Chapter 23 — Stupid But Strong

The biggest annual music awards ceremony of the year is the event Bach Duy attended as a candidate for the Artist of the Year category, thanks to the resounding success of the song "The Person Standing Behind Me." This is also the first time, after careful discussion with Lam Nha Thu and Tang Ninh herself, he decided to officially publicize their relationship, no longer through written statements or anonymous interviews as before, but by appearing directly together in front of the whole country's live television cameras.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Bach Duy asked Tang Ninh in the backstage waiting room, while she was adjusting the emerald green evening gown she wore for the first time in many years.

"I'm ready," Tang Ninh replied, holding his hand tightly, her eyes no longer hesitant. "I've been avoiding people's eyes for too long. It's time for me to step into the light with you, in the most dignified way."

When Bach Duy's name was announced as the winner of the Artist of the Year category, he stepped onto the stage amid thunderous applause from the auditorium. But instead of simply thanking the production crew and fans as usual, he held the microphone, looking straight at the audience seats, where Tang Ninh was sitting and anxiously watching.

"I want to dedicate this award to someone special," he said, his voice echoing throughout the silent auditorium. "The person who took care of me when I lost both parents at the age of sixteen, who taught me the first lessons of courage and kindness, and who sacrificed six years of her own happiness just to protect me from a conspiracy that I was not yet mature enough to realize. Today, I want to publicly declare to everyone that she is the person I love, and I am proud of that."

He walked down from the stage, went straight to the row of seats where Tang Ninh was sitting, in front of millions of live TV viewers, knelt down on one knee in front of her, lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand - a gesture that was both romantic and respectful, replacing any affirmation of the relationship between the two.

The auditorium was silent for a few seconds before exploding into endless applause, mixed with emotional cheers. The camera panned to Tang Ninh's face, her eyes were filled with tears, but the smile on her lips was brighter than any moment in the past six years, no longer afraid or hiding anything in front of the camera.

That moment quickly became the most discussed and shared topic the next day, not with criticism as before, but with sincere admiration and blessings from the public. Many people commented that this was one of the most romantic and touching moments ever witnessed at a music awards ceremony, a living testament to the fact that sincere love always deserves recognition, no matter how complicated its starting point is.

Backstage right after the awards ceremony, a series of reporters surrounded Bach Duy, asking countless questions about the moment that just happened on stage. He answered each question with a calmness and confidence that was completely different from the anxiety he had shown before. "I know there will be people who are still skeptical about our relationship," he said, "but I have nothing to hide anymore. The truth has been clearly proven, and my feelings for her are the thing I'm most proud of in my life."

A reporter asked if he was worried that going public with his relationship would affect his idol image. Bach Duy just smiled and responded decisively. "A true idol, to me, is not someone who lives perfectly according to other people's expectations, but someone who dares to live true to themselves, and dares to stand up to protect what they cherish. If the audience loves me for that sincerity, I am extremely grateful. If there is anyone who cannot accept it, I respect their decision, but I will not change the path I have chosen."

That answer once again spread widely, further reinforcing the image of a mature, brave and sincere artist in the eyes of the public, different from the image of a flashy but aloof idol that many people previously assumed.

After that event, Bach Duy and Tang Ninh organized a small, cozy meeting at the main Vom La restaurant, inviting the most important people in their recent journey - Lam Nha Thu, Ha Thuy Duong, and the old lawyer who helped them find justice. It wasn't a grand party, just a simple evening with some home-cooked food and stories told in warm laughter.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to witness such a beautiful ending to this story," the old lawyer said, raising his cup of tea to congratulate them both. "Tu Quang Binh, if he could see today, he would definitely be very proud of his son."

Lam Nha Thu, sitting next to Ha Thuy Duong, could not hide her satisfied smile. "From a manager who almost went crazy because she had to handle a media crisis, now I'm the one invited to a party to celebrate the happiness of two people. Life is truly full of surprises."

Ha Thuy Duong brought a large bouquet of flowers from her own flower shop and placed it on the table with a proud look on her face. "This is the bouquet of flowers I have been preparing for a long time, just waiting for today to give to you," she said to Tang Ninh, her eyes filled with tears of emotion. "I've been watching you since the first days you opened the shop, I've seen you lonely for six years, so today, when I see you so happy, I'm more happy for you than anything."

Tang Ninh hugged her friend, tears rolling down her eyes but the smile never faded from her lips. "Thank you, for always being by my side during the most difficult years, never once leaving."

The old lawyer, despite his old age, still happily recounted a few old stories about the years he worked with Bach Duy's father, about Tu Quang Binh's generous personality and honest heart that he still clearly remembers to this day. "You have a lot of similarities with your father," he said to Bach Duy, his voice full of nostalgia. "The same steadfastness, the same sincerity. I believe he will be very happy to see that you have found your own happiness."

The whole table burst into laughter, the warm atmosphere spreading throughout the small room. Tang Ninh looked around at the loving faces that had accompanied her and Bach Duy through many ups and downs, feeling her heart filled with gratitude. She realized that, although she had lost a family in a painful way, she had found a new family, built from sincere love and absolute trust, more precious than anything she had ever had before.

That night, when everyone had left, Bach Duy and Tang Ninh stood in the shop, looking out the window where the moonlight illuminated the peaceful street. "Thank you," Tang Ninh said, resting her head on his shoulder. "For never giving up, even though I made you wait so long."

"Waiting for you is always the most valuable thing I've ever done in my life," Bach Duy replied, hugging her, a happy smile on his lips. The two stood there for a long time, enjoying the rare moment of peace in the midst of a tumultuous journey, knowing that from now on, they would move forward together, no longer having to hide or fear any eyes of the world.

Outside, across newspapers and social networks, the image of Bach Duy kneeling in front of Tang Ninh at the awards ceremony continues to be shared endlessly, becoming one of the most beloved moments of the year in the entertainment world. But for the two people standing quietly by the window of Vom La that night, all the noisy public attention became small compared to the simple peace they were enjoying together, no longer entangled by any fears or secrets from the past. They stood there, under the gentle moonlight shining through the vines in front of the shop, fully feeling the feeling of being themselves, loved and accepted, without having to prove or explain anything more to anyone. Tomorrow, there will probably be many other small challenges waiting ahead, but tonight, both just want to fully enjoy the fruits of a long journey that has ended just as they always wished.