Chapter 28: Chapter 28 The music Professor Tran never expected to hear — Rebellious Symphony

Four days before the final night, Minh and Linh devoted all their remaining time to perfecting the mix, working non-stop in warehouse number 4, which has now returned to being their familiar musical home.

"In this part," Minh said, editing a small detail in the background sound, "I wanted to add a new layer of sound, inspired by our story these past weeks. From separation, to finding each other again."

Linh listened to the new music and clearly felt a new depth of emotion, more authentic than ever. "It's so beautiful. It's like recounting our entire journey."

While they were passionately working, professor Trần Quang Vũ, after many days of worrying since the ultimatum was given, decided to go to Royal High himself to talk directly with his son, instead of continuing to wait for an answer through cold text messages.

He asked the school security guard, and learned that Minh often stayed in the old warehouse after school. Walking along the dark, damp hallway of Block C, he couldn't help but be surprised at the shabby place where his son often visited.

As he approached storage room No. 4, he heard sounds coming from inside — not loud, shrill music like he had imagined "electronic music" to be like, but a delicate composition, combining a melancholy violin and layers of artistically processed, emotional electronic sounds.

He stood silently outside the door, not daring to go in right away, listening to the entire piece of music.

It's a piece of music that tells a clear story: it begins with loneliness and gloom, gradually moves into hopeful melodies, then reaches a storm-like climax, before settling into a peaceful, warm melody at the end. He was not someone who understood modern music, but he could feel that this was not a shallow youth pastime, but a true work of art, containing a depth of emotion that he had never expected from his own son.

When the music ended, he heard Linh's voice echoing from inside. "You're really talented, Minh. I can't imagine how someone just seventeen years old can create such profound music."

"I have a great source of inspiration," Minh replied, his voice warm. "You, and our own story."

Professor Vũ stood there, his heart aching at what he had just heard — not only about his son's musical talent, but also about the way he talked about Linh, about the respect and sincere affection in that voice.

He suddenly remembered how long it had been since he had heard his son talk about anything with such passion and sincerity, even when he tried to push him to study natural sciences to prepare for the medical profession.

***

He decided to knock on the door. Both Minh and Linh turned around in surprise when they saw Professor Vũ standing in the doorway, his expression no longer coldly angry like before, but rather a complex contemplation.

"Dad?" Minh stood up, stunned. "What are you doing here, Dad?"

"Dad came to find you," Professor Vũ said, his voice much softer than usual. "I happened to hear the music you just played."

Minh stiffened, not knowing how to react. "Dad... did you hear everything?"

"Yes," Professor Vũ nodded, his eyes looking around the storage room, at the machinery, at Linh's violin, at everything that had made up his son's secret world over the years. "I have to admit, I don't understand much about this type of music. But I can feel it, it's a work created with real enthusiasm and talent."

Linh stood up and bowed politely. "Hello. I'm Phương Linh, a classmate with Minh."

Professor Vũ looked at her, his eyes searching but no longer as cold as before. "You are Minh's friend who still helps arrange music for the competition, right?"

"Yes," Linh replied, her voice shaking but still remaining polite. "Minh has helped me a lot, both musically and mentally."

Professor Vũ was silent for a long time, looking back and forth between his son and the young girl standing in front of him, then sighed and sat down on the old plastic chair that Minh had just given him.

"I've been thinking a lot since that night," he said, his voice low, lacking his usual imposing authority. "I realized, perhaps I was too rigid in shaping your future, based on what I thought was right, without ever really listening to what you wanted."

Minh looked at his father, not daring to believe what he was hearing. "Dad... what do you mean by that?"

"Dad doesn't promise to completely support this musical path right away," Professor Vũ said, his voice cautious but sincere. "I still have a lot of worries about stability, about your long-term future. But I won't force you to give up completely anymore. Perhaps, we need time to find a compromise path, where you can both pursue music and ensure a solid educational foundation for the future."

Tears suddenly welled up in Minh's eyes, a feeling of relief and gratitude filled his heart. "Thank you, dad. I really thank you for giving me this opportunity." Professor Vũ nodded, then looked at Linh, his eyes becoming much warmer. "You seem like a talented girl and a positive influence on my son. I look forward to hearing you perform at the upcoming finals."

"I will try my best, sir," Linh replied, smiling emotionally.

Before leaving, Professor Vũ stopped at the door and turned to look at his son again. "Minh, I'm sorry for not listening to you sooner. But from now on, I promise to try."

When Professor Vũ's figure disappeared into the dark hallway, Minh stood still, tears finally falling, not because of suffering, but because of a happiness that he had never dared to dream of during all his years of living in secrecy and fear.

Linh walked over, hugged him, sharing her wordless emotions. "You see," she whispered, "sometimes, just being truly listened to once, even the most seemingly solid walls can begin to crumble." Minh nodded, tightened his arms around her, his heart filled with hope for a future where now, for the first time, he believed he could live fully as himself, without having to choose between two worlds anymore.

***

That evening, when Professor Vũ returned home, he went to Ms. Ngọc Diễm and told him everything he had witnessed in warehouse number 4. After listening, her eyes filled with tears, unable to hide her emotions.

"Did you really come to see me and hear me play music?" she asked, her voice shaking with surprise.

"Yes," Professor Vũ nodded, his eyes still filled with contemplation. "You know, all these years, I've always thought I was doing the best for my child, guiding him on a stable path, respected by society. But today, when I heard him play that music, I realized that he has created a real career with his own talent and effort, which I have never once recognized."

Mrs. Ngọc Diễm held her husband's hand, her voice choked. "I'm also at fault for not having the courage to stand up for my child sooner. I was afraid of disappointing you, afraid of breaking the harmony in the family, so I only silently worried and didn't dare to speak up."

"We both need to change," Professor Vũ said, his voice rare with sincerity. "From now on, I want us to learn more about the path your child has chosen together, instead of imposing what we think is right on his life." Ms. Ngọc Diễm nodded, a relieved smile appearing on her face for the first time after many stressful weeks. "So should we come see the finale of you and little Linh? I heard it will be held at the Royal City Theater, very solemn."

"Sure," Professor Vũ replied, his voice had a rare bit of excitement. "I want to see my son shine on stage with his own eyes, with his true self."

At the same time, in storage room number 4, Minh told Linh the short message his father had just sent: "Mom and Dad will come to see me perform on Saturday night." He read and reread that message many times, as if afraid it was just a dream that would disappear at any moment.

"You see," Linh said, smiling at him, "things are gradually getting better."

"Yes," Minh nodded, his eyes filled with hope. "Now, we only have one most important thing left to do: perfect this remix, so as not to disappoint all those who have trusted and supported us on this difficult journey."