Chapter 26 — Summer Rescuer

Two weeks after the shocking press conference, the provincial investigation agency officially prosecuted a criminal case against Cung Nghia Phat for "violating regulations on construction safety causing serious consequences" related to the Diamond Bay project, and at the same time reopened the investigation of an eight-year-old case involving Phu Vinh Sea Sand Company with similar allegations plus concealment and falsification of investigation records.

The news was widely published in the media, accompanied by the image of Cung Nghia Phat being escorted to the headquarters of the provincial investigation agency, without the familiar confident smile, leaving only the humiliated bowed face of a person who thought he was above the law.

Kha Vinh Toan, despite proactively reporting and cooperating with the investigation agency, was still dismissed from his position as Head of the District Economic and Tourism Department and had to bear administrative responsibility, but thanks to his cooperative attitude, he avoided the most severe criminal sentence, instead receiving a suspended sentence with a request to compensate part of the damage to the victims' families.

The Diamond Bay project is officially suspended indefinitely, pending a comprehensive reassessment. The Provincial Department of Construction, in coordination with a team of experts including Bach Duong, began the survey process to come up with a solution - perhaps demolishing a part of the dangerous embankment structure, redesigning the entire wave protection system according to technical standards, ensuring that it no longer creates dangerous reflective currents like before.

Duong Viet Ha, after a series of high-profile investigative articles, was appointed by the editorial office to continue monitoring the case as a reporter in charge of the topic, regularly visiting Duong Xanh to update the processing progress. In a conversation with Thao Nhi, she shared that the series of articles has received attention from even central-level lawmakers, and some National Assembly delegates have spoken up to suggest reviewing the licensing process for coastal projects nationwide, to avoid repeating similar tragedies in other localities.

"My story doesn't stop at Duong Xanh anymore," Viet Ha said, her eyes filled with pride as she looked at Thao Nhi. "It has become a wake-up call for the entire country to put human safety above economic profits in all coastal development projects."

"This will be a long process," Bach Duong explained to Thao Nhi one evening when they sat on the steps of the lifeguard station, looking out at the sea that was gradually turning dark purple at sunset. "It may take up to a year to complete the review and redesign. But at least this time, every step will be closely monitored and transparent, leaving no room for any hidden compromises."

"I'm just glad that safety finally comes first," Thao Nhi replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "Even though it took eight years and countless near-drownings to get there."

In the following days, Duong Xanh town gradually regained its normal rhythm of life, although the atmosphere had changed markedly compared to the beginning of summer. People talk about the incident with a new wariness, no longer easily blindly trusting promises of economic development from outside investors. The district committee, under public pressure and tighter supervision from the provincial level, began implementing a more transparent appraisal process for future projects, requiring public disclosure of environmental and safety impact assessment reports for people to have the right to monitor and comment.

Bai Duong rescue station, after the story was widely spread, suddenly received special attention from the Provincial Department of Tourism. A working delegation visited and appreciated the sense of responsibility and courage of the entire team, promising to invest in upgrading equipment, adding human resources, and building the Bai Duong rescue station into a model for other localities to learn from.

"Thirty years in the profession, this is the first time I've seen my work recognized properly like that," Trong Nghi said at the team meeting, his voice rarely moved with emotion. "Not because we need recognition, but because it means the voices of those who face danger directly every day can finally be heard."

Mr. Kiet, having fully recovered from the incident during the storm, returned to work with a different spirit than before — no longer the usual skepticism and gruffness, but instead with a deeper appreciation for his work and his teammates.

"I used to think that being a rescuer was just a job to make a living," he shared with Thao Nhi during a late afternoon shift, when they were both resting on the guard tower. "But after everything that happened this summer, I realized this is a real mission. Thank you, Thao Nhi, for not giving up, even though I was the one who doubted you the most."

"You saved the lives of so many people this summer, Anh Kiet," Thao Nhi replied, smiling at her teammate who had gone through countless life and death moments with her. "You don't have to thank me for anything."

Nhat Quynh and Anh Thi, sitting nearby listening to the story, also contributed. "This summer will definitely be recounted for many years to come," Nhat Quynh said, his voice still filled with the admiration of a young person who has just witnessed the most valuable career and life lessons. "I think, in the future when there are new soldiers joining the team, Ms. Thao Nhi and Mr. Kiet will be the first people I tell them about what it means to be a rescuer with all your heart, not just with your skills."

Mr. Thi gently nudged Thao Nhi's shoulder, her eyes sparkled with joy. "I'm proud to be your best friend, Thao Nhi. From the first day we met at training, I knew you would do big things, I just didn't expect it to be this big."

The whole group laughed together, a rare laugh of relief after a series of stressful days throughout the summer. The sunset gradually fell behind them, dyeing the entire watchtower in a warm orange-yellow color, and in that rare moment of peace, Thao Nhi felt more clearly than ever that, although the journey to find justice for her father was full of hardships, she was not alone on that path, and the companionship and friendship she gained was a reward no less precious than the truth that had just been revealed.

Do Gia Lam, who was the quietest person in the team, also contributed a short but sincere sentence before the group dispersed to rest. "I'm just glad we're all in one piece sitting here together right now." That simple statement made the whole group silent for a moment, then they nodded in agreement, understanding more deeply than anyone else the price of what they had gone through together and overcome together in this memorable summer.

That evening, when Thao Nhi returned home, she saw her mother sitting on the porch, holding an old envelope, her eyes were red but her face had a peaceful expression she had never seen in the past eight years.

"What are you doing, Mom?" Thao Nhi asked, sitting down next to her.

"I just received the official notice from the investigation agency," Mrs. Hoa replied, her voice shaking with emotion. "They confirmed that they will officially amend the investigation conclusion about the death of his father, recognizing that he was the one who died while on a mission to save people, not due to subjective carelessness as in the old report. They also proposed to posthumously award a certificate of merit to his father for his courageous actions in saving people before his death."

Thao Nhi hugged her mother, both crying in each other's arms, the tears of eight years of waiting finally found a complete way out. "Daddy deserves it, Mom," she whispered. "Dad always deserves that."

A few days later, Ms. Hoa's restaurant also witnessed a significant change - no more unreasonable surprise inspections, but instead a larger stream of old regulars returned, along with many new customers who had read the story about her family in the newspaper and wanted to come in person to express their support. One evening, when the restaurant was more crowded than usual, Mrs. Hoa stood in the middle of the kitchen, looking out at the tables full of diners, unable to hide her rare bright smile.

"I never thought that the day would come when our restaurant would be so crowded again," she told Thao Nhi when she stopped by to help after her shift. "It was as if the whole town was coming together to make up for the years our family had suffered."

Thao Nhi smiled, looking around at the small restaurant that had been associated with her childhood, now filled with warm laughter and chatter instead of the heavy silence that had enveloped her for the past eight years. She realized that justice does not only come in the form of judgments or administrative decisions, but is also present in simple things like this - a crowded restaurant again, a genuine smile from a mother who has suffered too much, a town gradually learning to trust each other more after the valuable lessons of that summer.