Chapter 24 — Never Blame a Janitor

Six months after the day Hac Thinh Group was officially restored under the leadership of Champa Dac Long, the small family's life has gradually stabilized on a new trajectory, full of happiness that they had only dared to dream of before. Dac Long devoted all his efforts to rebuilding the entire management system of the group, building a more transparent and solid mechanism than ever, while still spending enough time for his family, an immutable principle that he learned deeply from eight years of living in simple anonymity.

Anh Thu, now officially known by his real name Chiem Bao Tran in all documents, but still maintains the habit of letting close friends call him by both names depending on the situation, continues to pursue his passion for painting, participates in more competitions and achieves many proud achievements. She also gradually became much more open and confident than the girl who had to live in fear of her identity being discovered for eight long years.

Nguyet Ha, after many months of learning about and accompanying the small family through many ups and downs, has gradually become an indispensable part in the lives of both father and daughter, although she continues to work at Tam Duc Hospital with undiminished passion. The relationship between her and Dac Long, despite experiencing an uncertain and dangerous beginning, has gradually matured into a deep love, built on a foundation of mutual understanding, respect and absolute trust.

One weekend evening, Dac Long took the whole family — including Anh Thu and Nguyet Ha — to a small restaurant along the Saigon River, where he secretly reserved a private area overlooking the river sparkling with reflected city lights. Dinner was cozy and fun like any other time, until dessert was brought out, Dac Long suddenly stood up, clutching a small box that had been hidden in his pocket all evening.

He knelt down on one knee in front of Nguyet Ha, making her stunned, her hands suddenly covering her mouth in surprise. Around, other diners in the restaurant also began to pay attention, a few people quietly took out their phones to record this beautiful moment.

His hands shook a little when he opened the ring box, but his eyes looking at her did not waver. "Nguyet Ha. Eight years ago, I thought I would never be able to love anyone again, that my heart was frozen forever with the painful losses of the past. But you appeared, patiently stood by me and my daughter through all the storms, taught me to trust and love again. I don't want to wait any longer to tell you this: do you agree to be my wife, be Thu's mother, and build with me? a perfect home for the rest of your life?"

Nguyet Ha, tears rolling down from happiness, nodded repeatedly, her voice choked and speechless for a few seconds before being able to respond. "I agree, I agree a hundred times over," she said when she found her voice again, her hands still shaking.

Dac Long put the ring on her hand, stood up and hugged the woman he had devoted his heart to, amid the bustling applause and congratulations of the surrounding diners and the joyful cheers of Anh Thu standing next to him, unable to hide the brightest smile she had had in the past eight years.

"I've been looking forward to this moment for so long, Dad," she said, swooping in to hug them both in a warm family hug. "I'm finally going to have a complete family."

The wedding was held three months later, on a cool autumn afternoon, in the garden of Thao Dien villa - where Dac Long decided to move back to live after many years away, not to hold on to the painful past, but to turn the place that witnessed the greatest tragedy of his life into a new beginning full of hope and happiness. The garden was splendidly decorated but still maintained a simple, cozy look according to the wishes of both of them, with the participation of close friends, former colleagues, and even those who had accompanied Dac Long during the eight most difficult years of his life.

Ho Trong Nhan, in the role of honorary best man, stood next to his friend, the leader he had faithfully served for more than two decades, his hands clasped tightly on the hem of his new vest, his throat choked and unable to speak. Lam Gia Bach, as the wedding host, gave a touching speech, recounting the arduous eight-year journey the group went through together to get to where they are today.

Anh Thu, as the main bridesmaid, stood next to her father throughout the ceremony, her eyes never leaving the sacred moment when her father exchanged vows with the woman she had considered a second mother for many months. When asked if there was anything she wanted to say during the ceremony, she stepped up, held the microphone, looking down at both of them standing in front of the small ancestral altar solemnly placed in the middle of the garden.

She took a deep breath, her eyes were red but her voice was still steady. "I want to thank you, Dad, for teaching me to understand that true love sometimes requires the greatest, most silent sacrifices. And I want to thank Ms. Ha, for bringing you the smile and happiness that I have always wished for you to have for so many years. I believe that, up above, Mom is also smiling down, happy because Dad has found someone truly worthy to love and be loved."

That sincere sharing made many guests present shed tears, including Dac Long, who always tries to maintain composure in all situations, could not hold back the tears of happiness rolling down his face.

The ceremony ended with melodious music and flickering candlelight throughout the garden as night fell. Dac Long stood in the middle of the garden, one hand holding his newlywed wife's hand, the other holding his daughter's shoulder, looking out at the large yard where he had witnessed the most painful tragedy of his life, now filled with the happy laughter of his loved ones.

He remembered eight years ago, the night he knelt beside Thao Ngan's hospital bed, listened to her last breath, and made a promise to protect his daughter at all costs. He kept that promise, even though he had to pay a huge price - eight years of living in the dark, eight years of hiding his true self. But in the end, after all the hardships, loss and pain, he regained not only justice and his lost position, but also found a new family, more complete and warmer than anything he had ever dared to dream of during the darkest years of his life.

That night, when all the guests had left, the three of them — Dac Long, Nguyet Ha and Anh Thu — sat together on the garden steps, looking at the starry sky sparkling above the city. There are no more secrets to hide, no more constant fears that weigh down, only the absolute peace that all three people had to go through so many hardships to reach.

"You know, dad," Anh Thu said, leaning her head on his father's shoulder, her voice gentle and full of contentment, "I think this is the best thing we've ever had — not a corporation, not money or fame, but a peaceful moment like this, when the whole family can sit together, without having to hide anything."

Dac Long smiled, clasped the hands of both his wife and daughter, his eyes looked up at the starlit night sky, his heart was filled with a deep gratitude for what life had given him, after all the loss and pain he had experienced.

He bent down and placed a light kiss on his daughter's hair. "You're right. After all, this is the most valuable possession I've ever had - a real family, where everyone can live true to themselves, no longer having to hide or fear anything."

And in the middle of Thao Dien garden filled with gentle moonlight, the place that witnessed the most painful tragedy of a family eight years ago, has now become the starting place for a new chapter full of hope and happiness - closing the long journey of the hidden father, to open a new life, where no one in that small family has to live in the dark again.

In the distance, at the end of the garden, the light from the small office that Dac Long still kept intact like a commemorative corner is still bright, where the old wooden box containing mementos of Thao Ngan is solemnly placed next to the new wedding photo frame of him and Nguyet Ha - a respectful continuity between past and present, between loss and healing. Dac Long believes that, no matter how much time passes, no matter how life changes, the sincere love he has for those who have passed through his life, both the deceased and the present, will forever be the strongest foundation for the complete happiness that his family deserves to enjoy, from today and forever.