Chapter 20 — One month before the wedding, the doctor gave me a piece of paper

Not until pregnancy. She learned that the baby had a fifty percent chance of carrying the disease-causing gene. When receiving a winning judgment. Tieu Ha hugged me and burst into tears.

“If there was no Paper Note project.”

“Maybe I forced myself to endure it.”

“Thank you.”

I hugged her. Suddenly remembering myself from a few months ago. I also stood in the hospital. In his hand he held a small, wrinkled piece of paper. Confused. Don't know where the future will go. Didn't expect that. The piece of paper that once saved me. In the end, he became a guiding light for many others. Tieu Ha's case was directly represented by Co Tham himself. The court annulled the marriage. The husband must pay compensation of one hundred and twenty thousand yuan. Afterwards, Tieu Ha brought us a thank you flag. On it was embroidered an inscription:

“One small piece of paper, one choice, a new path.”

Half a year after the project went into operation. Provincial media began to pay attention to us. The provincial television station conducts a thematic program. Guests interviewed included me, Co Tham, Lam Tri Vi and Phuong Nhien. After the program airs. The reputation of "Note Paper" quickly spread. The number of cooperative units increased from three to fifteen. The monthly donation increased from two thousand yuan to thirty thousand yuan. I quit my job. Wholeheartedly devoted to the project. Some people say I'm crazy. Twenty-nine years old. Give up a stable source of income. Rushing into a community project that doesn't make money. My mother asked:

“Are you sure?”

“I'm sure.”

“Then let's do it.”

“Mom supports you.”

My father sitting next to me added another sentence:

“Doing a good deed is better than marrying the wrong person.”

One year later.

“The Message” has become one of the most famous organizations supporting women's rights in the province.

In total, more than three hundred families were supported. At the same time, promote the local Department of Health to issue new regulations on the right to information in premarital examinations. If one party is found to have a serious infectious disease or reproductive dysfunction. The physician has an obligation, within the scope of protecting privacy, to make recommendations so that both parties are informed of the relevant information. Lam Tri Vi directly participated in developing that regulation. Later, she was transferred to the city Obstetrics Hospital. Holds the position of Head of the Department of Premarital Examination. Chu Vy Vy's debt was finally completely resolved. She opened her own small bakery. Business is quite good. Her social media is now full of pictures of bread and cakes. Luu Uyen Nhi moved to another city. Start life again. She once sent me a message:

“Sister To, I'm sorry.”

“And thank you.”

I replied:

“Take good care of yourself.”

Phuong Nhien's investigative series won a provincial journalism award. Diep Tieu Duong is still my best friend. She often says:

“What you are doing now is more meaningful than any other job.”

And Tran Due. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for issuing false invoices. Vuong Thu Phuong. As the legal representative of the shell company. Sentenced to probation. The date the verdict was announced. I don't watch the news. It was Co Tham who told me.

“Three years and six months.”

“How do you feel?”

“I don't feel anything.”

"Really?"

I smiled softly.

“Whether he's going to jail or not, that's up no longer has anything to do with my life.”

Co Tham looked at me.

“You've changed a lot.”

“Me too.”

“Where did you change?”

“You said more.”

He thought for a few seconds.

“Maybe being with you for too long.”

“Literature students talk a lot.”

“It can be contagious.”

I lightly kicked his leg. Another year has passed. The second anniversary of the establishment of "Message Paper". We held a small meeting. Volunteer. People who have been helped. Collaborative lawyer. Reporter. The room was crowded with people. Lam Tri Vi brought a bouquet of flowers.

“Two years ago when I slipped that piece of paper into your hand.”

“I never thought this day would come.”

“I didn't think about it either.”

“From a piece of paper.”

“She turned it into an entire organization.”

“Helping hundreds of people.”

“You are much braver than me.”

I shook my head.

“It's not that I'm brave.”

“It's the doctor who took the first step.”

She smiled. In a corner of the room. Co Tham is standing alone. In hand holding a cup of coffee. I go.