Chapter 4 — Sunlight on the Red Book

Three days after Mr. Ba Dat's mysterious call, Ha Vy still has not received any further contact from the old man, making her impatient. While waiting, she decided to focus on learning more about Mr. Sau Tam's family situation, as well as the land use history of both families, through talking with other elders in the neighborhood.

At a small shop near the commune market, where old men often gather to drink tea and play chess every morning, Ha Vy had the opportunity to chat with a few people who had lived in Con Sen for a long time. "Back then, the land here was not as clearly defined as it is now," a gray-haired old man recounted, his voice nostalgic. "Every house shares a comfortable boundary, and it's normal for fruit trees to grow together. It's only when there's an official measurement and issuance of red books that everything begins to be clearly outlined."

"So do you remember, back then, was there any dispute between Mr. Sau Tam's house and Mr. Duc's house during the survey?" Ha Vy asked, trying to tactfully elicit more information.

The old man pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know much about that, I only vaguely remember, at that time Mr. Duc was somewhat better off in the neighborhood, sociable and knew many people in the commune and district. As for Mr. Sau Tam, he was gentle, quiet, only knew how to do business and take care of his family."

That information, although it does not directly confirm anything, strengthens another piece of the puzzle that Ha Vy is trying to assemble - the difference in social status and relationship between the two families may have played a significant role in who benefits and who suffers when the land boundaries are officially established.

In the afternoon, while on the way back to the office, Ha Vy happened to meet Dang Khoa carrying a bag of fertilizer on an old motorbike, preparing to stop by the garden. Seeing her, he stopped the car and smiled friendly. "Where did you go? Did you learn anything else?"

"I just talked to some older people in the neighborhood," Ha Vy replied. "But nothing is really clear yet. I'm waiting for Mr. Ba Dat to contact me again, he said he needs time to think."

Dang Khoa nodded, his eyes somewhat thoughtful. "I also asked my mother a few things, even though I didn't want to worry her," he said. "My mother seemed to shy away when I mentioned the old affair, just saying that it was my father's business and she didn't know much about it."

That statement caught Ha Vy's immediate attention. "Your mother seems to know something, but doesn't want to say it?"

"I think so too," Dang Khoa admitted, his voice somewhat heavy. "My mother is usually someone who rarely hides anything in the house, but this time, I saw her clearly avoiding every time I mentioned land issues in the past."

The two of them stood on the side of the road, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the green foliage, creating shimmering streaks of light dancing on the dirt road. "I think, maybe we should try talking to your mother directly," Ha Vy suggested, her voice cautious. "But you have to be very tactful, avoid making her feel questioned or pressured."

Dang Khoa thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Okay, let me arrange a suitable occasion. Maybe when my mother is happy and comfortable, it will be easier to open her mouth."

That evening, Ha Vy received a text message from Dang Khoa, inviting her to have dinner with her family on the weekend, with the official reason being to further discuss the handling of land documents, but both implicitly understood that this was also an opportunity to approach Mrs. Gam naturally, without force.

On the appointed day, Ha Vy was present at the main house of the Lam family, a traditional three-room wooden house, with bold Western river architecture, with a large yard filled with ornamental flowers. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Gam, Phong and Khoa's mother, welcomed her with a warm attitude, although her eyes were slightly cautious when she learned that she was the cadastral officer handling her family's dispute.

"You sit and play naturally," Mrs. Gam said, her warm voice typical of a sincere Western woman. "I heard Khoa say that you are the one handling my family's land case. I also hope everything will be resolved satisfactorily, don't let his brothers lose their feelings because of the land."

"Yes, I hope so too, sir," Ha Vy replied, her voice sincere. "I just want to research carefully and fairly before making any decisions, to ensure fairness for everyone."

The meal took place in a cozy atmosphere, with rustic dishes rich in countryside flavors that Mrs. Gam prepared herself. Although Dang Phong was present, he remained silent most of the time, occasionally glancing at Ha Vy with somewhat cautious eyes.

After the meal, Dang Khoa cleverly found an excuse to take his brother out to check the garden, leaving Ha Vy the opportunity to talk privately with Mrs. Gam on the porch, where the first moonlight of the month shined gently through the old mango leaves.

"Uncle," Ha Vy started, her voice gentle and cautious. "I found some unclear things in my family's old land records. I wonder if you remember, back in the nineties, when the land was first measured, did anything special happen?"

Mrs. Gam stopped for a moment, her hands that were pouring tea suddenly trembled a little. "That..." she began, then fell silent again, her eyes looking far out into the dark yard, where the chirping sound of insects echoed in the quiet countryside night.

"You don't have to say anything if you feel awkward, sir," Ha Vy said softly, noticing the confusion evident on the older woman's face. "I just hope to find out the truth, to get the fairest solution for everyone, including your family."

Mrs. Gam sighed, put the teapot down on the small bamboo table, her voice lowered as if she was letting go of a burden that had been on her shoulders for many years. "I'm not familiar with paperwork or measurements," she said. "But I remember, back then, there was a time when my grandfather often visited Mr. Ba Dat's house, bringing gifts, chickens and ducks, and once even gave me money. When I asked, he just said thank you for Mr. Dat's help with the land papers, without elaborating further."

Ha Vy's heart beat faster at that important information. "Do you remember when that happened?"

"Probably around ninety-eight, ninety-nine or something," Mrs. Gam replied, trying to recall her memory that had faded over the years. "At that time, the commune was conducting measurements to issue official land documents to people. I only vaguely remember that, but I don't know specifically what happened."

"Have you ever asked your husband directly about this?" Ha Vy continued asking, her voice was cautious but no less persistent.

Mrs. Gam shook her head, her eyes slightly apologetic. "I didn't dare to ask too many questions. Back then, the men in the family took care of business and paperwork, while the women only knew how to take care of the kitchen and children. Besides, I also thought, maybe the family was just thanking people for their help with normal work, not thinking about anything big."

Ha Vy nodded, trying not to reveal the excitement and anxiety rising in her heart. The information from Ms. Gam, although it cannot be considered official evidence, has greatly reinforced the suspicions she is pursuing - the ambiguous "thank you" relationship between Mr. Lam Van Duc and Mr. Ba Dat, right at the sensitive time of the first cadastral survey.

"Thank you for sharing," Ha Vy said, her voice sincere. "I promise to handle everything in the most fair way, not to affect my family's honor if not really necessary."

Mrs. Gam held Ha Vy's hand, her eyes full of trust and hope. "I trust you," she said. "I just hope, whatever the truth is, don't let the two brothers hate each other because of something the adults did a long time ago."

When Dang Khoa and his brother returned to the house after checking the garden, Mrs. Gam had regained her usual composure, not revealing any signs of the conversation just now. But her eyes, when she accidentally met Ha Vy's eyes, still contained a hint of anxiety that was hard to hide.

On the way back, Ha Vy recounted the entire conversation to Dang Khoa, although some sensitive details were omitted to avoid causing more psychological pressure on him. "So... my dad might actually have done something wrong," Dang Khoa said, his voice heavy, his eyes looking distant into the quiet night.

"I know, this is not easy to accept," Ha Vy said, her voice filled with sympathy. "But I think facing the truth, even though it's painful, is still much better than continuing to live in ambiguity and prolonged lies."

Dang Khoa was silent for a long time, then nodded slightly. "You're right," he replied. "And I believe, my father, although he may have been wrong, is not a completely bad person. Perhaps, he just made a wrong decision in a certain situation that we don't fully understand yet."