Chapter 28 — Pottery Kiln Fire Keeper

Six months have passed since the day Vong Nguyet kiln produced the historic batch of Nguyet Bach yeast, life in Doi Sanh village has taken on a completely new look. The wood-fired ceramic cooperative now gathers eight households, each month welcoming hundreds of tourists to visit, learn about the manufacturing process, and purchase ceramic products imbued with the cultural imprint of the river region. Mrs. Tu's ancient garden has now become a favorite stop, where visitors can sip a cup of tea under the shade of a hundred years old, listening to stories about traditional pottery.

Van Khe and Khang, after months of working side by side through many ups and downs, have now become a couple recognized and loved by the whole village. Khang officially left his position in the family company, opening a small design studio right in the village, specializing in combining traditional wood-fired ceramic techniques and modern aesthetic lines, creating a new product line called "Vong Nguyet Contemporary" - both preserving the ancient soul and suitable for the tastes of today's young customers.

One late autumn afternoon, when the pale yellow sunlight spread across the surface of the Boi Giang River, Khang suddenly invited Van Khe to the riverbank, where he had quietly prepared since early morning - a small table covered with a white cloth, a few wildflowers picked along the road, and a small wooden box meticulously crafted by himself.

— What are you doing? — Van Khe asked, unable to hide her surprise and curiosity when seeing that unexpected romantic scene.

Khang smiled, took her hand, led her to sit at the small table, his eyes filled with a rare thrill compared to his usual calmness.

— Van Khe, — he began, his voice trembling slightly, — more than a year ago, I stepped down from that car, not knowing that I was about to embark on a journey that would completely change my life. I learned how to watch the fire, how to read the color of enamel, but most importantly, I learned how to love — love a traditional profession, love a land, and love you, the person who taught me all of those things with your perseverance and sincerity.

He opened the small wooden box, inside was a ring studded with a small jade green stone, shimmering with a shimmering color reminiscent of the legendary Nguyet Bach enamel that the two had discovered together.

— I ordered this stone specifically, trying to find the closest color to Nguyet Bach enamel, — he said, his voice choked with emotion. — Because, just like that yeast, our love is forged through fire, through challenges, through tears and sweat, to finally become something beautiful and durable that nothing can break. Van Khe, do you agree to be my wife?

*

Van Khe was stunned for a moment, tears suddenly flowed, not because of complete surprise - because deep in her heart, she had felt Khang's feelings for a long time - but because of overwhelming happiness that no words could fully describe.

— I agree, — she replied, her voice trembling but firm, — I agree, Khang.

Khang put the ring on her finger, then hugged her in the midst of the sunset that dyed the river yellow, in the midst of the evening birds calling their flocks back to their nests, in the midst of the peaceful scenery of a countryside that had witnessed many ups and downs in their lives over the past year.

— I love you, Van Khe, — he whispered in her ear. — From the first night watching the fire with you, until now, and forever after.

— I love you too, — she replied, resting her head on his chest, listening to the throbbing heartbeat of the man she had chosen to accompany her for the rest of her life.

*

The good news spread quickly throughout the village that evening. Mr. Vong, when hearing his daughter's news, could not hide his happiness. His eyes filled with tears as he hugged his daughter.

— I've been waiting for this day for a long time, — he said, his voice choked up. — Your grandfather, if he were still alive, would certainly be equally happy to see the feud between the two families finally ending with a wedding, instead of continuing with hatred.

Mr. Chiem Vinh Truong and Mr. Chiem Dac Nguyen, upon hearing the news, immediately came to visit, bringing simple but meaningful congratulatory gifts. Mr. Truong, although his health was much weaker, still tried to come in person and hold Van Khe's hand, his voice trembling with emotion.

— You have accomplished more than I ever dared to dream, — he said. — Not only does it revive the Nguyet Bach yeast, it not only reconciles the two clans, but it also connects us into a true family. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

That night, both families gathered together for a small, cozy party in the factory yard, under the light of lanterns hanging everywhere, under the shade of the gourd tree. Vong Nguyet stood there quietly as a silent witness to all that had happened - from the painful tragedy of the past, to the complete happiness of the present, a living proof that, although the fire sometimes burns fiercely, sometimes almost dies, as long as there is enough love and perseverance, It will still find a way to burn again, brighter than ever.

*

In the middle of the party, Khac Ben stood up, raised his glass of soft drink - because he couldn't drink alcohol - to congratulate the future newlyweds, his voice was both happy and a little indescribable.

— I used to worry, afraid that when Ms. Khe got married, I would lose my closest friend, — he said, making everyone laugh at his rare honesty. — But now that I see you happy like this, I only hope the best things will come to you and Mr. Khang. Congratulations to both of you, and thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful story.

Van Khe emotionally hugged her close friend who had accompanied her from the first, most difficult days, whispering her sincere thanks. She knows that although the feelings between them have never and will never exceed the boundaries of friendship, the attachment and trust between the two will always be a precious, irreplaceable part of her life.

Ms. Uong Bich Thuy, also present at that cozy little party, did not forget to record a few memorable frames. The bright smile on her face could not hide her joy at witnessing the entire journey of the family that she had accompanied and followed for over a year.

— I think, the love story of the two of you should also be included in the last part of the estate records, — she said, half joking, half serious. — Because, it is not only the kiln firing technique that needs to be preserved, but also human values, stories of perseverance and love overcoming adversity like this, also deserve to be passed down to future generations.

The deeper the night, the more bustling the laughter, the lanterns hanging all over the factory yard, casting shadows of happy faces on the familiar clay floor, where many generations of both families have been united, then separated, and now, finally reunited in the fullest joy.

*

When the party gradually subsided, Van Khe quietly separated from the crowd and walked to stand in front of the Vong Nguyet furnace alone for a moment. She reached out touch the cold wall of the furnace, closed her eyes, and let her mind settle amid the happy sounds still echoing behind her.

— Grandpa, — she whispered, her voice so low that only she could hear, — I'm about to get married. I know you will like Mr. Khang very much, even though his last name is Chiem. I think, this is exactly what you've always wanted, right?

A gentle breeze blew through, shaking the bamboo canopy behind the kiln, bringing with it the faint scent of clay and kitchen smoke lingering from the latest batch of firing. Van Khe smiled, feeling like that was the quiet but loving answer that her grandfather sent her from somewhere far away, but also very close to her heart, almost as if he had never left her for a single day.

Khang came over, gently put his arm around her shoulder from behind, said nothing, simply stood with her in that private moment, under the rising moonlight behind the bamboo grove, in front of the gourd tree that witnessed their entire love story, from the first days of strangers and shyness, to the moment they officially promised a shared future, inseparably attached, nothing could separate them anymore.