Chapter 24 — Fascinated by the Rooster Farmer Raising His Children

A year had passed since the fateful marriage began, bringing with it many ups and downs, but also many valuable lessons for everyone involved. The following spring, Binh Xuyen village was in full bloom. Green vegetable beds mixed with rows of newly planted fruit trees were starting to bloom, signaling a bumper harvest was coming. On the large yard in front of the house that Vinh Khang and Khanh Vy had renovated and expanded together over the past year, white silk strips and fresh flowers were woven into a simple but warm wedding arch.

This was a real wedding that the two never had the chance to organize a year ago, when everything happened hastily in the context of the family's calculations. This time, there were no rankings, no calculation of benefits, only sincere love that had been forged through many challenges.

Khanh Vy stood in front of the mirror, wearing a simple white ao dai, not as sophisticated as the gorgeous wedding dresses she had dreamed of as a girl, but it made her feel more beautiful and happy than anything. Grandma Chu Le Phuong personally put a new silver hairpin in her hair, different from the heavy brooch of previous years.

"This time, I put the brooch on you out of true love, not because of any other calculations." She spoke, her voice shaking with emotion, her old hands gently stroking her granddaughter's hair. "I wish you and Vinh Khang a lifetime of happiness."

*

Outside the yard, under the colorful flower arch, Vinh Khang stood waiting in a simple suit, his face beaming with happiness, different from the calm, somewhat reserved look of a year ago. Next to him, Tieu Yen, now eight years old, wearing a pretty little white dress, holding a basket of flowers, her face beaming with joy.

"Dad, you are so handsome today!" Tieu Yen said, looking up at her father with proud eyes.

"You are also very beautiful, my little princess." Vinh Khang bent down to kiss his daughter's forehead. His heart was filled with happiness as he thought of the upcoming moment, a moment he had never dared to dream of after Thuy Trang's death.

All the farmers in Tan Hoa cooperative were present, crowded together in the large yard, bringing simple gifts but containing sincere feelings - baskets of home-grown vegetables, hand-made cakes, rustic blessings. Mr. Ly Van Ben stood in the front row, his face radiant as if he were witnessing the happiness of his own children and grandchildren.

Vuong Vu Dang and Dang Nhu Quynh, friends who had accompanied them through the most difficult period, were also present and enjoyed this important day. Even Kieu Dac Nhan, after completing her legal responsibilities with leniency thanks to her cooperative attitude, also sent a congratulatory flower basket with sincere thanks.

"You know, I've never been to a wedding as warm as this." Vuong Vu Dang said to Dang Nhu Quynh as they both stood watching the scene of their yard bustling with laughter. "There is no ostentation, no calculation, only sincere feelings."

"That's what makes their story special." Dang Nhu Quynh replied, smiling. "I think I will write another article about this wedding, not because it is topical, but because it deserves to be told."

*

When Khanh Vy walked out into the yard to the sound of melodious music, her father's hand holding her hand tightly leading her on the path covered with flower petals, Mr. Trong Nghiep could not hide his tears of happiness. "My daughter, you have finally found your true happiness." He whispered. "Dad, I'm sorry for making you go through so many difficulties to get to today."

"It's okay, dad." Khanh Vy replied, a bright smile on her lips. "If it weren't for those difficulties, perhaps I would never have realized the true value of the happiness I have."

When father and son arrived in front of the wedding arch, Mr. Trong Nghiep gave Khanh Vy's hand to Vinh Khang, a tight and meaningful handshake between two men who once stood at opposite ended of a tumultuous story, and had now become close father and son.

"Please take good care of my daughter." he said.

"I promise, dad." Vinh Khang replied, his eyes were steady and sincere.

*

A neighbor's rustic guitar sounded softly, accompaniment to the solemn moment about to take place. The ceremony was simple but full of emotion. When the officiant - Mr. Ly Van Ben, who was invited by the two to represent the wedding instead of the lavish ceremonies - asked for their vows, Vinh Khang held Khanh Vy's hand tightly, his eyes never leaving his wife's face.

"A year ago, we came together not because of love, but because of a calculated arrangement that neither of us wanted." He said, his voice rang out clearly before all the guests. "But today, I'm standing here, not because of any coercion, but because I really love you, Khanh Vy. I love your resilience, intelligence, and kind heart. I promise to build a perfect family with you, with Tieu Yen, for the rest of my life."

The whole yard was silent before that sincere vow. Khanh Vy, tears rolling down her cheeks from happiness, responded in a choked but firm voice. "I used to think this marriage was the most unfair thing that had ever happened to me. But now, I know it is the most precious gift life has given me. I love you, love Tieu Yen, and I promise to always be by your side, building a home full of love, not out of obligation, but because this is where my heart belongs."

Tieu Yen, standing between her father and Khanh Vy, was held by both hands, looking up with the brightest smile. "I promise to always love you and mom Vy very much!"

Mr. Ly Van Ben, his voice trembling with emotion, announced in front of all the guests. "From today, congratulations to the couple Dinh Vinh Khang and Chu Khanh Vy for officially tying the knot. Hope you two will be happy forever, and this small family will always be the pride of our entire Binh Xuyen region."

Applause and blessings echoed throughout the yard. Flower petals flutter in the spring breeze, warm sunlight shines on the happy faces of the entire small family, along with the entire community that had accompanied them through many ups and downs.

The children in the neighborhood ran around the yard, holding colorful silk ribbons, joining in the bustling festive atmosphere. The mothers and grandmothers were busy preparing trays for guests, and loud laughter echoed throughout the yard. This was not simply a wedding, but a festival of an entire community that had gone through many hardships together to get to this day.

Standing and looking at her daughter happily in the arms of her husband who a year ago she considered the worst choice, Ms. Chu Le Phuong smiled slightly, belated but sincere tears rolling down her cheeks that were imprinted with traces of time. She understands that sometimes the most unfortunate things in life were the beginning of the greatest blessings that people never expected.

In the evening, when the wedding party was over, Khanh Vy and Vinh Khang sat together on a small swing in the corner of the garden. Tieu Yen fell asleep in her father's arms after a long and exciting day. The gentle moonlight shined across the fields, and the familiar chirping of insects on the summer night sounded.

"Do you remember the first day you came here?" Vinh Khang asked, his voice was deep and warm. "I stood in the corner of the yard, looking around with confused eyes, not knowing how I would survive this marriage."

"How could you forget?" Khanh Vy replied, smiling slightly. "At that time I couldn't have imagined that, just one year later, this place would become the dearest home in my heart, and you would become the person I couldn't live without."

Vinh Khang looked at her, his eyes filled with love. "Thank fate, even though it started with a lie, for bringing me to you and Tieu Yen."

"No." Khanh Vy shook her head slightly, resting her head on her husband's shoulder. "Thank ourselves, for choosing to believe, choosing to love, and choosing to build something good from what seemed the most broken."

In the midst of Binh Xuyen fields filled with spring flowers, a new family was officially written, not by cold calculations of benefits, but by sincere love, understanding, and a firm belief in the true value of people - a love story that began with deception, but ended with the most complete happiness that no one could have expected.