Chapter 25 — Sunlight on the Red Book

Six months after the start of construction, the project to strengthen the dyke system at Con Sen was officially completed, exceeding the expected schedule thanks to the smooth coordination between the professional construction team and the enthusiastic contribution of local people. The inauguration ceremony was held solemnly, right at the beginning of the rainy season, as a firm affirmation of the safety that the project will bring to the community in the upcoming rainy and stormy seasons.

"This is the result of tireless efforts, a sense of responsibility and determination to pursue justice to the end," Mr. Tran Quoc Hung said during the ceremony, his voice filled with pride. "From a small discovery of a deviation in land boundaries, together we have built a project that is meaningful in protecting the long-term safety of an entire community."

Ha Vy, standing on the stage with the delegates, couldn't help but feel emotional when looking back at the entire journey. From the first day she set foot in Con Sen with many surprises and worries, today, when she has become an indispensable part of this land, everything seems to have gone through a long and meaningful journey.

When it was her turn to speak, she looked out at the sea of people gathered in the audience - the Lam family, Mr. Sau Tam and his son, Mr. Ba Dat who was sitting in a wheelchair brought by his family to attend, Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Loan and many other familiar faces who had accompanied her throughout her recent journey.

"When I first set foot in Con Sen, I just thought I was performing a normal business mission," she began her speech, her voice sincere, unable to hide her emotions. "But that journey led me to truths hidden for more than twenty years, to people willing to fight for what is right, and finally, to the place I can call the second home of my life."

Applause echoed throughout the arena when she finished her speech, mixed with emotional tears from many people who had accompanied her throughout the challenging journey. Mr. Ba Dat, even though his health was still weak, still tried to stand up and applaud, his eyes filled with pride for the young officer who gave him the opportunity to atone for his past mistakes.

After the ceremony, when the crowd gradually dispersed, Dang Khoa came to Ha Vy's side, took her hand and led her to a quiet corner of the newly completed dyke project, where one could see the entire panorama of the Con Sen river slowly floating under the gentle afternoon sunlight. "I have something important to tell you," he said, his voice unusually nervous.

Ha Vy looked at him, her eyes full of curiosity and nervousness. Dang Khoa knelt down on one knee and took out from his pocket his grandmother's wedding ring that his mother had given him earlier. "Do Ha Vy," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Since the day you set foot in my garden, my life has completely changed. I have witnessed you steadfastly pursue the truth, face many difficulties and dangers, always put justice and the interests of others first. Do you agree to be my wife, and build a home with me, right in the land of Con Sen that we both love?"

Ha Vy's tears flowed uncontrollably, but they were tears of the most complete happiness she had ever experienced. "I agree," she replied, her voice choked but firm. "I agree, Dang Khoa, with all my heart."

Dang Khoa stood up, gently put the ring on her finger, then hugged her in a warm embrace, amidst the scenery of the Con Sen river sparkling under the sunset, like a silent witness to the promise of a happy future waiting for both of them.

News of the marriage proposal that took place right at the newly completed dyke project quickly spread throughout Con Sen, becoming a beautiful story told to each other with special affection by the people - a symbol of the love that blossoms amidst hardships and challenges, and the strong bond between people and the land they have protected together.

Mrs. Gam, when she heard the news from her son, could not hide her burst of happiness. "I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," she said as she hugged Ha Vy as soon as she and Dang Khoa returned home to announce the good news. "You have brought happiness not only to my son, but also to this whole family, to the whole land of Con Sen."

Dang Phong, although somewhat shy at first, could not hide his joy when blessing his younger brother and future sister-in-law. "I never thought that one day I would witness such a beautiful love story, right in my own family," he said, his voice rarely sincere. "Congratulations you two, I hope you two will always be happy together."

Mr. Sau Tam, when he heard the news through his son's story, also personally came to congratulate him, bringing with him a basket of fresh fruit picked from his own garden. "Uncle Vy, this is a small gift for your happiness," he said, a gentle smile clearly visible on his face that had many wrinkles over time. "I believe that your marriage will be as strong as the bond of solidarity that our whole community has built together over the past time."

"Thank you very much," Ha Vy replied, her voice moved by the old man's sincerity. "If it weren't for the steadfast pursuit of justice together, perhaps you wouldn't be as happy as you are today."

Mr. Ba Dat, although he could not come to congratulate him in person due to his poor health, still sent a message through his children and grandchildren, expressing his sincere joy at the happiness of the young officer who gave him the opportunity to atone for his mistakes in the last years of his life. That news made Ha Vy emotional, feeling more deeply than ever about the true meaning of the journey she went through at Con Sen - a journey that not only brought justice to those who had suffered disadvantages, but also connected countless people together with strong, sincere emotional bonds.

That evening, Ha Vy made a video call to her mother in the city, unable to hide her excitement when sharing the good news. "Mom, I have important news to tell you," she said, her voice trembling with emotion, holding up her ringed hand in front of the phone screen.

Her mother, after the initial moment of shock, could not hide her tears of happiness. "Is your daughter about to get married?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion. "I'm so happy for you, Ha Vy. Dang Khoa is a good guy, I believe you will have complete happiness with him."

"I believe so too, mom," Ha Vy replied, a bright smile couldn't be hidden on her face. "I want to invite mom to Con Sen soon, so she can meet Mr. Khoa's family and discuss the upcoming wedding."

"I'll arrange to come down this week," her mother replied, her voice filled with excitement. "I can't wait any longer, I want to witness my daughter's happiness with my own eyes."

The conversation lasted until late at night, when both mother and daughter reviewed memories and discussed preliminary plans for the future. After hanging up the phone, Ha Vy sat silently for a moment, looking at the sparkling ring on her finger under the room light, feeling a complete and profound happiness that she had never experienced in her life.

She opened the window, letting the cool night breeze from the Con Sen river blow into the small room, bringing with it the familiar scent of the land and sky of the river region that had become an indispensable part of her life. Looking at the moonlight sparkling on the water, she was secretly grateful that fate had led her back to this place, to find not only the full meaning of her work, but also a sincere love, a new family waiting ahead, a happiness that she had never dared to dream of when she set foot on the first ferry to Con Sen more than a year ago.

She texted Dang Khoa a good night before falling asleep, filled with peace and gratitude. Tomorrow, a new chapter in her life will officially begin, with many plans and plans waiting ahead - from preparing for the wedding, to continuing to develop the ecological agriculture model that they have cherished together, and the mission to continue to bring justice to the lands and people who are still waiting for the truth to be revealed.