Chapter 30 — Sunlight on the Red Book

One year after the wedding, at the beginning of the longan season, Con Sen welcomed an unprecedented bumper crop. The longan gardens spread across the commune, from the Lam family's garden to Mr. Sau Tam's newly revived land, are laden with golden fruits under the sun, radiating a sweet fragrance throughout the space, as an affirmation of the prosperity and peace that has returned to this land after many events.

That morning, Ha Vy woke up earlier than usual, one hand gently placed on her belly, where a small life was gradually growing day by day - good news that she and Dang Khoa had just learned not long ago, still kept in their hearts like a special gift that they did not want to rush to share. She stepped out onto the porch, took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, and watched the first sunlight gradually spread across the longan garden in front.

Dang Khoa walked in from the garden, his hand holding a few longans he had just picked, sweat beaded on his forehead but his smile was still bright. "You're up so early," he said, handing her a juicy longan. "Try it, this year is much sweeter than any other year."

Ha Vy picked up the longan and took a small bite, the sweet taste spreading on her tongue made her smile with satisfaction. "It's delicious," she said. "Perhaps, the land also knows how to reward those who truly appreciate and care for it with all their heart."

The two walked together along the small path in the garden, across the boundary area that had been the center of dispute for more than twenty years, and was now clearly and accurately marked with solid markers, in accordance with the verified and edited cadastral records. There are no longer any traces of the conflicts and suspicions that kept the two neighboring families apart for many years, only a strip of green, rich land remains, where the boundary is no longer something worth fighting over, but simply a clear, fair demarcation line, respected and preserved by both sides.

"I still vividly remember the first day I set foot here, holding an old cadastral map, trying to compare each boundary line on paper with the real thing," Ha Vy said, her voice thoughtful and nostalgic. "At that time, I couldn't have imagined that a small deviation on that map could lead me to such a long journey — from finding the truth, to finding love, and even a new family."

Dang Khoa held his wife's hand, his eyes looking far into the horizon, where the morning sunlight was spreading across the rice fields, the green coconut groves, and the Con Sen river slowly floating in the peaceful morning. "I believe, every deviation, no matter how small, carries within it an opportunity to be corrected, for everything to return to its original position," he said. "Like the boundaries of this land, like my own journey, and now, like the whole little family we are building together."

They stopped at an empty space in the middle of the garden, where Mr. Sau Tam and his son were busy preparing for the new crop on the newly returned land. The young longan roots planted last year were now starting to grow tall and green. Mr. Sau Tam, when he saw the couple passing by, immediately waved goodbye, his face beaming with a familiar gentle smile. "Come here, let's see if our new longan garden is growing well," he called out, his voice full of pride.

All three stood together looking at the rows of young trees reaching out to welcome the sunlight, the most vivid symbol of the revival of a land that once contained so much injustice and pain. "I always believe, just be patient and honest, all good things will come," Ha Vy said, her eyes shining with joy when she saw the results of a long and arduous journey. "Looking at this garden, I believe even more in that."

"That's right, Ms. Vy," Mr. Sau Tam replied, his voice warm. "If it weren't for her that day, persistently comparing every number, every boundary line on old papers, perhaps this land would still lie dormant in injustice, never having the chance to be revived like it is today."

That afternoon, the entire Lam family and Mr. Sau Tam's family, along with many neighbors, gathered in the garden to hold a small party to celebrate the bumper harvest of longan - a new tradition that the whole neighborhood has initiated together since all disputes were resolved, as a way to unite the community and share gratitude for what the land has given them.

In the middle of the cozy party, Dang Phong stood up, raised his glass of fresh sugarcane juice, his eyes looking around at the familiar faces gathered together. "A year ago, perhaps none of us would have thought that everything could end so well," he said, his voice sincere. "From a seemingly inescapable dispute, we now have a united community, a prosperous land, and completely healed relationships. I would like to raise my glass to thank everyone, especially my sister-in-law, who brought light to all of us."

The sound of applause and congratulations echoed throughout the garden, mixed with the laughter of children playing among the rows of fruit-laden trees. Ha Vy, sitting leaning on Dang Khoa's shoulder, looked around at that warm, happy scene, and couldn't help but feel her heart filled with deep gratitude for what life had given her.

As the party gradually ended, the sunset began to fall, dyeing the entire sky of Con Sen orange. Ha Vy and Dang Khoa walked hand in hand to the riverbank, standing silently watching the last rays of sunlight reflecting sparklingly on the water surface, filtering through the leaves, shining down on the rice fields and fruit-laden orchards stretching to the horizon.

"Do you remember, the first day I came here, there was a streak of sunlight like this, shining right down on the red book you were holding in your hand," Dang Khoa said, his voice gentle, full of nostalgia. "At that time, I thought, maybe it was a sign, that the truth would come to light, no matter how long it took."

Ha Vy smiled slightly, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, her eyes following the last rays of sunlight spreading across the beloved land of Con Sen - the land that had witnessed her entire journey, from the first doubts about a wrong boundary line, to the fight to regain justice for the underprivileged, and finally, to a completely happy home that she had never dared to dream of. "That streak of sunlight is still here, honey," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "Not only on the old red book, but also throughout this land, on every tree, every person who has gone through many ups and downs together to get today."

The two stood silently together for a long time, in the midst of the brilliant sunset falling on the gentle Con Sen river, hand in hand, hearts filled with faith in a bright future that is wide open ahead - where justice has been fully implemented, where love has blossomed, and where a new life is silently growing, ready to be born on the very land that their parents spent their entire youth preserving and cultivating.

"I thought, what should I name my child, if I later know if it's a boy or a girl?" Dang Khoa asked, his voice was gentle, his hand gently placed on the hand that was protecting the little creature in his wife's belly. Ha Vy smiled slightly, her eyes looking far away towards the last streak of sunlight gradually disappearing behind the coconut trees. "I think, whether it's a boy or a girl, we should give them a name with the word Sunny or Duong, to remind them how our family found each other, amidst the warm rays of sunlight of this land of Con Sen," she replied, her voice full of affection. "So that in the future, every time you ask about the origin of my name, I will have the opportunity to tell you a long story, about justice, about love, and about a land that taught your parents what truth is and what steadfastness is."

Dang Khoa squeezed his wife's hand, bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then they both turned to return home, leaving behind the Con Sen river that was quietly floating in the twilight darkness, carrying with it the complete story of the streak of sunlight that illuminated the whole journey to find truth, justice and happiness. The streak of sunlight at the end of that day continued to stretch across Con Sen, like an endless promise of bountiful golden seasons, of honest, steadfast people who will always find the happiness they deserve, on the land they chose to call home - and from here, a new generation will continue to grow up, carrying with them that spirit of honesty and integrity, like a precious heritage passed down through each streak of golden sunlight on the land of Con Sen itself. love.