Chapter 99 — Shrimp Street Without Name

Six months after the groundbreaking date, the Kenh Ba community testing laboratory was officially completed and ready for the inauguration ceremony, an event that Hai Yen and all his companions have been looking forward to for a long time. The small but spacious building, fully equipped with modern testing equipment, stands tall right next to the pond area that is in the process of revitalization, a vivid symbol of the transformation of the entire community.

The inauguration ceremony was held on a beautiful morning, attracting the large participation of local people, representatives of authorities, and many familiar faces who have accompanied Hai Yen throughout the long journey — from Ms. Sau, Kien, lawyer Hoang, to Mr. Tam, Ms. Tuyet, Mr. Son, Ms. Ut Phuong, Ms. Hong, Mr. Bay Correct, Hung and his family, Minh Khang, and even Elena, who specially flew back from abroad to witness the important moment. this important.

When the inauguration ribbon was cut, a round of applause echoed throughout the area, marking the official birth of a project that carries not only technical significance, but also a profound symbol of recovery and hope for a community that has gone through so much suffering.

In her opening speech, Hai Yen stood in front of the crowd, her eyes scanning every familiar face that had accompanied her through this arduous yet meaningful journey. "One year ago," she began, her voice ringing with emotion, "I returned here with a heavy secret, carrying the pain of a family torn apart by injustice. Little did I know that my journey to find the truth for my father would lead me here, standing in front of all my aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, on the inauguration day of a project that I believed would benefit not only my family, but an entire generation of future shrimp farmers."

She opened her father's familiar notebook, which had accompanied her throughout the journey, and read an excerpt she had carefully chosen for this moment - the words Mr. Tien wrote about his ambition to build a fair and transparent farming model, where every household can benefit deservedly from their labor.

“This is what my father dreamed of, wrote down long before the tragedy happened,” she said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. “Today, we stand here, not only to inaugurate a testing laboratory, but to make that dream come true, to ensure that what happened to my family, to so many other families, can never happen again.”

Her speech, sincere and powerful, made many people in the crowd unable to hold back their tears. When she finished reading, an emotional silence filled the area, before a round of applause rang out, long and passionate, in full recognition of all she had contributed.

After Hai Yen's speech, a representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spoke, officially recognizing Kenh Ba testing laboratory as the first authorized independent testing unit operated by the community in the province, and announced a research plan to replicate this model in other aquaculture areas in the near future.

Mr. Tam, invited to speak as an honorary advisor, slowly advanced in front with the support of his son, his voice was trembling but full of emotion as he spoke. "I have lived in this land for nearly seventy years," he said, "witnessing many ups and downs of shrimp farming. But I have never felt as proud as today, when I see a young generation, led by Ms. Yen, dare to stand up and rebuild what has been lost, and make it even better than what we used to have."

Tuyet, as the first technical director of the testing laboratory, led the group on a tour around the facilities, introducing in detail the modern equipment and the transparent testing process that had been established. Many shrimp farming households, witnessing a modern laboratory right in their locality for the first time, could not hide their surprise and pride.

“From now on, we no longer have to send samples far away and wait weeks to get results,” a shrimp farming household told reporters interviewing onsite. “And more importantly, we know, this result is transparent, cannot be manipulated by anyone.”

The inauguration ceremony lasted until noon, with a small party held on site, bringing together all those who contributed to the long journey of bringing the project from idea to reality. Amid the bustling laughter and stories being told, Hai Yen took the time to go to each small group, thanking each person who accompanied her, from the brave witnesses, to the technical experts, to the households who trusted and contributed capital and effort to the project.

As the ceremony gradually closed at the end of the day, Hai Yen stood alone at the gate of the testing room, looking up at the sign with the name "Ken Ba Community Testing Room" solemnly engraved above the entrance, below was a smaller text that she herself suggested adding: "Built on the foundation of truth and trust." She felt a deep satisfaction, knowing that this was the most meaningful gift she could give to her father's memory, and to the future of the entire community.

Elena, before leaving to catch her flight back abroad, met Hai Yen one last time to say goodbye. “I have followed many stories in my career,” she said, her eyes filled with appreciation, “but hers will always be one of the ones I remember the longest — not just because of its legal complexity, but because of the way she chose to end it, not with revenge, but with construction.”

“Thank you for everything you've done,” Hai Yen replied, embracing Elena in a heartfelt hug. “I hope, one day, you will come back here, and see that Channel Three has developed even further than what you see today.”

“I'll definitely come back,” Elena promised, smiling before leaving.

Minh Khang, who was also preparing to write his last article about the long journey that had passed, came to Hai Yen in the last moments of the ceremony. “I think this will be the article that closes the series on this case,” he said. "But I hope, it will not be the last article I write about Channel Three. I want to continue to follow, and tell the story of this place's development in the years to come."

“I really hope that,” Hai Yen replied, smiling at her sincere attachment The reporter has been with her since the first days. “Our story, I believe, still has many new chapters waiting to be written.”

When the sun began to set below the horizon, dyeing both the sky and the pond water in a brilliant orange-yellow color, most of the guests gradually left, leaving only a small group of closest people - Mrs. Sau, Kien, lawyer Hoang, Tuyet - sitting together, enjoying cups of hot tea and reviewing memories of the long journey that had passed, mentally preparing for the next chapters of the ongoing story.

“Sister Yen,” Tuyet spoke up in the middle of the conversation, her voice somewhat thoughtful, “have you ever thought, if that day you had not decided to return to Nam Can, what would have happened?”

Hai Yen pondered for a moment before that sudden question. “I've thought about that,” she admitted. "But I believe, the truth always finds a way to reveal itself, sooner or later, whether through me or through some other way. I'm just lucky to be the one who has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to help it reveal itself sooner, and in a more complete way."

Lawyer Hoang nodded in agreement, raised his teacup and took a small sip. “That's what makes the difference between a story of mere tragedy, and a story of true recovery,” she said. “It's not just about the truth being revealed, it's about how people choose to react to it, and what they build from the rubble of the past.”

Mrs. Sau, sitting quietly listening to the conversation, suddenly spoke up, her voice full of thought. “I think your father would be very proud,” she said, looking at Hai Yen. “Not only because you restored his honor, but because you turned all of your family's pain into something meaningful for so many others.”

Hai Yen smiled, feeling a complete warmth spreading in her heart at the sincere sharing of her loved ones. She looked out at the pond that was sinking in the sunset, where the newly built testing room was still lit, like a small but sturdy lighthouse, lighting up hope for a whole land that had gone through so many ups and downs.