Chapter 16 — The City Behind the Mist

Three days after the urgent testimony from Mr. Ho Van Tien, the inspection team officially announced the concluding report at a press conference held right at the hall of the People's Committee of Van Son town, attracting the attention of a large number of people and media agencies from across the province.

"After a thorough investigation and verification process, we concluded that the original drainage system drawing designed by chief architect Bach Vinh Son and requested to be edited is an accurate document, reflecting the necessary safety standards," Mr. Nguyen Trong Hai announced to the entire hall, his solemn voice echoing throughout the space. "The direct cause of the landslide disaster fifteen years ago was due to construction deviations from the approved drawings, along with the act of intentionally swapping archived records to hide responsibility, with the help and direction of relevant individuals."

When the names of Ho Xuan Truong and his father, Ho Van Tien, were officially mentioned in the report, a stir spread throughout the hall. Many people, who had blamed Khanh Linh's family for the past fifteen years, now turned to look at her with eyes full of regret and guilt.

After the press conference, an elderly man, who had been one of the harshest voices against Khanh Linh's family in the past, slowly approached her, his eyes filled with shame. "Miss Linh, I... I'm sorry for what I said about your father all these years," he said, his voice shaking. "I was wrong, and I truly regret not trusting his innocence."

Khanh Linh, despite still having many complicated emotions in her heart, smiled gently and placed her hand on the old man's shoulder. “I understand, sir,” she said, her voice sincere. "We are all victims of cleverly crafted lies. What matters is that, at last, the truth has been revealed."

In the following days, the criminal investigation agency officially prosecuted Ho Xuan Truong for crimes related to document falsification, bribery, and lack of responsibility causing serious consequences. For Mr. Ho Van Tien, due to his old age and weak health and his positive contributions in proactively confessing and cooperating with the investigation agency, the authorities considered applying more humane handling measures, although still subject to certain legal responsibilities.

In that chaotic context, the Management Board of the Van Son Old Quarter beautification project faced a difficult situation - with Ho Xuan Truong being prosecuted, Van Son Land Company lost its highest-ranking leader, leaving the entire project in an uncertain state, with no clear direction forward.

"We need you, Ms. Linh," Mr. Bui Quoc Bao said in an emergency meeting with Khanh Linh a few days later. "She has demonstrated outstanding professional ability, along with rare integrity throughout the process. We look forward to her continuing to serve as chief architect, leading this project to completion, in accordance with the safety standards that she has always steadfastly protected."

Khanh Linh pondered that suggestion. "I need time to think, sir," she replied. "This is an important decision, not only professionally, but also personally, having to continue working in the very place that has been associated with so much pain in my family."

That evening, Khanh Linh confided to Viet Hoang about her confusion. "I'm not sure if I have the mental strength to continue leading this project, after everything I've been through," she said, her voice filled with concern.

Viet Hoang held her hand, his eyes full of deep understanding. "I think, no one else is more worthy and qualified to take on this role than you," he said. "You have proven that you are not only a talented architect, but also the only person who truly understands and thoroughly understands the mistakes of the past, to ensure they are never repeated. This is no longer just a simple construction project, but an opportunity for you to turn pain into a meaningful legacy for an entire community."

Those words made Khanh Linh feel a new determination gradually forming in her heart. "Perhaps, you're right," she said, her voice gradually becoming more certain. "This is the best way for you to truly end the pain of the past — not by leaving, but by staying, building something good, something safe, from the same place where tragedy happened."

The next morning, Khanh Linh officially informed Mr. Bao of her decision to continue taking on the role of chief architect of the project. “But I have a prerequisite,” she said, her voice steady. "The entire current design plan needs to be reviewed from the beginning, especially the drainage system and items related to sensitive geological areas. I will not accept any compromise on safety, even if it means prolonging the schedule or increasing costs."

"I fully support that condition," Mr. Bao replied, nodding decisively. "After all that has happened, people's safety must always be the top priority, there cannot be any exceptions anymore."

However, when Khanh Linh began reviewing the entire project's technical documents under her new leadership role, she discovered that, although Ho Xuan Truong had been prosecuted, the Van Son Land Company's operating system continued to operate under the temporary management of the company's deputy director, a man named Luong Dinh Khai, who showed little willingness to cooperate with her proposed design change requests.

"Changing the entire design plan at this stage will cause serious financial damage to the company, as well as to the overall progress of the project," Mr. Khai objected in the first meeting with Khanh Linh in her new position. "I think we should separate between legal issues related to the past and implementing the project according to the approved plan."

"The problem is not just about the past, Mr. Khai," Khanh Linh countered, her voice determined not to give in. "The results of the independent geological survey we have conducted clearly show that the current plan still poses the same risks as those that led to the disaster fifteen years ago. I will not approve any items until the design is adjusted to absolute safety standards."

Khanh Linh's toughness made Mr. Khai unable to hide his discomfort, but under public pressure and close supervision from the local government after the recent scandal, he was forced to reluctantly accept the request to review the design, even though it was clear that there were still many private thoughts in his heart that had not been fully revealed.

That evening, when Khanh Linh shared with Viet Hoang about Mr. Khai's uncooperative attitude, he could not hide his concern. "I think we need to closely monitor his movements," Viet Hoang said. "If he is truly connected to the old network of interests we have discovered, he may find a way to delay, or even secretly sabotage, the design review process you are promoting."

"I also have a similar premonition," Khanh Linh replied, her voice thoughtful. "But this time, we have enough experience, evidence, and the support of local authorities and public opinion. I believe, we have enough ability to prevent any plot from recurring."

During the following week, Khanh Linh put all her energy into reviewing every technical detail of the project, working day and night with a team of engineers she trusted, including Viet Hoang as the official geological consultant. They organized community consultation sessions, listened to local people's opinions, and ensured that the new design was not only technically safe, but also consistent with the actual needs and aspirations of those who will directly live and work in this area in the future.

"I want this project to become a new symbol for Van Son," Khanh Linh shared at a community meeting, her eyes filled with enthusiasm. "Not just a simple urban beautification project, but a testament to the fact that we have learned from the painful mistakes of the past, to build a safer, more sustainable future for everyone."

Those sincere words of sharing received an enthusiastic response from the large number of people attending, a sign that the community's trust in the project, and in Khanh Linh herself, is gradually being firmly restored.