Chapter 14 — Summer On The Terrace

Ms. Nhan invited the group to the company's office, without cameras. She said the company has received feedback about the data and is ready to change the way it collaborates. In return, they want to keep the garden as part of their summer campaign, sponsor waterproofing and pay the group's management fees.

“The management fee comes with naming rights,” she said. “The terrace will be named New Sun for three years.”

Ha asked: "Will this name be removed if the company withdraws?"

“According to the contract.”

My asked for permission to use the podcast. “If we don't let them, will the company still film their own content?”

“The company has the right to produce content about the project.”

“Who created the project?”

Mrs. Nhan looked at the group. “Because the school and company cooperate.”

Vy placed the self-governance proposal on the table. "There is no company name in the ownership of the design and data. The company can sponsor non-exclusively, clearly stating the contribution."

Mrs. Nhan read. “They want money but don't want to be identified.”

“We want transparency.”

Quan pointed to the advertising frame. “And want a wind load assessment before discussing names.”

Mrs. Nhan sighed. "I need the project on time. If there is no sign, the school contract fines the company."

“So why keep the garden?” Vy asked.

"Because it would be cheaper and faster to remove the garden and install the frame in thirty days. But after looking at the data, I knew the roof was risky."

This was the first time she spoke unlike a sales representative. Vy asked if she could provide the internal appraisal. Ms. Nhan said she did not have permission.

“Are you limited too?” My asked.

“I'm in charge of customers, I don't sign technical contracts.”

Ms. Nhan proposed three options: the company withdraws from the rooftop; Non-exclusive sponsoring company according to regulations; Or the company installs the sign in another location, but the school must bear the cost of removing the tank. The group needs to decide within two days.

Long asked: "If the company withdraws, will the school keep the garden?"

"I do not know."

On the way home, the group argued. Ha wants to receive non-exclusive sponsorship to preserve vegetables. Quan worries about dependence. My wants strict data regulations. Vy does not want the group to turn into a small business.

“We don't have enough money to operate for the rest of our lives,” Ha said.

“But you can't pay with someone else's rights,” My replied.

Long was silent, then said: "There is a climate fund at the school. If they ask, they can support waterproofing."

Vy looked at him. “You know why you didn't say anything?”

"The application needs a student union representative. I'm afraid of being rejected because of the data issue."

“Still have to pay.”

Long called Ms. Huong, asking for instructions. She said the fund does not pay based on beautiful photos, but needs an operating plan and a commitment to maintenance.

The Army sets a three-year budget. Ha established actual output. My content rights policy. Vy prepares stage drawings. No one wants to be the sole decision-maker.

At night, Ms. Nhan sent a new email: the company agreed not to name names if the group agreed to let them use aggregated data in internal reports, no advertising, no resale. My read carefully, request additional rights to inspect and delete after the deadline.

“She's giving in,” Long said.

“Because we have the conditions,” Quan replied. “It's not because she's good.”

Vy looked at him. “You can't let everyone get a little better and still have doubts.”

“I doubt the contract, not the person.”

That sentence made Vy silent. She realized that Quan was not cold; he just put his trust in the right person.

The next morning, the team presented three options to the users. People abandoned the brand recognition option and chose non-exclusive sponsorship combine school funds. Ms. Nhan accepted, but requested a clear handover schedule.

“We cannot commit to vegetables all year round,” Ha said.

"No need. Need to commit to updating."

Quan said: "We cannot guarantee that the roof will never fail."

“There needs to be a commitment to inspection.”

Vy wrote two sentences in the minutes. They don't promise the impossible.

At the end of the meeting, the board of directors sent a notice: the trial dismantling date remained the same, even though the plan had not been signed. They said to only remove one tray and check the roof layer.

Uncle Sau looked at the email and said: "Removing a tray also requires a process."

Quan took the book. “Tomorrow we stand at the door.”

Vy asked: “What if they have paper?”

"Read the paper. If it's right, let them do it. If it's wrong, note it."

That night, they set up a safety sign next to the stairs. Not a fence, just a list: person in charge, tools, restricted areas, time and minutes.

The next morning, a company truck stopped under area C before the announced time.

Ms. Nhan sent three plans in writing after the meeting. The first option is to keep the sign in the old position, it is expensive and needs reinforcement. Option two moves the sign to the front, without affecting the garden. Option three cancels the contract and the school pays a fine.

