Chapter 10 — Sunlight on the Red Book

Two days after the stressful working session with the Lam family, the independent survey team appointed by the District People's Committee was officially present at Con Sen to re-verify the land boundaries in accordance with the legal process. The measurement session was carried out in the full presence of both families, along with local government representatives, to ensure absolute objectivity and transparency.

Dang Phong appeared with a tense expression, although somewhat calmer than previous days. Mr. Sau Tam, enlisted by his son Nguyen Van Hen to return from the city to attend, stood quietly observing the entire measurement process with nervous eyes.

"Dad, everything will be okay," Mr. Hen said softly to his father, his hand holding his father's shoulder tightly as encouragement. "I have read the notice carefully, everything is done according to the legal process."

The measurement team worked meticulously and carefully all morning, using specialized GPS equipment to accurately determine each boundary landmark, constantly comparing data from the original map of the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine and Mr. Ba Dat's detailed testimony. Ha Vy, as the cadastral officer in direct charge, closely monitors every step, ensuring that no errors can occur.

"The measurement results this time show that the difference between the current boundary and the original boundary is exactly as determined through previous records and testimonies," the head of the measurement team announced when completing the work at noon. "The difference in land covers an area of about five hundred square meters, running along the entire western boundary."

That specific number made Dang Phong sigh heavily, even though he had mentally prepared himself in advance. "So it's official," he said, his voice low, no longer as harsh as the first few days. "My family will have to return this land to Mr. Sau Tam's family."

"That's right, sir," Ha Vy replied, her voice was gentle but still maintained the necessary professionalism. "We will complete procedures to adjust land use rights certificates for both families as soon as possible, ensuring legal rights are fully exercised."

Mr. Sau Tam, standing silently before the official numbers just announced, could not hide his emotions. "I didn't expect that at this age, I would witness the day when justice was served," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Thank you everyone, especially Ms. Vy, for not fearing difficulties to find the truth."

Dang Phong, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly walked up to Mr. Sau Tam, bowed his head with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, Grandpa, because my family has unintentionally used your land all these years," he said, his voice rarely sincere. "Even though it wasn't my fault, I still feel responsible for apologizing to you."

Mr. Sau Tam smiled slightly, placing his hand on Dang Phong's shoulder with a tolerant expression. "You don't need to apologize, this was caused by adults in the past, it's not your fault," he said. "I'm just happy that in the end, everything has been resolved clearly, so that our two families can continue to live in harmony as before."

Mr. Sau Tam's tolerant words made the tense atmosphere that had covered the past few days gradually disappear, giving way to a rare relief and warmth. Dang Khoa, standing and observing the entire development, could not hide his emotion at the neighbor's generosity.

In the afternoon, after the surveying team finished their work and left, Ha Vy and Dang Khoa stood alone next to the newly determined land boundary, where small concrete markers had just been planted, marking a new beginning for both families. "Finally, everything has a clear result," Dang Khoa said, his voice filled with relief.

"There's still a way to go to complete the legal procedures," Ha Vy replied, smiling slightly. "But I believe, the most difficult part, the part of determining the truth, we have passed."

Dang Khoa looked at her, his eyes filled with respect. "Thanks to you, the truth came to light," he said. "I really appreciate that, Ms. Vy."

Ha Vy blushed slightly at those sincere eyes, feeling a warmth spread in her heart as she stood in the middle of the coconut-shaded garden, under the afternoon sunlight that was gradually dyeing the whole space yellow, as a welcome for a new chapter about to open, not only for the land dispute, but perhaps, for something better that was silently blooming between the two of them.

That evening, Ha Vy drafted a summary report and sent it to Mr. Tran Quoc Hung, fully presenting the official measurement results and the plan to adjust the land use rights certificates for both families. She carefully listed each step of the legal process that needed to be followed — from drawing up a record to determine the new boundary, to making a public announcement within the prescribed time, to renewing the official certificate.

Mr. Hung, after reviewing the report meticulously and thoroughly, called to praise her dedication and professionalism. “You did a great job on this complicated case,” he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "This will be a typical lesson on handling outstanding cases related to historical errors in cadastral work, which can be applied to many other localities in the province, even localities outside the province."

"I thank you for your trust and guidance throughout the process," Ha Vy replied, her voice humble. "I think, this success is not only thanks to personal efforts, but also thanks to the cooperation and goodwill of all parties involved, especially Mr. Ba Dat's courage when deciding to tell the truth."

However, Mr. Hung did not forget to remind about the challenges that still lie ahead. "We need to continue to be vigilant about the moves from Song Xanh company," he said, his voice becoming more serious. "The adjusted land area may affect their investment plans, and I'm concerned they may seek to apply stronger pressure in the near future to protect their economic interests."

"I understand, sir," Ha Vy replied. "I will continue to be cautious in every step of the process, ensuring all procedures comply with the law, and not let any pressure that can shake the verification results just achieved, even though that pressure may come unexpectedly from many different sides."

After the call, Ha Vy sat silently for a moment, looking back at the entire arduous journey she had gone through since the first day she set foot in Con Sen. From a young officer who just arrived at her job and didn't know anyone, she gradually became the person who brought justice to both families, healing a wound that had been smoldering for more than twenty years.

She looked out the window, where the moonlight at the beginning of the month was shining gently on the Con Sen river, feeling a sense of pride mixed with deep respect for the land that had given her the opportunity to return, to truly live meaningfully with the career she had chosen to pursue. Although there are still many challenges ahead, she believes that, with integrity and determination, she will continue to overcome them all, to bring the best things to the land and the people here, the people who have been silently waiting for justice for a long time.

She remembered the image of Mr. Sau Tam standing silently before the official measurement, the image of Dang Phong bowing his head and sincerely apologizing, and Dang Khoa's respectful eyes for her as they both stood quietly at the new land boundary, amidst the gentle scent of coconut flowers wafting in the afternoon breeze. All of those moments, no matter how small, carry great meaning, proving that sometimes, the job of a cadastral officer is not simply about numbers and dry maps, but also a bridge to heal the silent wounds that have existed for many years between people's hearts.

Before falling asleep, she turned on her phone and reviewed Dang Khoa's last message wishing her good night. A gentle smile flashed across her lips, when she realized that the journey back to the land of her childhood, although starting with a challenging mission, was now opening up to her warm, unexpected things that she had never dared to expect when she first set foot on the first ferry to Con Sen, a land that she once thought was just a temporary stop for a business mission.