Chapter 22 — Tears in the Frost

One month after storm Hằng Phát completely subsided, Việt Thịnh entered a period of stability again at an astonishing speed. Stocks grew steadily, international partners expressed stronger confidence than ever in the transparent management capacity of the board of directors, and the working atmosphere throughout the group also became lighter and more positive than in recent stressful weeks.

While everything was gradually going into orbit, Bách Việt quietly planned something that he had cherished for a long time but never had the courage or the right time to do it - a real marriage proposal, no longer encumbered by any contractual terms, for the woman who had accompanied him through every storm over the past three years.

He contacted doctor Đặng Thảo Lam to arrange a suitable schedule, ensuring that Thư Nhã did not have to exert herself in her sixth month of pregnancy. He also secretly contacted Thư Nhã's father and asked for his permission in a formal manner, following the tradition that he always respected even though he was the head of a large corporation.

He spent three consecutive evenings personally choosing every single detail for that important evening, from the type of flowers, the lighting, to the music that would play the moment he knelt down. Tạ Khắc Bình was assigned the task of quietly contacting the event design team, custom-ordering hundreds of daisies transported from a flower garden in the suburbs, flowers that Bách Việt knew would definitely move Thư Nhã more than any other luxurious flower.

Đinh Bội Quyên was also invited to participate in this secret plan, in charge of distracting Thư Nhã all afternoon with a shopping trip for baby clothes, so that Bách Việt had enough time to complete all the preparations on the rooftop of the Việt Thịnh building without fear of being discovered before the time.

*

"I would like to ask permission to propose to Thư Nhã officially and properly, sir," Bách Việt said, bowing his head to the elderly man in a small house in the suburbs, his humble attitude completely different from the image of a powerful General Director that the press often mentioned. "I know I was wrong to hide the truth from you for so long, but I promise from now on, I will spend my whole life making up for Thư Nhã and the child, no more secrets."

Thư Nhã's father looked at him for a long time, his eyes both searching and touching. "My daughter told me the whole story. She said, at first it was just a contract marriage, but she never regretted that decision, even though there were times when she had to endure a lot of pain. I only have one thing to say to you, Bách Việt: if you really love my daughter, make sure she never has to cry in loneliness again."

"I promise, sir," Bách Việt replied, his voice was firm, without any hesitation.

The old man nodded, then suddenly smiled, stood up and took out a small box covered with the dust of time from the old wooden cabinet. "This is the necklace Thư Nhã's mother left behind before she passed away. She always hoped her daughter would find a man who truly loved her. You keep it and give it to Thư Nhã on a suitable occasion, as a blessing from her mother who never had the chance to witness this happy day."

Bách Việt took the box with both hands, bowed his head in thanks, his heart was filled with an indescribable emotion at the tolerance of his future father-in-law.

*

That fateful evening, Bách Việt took Thư Nhã to the exact place where everything between the two of them had started in a different way - the rooftop of the Việt Thịnh building, where the party to celebrate the Eastern project was held last year, where that night's drunkenness led to a small creature appearing in their lives. But this time, the space was decorated completely differently - hundreds of pure white daisies were arranged in clusters hanging along the aisle, warm shimmering lit replace the lavish splendor often seen at company parties.

"What did you bring me here for?" Thư Nhã asked, looking around in surprise at the elaborately prepared scene, her hand gently placed on her stomach as a natural reflex whenever she was emotional.

Bách Việt didn't answer right away, just took her hand and led her to the middle of the terrace, where he could see the entire city sparkling with lights below. He knelt down on one knee and took out a small velvet box from his pocket, different from the simple platinum ring without any stones that she had kept in a drawer for the past three years.

*

"Thư Nhã," he said, his voice trembling with emotion, something so rare that it stunned her, "three years ago, I gave you a ring and a contract, with cold terms devoid of any affection. I thought that was the best way to protect you from having to bear heavy responsibility, but in reality, I was just protecting myself from having to face the true feelings that were growing inside."

He opened the box, inside was a delicate diamond ring, sparkling light reflecting under the night light. "Today, I want to ask you again, not as a contract, but with all my sincere heart: Kiều Thư Nhã, do you agree to be my wife, not because of any obligation or commitment, but because of the true love between us, or not?"

Thư Nhã's tears flowed uncontrollably. She covered her mouth with her hand, her whole body trembling with extreme emotion. Over the past three years, she had learned to live without expecting anything beyond what her contract allowed, and now, the moment she thought would forever be just a distant dream had come true right before her eyes.

"I agree," she said, her voice choked but filled with happiness. "I agree to be your wife, Bách Việt, with all my heart, without any other conditions."

*

Bách Việt stood up, put the ring on her finger, then pulled her into a tight hug, careful not to touch her stomach too hard. Around them, the closest people - Mr. Lăng Chính Nghĩa, Đinh Bội Quyên, Tạ Khắc Bình, and even Thư Nhã's father, who had been secretly invited in advance - stepped out from behind the large flower pots, applauding in bursts of happiness.

"Finally, you two have found each other completely," Mr. Chính Nghĩa said, his voice equally emotional. "I believe that there is no stronger foundation for marriage than a love that has been forged through trials and honestly faced with the truth," Thư Nhã's father approached, hugged his daughter, whispered simple but loving blessings into her ear, then pulled out a small box containing her deceased mother's necklace from his pocket, placing it in Bách Việt's hand so he could put it around her neck himself. Thư Nhã gently touched the bracelet, tears welled up once again when she realized that it was a souvenir of her mother, the person who left her when she was very young but has never ceased to be present in her heart through the simple items her father kept for many years.

Đinh Bội Quyên ran to hug his friend, crying and laughing at the same time. "I've been looking forward to this day for a long time, Thư Nhã. You finally have the happiness you deserve." Tạ Khắc Bình stood behind, a rare gentle smile blooming on his always serious face, quietly witnessing the perfect moment of the two people he had silently watched and protected from the first days of that fateful marriage.

Thư Nhã looked around, saw all the most important people in her life present, sharing this happy moment, and she understood that, after all the turmoil she had gone through, she had finally found a truly complete family, without any secrets or fears creeping in between.

That night, under the starry sky of the budding spring, amidst the gentle scent of daisies, Kiều Thư Nhã and Lăng Bách Việt officially began a new chapter in their love story - a chapter no longer written by cold legal terms, but by the sincere hearts of both of them, a chapter that both of them firmly believe will be continued by trust, tolerance, and a love that has been forged strong enough to accompany it. each other for the rest of their lives.