Chapter 3 — The Ao Dai Shop at the End of the Street

A week after the first meeting, Quang Duy returned to Vinh Xuan store to try on shirts for the first time, but this time, he did not come alone. Accompanying him was another young man with a friendly appearance, introducing himself as Lam Anh Tuan, a colleague from the project team.

"I heard Duy talk about your shop a lot," Mr. Tuan said, smiling warmly as he entered the shop space. "He kept praising the exquisite workmanship here."

Doan glanced at Quang Duy, unable to hide his surprise at that information. "Really?" she asked, her voice a bit teasing.

"I'm just telling the truth," Quang Duy replied, a bit confused by her mischievous eyes.

While Doan helped Quang Duy try on the ao dai that was in the completion stage, Anh Tuan took the opportunity to walk around the shop, looking at the displayed ao dai models with interest. “This place is really special,” he commented. "I understand why the project has to consider this area carefully."

That statement caught Doan's attention. "Are you also involved in the beautification project?"

"That's right," Anh Tuan confirmed. "I'm in charge of assessing the social and cultural impact of the project."

"So can you tell me, what does this project actually mean for this neighborhood?" Doan asked directly, not hiding the anxiety that had accumulated over the past few days.

Mr. Tuan and Quang Duy exchanged glances, seemingly considering the level of information to share. "To be honest," Anh Tuan said after a moment of silence, "we haven't fully grasped the details yet. The superiors directed us to focus on the technical survey, and the final decision on the scope of clearance is still being discussed at a higher level."

"That doesn't sound very reassuring," Doan commented, her voice unable to hide the disappointment.

"I understand how you feel," Quang Duy said, his voice filled with sincere sympathy. "But I promise, we will try to make sure the people's voices are heard in the decision-making process."

***

After trying on the shirt, Quang Duy stayed a while longer, while Anh Tuan asked permission to go out to make a business call. This is a rare opportunity for Doan and Quang Duy to chat more privately.

"Thank you for introducing Anh Tuan to me," Doan said, although he was still confused about what he had just heard.

"I think, the more people on the project team understand the true value of this street, the better the chance the final decisions will be," Quang Duy explains.

"You seem more interested in this than I thought," Doan commented, her eyes searching his face.

Quang Duy pondered for a moment before answering. "To be honest, since I first stepped on this street, I've had complicated feelings about the work I'm doing," he admits. "In the past, I always thought urban planning was about optimizing space, traffic, and economic efficiency. But now, I realize that there are values that cannot be measured with those numbers."

That sincere confession made Doan feel that a certain amount of trust was beginning to arise, although she still kept a necessary cautious distance. “I hope you'll keep that up, even when things get more complicated,” she said.

"I will try," Quang Duy replied, his eyes sincerely looking straight into her eyes. "And I also hope, you will give me the opportunity to prove it, not just through words."

***

In the following weeks, Quang Duy began to visit Vinh Xuan shop more often, not only for the job of ordering shirts, but gradually became natural conversations about life, about their careers, about their dreams and concerns. Mrs. Ngoc Huong, although still maintaining a cautious attitude, gradually realized the sincerity in the way Quang Duy treated her daughter.

"That young man seems different from what I first imagined," she said to Doan one evening, when they were both cleaning up the shop after a long day of work.

"I think so too, mom," Doan admitted, even though there were still many complicated things in her heart that she couldn't name. "But you still have to be careful. No matter how well-intentioned he is, in the end, the decision is still not in his hands."

"You're right," Mrs. Ngoc Huong agreed. "But sometimes, a well-intentioned person in the right place can make a big difference. I just hope you maintain the necessary sanity, no matter where your heart is headed."

Her mother's advice, even though it came from legitimate concerns, could not stop Doan's heart from gradually opening up to the sincerity and devotion that Quang Duy showed through every conversation and every small but meaningful gesture of care that he gave her and her whole family during these uncertain days.

***

One weekend afternoon, when the shop closed earlier than usual, Quang Duy suddenly stopped by, not to try on shirts or discuss work, but carrying a small bag of cakes. "I happened to pass by a famous bakery at the beginning of the street, thinking I could invite the whole family to enjoy it," he explained, somewhat embarrassed by his own unexpected gesture.

"You don't have to be so polite," Doan said, although he couldn't hide his smile at that thoughtfulness.

Mrs. Ngoc Huong, accidentally witnessing that scene, invited Quang Duy to stay for dinner with her family, a gesture she rarely gives to outsiders, especially people related to the project that is threatening her shop. The meal took place in a surprisingly cozy atmosphere, with stories naturally shared between family members and the special guest.

"Where did you study architecture?" Mrs. Ngoc Huong asked, curious to learn more about the young man who was gradually becoming familiar with her family.

"I studied abroad for five years, then returned home to work," Quang Duy replied. "At first, I just wanted to apply the modern knowledge I learned to develop Vietnam's cities. But the more I worked, the more I realized that development does not mean completely eliminating what already exists."

Ms. Ngoc Huong nodded, seemingly impressed by the maturity of Quang Duy's thinking. "That's a valuable insight, my child. Not everyone in your profession thinks like that."

After dinner, when Quang Duy was about to leave, Mrs. Pham Thi Xuan, who had been quietly observing all evening from her familiar rattan chair, suddenly called him back.

“Grandson,” she said, her voice calm but filled with the weight of life experience. "I want you to remember one thing - this street is not just old houses that need to be replaced. It is a place that preserves memories, a place that nurtures the souls of many people over many generations. If you truly appreciate those values, I hope you will use your position to protect it, not just watch it disappear."

Quang Duy bowed his head and listened to those words with deep respect. "I'll remember what you told me," he replied, his voice sincere. "And I promise to do my best to the best of my ability."

When seeing Quang Duy out the door, Doan felt a warmth spread in his heart at the way he had integrated into his family so naturally, even though many things about their relationship were still unclear.

"Thank you for dinner tonight," she said as they stood for a moment outside the shop, the pale yellow streetlight illuminating the empty street.

"Thank your family for welcoming me," Quang Duy replied, his eyes gently looking at her. "I've rarely felt so comfortable in a new place."

"My grandmother doesn't easily open up to strangers," Doan said, smiling. "You should feel honored."

"I really feel honored," Quang Duy replied, his voice sincere. Then he hesitated for a moment, as if considering something before continuing. "Thuc Doan, I know the current situation between us is quite complicated, with my job position and what's going on with your shop. But I hope you understand that my feelings for you, for your family, are completely genuine, and have nothing to do with work."

Doan felt his heart beat faster at that half-hearted but sincere confession. "I believe in you," she replied softly, although in her heart there were still many unanswered questions about their future, amidst the uncertainties surrounding them from all sides.

They stood there for a while longer, neither of them said anything else, simply enjoying each other's presence under the dim streetlights, before Quang Duy finally said goodbye, leaving Doan with a warm feeling mixed with confusion at what might lie ahead.