Chapter 27 — Medicinal Garden After Hospital

Exactly three weeks after Mr. Quoc's promise, an official document from the Provincial Department of Health was sent to Yen Son district hospital, announcing the final decision regarding the fate of the medicinal garden. Mr. Hung, upon receiving the document, immediately convened an emergency meeting with the entire board of directors, with the presence of Quyen, Bao Nam and Mr. Loc.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was so tense that it could be clearly felt through everyone's breath. Mr. Hung held a thick document in his hand and slowly opened it, his voice shaking with emotion as he began reading. "Based on the survey results of the pharmaceutical university's expert team, the actual assessment from the recent epidemic response, and the legitimate aspirations of the local community, the Provincial Department of Health officially approved the project to retain and invest in expanding the medicinal garden behind Yen Son district hospital, developing it into a district-level Center for Research and Treatment combining Eastern and Western medicine, with initial investment funds allocated in the next quarter."

As soon as the last sentence ended, the whole room exploded in joy. Quyen, unable to contain her emotions, burst into tears on the spot, her hands clutching her face, tears of happiness flowing endlessly. Bao Nam immediately hugged her, squeezing her tightly, while Mr. Loc stood still for a moment, his eyes were also red and filled with tears at the good news that he had been waiting for so many years.

"We did it," Mr. Loc said, his voice choked, his hand trembling as he held Quyen's hand. "Your mother's legacy is now not only preserved, but also officially recognized and invested in and developed in a methodical and professional manner. This is something that even in my most beautiful dreams, I never dared to think."

Mr. Hung, after reading the entire document, especially emphasized another important provision. "The document also clearly states that Ms. Quyen will be proposed to hold the role of deputy director in charge of expertise at the new center, and Mr. Loc will take on the position of chief consultant on traditional medicine," he said, his eyes looking at Quyen full of respect. "This is worthy recognition for what the two of them have contributed, not only in protecting the garden, but also in the recent epidemic response." Quyen couldn't help but be shocked by that unexpected news. She turned to look at Mr. Loc. They both exchanged emotional looks, speechless.

Bao Nam, standing nearby, also received a separate notice that he would be nominated as head of the combined internal medicine department, in charge of building an integrated treatment regimen between the two medical backgrounds for the entire center. "This is a great responsibility, but also an honor that I never dared to dream of when I first arrived in Yen Son two years ago," he said, his voice full of emotion, his hand gently squeezing Quyen's hand as a way to share the happiness welling up in both of their hearts.

According to the approved project content, the Center for Research and Treatment combining Eastern and Western medicine will be built right on the current garden foundation, expanding the area to neighboring land that is under the hospital's management but has not been used effectively. The center will include an area for growing and preserving rare medicinal plants, a research room, and medicine preparation according to modern standards, along with a combined medical examination and treatment area, where patients can choose the treatment method most suitable for their health condition, under the advice of both Western medicine doctors and experienced physicians.

Mr. Hung also added that the Department of Health has planned to invite a few more leading experts to provide technical advice during the design and construction phase of the center, and is expected to hold a groundbreaking ceremony as soon as the final administrative procedures are completed, expected to fall around the end of winter, early spring of next year, a time that, according to him, will have a special symbolic meaning for a new beginning full of vitality. "This will be the province's first model," Mr. Hung said, his voice filled with pride. "And I believe, with what Quyen, Doctor Nam and Mr. Loc have proven, we are completely capable of building and operating this center in the best way, becoming a model for many other localities to learn from."

Ms. Quynh Nhu, upon hearing the news, was immediately present to record this historic moment. Her hands quickly took pictures and notes, her eyes sparkled with joy no less than those involved. "This will be the last article to close the series of reports about this garden, but I believe, your stories will be told for a long time to come," she told Quyen, her voice full of respect. "From a garden that was almost leveled, to becoming a model center for the whole province, this is truly a rare inspirational story that I am honored to witness and to be a small part of."

News of this official decision quickly spread throughout the town, bringing an unprecedented wave of joy. Yen Son people, especially families who were indebted to Mrs. Sen, spontaneously came to the garden to celebrate, bringing fruits and simple gifts as a way to express gratitude and pride for the achievements that the whole community had contributed to achieving together.

Meanwhile, for Kim Thai company, this is a complete, irreversible failure. After the official decision was announced, Truong Gia Bach no longer appeared in Yen Son any more. There are rumors that he has shifted his investment to another province, where there are fewer barriers to community values like Yen Son. However, before leaving, Mr. Bach sent a short letter to Quyen, the content of which surprised her.

"I admit, I lost this war, not because of lack of financial potential, but because I underestimated the power of the values you are defending," the letter said. "I used to think that everything could be converted into numbers, into profits. But your story has shown me that there are values beyond those simple calculations. I wish you and your garden will continue to develop sustainably in the future."

Nhung, when she heard Quyen recount the content of the letter, could not hide her skepticism. “I still find it hard to believe,” she said, her tone half-joking and half-serious. "But no matter what, he officially withdrew, leaving you to build your future in peace, so I'm happy." Quyen laughed at her friend's straightforward statement, but in her heart she secretly agreed that the most important thing right now is not to judge Truong Gia Bach, but to focus all her energy on the garden's development path ahead.

After reading the letter, Quyen could not help but ponder. She showed it to Bao Nam, and they both exchanged thoughtful looks. "I think, this is probably the most sincere admission that a person like Mr. Bach can give," Quyen said. "Even though he has caused us many difficulties, I still hope that this will be a lesson to help him change his approach in future business projects."

That evening, to celebrate this historic decision, Quyen and her family, Mr. Loc, Nhung and all the people who had accompanied her throughout the past journey, held a small party right in the garden. Under the light of lanterns hung throughout the tree beds, everyone raised their glasses together, reviewing the memories and difficulties they had overcome together during that long, arduous yet meaningful journey.

"Your mother is definitely smiling, watching all of us from up there," Mr. Loc said, raising his tea cup towards the photo of Mrs. Sen placed solemnly on a small table in the middle of the garden. "She planted the first seeds, and now all of us, together, have helped those seeds germinate and blossom in the fullest way."

Quyen looked around, looked at her father smiling brightly next to Mr. Loc, at Nhung chatting loudly with a few neighbors, at Bao Nam gently holding her hand, his eyes filled with love and pride. She realized that this was exactly the image she had always wanted, since the first day she decided to step foot back into the garden that had been abandoned for more than a year - a family healed, a community connected, and a precious legacy continued and developed sustainably for future generations. She looked up at the star-studded night sky above the garden, silently promising her mother that she would continue to nurture the dream that she had planted, not only for her family, but for the entire community that had gone through many ups and downs together to get to where they are today.