Chapter 20 — Old Painting Restoration Workshop

The survey trip to the "Year-End Market" took place on a midweek day, when Mien Thu temporarily handed over the workshop to Thuy Chi and Mr. Le to look after, and Nguyen Vu and Nguyen Vu took a bus to the provincial museum where the painting is kept. After many hours on the road, they arrived in the afternoon, and were led by a museum official down to the damp storage area, where dozens of works not eligible for display were stacked on top of each other, covered in the dust of time.

The painting "Year-End Market" appeared in a worrying state of deterioration - the varnish layer was heavily yellowed, several large cracks spread across the surface, one corner of the frame was rotten due to long-term mold and not being properly preserved. But even in that dire condition, the drawing style still exuded familiar characteristics that the two had gradually become knowledgeable about over weeks of researching Tu Binh Son.

Nguyen Vu brought along specialized photography equipment and carefully asked museum staff for permission to conduct the survey under UV and infrared light, citing the fact that this was part of official academic research sponsored by a heritage conservation organization — something for which he had fully prepared the paperwork in advance.

While waiting for the image processing equipment, the museum staff - a middle-aged man named Binh, who has been with this archive for more than twenty years - told them a few things about the background of the painting. "This painting was acquired by the provincial museum from a private collector in the early seventies. The records state that it is 'a late-stage work by Tu Binh Son, purchased through an intermediary'. Since then, due to lack of funding for restoration, it has remained dormant in storage, with only occasional art students asking to come in and take photos for reference."

"Do you know who that 'private collector' is?" Nguyen Vu asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

The officer flipped through the old record book and searched for a while. "Here it is, it says purchased through Tinh Hoa Gallery, the transaction representative is Mr. Chau Boi Long." He looked up at the two visitors, not suspecting anything of their sudden silence. "That name is still very famous today, the largest auction house in the North."

Mien Thu and Nguyen Vu exchanged glances, adding another piece of the puzzle that fit perfectly into the overall picture that they had been painstakingly piecing together for many months. They thanked the officer and continued their survey work with more concentration than ever.

The result did not surprise them, but still made them both speechless when they saw it clearly displayed on the screen. Under the surface paint, another trace of signature, faint but identifiable, lay hidden under Tu Binh Son's official signature — exactly the same as what they had found on "Vong Nguyet".

"This is the second piece of evidence." Nguyen Vu said, his voice was both excited and heavy. "There is no doubt that this is a systematic pattern, not an isolated incident."

Mien Thu stood silently looking at the painting, feeling both bitter and determined. "My grandfather had to do this not just once, but at least four times, each time bringing with it an additional piece of his torn conscience."

On the way back, they stopped to rest at a restaurant along the highway, summarizing together everything they had collected during the past journey. Nguyen Vu opened his laptop and showed Mien Thu a list he had compiled — all the scientific evidence, Ms. Dieu Lan's testimony, historical documents about the Chau Boi Long gallery, and now the survey results of the second painting.

"I think we have enough of a foundation to start preparing for the announcement." He said, his voice serious. "But we need a clear strategy — not just releasing information in isolation, but presenting it as a complete story, with context, with empathy, just what I've always wanted."

"I think the most appropriate time would be right at the opening of the retrospective." Mien Thu said, after thinking for a while. "That is when the public, experts, and the entire Chau family are most present. If we wait until then, it is likely that all traces will be cleaned up and buried forever."

"It's also the most dangerous time." Nguyen Vu warned. "Chau Vinh Thinh will not leave alone if he is surprised in the middle of his family's most important event of the year. We need to be more prepared than ever — not only in terms of evidence, but also in terms of legal and media aspects."

Mien Thu nodded, clearly feeling the weight of the decision ahead. "I will contact Ms. Dieu Lan again, asking if she is willing to appear publicly, or at least provide notarized written testimony, as official evidence."

"And I will contact a few trusted journalists in the art research world and prepare an in-depth article that can be published at the same time as publication, to ensure the story is told accurately, without distortion by any side." Nguyen Vu added.

They continued to discuss until it was dark, each detail of the plan gradually becoming clearer. Mien Thu feels that, although there are still many uncertainties ahead, she no longer feels as confused as the first days she discovered this secret. She has evidence, allies, a clear plan, and most importantly, she has Nguyen Vu - the person who is always by her side, filling in what she lacks.

On the car back to Hanoi, when night had completely fallen, Mien Thu's phone rang. She looked at the strange number and hesitated a bit before picking up.

"Miss To Mien Thu, right?" A young female voice rang out, sounding urgent. "I am Mrs. Quach Thien Kim's assistant. Mrs. Kim wants to see you urgently tomorrow morning. There is an urgent matter related to the painting 'Vong Nguyet' that needs to be discussed immediately."

Mien Thu felt a cold current run down her spine. "What's the problem?"

"I don't know the details, I only know that Tinh Hoa Auction House has just sent an official dispatch to the museum, requesting to withdraw the painting before the restoration contract expires, with the reason 'ensuring the safety of the artifact against unforeseen risks'." The assistant's voice was filled with worry. "Mrs. Kim wants to meet with you to discuss how to proceed before making an official decision."

Hanging up, Mien Thu turned to look at Nguyen Vu, her face pale under the streetlight passing through the car window. "They're trying to get the painting back before we can get everything done."

Nguyen Vu tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his eyes became unusually serious. "So, it seems like the moment we feared the most has come a lot sooner than expected."

The car continued rolling into the darkness, heading toward Hanoi, where a decisive confrontation awaited them, sooner than any of them could be fully prepared.

"We need to call Bao Tran as soon as we get home." Mien Thu said, her voice had regained some composure even though her heart was still beating fast. "If Tinh Hoa really wants to recover the painting before the deadline, we need to clearly know the rights and obligations of the workshop in this situation, so as not to be passive."

"That's right." Nguyen Vu nodded, his eyes still focused on the dark road ahead. "But I think, what's more important right now is that you need to keep your composure when you meet Mrs. Kim tomorrow morning. She is the one who can decide whether the painting will be withdrawn from the workshop immediately or not. If you can convince her to trust her a little more, to give us more time, that will be the most important victory right now."

Mien Thu looked out the car window, the streetlights flashed continuously in the darkness, creating long, dim streaks of light. "I will tell her the truth — not all the details, but enough for her to understand that there is a good, important, reason behind what I am doing. I believe Mrs. Kim is someone who values honesty above any commercial pressure."

"I believe you can do it." Nguyen Vu reached over and held her hand firmly, like a fulcrum amid the rising insecurities. "And no matter what tomorrow brings, I'll come with you, if you want."

"I want to." Mien Thu replied, squeezing his hand, finding in that grip a source of strength that she knew she would need a lot in the coming days. The dark night outside the car window was still long, but for the first time in many tense hours, she felt ready to face whatever awaited at the end of the road.