Chapter 21 — Old Painting Restoration Workshop

Ms. Quach Thien Kim's office the next morning had a different atmosphere than the first time Mien Thu came here. There was no longer the warmth and openness like the first meeting, but instead there was a heavy tension, clearly visible on the face of the museum director, who always maintained a calm and professional look.

"Sit down, Mien Thu." Mrs. Kim said, her voice unusually tired, pushing a file across the table for her to see. "This is an official dispatch from Tinh Hoa Auction House, sent yesterday."

Mien Thu picked up the document and skimmed through the solemn but threatening words. The dispatch cited "abnormal signs in the restoration process" that it claimed to have received information about, asking the museum to immediately recall "Vong Nguyet" to Tinh Hoa's secure archive, and appoint another restoration unit — specifically, a large workshop directly linked to the Chau family — to "ensure the quality and integrity" of the work ahead of the exhibition.

"They never mentioned any specific evidence." Mien Thu said, trying to keep her voice calm even though her heart was beating rapidly. "Just vague allegations."

"Yes, and that's what worries me the most." Mrs. Kim replied, took off her glasses, gently rubbed the bridge of her nose as if trying to get rid of a headache. "If they have concrete evidence of technical errors, you can handle it according to professional procedures. But this is more of a political and commercial pressure than an academic one. And as the main sponsor of the retrospective, Tinh Hoa has enough influence to make the museum board of directors seriously consider this request, even though I personally do not want to do so."

Mien Thu took a deep breath, realizing that this was the moment she had to make a decision - continue to keep the secret a little longer, or trust Mrs. Kim enough to reveal part of the truth, in exchange for the chance to keep the painting in the workshop long enough to complete her plan.

"Uncle Kim," she said, her voice shaking slightly but firmly, "I need to tell you part of the truth, even though I can't reveal all the details right now."

Mrs. Kim looked at her, her eyes were sharp but not angry, just full of anticipation. "I'm listening."

"During the restoration process, I discovered technical signs that 'Vong Nguyet' is not quite what the official records record." Mien Thu said, choosing each word carefully. "I worked with an independent expert to verify it, and we found scientific evidence, along with testimony from a living witness, that shows there is a much more complex story behind the origins of this work — a story, I believe, that deserves to be told with full empathy, not buried or hastily and unfairly exposed."

Mrs. Kim sat quietly for a long time, her eyes looking at Mien Thu with deep scrutiny. "I'm telling you, there's a possibility that the central painting of the biggest retrospective in years isn't entirely original by Tu Binh Son?"

"You're saying that the truth is more complex than a simple 'right' or 'wrong' answer." Mien Thu replied, her voice was steadier than she expected. "And I believe, because Tinh Hoa knew I was getting closer to that truth, they urgently wanted to retrieve the painting before I had a chance to complete the verification and fully present it."

Ms. Kim stood up, walked to the office window, looking out at the museum courtyard below, where several employees were busy preparing for the upcoming opening. "I have worked in the heritage conservation industry for more than thirty years, Mien Thu." She said, her voice thoughtful. "I have witnessed many times, the truth about the origin of a work being hidden for commercial gain, for the reputation of powerful people. Each time, I wonder if my work has any meaning, if I just stand by and watch those truths be buried forever."

She turned back to look at Mien Thu, her eyes now carrying a new determination. "I won't hand the painting over to Tinh Hoa right now. I'll use the excuse that I need more time to evaluate the current condition of the work before I can safely move it — that's a legitimate professional reason that no one can immediately refute. But I need you to promise me one thing, Mien Thu."

"Please listen."

"When you are ready, you must tell me the whole truth, without hiding anything, and let me participate in deciding how to reveal it." Mrs. Kim said, her voice was serious but not lacking in warmth. "I don't want to stand aside when the museum's honor, and perhaps your career, is on the line."

Mien Thu felt a great relief spreading in her heart, mixed with a new heavy responsibility. "I promise, Uncle Kim. I won't hide anything from you anymore."

They shook hands, a firm, trusting handshake, marking a newly formed alliance between two women who shared a common belief in the honesty of their profession.

On the way back to the factory, Mien Thu called Nguyen Vu to tell the news, her voice was much more relieved than the night before. "Mrs. Kim is on our side. She will delay the delivery of the painting, giving us more time."

"That's great news." Nguyen Vu replied, his voice was equally relieved. "But you need to know, Chau Vinh Thinh will not stop here. If he cannot get the painting by official means, he will find another, more drastic way."

Mien Thu looked out the car window, the bustling streets of Hanoi in the morning passed before her eyes. "I know. But at least now we have an important ally, and more time to prepare for the final battle."

Returning to the factory, she immediately called Au Bao Tran and recounted the entire morning's events. Bao Tran listened attentively, then provided legal advice immediately. "Mrs. Kim's use of professional reasons to delay the fight is a wise move, completely legal. But you need to be mentally prepared, Tinh Hoa may try to put direct pressure on the museum's board of directors, or even threaten to withdraw all funding for the retrospective if they don't get what they want. That would be a very heavy blow, because without funding, the event may have to be postponed, affecting the reputation of both the museum and Ms. Kim herself."

"I'm worried about Mrs. Kim." Mien Thu said, her voice heavy. "She's putting her entire career on the line just because she trusts me."

"That's her choice, based on what you've shown her about your integrity." Bao Tran replied, her voice firm. "You don't force her to do that. Your job now is to make sure, when the time comes, the truth you present is solid enough, convincing enough, so that all the sacrifices of those who trusted you are worth it."

Hanging up the phone, Mien Thu sat alone in the workshop, watching "Vong Nguyet" being gradually completed on the stand. She thought of Mrs. Kim, of Bao Tran, of Mrs. Dieu Lan, of Mr. Le and Thuy Chi, of Nguyen Vu — a network of people who, for many different reasons, chose to put their faith in her and in the truth she was pursuing. That responsibility, although heavy, is also the greatest source of strength she has at this time.

In the afternoon, Thuy Chi brought her tea and sat down next to her, her eyes full of concern. "Miss Thu, can I help you? I know you're carrying a lot of things alone."

Mien Thu smiled and took her young student's hand. "You have helped me a lot, just by always being by my side every day, always trusting me even though I don't know everything yet. That's what I need the most right now."

Thuy Chi nodded, her eyes filled with tears of emotion. "Miss Thu, no matter what happens, Bach Nien workshop will always be my home. I will be here, with you, even if I have to start over."

That simple sentence made Mien Thu feel strangely warm, like a reminder that, no matter the final outcome of this war, she had built something more precious than fame or money - a family, even though they weren't related by blood, was still willing to stand by each other through every storm.

Late that night, when Nguyen Vu stopped by after a long day of running around contacting journalists and lawyers, he found Mien Thu sitting quietly in front of "Vong Nguyet", the table lamp casting a soft halo on her face. He didn't say anything, just quietly sat down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"What are you thinking?" He asked softly.

"I was thinking about, if my grandfather were still alive, what he would say about what I'm doing." She replied, her voice quiet. "Will you support me in announcing this truth, or will you want me to stay silent, preserving what you have tried to bury all your life?"

Nguyen Vu thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know the answer for sure, because I've never met him. But from what you told me, I think he is someone who always puts honesty first in his career, even though he himself once slipped up. Perhaps, deep down, he still hopes that one day, the truth will be told - not to punish him, but to free him from the burden he has carried all his life."

Mien Thu leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling the stability of his warmth in the quiet night. "I hope you're right."