Chapter 8 — Swept into the Wave of Love

Two days after Kien Ba Xuyen's leash broke, another incident occurred, this time more serious. During a morning free practice session, a young athlete in the water was nearly seriously injured when the water barrier attached to the bottom of her board suddenly detached while performing a high-speed spin, causing her to lose complete control and be submerged by the waves for several seconds before being rescued ashore. The organizing committee was forced to announce a one-day suspension of competition to review all athletes' equipment.

The atmosphere at the athletes' resort became unusually heavy. Rumors began to spread, everyone looked at each other with suspicious eyes, not knowing who was the next target, and worse, not knowing who was behind all these incidents. The young athlete who had an accident this morning, after being examined, luckily only choked on water and had minor scratches, but her spirit was so panicked that she had to have a relative stay by her side all day, and rumors that she might withdraw from the tournament immediately spread throughout the resort.

Cao Boi Nghi, a female reporter who was still closely following the tournament, met Viet Khoi that afternoon, her voice filled with anxiety mixed with professional excitement that was hard to hide. "Two consecutive incidents in less than a week, both targeting athletes in high performance. Don't you find it suspicious?"

"I find it suspicious," Viet Khoi replied, his voice cautious, not wanting to reveal too much to the press at this time. "But I have no evidence to confirm anything."

"The organizers are keeping unusually silent," Cao Boi Nghi lowered his voice. "I asked for an official interview about the incident but was flatly refused, whereas in previous seasons, even if it was just a small matter, they would hold a press conference to explain very quickly. This time it was unusually quiet, as if someone was trying to control the information from spreading."

The reporter's words made Viet Khoi even more wary, but before he could ask more, there was a notice convening an urgent meeting, forcing him to leave to be there on time. Amid that tense atmosphere, an extraordinary meeting took place immediately afterward, bringing together representatives of the organizing committee, tournament security team, and all athletes directly involved in the incidents that had just occurred.

Viet Khoi and Lam Khue were both asked to be present, along with Kien Ba Xuyen and several other athletes. The host of the meeting was a middle-aged man named Luong Ba Truc, head of the tournament security committee, with a stern face and a decisive, uncompromising voice.

"We did a preliminary check and confirmed that both incidents showed signs of intentional interference, not normal technical errors," Mr. Luong Ba Truc said, his voice steady but full of weight. "What is worth noting is that both victims - Kien Ba Xuyen and the athlete who just had an accident this morning - are in high form and are potential opponents who could stand in the way of some other athletes on their way to the championship."

His eyes glanced over each person in the room, then stopped right where Viet Khoi and Lam Khue were sitting next to each other. "We also noted that there has recently been a public tense relationship between the two athletes who are in the best form of the tournament, specifically Mr. Chieu Viet Khoi and Ms. Khue, since the unexpected loss in the qualifying round. We are not accusing anyone, but as the person in charge of security, I am forced to consider all possibilities, including the possibility that one of them, or both, is involved in these incidents in order to eliminate the opponent."

That statement was like a bucket of cold water poured straight into the middle of the meeting room. Viet Khoi stood up, unable to hide his anger. "You're accusing us of sabotaging our own colleagues to win? I've played for three consecutive seasons without ever being involved in any scandals, do you think I would do that for a single loss?"

"I'm not accusing, I'm just saying that there needs to be a thorough investigation," Mr. Luong Ba Truc replied, his voice still calm and professional. "And to be honest, Mr. Khoi, it's the public conflict between the two of you that makes you both a reasonable suspect, though I understand that might make you unhappy."

Lam Khue, sitting next to Viet Khoi, also spoke up, her voice was calmer but no less determined. "Do you have any specific evidence that Khoi or I are involved in this? Or is it just speculation because we happen to be in good shape?"

Mr. Luong Ba Truc was silent for a moment, clearly not having a satisfactory answer to that question. "Currently there is no direct evidence against the two of you. But for that reason, the security department requests that you both cooperate closely during the investigation, provide travel schedules, and stay away from other athletes' equipment storage areas until everything is clear. This is a measure to protect yourselves from unnecessary suspicions, while ensuring transparency in the investigation."

After the tense meeting, Viet Khoi and Lam Khue walked out of the meeting room together, both in a heavy mood. The scrutinizing eyes of the other athletes followed them along the hallway, a few whispers could not hide the suspicion that was creeping into the group that had been together for many seasons.

"That's ridiculous," Viet Khoi said, his voice still filled with resentment as they reached the deserted sandy beach behind the executive building. "We are the potential victims in this, yet we are suspected as if we were the culprits."

"I understand their logic," Lam Khue said, her voice quieter than his even though inside she was no less dissatisfied. "On paper, we have the clearest motive: eliminating our direct competitor for the championship. They don't know the true relationship between us, don't know anything about my family story, so they can only look at what's on the surface."

"So what should we do? Sit quietly and wait for them to investigate while the person who really caused this continues to act freely?" Viet Khoi asked, his voice filled with impatience.

Lam Khue was silent for a moment, looking out to sea, thinking clearly before answering. "Maybe this is our chance to investigate ourselves, instead of just waiting for the security department to do their work. If we want to exonerate ourselves, the fastest way is to find out who is really behind all of this."

"Are you going to cooperate with me?" Viet Khoi asked, a bit surprised by her change in attitude.

"We are both under suspicion, at risk of becoming the next victims," Lam Khue replied, his eyes steady. "No matter how much I want to keep my distance from you, the current situation does not allow me to do that anymore. We need to shake hands, at least until we find out the truth."

Viet Khoi nodded, a feeling of relief mixed with determination rising in his heart. Although the situation that forced them to ally was not what he wanted, at least it gave him a legitimate reason to stay closer to Lam Khue, to face the oncoming storms with her, instead of standing helplessly watching from afar.

"So where to start?" he asked.

"From the leash itself and the water barrier being interfered with," Lam Khue replied, his voice becoming sharp and calculating like an acquaintance analyzing the situation. "Who has access to the athlete's equipment storage area without suspicion? That answer will significantly narrow the list of suspects."

"Technical staff, logistics team, and some members of the organizing committee have their own access cards," Viet Khoi listed, trying to remember what he knew about the tournament's operating procedures over three seasons of association. "But that list is still quite long."

"So we need to narrow it down even more," Lam Khue said. "Who among them has the motive? Who benefits if you or I have a problem right before the semi-finals? That's the important question, not just who has access to the equipment."

Viet Khoi nodded, clearly feeling in his heart that an important change was taking place between the two of them. It's no longer the suspicious, probing eyes of the first day of meeting, nor just the echo of a fateful night at Vong Trieu restaurant, but a trust that is being built little by little, based on a common need for survival and a clear common goal: finding the truth before anyone else is harmed.

The two of them stood there, looking out at the rolling sea under the gray sky that signaled the coming rain, both understanding that from this moment on, the road ahead was no longer simply a sports competition, but had become a silent investigation, where the lines between opponents and allies were gradually blurring, giving way to a new connection, more complex but also more sincere than anything they had ever experienced before.