Chapter 20 — The Ao Dai Shop at the End of the Street

The fashion show was held at a large convention center in the city, with the participation of many famous designers, fashion journalists, and a large audience who love traditional ao dai. This is the first time Vinh Xuan salon has participated in such a large-scale event, and the atmosphere of preparation backstage was filled with excitement and excitement.

"Is everything ready?" Doan asked Bich Ngan one last time, when both were checking every small detail on the costumes about to be performed.

"All ready, sister," Bich Ngan replied, although her voice still couldn't hide the tension. "I just hope that people will accept what we have put all our heart and soul into creating."

Thanh Truc, standing next to him, also contributed words of encouragement. "No matter the result, I think, we did our best, and that's the most important thing."

Doan nodded, took a deep breath to calm her nerves before walking backstage, where she could observe the entire stage preparing for the performance of the collection called "The Return Journey" that the store had been diligently preparing for many weeks.

***

Vinh Xuan salon's performance was arranged in the middle of the program, right after the performance of a long-standing designer in the fashion industry. When the stage lights turned on, traditional music melodies mixed with modern sounds resounded, models stepped out one after another in the shop's signature ao dai designs - from models with traditional lotus motifs meticulously hand-embroidered, to special ao dai models inspired by Thanh Truc's ideas, with meaningful color transitions from quiet to vibrant.

The audience below could not hide their admiration at each design appearing on stage. The applause rang out continuously, especially when the model wearing the collection's main ao dai stepped out, with lines that were both classic and modern, carrying within her a profound story about the journey to find her roots.

Standing backstage, Doan felt his heart pounding with every step of the model and every round of applause from the audience. She looked at Quang Duy, who had specially arranged his work to be there to support her at this important moment, and saw him smiling proudly from the audience below.

When the performance ended, the entire design team of Vinh Xuan salon was invited on stage to greet the audience. Doan walked out amid endless applause, feeling a happiness and pride that is hard to describe in words. This is not just her own success, but the achievement of a whole team who have worked together tirelessly.

***

After the show, the organizers organized a small party for the designers to interact and meet. Doan received many compliments and many invitations to cooperate from brands and other fashion events in the future.

"Her collection really leaves a deep impression," a famous fashion editor commented when chatting with Doan. "It is not only aesthetically beautiful, but also touches the viewer's emotions with the story behind each design. That is something not every designer can do."

"Thank you very much," Doan replied, touched by those sincere comments. "That's exactly what we always aim for — not only creating beautiful products, but also telling meaningful stories through every stitch."

In the middle of the party, an elegant middle-aged woman approached Doan and introduced herself as a representative of a high-end fashion store chain present in many big cities. "I'm very impressed with what you did tonight," she said. "We are looking for talented designers to collaborate on a high-end ao dai product line. Are you interested in discussing this possibility of collaboration further?"

Doan felt both surprised and considered that attractive proposal. "I am honored by your invitation," she replied carefully. "But I need time to think carefully, because the most important thing to me is always to maintain the authenticity and meticulousness in each product that Vinh Xuan shop creates."

"That's exactly why we want to work with you," the woman replied, smiling understandingly. "We don't want to change what makes up her core values, but want to help spread them to more people."

***

On the way back from the party, sitting in the car with Quang Duy, Doan was still reeling from what had just happened. “I didn't think things would go so smoothly,” she said, looking out the car window at the city lights passing by in the night.

"You deserve all that," Quang Duy replied, holding her hand. "After everything I've been through and sacrificed to protect and develop my family's legacy, this is the inevitable result."

"But I still have a lot to consider," Doan said, her voice becoming thoughtful. "The cooperation offer is very attractive, but I'm worried that if I expand too quickly, too far, will I still be able to maintain a close connection with the very street, the very community that nurtured Vinh Xuan shop?"

"That is an important question, and only you can find the most suitable answer for yourself," Quang Duy said, his voice filled with respect for her concerns. "But no matter what you decide, I believe, you will always find a way to balance development and preserving core values, just like you have done throughout the past journey."

Doan smiled, leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling secure that he was always by her side, always respecting and supporting her decisions, even though they were not easy decisions. The car continued to roll into the night, bringing them both back to the beloved old town of Hoai Xuan, which was still quietly waiting for them with all the familiar peace and warmth amid the constant changes of life.

***

The next morning, Doan spent the whole day thinking carefully about the cooperation proposal, finally deciding to go to her grandmother to ask for advice, as she always does when faced with important decisions in life.

"What do you think about expanding cooperation with a large chain store?" Doan asked, sitting beside Mrs. Xuan's bed in the quiet morning, recounting the details of the proposal she received last night.

Mrs. Xuan pondered for a long time before answering. "You know, in the past, when the shop first opened, I also received a similar invitation - a Chinese businessman wanted to cooperate in distributing her ao dai throughout the South," she said, her eyes distant as she remembered old memories. "She refused, because at that time she was afraid of losing control over product quality."

"Do you regret that decision?" Doan asked, curious about the never-before-told story.

"There are times when I wonder whether accepting that day, perhaps the shop would have grown much bigger," Ms. Xuan answered honestly. "But I also believe that it is because of that caution that the shop has retained its soul and unique character for the past sixty years. The important thing is not to choose right or wrong, but to clearly understand what is truly most important to you, to the shop."

Grandma's advice gives Doan a valuable perspective to consider. She realized that the decision this time was not simply a matter of yes or no, but of finding a suitable way to cooperate, ensuring that she maintained control over the core values that her family had worked so hard to build.

A few days later, Doan arranged an official meeting with the store chain's representative to discuss the terms of cooperation in more detail. "I'm willing to cooperate," she said with carefully considered confidence, "but on the condition that Vinh Xuan store still retains full authority to decide on design, quality, and production process. We can provide exclusive products for your chain of stores, but not at the expense of the authenticity of the brand."

The store chain representative, after some consideration, agreed to Doan's conditions. "That's exactly the spirit of cooperation we want," she replied. "We respect her prudence and long-term vision."

When leaving the meeting with a satisfactory cooperation agreement, Doan felt a deep sense of relief, knowing that she had found a way to balance between expanding and developing and preserving core values - a valuable lesson that her grandmother, through the story of sixty years ago, helped her see more clearly than ever.