Preliminary military calculations say that option one cannot be approved within the time limit. Vy asked who bears the cost of reinforcement after three years. The contract does not specify.

I read the content rights section and saw that the company has the right to use "community images" without limit. Hanh requested that that phrase be removed.

Ha said the kitchen did not want people to be photographed when receiving vegetables. Ms. Nhan agreed to add a clause not to record the kitchen without permission.

Long asked the company to fund part of the maintenance fund but did not have naming rights. Ms. Nhan said she needed to ask the board of directors.

“Can you say ‘no’ to them?” Long asked.

"I can suggest. It's not a decision."

Vy understands that Mrs. Nhan is also in the system with a higher signer. But she is still the one who brought the contract, so the responsibility does not disappear.

They chose option two, but with conditions to verify the new location and garden regulations. The company agrees in principle, waiting for the school to sign.

Uncle Sau read the facade diagram and pointed out that maintenance vehicles would be blocked if the sign was placed too low. Troops repair road requirements.

Vy asked if the company could consider it slow. Uncle Sau said: "The ambulance lane is not a place for negotiation."

The group brought their request to Ms. Nhan. She called an engineer to fix the copy.

Meanwhile, the school foundation asked the group to commit not to use personal sponsorship to buy materials. Long created his own account, with two signatures. Ha made the shopping list, Vy checked the materials.

My suggested a table "who has the right to edit what". Everyone signs.

Quan signed the structure, but did not sign the data. Vy signs the design, not the user rights. Long signed the budget and had someone supervise.

Ms. Nhan said if there is no logo, the company needs a way to record contributions. The group agreed to a line in the year-end report, not on the rooftop.

“It's difficult but clear,” she said.

“I'm also studying,” My replied.

At night, Vy and Quan completed the council documents. She wanted to order a panoramic photo, but Quan said the photo wouldn't help check. She used a diagram with an escape route written on it.

“You left out all the beautiful parts,” Vy said.

“No. You put the beautiful part after the bearing part.”

Vy looked at the copy and found it really beautiful in a different way.

The test dismantling schedule is still on the door. Ms. Nhan said she would send a stop text within the day, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Long called the board of directors and got an answer They are waiting for the company's signature.

Quan said: "If there is no document yet, still prepare."

Vy dragged the condition board to the stairs. They put someone on duty, write down hours and phone numbers.

Before leaving, an email from Ms. Nhan came: "The trial dismantling schedule cannot be canceled yet. The company team is still coming to measure."

Hanh immediately sent a notice to the board of directors, requesting that all measurements have a schedule and witnesses. She did not write "stop the company", just wrote "ensure no one moves the tray or drills the foundation without a written record". Vy printed the notice in four copies and posted it on the stairs, student union office, security room and administration room door.

The next morning, a team of four people arrived earlier than scheduled. They wear shirts with logos, carry toolboxes and a work order. The security guard called Hanh, Hanh called Quan. Quan asked the person in charge if there was an engineer to sign. The boss said the engineer would come later. Hanh asked them to wait in the buffer area and not step over the safety line.

Fifteen minutes of waiting turned into a tense debate. One employee said the student group was hindering work. Ha replied they were just keeping the work in check. Vy took out her phone to record the names of the people present, not turning away. When the school's independent engineer arrived, he reviewed the order, checked the lines and confirmed that the group had the right to request a stop.

Company crews are allowed to measure using a non-touch machine, but are not allowed to disassemble or drill. Quan stood next to him, rereading each position. An employee asked why the time had to be recorded. Quan said heat and wind change, without time the measurements have no context. The other person sighed, but wrote.

While waiting, My saw a freshman shaking because he thought there would be a conflict. She took her down and explained that this was a test, not a confrontation. You ask, if the company wins, will the garden be lost? My replied that no one knew, and one should not speak as if the outcome had been decided. The answer didn't completely reassure her, but it helped her understand that she could ask.

At the end of the session, the minutes recorded two points that needed further checking, with no conclusion on dismantling. Mrs. Nhan privately messaged Vy that she was not informed that the team would arrive soon. Vy didn't know how much to believe, but wrote down the message and passed it on to Hanh. The incident shows that a good process is not only used when people are well-intentioned; it is most needed when information does not go together.