Chapter 16 — Medicinal Garden After Hospital

The next morning, at exactly eight o'clock, Quyen, Bao Nam and Mr. Loc were fully present in the hospital meeting room. The atmosphere in the room was somewhat heavier than usual, when the three realized that, in addition to Mr. Hung, there were also the presence of two strange guests wearing neat suits, introduced as representatives from the Provincial Department of Health, coming to work on an unexpected schedule.

"I invited everyone here to announce a decision that I myself do not wish to have to make," Mr. Hung began, his voice heavy, his eyes avoiding looking directly at Quyen. "The Department of Health has just issued a directive document, requiring the hospital to complete the expansion of the examination department and parking lot within the next thirty days, in accordance with the facility upgrade plan approved at the beginning of the year. If this deadline has not been implemented, the hospital is at risk of having part of its medical equipment investment budget cut for next year."

Quyen felt like there was a cold stream of air running down her spine. "But director, the official assessment from the university has not yet been sent, and the petition from the area's physicians is also waiting for a response," she said, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was in turmoil. "We can't make such hasty decisions."

One of the two representatives of the Department of Health, a man with a serious appearance, spoke up to explain. “We understand your efforts to preserve this garden,” he said, his tone dry, administrative. "But the state budget has its own regulations and deadlines, and it cannot be delayed indefinitely because of an individual case. We recommend that the hospital conduct the necessary preparations, while continuing to review additional documents, if any."

Mr. Hung sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness. “I tried my best to delay this decision as long as possible,” he said, his voice sincere. "But I am also a salaried person, responsible to a whole group of hospital staff. If the budget is cut, the impact will not only stop at the garden, but will also involve many other medical examination and treatment activities."

Bao Nam, although trying to stay calm, his voice could not hide his frustration. "I understand the pressure the director is facing," he said. "But I believe this is not a problem without an intermediate solution. We can absolutely ask for a short extension while waiting for official assessments from relevant parties, instead of hastily making a final decision right now."

The representative of the Department of Health pondered for a moment, then nodded. "We can consider proposing an extension, but we need to have convincing grounds," he said. "I suggest that within the next two weeks, you need to complete the full dossier, including the university's assessment and community opinions, so that we have a basis to present to superiors to review the decision."

That proposal, although not a complete victory, at least opened a new door of hope. Quyen nodded, trying to suppress her emotions. "We promise, we will fully complete the documents as soon as possible," she said, her voice firm.

After the meeting, when everyone had left, Mr. Loc stayed behind, placing his hand on Quyen's shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement. "I believe this is just a temporary storm," he said. "Don't let it shake your determination. We've come so far, there's no reason to give up now."

Leaving the meeting room, Quyen saw Nhung waiting in the hallway, her friend's face full of worry because she had vaguely heard the story from other employees. "What's wrong, did they decide to level it?" Nhung asked urgently, holding Quyen's hand tightly. When she heard Quyen recount the entire content of the meeting, Nhung breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned in worry. “Fourteen days is really too urgent,” she said. "But it's better than no chance at all. I will help you collect as many signatures of support from the hospital staff as possible."

Quyen squeezed her friend's hand, her heart warmed at Nhung's constant support over the past months. “Thank you for always being by my side,” she said, her voice choked up. Nhung waved her hand and laughed. "You're my best friend, your business is also my business, why be polite?" she replied, then hurriedly returned to her shift, not forgetting to look back and tell Quyen to keep her spirits up.

On the way home, Quyen suddenly received a call from a strange phone number. Picking up the phone, she heard a young woman's voice, introducing herself as Do Quynh Nhu, a reporter for a provincial newspaper. "Hello, Ms. Quyen," the woman said, her voice gentle but full of enthusiasm. "I accidentally heard the story about the medicinal garden behind Yen Son district hospital through an acquaintance who works in the medical industry. I really look forward to meeting you and learning more about this story, if you agree."

Quyen was somewhat surprised by that sudden suggestion, but after a moment of thought, she realized that this could be a valuable opportunity to spread the garden's story to a larger public, creating more positive public pressure during this important period. "Yes, I'd be happy to," she replied. "Can we meet this weekend?"

The appointment is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. When they met face to face, Quyen realized that Quynh Nhu was an enthusiastic young girl, her eyes lit up with sincere curiosity every time she heard Quyen talk about her mother's journey, about the garden, and about the ongoing battle to protect the heritage. "This is truly a beautiful story, worthy of being known by many people," Quynh Nhu commented after listening. "I will try to write a truly honest and profound report so that the public can clearly understand the true value of this garden, not simply the numbers and immediate economic benefits."

That evening, when recounting the meeting to Bao Nam, Quyen could not hide her excitement. "I think this could be an important turning point," she said. "If the article is published, it may help spread this story to more people, create more positive public pressure, forcing relevant parties to consider more carefully before making a final decision."

Bao Nam nodded in agreement, but his eyes were still a little worried. "I hope so too," he said. "But I'm also worried that once the story becomes more widely publicized, Kim Thai's side may react more fiercely, trying to defame, or exert pressure in ways that we haven't anticipated. You need to prepare yourself mentally for the worst possible situations."

Sure enough, the next afternoon, news of the thirty-day deadline and the new extension reached Mr. Truong Gia Bach's ears, through the very relationships he had painstakingly built in the administrative apparatus over the past time. Nhung heard from an administrative staff member that, that very evening, Kim Thai's familiar car was seen parked in front of the hospital gate until late at night, and there were rumors that Mr. Bach was quite angry when he learned that his plan was at risk of being further delayed by the presence of the press. "I heard that he even told close people that he would not let a young pharmacist ruin the plan that the company had been preparing for a whole year," Nhung recounted, her voice filled with worry. That warning made Quyen pensive. She knew that Bao Nam was right - once the battle to protect the garden stepped out of the hospital's internal scope and became a story of interest to the whole community and the press, the pressure from Kim Thai's side would certainly no longer stop at simple trading offers. But even so, she still believes that this is the right path to take, because the truth, once clearly exposed to the light of public opinion, will always have its own power, stronger than any amount of money that Kim Thai can offer.

That night, lying in bed, Quyen still couldn't help but wonder about what was about to happen. The fourteen days ahead will be a race against time, requiring everyone to do their best. But looking back on the past journey, from a girl who was once afraid to avoid the garden, to the person who leads a conservation movement that has the support of the community, the academic community, and now even the interested press, Quyen realizes that she has come a very far way, much farther than she ever dared to dream when she first started. And she believes that, with the companionship of her loved ones by her side, the remaining journey ahead, no matter how difficult it is, she will have enough courage to overcome.