Chapter 19 — Medicinal Garden After Hospital

Quynh Nhu's reportage was published as expected, with the title "The garden that keeps the fire of the late physician," quickly attracting attention not only within Yen Son district, but also spreading throughout the province, even being shared by a few major news sites. The touching stories about Mrs. Sen, about Quyen's journey, and about the combination of Eastern and Western medicine at the garden, touched the hearts of many readers, creating an unprecedented wave of strong support.

Right under the comment section of the article, hundreds of shares and thousands of words of encouragement were sent. Many people actively contacted and expressed their desire to contribute and support the preservation of the garden. This positive public pressure makes it impossible for the hospital's leadership, as well as the Provincial Department of Health, to continue to underestimate the value of the garden as before.

However, as Quyen predicted, the success of the article also made Truong Gia Bach even angrier and more determined in his next steps. Just a few days later, an anonymous article appeared on a local social networking forum, with direct personal attacks on Quyen, claiming that she was taking advantage of the tragic story about her late mother to burnish her personal reputation, and even hinted that she had a shady relationship with a few officials to put pressure on and hinder the local's legitimate development plan.

Reading those malicious comments, Quyen couldn't help but feel hurt, her eyes were red as she sat alone in the office. She never thought that her mother's journey to protect her legacy could be so blatantly distorted and misrepresented. Nhung, when she discovered her friend's unusual mood, quickly ran over and hugged Quyen. "Don't let those baseless words bring you down," Nhung said, her voice determined. "Everyone knows how much you have sacrificed and tried all this time. Those people hiding behind the keyboard are not worthy of your concern."

At that moment, Bao Nam also heard the news and quickly came to her side. Seeing Quyen's red eyes, he didn't say much, just quietly pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from all of this," he whispered, his voice filled with grief. "But you have to believe, the truth will always win over lies. I will be here, with you to face everything."

In Bao Nam's warm arms, Quyen gradually calmed down. She looked up at him, her eyes still filled with tears but already shining with determination. "I'm okay," she said, her voice steadier. "I just need a little time to regain my composure. Thank you for always appearing when I need you the most."

Bao Nam gently lifted her chin, his eyes filled with affection. "I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I've never found the right time," he said, his voice serious but warm. "I love you, Quyen. Not just because of what you're trying to do for this garden, but because of who you are — strong, steadfast, but also compassionate, gentle. I want to be with you, not just in this fight, but for the rest of my life ahead."

Hearing those words, Quyen's heart seemed to burst with happiness. She smiled through her tears and nodded slightly. "I love you too," she replied, her voice shaky but firm. "From the afternoons spent together tending the medicinal garden, to the nights staying up together drafting documents, I realized that my heart has gradually belonged to you without realizing it." Bao Nam gently bent down and placed a gentle but loving kiss on her lips, marking a new, official and complete beginning, between two people who had gone through so much loss and hurt together to find each other.

Mr. Loc, when he heard the news that the two were officially together, couldn't help but show joy. "I guessed it a long time ago," he smiled gently, his eyes sparkling with joy when Quyen shyly told him the love story the next morning. "From the day the two of us kept fighting to water the honeysuckle bed, I saw something different. If Mrs. Sen knew about this, she would definitely be very happy, because Nam is a good, sincere guy who deserves him." That simple blessing made Quyen feel shy, but in her heart there was an indescribable warm happiness, as if her mother, even though deceased, was still watching and nodding in approval of her choice.

Mr. Thanh was the same. When he found out, he was silent for a moment and then patted his daughter's shoulder, his eyes full of affection. "I just want you to be happy," he said simply. "Mr. Nam is a kind person, knows how to work hard, and has a heart for your mother's medicinal garden. I believe, your mother will be very pleased if she witnesses this day." Quyen hugged her father, clearly feeling that her small family, despite experiencing great loss, was now gradually being filled again with love, by new but equally strong bonds.

That sweet moment, although short, was enough to give Quyen the necessary strength to continue facing the difficulties that lie ahead. That afternoon, she and Bao Nam decided to publicly respond to the anonymous article, not with anger, but with clear, specific evidence - the entire process of her implementing the project, transparent working sessions with the board of directors, and confirmation from those who directly participated and witnessed her journey over the past time.

That response, posted right below the anonymous article, quickly received sympathy and support from a large number of people, causing the previous baseless accusations to be quickly debunked and lose their inherent weight. Many people actively searched and discovered that the account that posted the anonymous article was closely related to a marketing employee of Kim Thai company, making the company's reputation even more dented in the eyes of the local public.

Faced with an increasingly obvious unfavorable situation, Truong Gia Bach was forced to convene a small press conference, declaring that Kim Thai company was not related to the above anonymous article, and affirmed that all previous land purchase proposals came from goodwill to cooperate in developing the local economy. However, that statement was not enough to convince public opinion, which had begun to doubt the true motives behind this company's actions.

That evening, when sitting together in the small warehouse in the middle of the garden, Quyen, Bao Nam, and Mr. Loc looked back on the past journey with many mixed emotions. "I believe we are very close to final victory," Mr. Loc said, his voice filled with excitement. "Public opinion is on our side, the Department of Health has a different view, and Kim Thai is increasingly revealing her true face."

Quyen nodded, but her eyes were still a little cautious. “I hope so,” she said. "But I think we still need to be careful, not subjective or negligent until there is a final official decision." Bao Nam gently held her hand, squeezing firmly. "Whatever happens next, we will face it together, just like we have done all this time," he said, his eyes filled with confidence for the future they were building together, not only for the garden, but also for the relationship that had just officially blossomed between them.

Nhung, when she heard the news from Quyen over the phone, shouted with such joy that the entire nursing room turned around in surprise to look. "Finally admit it," she teased, her crisp laughter echoing through the phone. "I said it a long time ago, you two will get together sooner or later. It's just that everyone is stubborn and keeps hesitating and refusing to say it." Quyen laughed, feeling relieved to be able to share that private happiness with her closest friend, amidst the turbulent days of the battle to protect the garden.

Late that night, when seeing Bao Nam leave, Quyen stood against the door and watched his figure disappear into the darkness. Her heart was filled with a feeling of peace and happiness that she had not experienced so completely for a long time. She knows that there are still many challenges ahead, but now, she no longer feels alone, because next to her, there is someone ready to hold her hand, accompany her through all the storms of life, and cultivate a new, brighter future with her, right on the very land that her mother devoted her whole life to preserving.