Chapter 19 — The Bookmobile Through the Mountains

One week after the trip with Mr. Vinh, Bao Yen's reportage was officially published on the province's electronic newspaper, with the title "Book bus trip in the mountains and forests: When the father's legacy becomes the son's journey". The long, meticulously crafted article is accompanied by a series of vivid images - the scene of Nghi handing out books to Seo Lu children, a painting by Vang Thi My, the image of a dark digital kiosk covered in dust contrasting with a warm reading corner in Nam Cay, and a short video interview with Lo Van Pao talking about his dream of entering a boarding school.

The article quickly attracted attention and was widely shared on social networking sites, first within the province, then spread throughout the country when several major education and social news sites also reposted it. In just three days, the article has reached tens of thousands of views, thousands of shares, and countless comments expressing emotion and support for the mobile bookmobile program.

Nghi sat in front of the phone screen, reading each comment one by one, unable to hide his emotions. Someone wrote: "Reading brings tears to my eyes, I hope this program can be maintained forever." Others shared their own stories, about similar programs in their hometown that had to close due to lack of funding, expressing hope that Nghi's story would have a different ending. Some people even left comments asking about ways to donate and directly support the program.

"I didn't expect everyone to care so much," Nghi said on the phone to Nam, her voice still a bit shocked by this unexpected reaction.

"I didn't expect it, I was sure of it," Nam replied, his voice full of pride. "My story, of this program, has never lacked the power to move. It's just that before there was never a chance for many people to know it."

A few days later, when Nghi visited Dong Soi on her regular schedule, she noticed a clear change in the attitudes of the people around her. Many people from other communes in the district, even some from neighboring districts, came to ask about the program after reading the article. Some even brought old books and wanted to donate directly. A group of volunteer students from a pedagogical university in the province contacted them, offering to organize a field trip with Nghi to support the program for a weekend.

In particular, a social network account with tens of thousands of followers, specializing in sharing volunteer stories, reposted the article with a call for donations, leading to the small fund that Nghi set up to receive support for the program, starting to receive the first contributions, although still modest, but steadily increasing day by day.

That weekend evening, after a long and busy day with constant calls and text messages, Nam asked Nghi to go with him to a small hill near Nam Cay school, where she could see the entire valley below, so that she could have some time to relax after the past few stressful days.

The two sat on a large rock, watching the sunset gradually fall, dyeing the sky into a brilliant red-orange strip, mixed with white clouds floating across the mountain top. The afternoon air is cool and gentle, with the faint scent of mountain grass and trees.

"Thank you for bringing me up here," Nghi said, his voice much lighter than the past few days. "I need a moment like this so much."

"I saw you working non-stop these past few weeks, I was worried you would be exhausted," Nam said, his eyes looking at her with concern. "Sometimes, we also need to stop for a moment, to look at what we are trying to protect, and not just focus on work."

Nghi smiled, leaned his head back slightly, and took a deep breath of fresh mountain air. "You know, there are times when I feel scared, afraid that I don't have the strength to go to the end of this path. But then I see the children here, hear the stories of people, and I feel like I don't have the right to give up."

"You are not alone on this journey," Nam said, his voice warm and sincere. He turned to look at her, their eyes met in the fading sunset light. "Look, I want to tell you something, I've been thinking about it for a long time but haven't found the right time."

Nghi's heart beat slightly faster, she waited silently, not daring to say anything more.

"From the first time I met you, standing next to that old book cart, I had a special impression, even though at first I tried to be reserved and suspicious," Nam said, his voice a bit hesitant but still steadfast. "The more I've been with you these past few weeks, the more I've realized that my feelings for you are not simply admiration or sympathy about work anymore. I like you, Nghi, seriously."

Nghi felt her cheeks burning, her heart pounding in her chest. She bowed her head, smiled, then looked up at Nam, her eyes filled with a similar emotion that she had been trying to suppress for weeks. "Me too, Nam. I've also thought about you a lot, more than I dare to admit to myself."

Nam smiled, a warm and relieved smile, as if he had just let go of a burden he had carried for a long time. He gently held Nghi's hand, their hands clasped together in the quiet space of sunset on the top of Nam Cay hill. No need for any more words, the two just sat there, quietly watching the last sunlight of the day gradually fade behind the rolling mountain peaks, feeling the connection that had just been officially established between two hearts that had been silently vibrating since their first trips.

"No matter what happens with the program," Nam said softly, his voice echoing in the quiet space, "I still want to be with you, accompanying you on every journey, not just the bookmobile path, but also the path of your life."

Nghi leaned her head on his shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks, but they were tears of happiness and relief after many stressful days. "Me too, Nam. Thank you for appearing, right when I needed a companion the most."

Before going down the mountain, Nam also told Nghi about his younger brother Phong, about the phone call he just made last week, telling his brother about Nghi and the bookmobile program. "Phong told me that if he had a chance, he would come up here to visit you and see with his own eyes the program that his brother has been talking about for the past few weeks," Nam smiled, his voice warm. "He even teased me that it's been a long time since I've seen him talk about a girl with such bright eyes."

Nghi burst out laughing, feeling warmed by the sincerity in Nam's story. "I really want to meet Phong. I've heard you talk about my brother many times, I feel like I already know him."

"You two will definitely get along," Nam said, "Phong is also a person with a strong spirit. Even though life is not as smooth as yours, he has never complained about fate, always living optimistically and hardworking. I think, if Phong sees what you are doing for the children here, he will feel like what he once sacrificed for me in the past is now being rewarded in another, indirect but equally meaningful way."

The two continued to talk for a while longer, about future plans, about the children on the route, about the fears and hopes intertwined in each person's heart, until the moonlight rose high, illuminating the entire valley below. This was the first time since they met each other that they allowed themselves to put aside all worries about the program and the battle to protect the budget, simply being two people learning about and appreciating each other, amidst the vast mountain and forest scenery that witnessed their budding love.

That evening, when returning home, Nghi still felt the warm echoes of the moment on the hilltop, mixed with the joy from the positive signals that were gradually appearing around the program. She opened the notebook, wrote a short line but filled with so many emotions: "Today, two beautiful things happened together - the article spread strongly, and my heart also found a place to trust."

Mrs. Dung, when she saw her daughter come home with an unhidden smile on her face, immediately guessed that something special had just happened. She didn't ask directly, just quietly made her daughter a pot of jasmine tea, sat down next to her, and waited for Nghi to volunteer to share if she wanted. And sure enough, after just a few minutes of silence, Nghi told everything, from the moment on the hilltop to the words Nam said.

"I'm very happy for you, Nghi," Mrs. Dung said, her eyes shining with sincere joy. "Teacher Nam is a good person, I can tell by looking at him. Your father, if he were still alive, would probably like him very much, someone who also spent his youth in the highlands, also has such a warm heart."

Nghi smiled, nodded, took a sip of fragrant tea, feeling more clearly than ever that her life, despite many challenges ahead, was gradually becoming more complete in a way that she had never dared to dream of when she first started taking over this arduous bookmobile program.