Chapter 23 — Sassy Boy: Heir to the Underground Family

One month after the event at the school festival, the Thanh Phong Association's elder council convened an official meeting at Bach Phat Group headquarters, not to question or doubt as before, but to officially recognize Duong Vinh Bach's leadership role.

"During the past three years, since Duong Vinh Thinh passed away, we have been cautious about giving full leadership to someone so young," the oldest elder on the council said, his voice solemn. "But what the young master has shown during the past time - from detecting and handling the insider, to protecting an innocent person from the plot of the Black Gold Society, and finally completely defeating the threat from Co Bach Nghi - has clearly demonstrated the ability and bravery worthy of this position."

Duong Khai Phong stood up, looking at his nephew with pride that he had never shown publicly before. "I would like to officially propose to give full leadership of the Thanh Phong Association to Duong Vinh Bach, without any further supervision or testing period. He has proven himself worthy, not only with his ability, but also with integrity that not all of us can maintain when faced with power and pressure."

The entire council of elders unanimously agreed, with no one objecting — a rare consensus that even Lam Chinh Dao, who had witnessed many tense meetings in the past, was surprised.

"From today," the eldest elder announced, "Duong Vinh Bach officially becomes the all-powerful head of the Thanh Phong Association, fully inheriting the legacy that his father, Duong Vinh Thinh, worked so hard to build."

Vinh Bach stood before the council, bowing his head to accept responsibility with a solemnity he had not felt since his father's death. "I promise to continue to uphold the core values that my father built — protecting his people, keeping his promises, and never harming innocent people. That is the foundation for Thanh Phong Hoi to exist strong for many generations, and I will not let it be shaken."

After the official recognition ceremony, Duong Khai Phong pulled Vinh Bach to a private corner and placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Your father would be very proud to see you today," he said, his voice a rare choke. "I'm sorry for doubting you so much all this time."

"You don't need to apologize," Vinh Bach replied, smiling sincerely. "Your skepticism has helped me learn how to prove myself through actions, instead of just relying on the title of heir. I'm grateful for that."

In the following weeks, Vinh Bach began to take on a more comprehensive leadership role, balancing his responsibilities with the Thanh Phong Association and his still-unfinished school life at Le Quy Don School. He decided to finish high school like a normal student, not wanting to give up the last years of his youth that he had begun to learn to cherish since meeting Dieu Linh.

Co Duy Khang, after publicly renouncing all ties with the remnants of the Black Gold Society, was sponsored by Vinh Bach to start a new life, completely separate from the shadow of his fallen uncle. He continued his studies at Le Quy Don school, gradually rebuilding the sincere friendships that he had previously only been able to pretend.

"Thank you, for giving me a second chance," Duy Khang said to Vinh Bach one afternoon, when the two happened to meet each other in the school library. "I don't think I deserve that, after everything I've done."

"Everyone deserves a chance to prove they have changed," Vinh Bach replied. "You chose to do the right thing when it mattered most. That's the only thing I need to know."

Meanwhile, Thanh Phong Hoi under the official leadership of Vinh Bach began to enter a new period of stability. With Lam Chinh Dao's dedicated advice and the increasingly solid support from Duong Khai Phong and the entire council of elders, he gradually strengthened his business network, tightened his alliance relationships, and most importantly, rebuilt the trust that had been shaken in the underground after the war with the Black Gold Society.

Dieu Linh, although not officially a part of Thanh Phong Hoi, has become an indispensable companion in Vinh Bach's life, often present by his side in important moments, whether in the complicated underworld or in simple school life.

"Do you think, one day, everything will truly become peaceful?" Dieu Linh asked one afternoon, when the two sat on the familiar rooftop of the school, where things between them began to become deeper.

"I don't know if my world will ever be completely peaceful," Vinh Bach replied, honestly. "But I know, as long as I have you by my side, I have the strength to face whatever lies ahead."

Dieu Linh smiled, leaned her head on his shoulder, watching the sunset falling over the city from this familiar position - the place that had witnessed so many changes in both their lives, from simple class skipping sessions to conversations that shaped their future.

A few weeks after the official recognition ceremony, Vinh Bach decided to hold a small party at the family villa, inviting those closest to him — not to show off his newly consolidated power, but to mark a new beginning, where the boundary between the underworld and his everyday life was no longer as separate as before.

Dieu Linh, Khanh Linh, Trong Nghia, and Duy Khang were all present, along with Lam Chinh Dao and Duong Khai Phong. This is the first time that Vinh Bach's school friends officially entered the private space of the Duong family, no longer having to hide or be shy.

"You know, I never thought I would one day be invited to such a luxurious party," Trong Nghia said, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked around the delicately decorated banquet hall. "Being friends with the heir to the underground has its own advantages."

"Don't take advantage of our friendship to ask for special privileges," Vinh Bach replied, in a rare joking tone, making the whole group laugh.

Khanh Linh stood next to Dieu Linh, looking at the surrounding scenery with eyes still a bit surprised. "I still can't get used to the fact that my best friend is now in a relationship with such an important person," she whispered. "But I'm glad you found someone truly worthy, Dieu Linh."

"Thank you, for always being by my side, no matter how complicated things are," Dieu Linh replied, squeezing her best friend's hand.

Duong Khai Phong, watching from afar, smiled slightly when seeing this warm scene. He turned to Lam Chinh Dao, who was standing next to him. "Perhaps, this is what Duong Vinh Thinh always wanted for his son — not just power, but also sincere relationships, true friends willing to stand by, regardless of circumstances."

"Master has found that," Lam Chinh Dao replied, his eyes undisguisedly proud. "And I believe that is the strongest foundation for Thanh Phong Hoi to continue to develop under his leadership for many years to come."

In the middle of the party, Vinh Bach pulled Dieu Linh out to the private balcony, where he could see the entire villa's garden being lit up by hundreds of small lights.

"Thank you, for agreeing to come tonight," he said, standing next to her, admiring the scene below.

"I can't miss your important occasion," Dieu Linh replied, smiling. "You have come a long way, from a male student who hid his identity to a leader recognized by the entire council."

"I couldn't have done it without you," Vinh Bach said, turning to look at her, his eyes filled with sincerity. "You taught me that true power does not lie in controlling others, but in being trusted by those around you, a lesson that no elder who has taught me over the past three years could have conveyed as completely as you."

Dieu Linh took his hand, and they both looked out at the garden sparkling with lights, knowing that even though the road ahead still had many challenges of a complicated world awaiting, they had built a solid enough foundation to face whatever was to come together, not as a powerful boss and an ordinary girl, but as two people who chose to trust each other absolutely.