Chapter 59 — Shrimp Street Without Name

True to the information Ms. Hong provided, two days later, Dai Duong officially held a large press conference at the company headquarters, inviting most media agencies in the province and some reporters from the central government to attend. Hai Yen, although not directly invited, watched all the developments via livestream shared by some reporters on social networks.

Mr. Bao appeared in front of the camera looking more neat and confident than the last time the public saw him at the previous stormy questioning session. He read a carefully prepared speech, admitting there were "some errors in internal management" but firmly denied all accusations related to human trafficking or organized land manipulation, calling them "baseless accusations aimed at defaming businesses".

“We have been cooperating fully with the investigation,” he said, his voice steady, well-practiced. “We believe that, when all the facts are clarified, Dai Duong will be completely vindicated, and can continue to contribute to the local economic development.”

The press conference also announced information that startled Hai Yen: Dai Duong announced that it would sue a number of "individuals and organizations" for slander and obstruction of legitimate business activities. Although no one was named, everyone implicitly understood that it was referring to Hai Yen's group.

“This is a reckless move,” lawyer Hoang commented when the group gathered again immediately after the press conference ended. "They are trying to shape public opinion in their favor before the official investigation conclusions are announced. This could also be a sign that they are feeling great pressure, and are trying to counterattack in every possible way before it's too late."

Minh Khang, who was also present at the press conference as a reporter, called immediately afterward, his voice filled with both excitement and caution. "I noticed that, when asked directly about the allegations related to human trafficking, Mr. Bao had a very short silence before answering, and his answer was quite roundabout compared to his style of decisively answering all other questions. I think this is a sign that he is hiding something bigger than what he is willing to admit publicly."

“Did you record that part?” Hai Yen asked.

“Yes, I saved the entire video,” Minh Khang replied. “I think this will be an important detail for my next article, analyzing the contradiction between the public statement and the evidence we have collected.”

In the evening, as the group continued to discuss how to deal with the new lawsuit threat, Hai Yen received an unexpected call from an unfamiliar phone number. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone, remembering the lesson from the previous incident where her phone was installed with spyware.

"Hello?"

“Miss Yen, I am a reporter for a foreign news agency,” a woman's voice rang out, her Vietnamese pronunciation somewhat slurred. "I'm doing a report on human trafficking in the Southeast Asian seafood industry. I heard about your case through a colleague, and wanted to know if you would be willing to share your story with a wider international audience."

Hai Yen felt surprised by this proposal, a possibility she had never thought of: bringing her story to the international level, attracting attracting attention not only domestically but also from the international community, organizations that can put more pressure from many sides on those behind this entire criminal network.

“I need time to think, and consult with my lawyer before answering,” she said, carefully following the principles she had learned over the past several months. “Can you leave your contact information?”

The reporter agreed, leaving the news agency's email and official phone number, along with a promise to respect any decision made by Hai Yen. After hanging up, she immediately shared with lawyer Hoang about this call, and they both considered the benefits and risks of bringing the story to the international level.

“This can be a double-edged sword,” said lawyer Hoang. "On the one hand, international attention could create more pressure on authorities to act more decisively. On the other hand, it could also make those behind the network feel cornered to the point of being more reckless, willing to take more extreme actions to protect themselves."

Hai Yen nodded, understanding the complexity of this decision, a decision she knew she needed to consider carefully before giving the final answer to the international reporter.

That night, she discussed this story with Kien, and they both considered it from many different angles. “I think, if you decide to work with them, you should ask them to coordinate closely with lawyer Hoang, ensuring all published information is accurate and does not harm the investigation process,” Kien said, his voice carefully considered.

“I think so too,” Hai Yen replied. “But I'm also worried that if the story goes international, it might attract more unwanted attention, not only from the other side, but also from curious people, which could further complicate my private life and that of my family.”

“You have the right to refuse if you feel not ready,” Kien said, taking her hand. “No one can force you to do something you don't want to do, no matter how strategically beneficial it is.”

Hai Yen nodded, thanking him for his understanding. She spent a few more days thinking, consulting with lawyer Hoang, the lieutenant, and her mother, before making the final decision.

Ms. Sau, when asked for her opinion, only said a short but meaningful sentence. "I support whatever you do, as long as you feel it's the right thing. I just hope you don't forget to take care of yourself in the midst of all of this."

That simple reminder from her mother made Hai Yen realize that, in the midst of the non-stop investigation, she had more or less forgotten to take care of herself. She decided to spend the entire upcoming weekend resting, not thinking about anything related to the incident, a necessary rest before continuing on the challenging journey ahead.

That weekend, she, Kien and Mrs. Sau took a small trip to the beach, just to sit and watch the waves, eat fresh seafood, and temporarily forget all the pressures for a few rare hours. That was the first time in many weeks that Hai Yen felt complete relaxation, a precious silence in the midst of the storm that continued constantly in her life.

Sitting on the sand, watching the waves continuously crashing to the shore, Hai Yen suddenly remembered the afternoons of her childhood, when her father often took her to the sea after a tiring day of work, teaching her how to recognize the high tide, how to read weather signs through the color of the sky. He once told her that, although the sea is fierce, it always has its own rules, and those who understand that rule will never be drowned by it, no matter how big the waves are.

“What are you thinking?” Mrs. Sau asked, sitting down next to her daughter, her hand holding a bag of freshly baked shrimp chips.

“I'm missing dad,” Hai Yen replied, smiling gently even though her eyes were a little teary. “Remember the afternoons when dad took me to the beach and taught me all kinds of things.”

Mrs. Sau nodded, her eyes also distant with memories. "My father loves the sea very much. He said, the sea teaches people to be patient, to wait for the right time to act, not always rush to fight."

Kien, sitting not far away, smiled at the mother and child, not interfering in that private conversation, just quietly enjoying the rare moment of peace with the people who had become as close as his own family during the past journey.

Late in the afternoon, when the three of them were preparing to leave, Hai Yen stood for a moment, looking out at the vast ocean before the sunset completely disappeared, feeling a strange boost of strength from the place her father once loved the most. She understands that even though the road ahead is still long and full of thorns, she will continue to walk, with the patience and perseverance that the sea has taught both her and her father, through many successive generations, like waves still tirelessly pounding the shore, never stopping, never giving up, until she achieves what she is aiming for, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many fierce waves she faces on the way ahead.