Chapter 87 — Shrimp Street Without Name

Three weeks after the extradition order was approved, official news that Tran Quoc Vinh would be escorted back to his country spread quickly throughout the media. This is no longer a story limited only to the province or region, but has become an event that attracts the attention of the whole country, when the journey to extradite one of the biggest economic crime lords over the years finally comes to an end.

Hai Yen followed the news via phone in indescribable suspense, as the news continuously updated about the flight taking Vinh back to Vietnam. She was not allowed to be present at the airport where he was escorted, at the request of the security agency to ensure absolute safety for the handover process, but she and the whole group gathered at Ms. Sau's house to watch the developments together via live television.

When the image of Tran Quoc Vinh, handcuffed, being escorted down from the plane between two strict police lines, appeared on the screen, the whole room was plunged into a heavy silence. Hai Yen stared at the face of the man who had indirectly destroyed her father's life, and the lives of countless other families, for more than a decade - a face she had never seen in person other than in old photos in the business press.

Vinh, different from the powerful, confident image that appeared on the covers of economic magazines, now looks tired and wary, his eyes constantly wandering around as if trying to assess the situation, looking for some opportunity, however slight, to turn the situation around. But the tight control of the security forces did not leave any loopholes for a protest or escape.

“The day has finally come,” Mrs. Sau whispered, her hand shaking slightly as she held her daughter's hand tightly, her eyes never leaving the television screen.

Hai Yen didn't say anything, just squeezed her mother's hand tightly, feeling a stream of complex emotions rising in her heart - not gloating or delight at the sight of the enemy being conquered, but a deep relief, mixed with a sadness that was hard to name when thinking of all the prices that so many people had to pay to have this moment.

The news continued to show images of Vinh being escorted to a specialized vehicle, moving straight to the detention center to wait for his court date. Reporters at the scene announced that he will be detained for additional investigation before his separate trial is officially scheduled, expected to take place within the next few weeks.

Hai Yen's phone vibrated continuously with congratulatory messages from everywhere — from acquaintances, from readers who had followed her journey through Minh Khang's articles, and even from complete strangers who happened to know the story through the news. She skimmed through each message, her heart filled with a gratitude that was hard to describe in words.

That evening, after the group gradually dispersed, Hai Yen sat alone in her room, opened her father's notebook, and read the words he wrote ten years ago again, as a ritual that has become an indispensable part of her journey. This time, as she reread the familiar words, she felt something different — no longer the pain and anger that had motivated her all these months. first day, but a new peace, a feeling that the long journey she had been pursuing was finally approaching its destination.

She took out a blank sheet of paper, and for the first time in many months, wrote a letter to her father, knowing full well he would never read it. "Dad," she wrote, "the person behind everything that happened to my family, has finally been brought back here, to face justice. I know, this cannot completely erase what you had to endure, the years you lived in humiliation and injustice. But I hope, somewhere, you also feel that the truth has finally been told, and justice, even if belatedly, has finally found its way."

She folded the letter, placing it next to her father's notebook on the table, a symbolic gesture that marked another important chapter in her own healing journey. Outside the window, the moonlight shines down on the quiet Ba Canal, like a silent witness to all that has happened, and all that is still waiting ahead.

The next morning, lawyer Hoang called to announce that the representative of the Procuracy had officially begun the interrogation process of Tran Quoc Vinh, and asked Hai Yen to mentally prepare to be invited to participate as the main victim in the case, when his separate trial officially began.

“This will be the most difficult trial of all,” lawyer Hoang warned, her voice serious. "Mr. Vinh has resources and legal experience far beyond previous defendants. His team of lawyers will certainly use every possible tactic to reduce or delay the sentence. You need to prepare yourself for a much tougher legal battle than what we have gone through."

Hai Yen nodded, although in her heart she couldn't help but feel a sense of fatigue at the prospect of having to continue fighting. But she also knows that, after everything she has been through, she has no other choice but to continue to the end, to ensure that the leader of this entire criminal network is also fully responsible for what he has caused.

“I'm ready,” she said, her voice steady. “I've come this far, I won't stop when the final destination is right in front of me.”

After the call with lawyer Hoang, Hai Yen spent the entire morning reviewing the entire case file again, even though she had almost memorized every detail after months of non-stop work. She wanted to make sure that, when it was her turn to face Vinh directly in court, she would not leave any loopholes that could be exploited by his team of lawyers.

Kien stopped by at noon, bringing a simple lunch, and saw Hai Yen still poring over a pile of documents covering the entire desk. “You should rest for a bit,” he said, his voice both concerned and somewhat stern. "I've been preparing for months. A few hours of rest today won't ruin that preparation."

Hai Yen smiled, realizing the sincere concern in his reminder. She folded the documents, sat down to have a meal with Kien, to give her mind the necessary rest between stressful days.

“How do you think he will defend himself?” she asked while eating, unable to completely put thoughts about the upcoming trial out of his mind.

Kien pondered for a moment before answering. "With his resources, I predict they will focus on denying a direct connection, trying to prove that he is only a formal leader, not directly giving orders or knowing about the specific actions of his subordinates. That is the classic tactic of leaders of large-scale criminal organizations - always keeping a distance far enough to deny direct responsibility."

“But we have financial proof,” Hai Yen said, her voice assertive. “Transactions and indirect instructions through Hoai all lead directly back to him.”

“That's right,” Kien nodded. "And that's why we've spent the past several months building a solid evidence file down to every detail. I'm confident in the hard work we've put in, Ms. Yen. We won't let him get away with his responsibility easily."

Lunch ended in an atmosphere that was both serious and warm, a balance that Hai Yen has learned to appreciate throughout this tumultuous journey — knowing when to focus on fighting, and knowing when to allow herself moments of peace with the people who matter most.

In the afternoon, before Kien left to continue his shift, he stopped at the door and turned to look at her with meaningful eyes. "No matter how difficult this upcoming trial gets," he said, "I want you to remember, you don't have to fight alone. We are all here, with you, until the last day."

Hai Yen nodded, a warm smile appeared on her lips. “I know,” she replied. “And that's what gives me the strength to continue, no matter how long the road ahead is.”