Chapter 19 — Pottery Kiln Fire Keeper

Mr. Vong underwent successful stent placement surgery three days later, his health gradually stabilized, but the doctor emphasized that he needed absolute rest for at least two months, away from all stress and exertion. The cost of the surgery, combined with the previous loan to buy pine firewood, pushed Van Khe's family into an unprecedented financial situation.

When Mr. Vong was discharged from the hospital and taken home to rest, the atmosphere in the family became heavier than ever. One afternoon, when Van Khe was recalculating the books, trying to find a way to manage her debts, Mr. Vong called her into his room, his face full of fatigue and a decision that seemed to have been carefully considered during his hospital days.

— Khe, — he said, his voice slow but determined, — I've been thinking a lot these past few days. I think it's time to reconsider Tan Tho company's proposal.

Van Khe was stunned, not believing her ears.

— What did you say, father? After everything that happened, after knowing the truth about grandfather and Mr. Truong, do you still want to sell the oven to them?

— I have no other choice, — Mr. Vong replied, his voice choked but still trying to remain calm. — Look, the last batch of kilns failed, my father got sick again, and he's in debt. If you continue to persist, I fear that not only will the Vong Nguyet furnace collapse, but you will also be exhausted, and your youth will pass by in debt and endless worries.

— But this is grandfather's wish! — Van Khe objected, her voice beginning to tremble with emotion. — I can't let it stop just because of one failure!

— Your grandfather also didn't want you to suffer this much because of a stove, Khe! — Mr. Vong suddenly raised his voice, something that rarely happened even before he fell ill. — Do you think he will be happy to see you exhausted, to see dad in the hospital, to see the whole family in debt because of a dream that even he has never been able to fulfill?

That sentence was like a knife cutting deep into Van Khe's heart. She stood still, tears rolling down her eyes, not knowing how to respond to the naked truth her father had just said.

— I don't think grandpa wants me to give up, — she said, her voice shaking but still trying to hold her ground. — I think he wants me to persevere, wants me to find a way to overcome difficulties, not surrender to the first challenge.

— This is not the first challenge, Khe! — Mr. Vong replied, his voice softened but still full of fatigue. — This is a series of continuous challenges with no end in sight. Dad is old, he no longer has the strength to continue fighting like this. I just want you to have a peaceful, stable life, without having to shoulder such an overwhelming responsibility.

*

The argument between father and son lasted until late at night, both said words that deeply hurt the other, and the emotions that had been pent up for many months finally broke out uncontrollably. In the end, Van Khe went out and wandered along the banks of the Boi Giang River in the dark, her mind filled with chaos, feeling like her entire world was collapsing piece by piece.

Khang found her sitting alone on a familiar stone slab, her shoulders shaking in choking sobs. He quietly sat down next to her, saying nothing, simply being present.

— Your father wants to sell the oven, — she finally spoke, her voice cracking. — I don't know what to do anymore, Khang. I don't want to give up, but I also don't want to see you suffer more because of me.

Khang was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, his voice full of thought.

— I think, perhaps your father is expressing a father's fear, not his true heart's desire, — he said. — He was afraid of losing me, the same way I was afraid of losing him. Perhaps, what I need to do is not to convince him with reason, but to show him that I can stand on my own, find my own way, so that he no longer has to worry.

Van Khe looked at Khang, his words were like a small beam of light illuminating the chaos of emotions in her heart.

— But how can I prove it, when everything is falling apart like this? — she asked, her voice still full of doubt.

— We will find a way, — Khang replied, squeezing her hand. — I have thought of a few options. First, we can sell off the ceramics from the unaffected kiln compartments to recover part of our capital immediately. After that, I contacted Ms. Thuy to speed up the progress of the heritage file and see if there was any financial support from cultural preservation funds. And most importantly, we need to find a more stable output for the product, not just depending on each individual batch.

*

The next morning, Van Khe returned home with a completely different mindset from the night before — no longer despair, but a newly rekindled determination. She found her father and sat down next to his hospital bed, her voice gentle but firm.

— Dad, I'm sorry for raising my voice at you last night, — she said. — But I want to ask you for one last chance. Give me three months. If during those three months, I cannot find a feasible way to repay the debt and stabilize the factory, I will respect your decision, whether it is to sell the furnace or whatever you think is best.

Mr. Vong looked at his daughter, his eyes full of complexity - both worry and sadness, but also a glimmer of hope that he did not dare reveal too clearly.

— Three months, — he repeated, his voice thoughtful. — Okay, dad, give me three months. But Khe, you must promise me, if it's too much, you must know to stop, don't let yourself be exhausted because of a promise to the deceased.

Van Khe nodded, holding her father's hand tightly, both relieved at having another opportunity and heavy under the pressure of the short time ahead - three months to save everything her family had worked hard to build for generations, three months to prove that love and perseverance can still overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

*

That same afternoon, Van Khe convened a small meeting at the pottery factory, including Khang, Khac Ben, and Ms. Thuy invited by phone, to work out a detailed plan for the next three months. She took out an old whiteboard and wrote on it each specific task and each clear timeline, as if she were outlining a military strategy for a decisive battle.

— First thing, — she said, her voice regaining some confidence, — I will organize a direct sale of all intact ceramics from the last firing batch, combined with introducing the story of Vong Nguyet kiln, and the journey of restoring Nguyet Bach glaze. Ms. Thuy, can you help me connect with some newspapers and local media channels?

— Yes, — Ms. Thuy replied immediately over the phone, her voice full of enthusiasm. — I was also able to invite a few friends who work in the interior design industry, they are always looking for unique handmade products with cultural stories to decorate luxurious spaces. This could be a high-value sales channel that I have not yet exploited.

Khang, with experience and connections from his time studying in Japan, proposed another direction.

— I can contact a few art galleries in the city, introducing your ceramic collection as a high-end art product line, incorporating the emotional historical story behind it, — he said. — The value of a handmade item lies not only in its functionality, but also in the story it carries. The story of Vong Nguyet furnace and Nguyet Bach enamel can completely become a highlight to attract customers who are willing to pay a high price for that spiritual value.

Khac Ben, although not as good at speaking as the other two, still contributed his part with his usual diligence.

— And I will take care of preparing the ingredients for the next batch, making sure not to repeat the same mistakes as last time, — he said, his voice determined. — I will closely monitor the weather forecast, prepare a backup plan more carefully, and not let any surprises knock me down again.

Looking around at the steadfast faces that were working out a plan with her, Van Khe felt a new breath of vitality creeping back into her heart, dispelling some of the despair that had weighed heavily over the past few days. She realized that, although the road ahead was still full of thorns, she was not alone in this battle, and perhaps, it was the consensus of those around her that was the greatest source of strength that helped her continue, not just for her grandfather's wishes, but for the future that they were all building together.