Chapter 20 — Pottery Kiln Fire Keeper

The direct sales session combined with introducing the story of the Vong Nguyet furnace was held right at the factory yard that weekend, with enthusiastic support from Ms. Thuy in inviting the local press, and a few of Khang's friends from the interior design world in the city. Mr. Toai also mobilized a number of households in the village to help clean and decorate, turning the originally simple factory yard into a more cozy and attractive one than usual.

The event attracted a larger number of visitors than expected, largely thanks to the emotional story about the journey to preserve the wood-fired pottery craft, about the resolved feud between the two families, and about the legendary Nguyet Bach glaze formula that is gradually being revived - a story that Ms. Thuy cleverly integrated into an article published on the province's cultural news site, attracting the attention of many readers who love traditional values.

— Sister, how much is this antique cracked enamel bowl? — asked a young visitor from the city, cradling the bowl with obvious respect.

Van Khe explained in detail the process of seven days and seven nights of watching the fire, and the uniqueness of each enamel pattern that cannot be copied, and the customer, after listening, did not hesitate to buy three at the price she offered, and excitedly asked for a phone number to order more for future occasions.

By the end of the day, revenue from the sale far exceeded initial expectations, enough to cover a significant portion of the most pressing debts. But what touched Van Khe the most was not the sales figures, but the respectful eyes and sincere compliments from guests coming into contact with traditional wood-fired ceramics for the first time, making her feel more clearly than ever the true value of what her family is trying to preserve.

*

A few days later, a special guest appeared at the workshop - a middle-aged man who introduced himself as a representative of a high-end restaurant chain in the city, looking for a source of handmade ceramic dishes with unique cultural stories to serve the newly opened branches.

— We saw the article about the Vong Nguyet furnace, — he said, not taking his eyes off the products on display. — We want to place a long-term order, providing dishes for the entire restaurant system, with the condition that quality and quantity must be stable each quarter.

This is a great opportunity, but also poses a big challenge - how to maintain a stable output while still retaining the typical handmade quality of wood-fired ceramics, which inherently depends a lot on weather factors and the luck of each firing batch.

— We need time to calculate our ability to respond, — Van Khe replied, trying to keep her voice professional even though she was filled with excitement. — Wood-fired ceramics cannot be mass-produced like industrial ceramics, each batch needs seven days to be fired, and we need to ensure the most consistent quality possible.

— We understand that, and it's because of that specialness that we came here, — the guest replied. — We are willing to deposit in advance, as well as adjust flexible delivery schedules according to your firing cycle.

After the guest left, Van Khe immediately called Khang and told the whole story, her voice unable to hide her excitement.

— This could be the lifeline I need, — she said. — A long-term, stable order, enough for me to have a clearer financial plan, not having to worry about each individual batch anymore.

— I will help you draft the contract carefully, ensuring flexible terms suitable for the characteristics of manual production, — Khang replied, his voice also full of excitement. — This is exactly the turning point I needed, Van Khe.

*

Bringing the good news back to her father, Van Khe saw that Mr. Vong, although still weak after the surgery, clearly lit up his eyes when listening to his daughter recount all the events of the past few days - from the successful sales session, to the potential long-term order, to the progress of the heritage documents that were being actively promoted by Ms. Thuy.

— You did it, Khe, — he said, his voice emotional, his hand squeezing his daughter's hand. — I'm sorry for losing faith in the most difficult time. Looking at you managing like this, I realize that you are much more mature than I thought.

— I still have a long way to go, father, — Van Khe said, smiling even though her eyes were still filled with tears. — But I believe, with everyone's consensus, I will overcome it.

Mr. Vong nodded, his eyes looking out at the gourd tree standing there quietly in the sunset, like a steadfast witness to all the ups and downs that his family had gone through.

— I trust you, — he said softly. — And I believe, your grandfather, somewhere, is as proud of you as I am right now.

That afternoon, when the sunset dyed the whole factory yard yellow, Van Khe stood in front of the Vong Nguyet furnace, her heart filled with a new feeling - no longer the despair of the previous days, but a firm belief that, although the road ahead was still full of challenges, her family, along with precious companions, had found the light at the end of the tunnel, ready to continue on to the upcoming decisive journey - a journey that she firmly believed would lead to the furnace fire. Vong Nguyet and the feud between the two families come to a complete end, although there are still many thorns ahead.

*

News of the long-term order and successful sale quickly spread throughout the village, causing the previously wavering attitudes of many neighbors to gradually change. A few households who had intended to sell land to Tan Tho began to hesitate, turning to ask Van Khe about the possibility of cooperating in providing raw materials or learning techniques to restore their own family's heirloom pottery craft.

— Khe, the vegetable seller Mrs. Sau, who once advised her to sell land following Ti's example, now comes with a completely different attitude, — I saw in the newspaper that people praised your furnace very much. She has a distant cousin. In the past, his great-grandfather also made ceramics. Now he is unemployed in the city. I wonder if he needs more helpers. She can introduce him.

Van Khe smiled, clearly feeling the change in the general atmosphere of the whole village, a change that she believes comes not only from the sales figures, but also from the pride that is gradually being reawakened in the hearts of every Doi Sanh person about the traditional craft of their homeland.

In the evening, Khang stayed to have dinner with Van Khe's family. The atmosphere at the meal was much warmer than in previous days, although the table still only had familiar rustic dishes. Mr. Vong, although still weak, still tried to sit up and eat with everyone, occasionally contributing a few old stories about the firings he had experienced in his youth, making the atmosphere even more exciting.

— Khang, — Mr. Vong said, his voice much more friendly, — I see you've been here helping my family for a long time. What do you plan to do with your relationship with my Khe child?

Khang was a bit confused by the unexpected question, but then he looked at Van Khe with steady eyes.

— Uncle, I'm serious about Van Khe, — he replied, his voice sincere. — I hope that after things are more stable, I can officially ask your permission to let me and Van Khe have a long-term relationship.

Mr. Vong nodded, his eyes shining with rare satisfaction, although there was still some concern of a father.

— I just hope you two are sincere with each other and overcome difficulties together, not just beautiful in good times, — he said. — I believe things between the two families will be fine, as long as you keep your mind as upright as ever.

The meal ended in a rare warm atmosphere amid turbulent days, like a peaceful silence before the whole family entered the upcoming decisive stage, where the fate of the Vong Nguyet furnace, the feud between the two families, and the love between Van Khe and Khang, will be decided once and for all.

That night, before leaving, Khang lingered on the porch with Van Khe, watching the rising moonlight behind the bamboo groves gently swaying in the night wind. The two didn't say much, just quietly enjoying the rare moment of peace, hand in hand, hearts filled with hope for what lay ahead, even though they both clearly understood that the real decisive journey was still waiting for them on the far horizon, where fire and human love would be tested one last time.