroughly, perhaps the project wouldn't be as solid as it is now."

Teacher Trong laughed lightly, rarely revealing such comfort in front of students. "Sometimes, adults' rigor is also useful, right? I'm looking forward to seeing the revenue report of this handmade product sales model after three months of operation, to evaluate its actual sustainability."

"We will prepare a detailed report to send to you on time," Ngoc replied, nodding firmly, accustomed to Mr. Trong's serious working style, requiring specific data after many times working with him. each other.

Principal Duc, standing nearby, commented with a satisfied smile. "I think, the parallel leadership model between the two of you should also be recognized as a separate initiative, worthy of reference in future Student Council terms."

"Thank you, teacher," both Ngoc and Khang responded in unison, looking at each other and smiling at that meaningful recognition from the head of the school.

The inauguration ceremony was also an opportunity to announce the self-funding model that has begun operating - a small corner in the space is reserved for displaying and selling handmade products made by students, with a part of the profits deducted to contribute to the Companion Scholarship Fund, exactly like the model Mr. Do Thanh Lam once advised.

In the middle of the ceremony, Principal Duc invited Ngoc and Khang to speak a few words in front of the whole school. Ngoc stepped up, looked around at the colorful space, her heart filled with indescribable emotions.

"Six months ago, this was just an idea scribbled on a page on a weekend afternoon," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Today, standing here, seeing this space come true, I realize that even the most distant dreams, with enough determination and trustworthy companions, can completely come true."

Khang continued, his eyes sparkling with pride as he looked around the space that he had painstakingly sketched from the first strokes in his secret notebook. "This place will always be open to anyone who wants to pursue their passion, whether it is painting, music, filmmaking, or any other form of creativity. No one will be underestimated just because their passion does not fall within the traditional subjects."

Applause echoed throughout the space. Students began to spread out to explore every small corner, experiment with creative tools, and take souvenir photos next to the brilliant mural.

Gia Huy, standing at the corner selling handmade products, proudly introduced to visitors the self-funding model that he himself contributed to building. "Every product here is made by our school's students, from handmade bracelets to small paintings. Thirty percent of profits will be contributed directly to the Companion Scholarship Fund."

A visitor from your school, listening attentively, nodded in approval. "This model is really smart, both creating opportunities for students to show off their talents and creating a sustainable source of revenue for the fund. I will propose to apply it right at my school."

"If you need more details, I can share all the test revenue figures for the first month," Huy added, confidently presenting the specific numbers that he closely followed throughout the test operation process. "We find that products related to study corner decorations sell the best, perhaps because they suit the actual needs of students."

The guest nodded and took careful notes in the notebook he brought with him. "You analyzed the data very methodically. I didn't expect a school project to be run so professionally."

Huy smiled, a feeling of sincere pride spreading in his heart at the praise for his own abilities, not for any title or position he had tried to win before.

The inauguration ceremony lasted until late afternoon, a bustling, warm atmosphere enveloped Bright Space Create. When the crowd gradually dispersed, Ngoc and Khang stood still, admiring the results of many months of tireless efforts.

"We did it," Ngoc said, leaning her head on Khang's shoulder, her voice full of satisfaction, her eyes sparkling under the soft yellow light that had just been turned on as the sky began to get dark.

"That's right," Khang replied, wrapping his arms around her gently. "And I think, this is just the beginning. There are many other wonderful things waiting for us ahead, both at work and in each person's personal life."

The two stood there, watching the sunset through the large glass window, dyeing the space that had been abandoned for many years orange, has now become a living symbol of what can be achieved when perseverance, sincerity and love are combined together in the most complete way.

Trang and Phuc came and brought a small cake hastily bought from a bakery near the school to organize a private celebration for a group of close friends after most of the visitors had left.

"Congratulations to you two on completing both big projects," Trang said, cutting the cake to share with each person in the small group gathered in a quiet corner of the Creative Space.

"Thank you all for always accompanying us," Ngoc replied, accepting the cake with a radiant smile. "Without Trang taking care of the media, without Phuc providing accurate news, without Huy contributing practical ideas, we certainly wouldn't have been able to go this far."

"Don't forget my dad too," Khang smiled, looking towards Mr. Lam who was happily chatting with Ms. Lan in the corner of the room. "I don't know when, he became the unofficial financial advisor for the whole project."

The whole group laughed together, a warm, friendly atmosphere enveloped that small corner, marking the perfect end to a meaningful inauguration day, and opening a new, promising chapter for everything they had built together over the past many months.