Chapter 22 — Sassy Boy: Heir to the Underground Family

A week after the event at the school festival, Vinh Bach decided it was time to face the next step he had been postponing for a long time — officially meeting Dieu Linh's family as himself, without any cover or concealment.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dieu Linh asked as the two stood in front of her house on a weekend evening, his hand holding a carefully wrapped gift box. "My parents still don't know anything about... your world."

"I think they deserve to know the truth," Vinh Bach replied, taking a deep breath to calm the rare anxiety rising in his heart. "If I want to be serious about this relationship, I can't keep hiding anything from your family anymore."

Inside the small house, Mr. To Van Duc and Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong had prepared a cozy family meal, not knowing that this evening would bring them more surprises than they imagined.

"Hello, you two," Vinh Bach said, bowing politely as he entered the house, his attitude completely different from the sassy male image he still portrayed at school.

"This guy is so polite," Mrs. Hong commented, smiled friendly, and invited him to the table.

After the meal, when the story gradually became more intimate, Vinh Bach realized that this was the right time. He put down his chopsticks and looked seriously at Mr. Duc and Mrs. Hong.

"You two, I have something important to say," he began, his voice somewhat tense but still maintaining the necessary composure. "This may surprise you two, but I think you two deserve to know the truth, for Dieu Linh's safety and because I respect my family."

Mr. Duc and Ms. Hong exchanged worried looks, not knowing what was about to be revealed.

"My family heads an organization called Thanh Phong Hoi," Vinh Bach said frankly, without beating around the bush. "This is no ordinary company. It has a major impact on many business activities in the city, both legal and... not entirely within the normal legal framework."

Silence covered the table for several long seconds. Mrs. Hong placed her hand on her chest, her face pale. Mr. Duc frowned and looked straight at Vinh Bach with serious eyes.

"Are you saying, the son of a... underground force is after my daughter?" Mr. Duc asked, trying to keep his voice calm even though he was clearly shaken.

"I understand this sounds scary," Vinh Bach replied, not avoiding it. "But I want you two to know, all my feelings for Dieu Linh are completely genuine, and I will do everything to make sure she is always safe, no matter what the cost."

"Are you in danger yet, Dieu Linh?" Mrs. Hong asked, turning to her daughter, her voice filled with worry.

Dieu Linh hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "Once, mom. But Vinh Bach and his people have always protected me. I know this is hard to accept, but I trust him completely."

Mr. Duc stood up, walked to the window, was silent for a long time before turning back. "I need time to think about this," he said, his voice stern but not angry. "This is no small matter, and I need to make sure my daughter is truly safe before I can accept this relationship."

"I completely understand, sir," Vinh Bach replied, bowing his head respectfully. "I'm ready to answer any questions you two have, and I've also made arrangements to ensure my family's security from now on, as a way of showing my responsibility."

Throughout that evening, Vinh Bach patiently answered each question from Mr. Duc and Ms. Hong, from concerns about safety to concerns about Dieu Linh's future if this relationship continued. He did not avoid any difficult questions, showing his sincerity and determination to protect Dieu Linh at all costs.

At the end of the evening, when Vinh Bach was about to leave, Mr. Duc walked him out the door, pausing for a moment before he walked away.

"You're the first person to be so honest with us," he said, his voice softening somewhat. "I can't say I'm completely assured, but I respect your honesty. Please take good care of my daughter."

"I promise, sir," Vinh Bach replied, bowing his head sincerely.

When he left, Dieu Linh walked him to the gate, both standing under the faint streetlight.

"Thank you, for being brave enough to face my parents," she said, taking his hand.

"That's something I should have done a long time ago," Vinh Bach replied, smiling with relief. "I don't want to build our future on any more secrets."

Dieu Linh leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling the certainty in each word. Although there are still many challenges ahead for her family to fully accept this truth, she knows, together they have passed another important milestone on their journey to building a relationship based on absolute honesty.

After Vinh Bach left, Dieu Linh returned to the house and saw her mother still sitting quietly at the dining table, looking distantly at the small yard in front.

"Mom, you're still very worried, aren't you?" Dieu Linh asked, sitting down next to her.

"I can't help but worry," Mrs. Hong replied, holding her daughter's hand. "You are my only daughter. I just want you to have a peaceful life, without having to fear dangers that I can't even imagine."

"I understand, mom," Dieu Linh replied, squeezing her mother's hand. "But I thought carefully. Vinh Bach is not a bad person. He is just carrying a responsibility that he had no choice in from birth. And he has proven, time and time again, that he will do anything to protect the people he loves."

Mrs. Hong looked at her daughter for a long time, realizing the maturity and steadfastness in her eyes, completely different from the shy daughter she always thought she needed to protect. "You're a lot older than I thought," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion. "Perhaps, I need to learn to trust my children's choices more."

Meanwhile, Mr. Duc sat in his small office, calling an old friend who worked in the police to quietly learn more about the Duong family and Thanh Phong Hoi, a necessary caution of a father who always puts his daughter's safety first. What he heard — about the organization's reputation for keeping its promises, protecting ordinary people, and never being involved in gratuitous violent crimes — somewhat reassured him, although he still had many concerns.

A few days later, he proactively called and invited Vinh Bach to a private conversation, without Dieu Linh present, at the car repair garage where he worked.

"You arrived quite on time," Mr. Duc commented when Vinh Bach appeared, not showing any surprise at his punctual behavior, completely different from what people rumored about a sassy, lazy male student.

"I don't want to keep you waiting, sir," Vinh Bach replied, bowing politely.

Mr. Duc took him inside, poured two cups of tea, then sat down opposite. "I learned about your family," he said directly, without beating around the bush. "I know that Thanh Phong Hoi has a reputation for keeping trust and not touching innocent people. But I also know that your world always has potential risks that a father like me cannot completely rest assured about."

"I can't promise that there won't be any risks, sir," Vinh Bach replied honestly. "But I can promise that I will use every resource I have to ensure that Dieu Linh, and your entire family, are always absolutely safe, no matter what happens in the future."

Mr. Duc nodded, his eyes searching but gradually softening at the sincerity in each of his words. "Okay," he said finally. "I will give you and my daughter a chance. But if you hurt her, even once, you will have to answer to me, no matter how big an organization you are."

"I'll keep that in mind, sir," Vinh Bach replied, bowing his head with absolute respect, feeling a great relief spread throughout his heart.

When he left the car repair garage that day, his steps were much lighter than when he arrived, Vinh Bach knew that he had just overcome one of the most important challenges on the journey to building a long-term future with Dieu Linh - not with power or wealth, but with the sincerity and responsibility that a normal father wants most in the person who will be attached to his daughter.