Chapter 23 — The Ao Dai Shop at the End of the Street

This year's annual cultural festival of Hoai Xuan ancient street is held on a larger scale than usual, marking one year since the street was officially recognized as a relic. The whole street is brightly decorated with hundreds of colorful lanterns, and stalls introducing traditional crafts are set up along both sides of the road, attracting a large number of tourists from all over.

Doan, as a member of the monument management board, was busy all day supervising the organization's work, unaware of the special plan being secretly prepared behind the scenes. Bich Ngan and Thanh Truc, having been informed in advance by Quang Duy and Anh Tuan, skillfully kept it absolutely secret, only silently supporting small tasks without revealing anything.

"Miss Doan, can you go to the main stage area and help me check the sound?" Bich Ngan asked for help in the late afternoon, when the sunset began to fall, dyeing the entire old street yellow in a rare romantic scene.

"Okay, I'll be right out here," Doan replied, without any doubt, hastily walking towards the main stage area set up right in front of Vinh Xuan shop - the place that has witnessed her entire story over the years.

***

When Doan walked closer to the stage, she suddenly realized a scene completely different from what she imagined. The entire area is decorated with thousands of white lotus petals and small shimmering lanterns, creating a magical, breathtakingly romantic space. In the middle of the stage, Quang Duy stood there, in a formal suit, his eyes filled with both excitement and happiness when he saw her appear.

"What...what are you doing?" Doan asked, her voice trembling with surprise. She looked around and realized that not only Bich Ngan and Thanh Truc, but her entire family - Mrs. Xuan sitting in a wheelchair in the front row, her mother, along with many neighbors, close friends who had accompanied her throughout the past journey, were all present, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Quang Duy stepped closer and held Doan's trembling hands, his eyes filled with sincere love. "Thuc Doan," he began, his voice unable to hide the emotion even though he had carefully prepared the words he wanted to say. "More than a year ago, I walked into this shop just to order an ao dai for my mother. I never expected that moment would open up a whole journey that would completely change my life."

The surrounding crowd quieted down, all eyes focused on the two people standing in the middle of a stage filled with lotus flowers and shimmering lights.

"I watched you fight tirelessly to protect your family legacy, I watched you inspire an entire community to stand up for common values, and I realized that she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving, to build a common future together," Quang Duy continued, his voice shaking with emotion but still steadfast. He slowly knelt down on one knee, took out a small box from his pocket, inside was an engagement ring sparkling under the lantern light.

"Pham Thuc Doan, do you agree to be my wife?"

***

Tears of happiness flowed uncontrollably down Doan's face. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to suppress the emotions rising strongly in her heart. Her eyes looked at Quang Duy full of love and deep gratitude for everything he had given her and her family throughout the past journey.

"I agree," she replied, her voice choked but filled with happiness. "I agree to be your wife, Quang Duy."

Applause and cheers rang out continuously from the surrounding crowd when Quang Duy stood up, put the ring on Doan's finger and then hugged her in a tight, emotional hug. Colorful confetti cannons are shot into the night sky, blending with shimmering lanterns, creating a beautiful, brilliant scene like in a fairy tale.

Mrs. Xuan, sitting in a wheelchair, could not hide the tears of happiness rolling down her wrinkled face. "Finally, I get to see this day," she whispered, her voice trembling with the overwhelming emotion of seeing her beloved granddaughter find perfect happiness.

Mrs. Ngoc Huong hugged them both, her tears kept falling. "I bless you both," she said, her voice filled with the happiness of a mother witnessing her daughter finding a peaceful place after many ups and downs she had gone through.

***

The entire Hoai Xuan ancient street seemed to explode in communal joy, as news of the romantic proposal quickly spread throughout the festival. People from old to young all flocked to the stage area to congratulate, making the festival atmosphere even more bustling and warm.

"This is really something I never dared to dream of," Doan told Quang Duy, as the two stood surrounded by congratulatory friends and relatives. "Such a beautiful proposal ceremony, right in the very place that witnessed our entire story."

"You deserve all the most beautiful things in the world," Quang Duy replied, squeezing her hand tightly, his eyes filled with undisguised happiness. "And I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you, every day, not just in special moments like today."

The night of the festival continued until late, with music, laughter and chatter bustling throughout the old street, witnessing the happy moments of the young couple who had gone through so many challenges together to get to this day - a beautiful testament that sincere love, when nurtured by trust, sharing and overcoming adversity together, will always bear fruit in the most beautiful way.

***

Amidst the endless congratulations, Mr. Tu Lieu, the first customer of the shop sixty years ago, was helped by his nephew to bless the young couple. "I have seen this shop from the first days," he said, his voice trembling but filled with emotion. "Now, I get to witness another great moment for this family. What a great blessing for my old age."

Doan bent down to hug him, her voice choked. "Thank you for always watching over and supporting my family over the years."

Journalist Duc Anh, who has closely followed the story of Vinh Xuan shop since the early days of the preservation battle, was also present to congratulate, not forgetting to ask permission to write a special article about this beautiful love story. "This will be a wonderful conclusion to the series of articles I have written about Hoai Xuan street," he said, smiling sympathetically. "From a battle to preserve heritage, to a love story that blossoms — readers are sure to be moved."

Lawyer Hai Dang, who accompanied Doan during the most difficult days of the legal battle, also raised a glass to congratulate the young couple. "I always believe that those who dare to stand up for what is right and protect true values will always be rewarded in the end," he said. "My two children are the most vivid proof of that belief of mine."

***

As the festival night gradually subsided and guests left one by one, Doan and Quang Duy found a quiet corner on the shop's porch to enjoy rare private moments together after an evening filled with emotions. The engagement ring sparkled on Doan's finger under the remaining lantern light.

"I'm still in shock," Doan confessed, looking at the ring with eyes full of happiness. "I didn't expect you to prepare so carefully, and I was completely unaware."

"I planned it more than a month ago," Quang Duy confessed, smiling as he remembered the days of secret preparation. "That's also the reason why I was somewhat distracted, causing you to suffer during your busiest period with large orders. I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay," Doan replied, resting her head on his shoulder, the smile still on her lips. "Now I understand the reason, and I think, it was completely worth the wait."

They sat together in the quiet, warm space of late night, watching the last lanterns slowly extinguish along the old street, their hearts filled with happiness and deep gratitude for all that life had given, and the good plans that were waiting ahead for a new chapter in both of their lives.

"When do you think we should get married?" Doan asked softly, breaking the gentle silence between the two.

"I think, there's no need to rush," Quang Duy replied, gently squeezing her hand. "We can take the time to prepare carefully, so that everything happens exactly as you want, without being pressured by anything."

"I just hope, no matter when the wedding takes place, it will bear the mark of this street, of our own hands," Doan said, her eyes sparkling under the late moonlight. "Perhaps, I will make my own wedding dress."

"I believe it will be the most beautiful ao dai that Vinh Xuan shop has ever created," Quang Duy replied, a warm smile clearly appearing on his face as he envisioned that moment in the near future.