Chapter 24 — The Brilliant Wife and the Mute CEO

Exactly one year after the shocking shareholders' meeting that revealed the entire plot of the subsidiary, the Úc Thịnh Group solemnly celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its establishment, and also marked the one-year anniversary of Úc Bách Chu officially returning to the position of General Director in an almost completely recovered health condition.

The ceremony was held in the main hall of the Úc Thịnh tower, gathering a large number of shareholders, partners, long-time employees, and press representatives. Shimmering lights shone throughout the splendidly decorated space, while strips of fresh flowers forming the corporation's fifty-year symbol hung throughout the lobby, creating a scene that was both solemn and warm.

Đàm Xuân Lam stood in a tailored emerald green evening gown, looking confident and luxurious but still exuding her inherent simplicity and sincerity, completely different from the image of the clumsy girl at the debut tea party last year. She stood next to Ms. Tuệ Phương, Mr. Dang, along with her parents and younger brother who were invited to the city to attend this important event, her eyes following Bách Chu who was preparing to step onto the podium to give an official speech.

"Do you see, our Kien now looks so much like a city youth," Đàm Thị Gấm whispered to her husband, not taking her eyes off her son, who was wearing a suit specially bought by Xuân Lam for the holiday, standing and chatting with a few young employees of the group.

Đàm Văn Tòng, whose health has completely recovered after the surgery last year, nodded with satisfaction. His eyes could not hide his pride as he looked at his daughter standing firmly in the middle of the bustling metropolis, respected by many people.

On the podium, Bách Chu, in an elegant black suit, standing straight and steady with no trace of the days spent confined to a wheelchair, opened his voice to open the commemorative speech. His voice was now completely clear and coherent, without any hoarseness left over from the old days of silence.

"Fifty years ago, my grandfather started his career in a small wood factory, with the belief that with integrity and perseverance, people can build anything," he said, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "A year and a half ago, I was at the lowest point in my life, unable to speak, unable to walk, viewed by my own family members as someone who had no value."

The whole hall was silent, all eyes were on him, no one expected him to recall that painful time in the middle of such a solemn ceremony.

"But it was during those darkest days that I learned a lesson more valuable than anything I ever learned at the height of my power," he continued, his eyes looking to Xuân Lam standing below, full of affection. "I learned that the true value of a person does not lie in status, wealth, or the ability to speak fluently in front of a crowd, but in integrity, the courage to stand up for what is right, and sincere love for those around you."

He stepped down from the main podium, walked straight towards Xuân Lam in front of the surprise of all the guests, knelt down on one knee in the middle of the splendid hall, and pulled out a small box.

"Xuân Lam, when my grandmother decided to marry you to me, I thought it was just a fair exchange, a contract, nothing more, nothing less," he spoke, his voice shaking with emotion but still making every word clear. "I was wrong. You not only saved my family's inheritance, you saved me, when I thought I had long since died in my own breathing body. You taught me how to believe again, how to hope again, and how to love again."

The whole hall was buzzing with emotion, many people could not hide their tears at that touching scene, especially Ms. Tuệ Phương, her trembling hand tightly grasped Mr. Dang's hand standing next to her.

"I know we've been married on paper for a long time," Bách Chu continued, opening the small box, inside was a simple but sophisticated engagement ring. "But today, in front of everyone, with the same voice that you helped me find again, I want to ask you again, not because of the contract, not because of responsibility, but because of my sincere love for you. Đàm Xuân Lam, do you agree to be my wife, truly, for life, not for any reason other than love?"

Xuân Lam stood still for a moment, her eyes were red, tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks, tears that she rarely let anyone see during her recent tumultuous journey.

"This Mr. Bách Chu," she said, her voice shaking but still maintaining her familiar sense of humor. "I just did the coloring. Kneeling in the middle of this cold marble floor, I'm afraid my back will hurt. All my years of physical therapy have been wasted."

Laughter erupted throughout the hall, dispelling the previously tense and solemn atmosphere, true to Xuân Lam's unique straightforward and humorous style that everyone is now familiar with and loves.

"But," she continued, her voice softened, kneeling down to his eye level, her hand holding his hand holding the ring. "My answer is yes. I agree, not because of the contract, not because of the money, but because I truly love you, love the person who dared to stand up from the ashes to regain everything that belongs to him, with his own strength and courage."

Bách Chu put the ring on her finger, then pulled her into a tight hug amid the thunderous applause of all the guests present in the hall that day. Ms. Tuệ Phương sobbed with happiness, Mr. Dang clapped his hands endlessly, and Đàm Văn Kiên stood and cheered without hesitation as if he were watching an important football match.

Vệ Đình Long stood quietly in a corner of the hall, looking at the warm scene before him, gently wiping away the emotional tears at the corner of his eyes. He had served three generations of the Úc family and witnessed many ups and downs, but there had never been a moment that made him feel so proud and warm-hearted. Doctor Vũ Đình Khiêm, invited to attend the ceremony as an honored guest, stood next to Mr. Ky, who had just accepted the position of long-term security consultant for the group at Bách Chu's request. They both raised a glass to celebrate a journey that had fully blossomed.

Nguyễn Văn Khoa, after actively cooperating with the investigation agency and receiving significant leniency thanks to his sincere attitude, was also personally invited by Bách Chu to return to work at another technical position in the group, as a way to atone for his mistakes and give him a chance to rebuild his life, although he still had to fully fulfill his legal obligations. That night of the celebration, even though he was not present, Khoa still sent a short message congratulating happiness to both of them, closing a page of a tormented past with a new, lighter beginning.

That night, when the ceremony ended, the couple stood together on the highest balcony of the Úc Thịnh tower, looking down at the panoramic view of the city filled with bright lights stretching to the horizon.

"From a girl slaughtering pigs in Gò Dừa village to standing here in the middle of the tallest tower in the city as the wife of a corporation general director," Xuân Lam spoke softly, her voice full of emotion. "Life is truly unpredictable."

"And from a silent, motionless person who seemed to have lost everything, to standing here, speaking out his love for the most wonderful woman in his life," Bách Chu continued, wrapping his arms tightly around his wife. "I think this is the clearest proof that as long as you don't give up hope, and have the right person by your side, no darkness lasts forever."

Xuân Lam leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, smiling contentedly, her eyes looking towards the distant horizon, where the dawn of a new day was slowly rising, signaling a new chapter, sweeter and more complete than ever, in their love story that went from cold to warm.

"Hey, General Manager," Xuân Lam called softly, her voice mischievous and familiar. "After the epic proposal just now, when do you plan to hold a real wedding for me? Because of the rushed wedding the other day, I didn't even have time to wear a proper wedding dress." Bách Chu laughed out loud, pulling her closer to his chest. "Any size of the event can be fine if you want, as long as the bride is willing to stand firmly in high heels throughout the entire ceremony, and don't ask to carry a knife to the kitchen to help the chef in the middle of the ceremony."

"Don't you dare underestimate me," Xuân Lam responded, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Who knows, maybe I'll even make a whole banquet table for you to see, so everyone knows that General Director Úc Thịnh's wife is not only good at fighting, but also good at housework."

They both burst out laughing in the chilly air of the city night. That laughter blended into the shimmering lights below, ending a journey full of tears, blood and endless laughter, of a once silent CEO who suddenly learned to speak, and his rustic but extremely powerful wife who stood by his side through all the storms.