Chapter 2 — The City Behind the Mist

The project introduction meeting took place at the large hall of the town People's Committee at 2:00 p.m., when the morning mist had dissipated but the Van Son sky still retained the typical gray color of the highlands. Khanh Linh arrived fifteen minutes early, taking the opportunity to rearrange the preliminary drawings that she had prepared over the past several weeks at her office in Saigon.

As the hall gradually became crowded, Khanh Linh recognized many familiar faces from her childhood - old neighbors, small merchants who once traded at the ancient market, now much older but their eyes still retained a bit of scrutiny when recognizing her. A few people whispered softly to each other, and Khanh Linh could guess the content of that conversation even though she couldn't hear every word clearly.

"That's architect Son's daughter," a soft voice rang out from the back row, loud enough for Khanh Linh to hear. "I didn't expect that he would dare to come back here and even take charge of the project."

Khanh Linh tried to stay calm and focus on her preparations, even though she couldn't help but feel a pain in her heart from those rumors. She had prepared herself for this, but hearing it live still made old wounds reopen.

At exactly two o'clock, Mr. Bui Quoc Bao stepped up to the podium to deliver an opening speech, giving an overview of the project to beautify the Van Son old quarter - a project that is expected to both preserve traditional architectural values and modernize infrastructure, attracting tourism and investment to the town. After that, he invited the representative of the main investor to speak.

Ho Xuan Truong stepped onto the podium, looking confident and powerful like a successful businessman. He is over fifty years old, his gray hair is neatly combed, and his expensive suit enhances his imposing appearance. As his eyes passed over Khanh Linh, there was a brief moment of hesitation — a hesitation, almost imperceptible without paying close attention — before he regained his usual professional composure.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am very honored to accompany Van Son town in this important project," he said, his voice warm and convincing. "Van Son Land Company is committed to investing the best resources to turn the old town into a major tourist destination, while ensuring absolute safety for people living in the area."

When it was Khanh Linh's turn to present the preliminary design, she stepped up to the podium with professional confidence that had been honed over many years of work, even though her heart was still beating faster than usual. She presented the design philosophy of respecting the original architecture, harmoniously combining conservation and development, and did not forget to emphasize the importance of a thorough geological survey before implementing any construction items.

"In particular, for areas that have been affected by geological incidents in the past, I recommend that there be a comprehensive, independent geological survey before approving any specific design options for that area," she said, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was mentioning her family's own trauma in front of a large crowd of townspeople.

A short silence covered the hall before Ho Xuan Truong spoke, his voice still affable but somewhat stiffer than before. "We fully support ensuring absolute safety, architect Linh," he said. "But I believe, our technical team already has all the necessary geological data from previous surveys, there is no need to conduct additional costly surveys that could slow down the project progress."

"With all due respect, Mr. Truong," Khanh Linh replied, her voice steady, "this area has had a serious disaster. The additional caution is, I think, well deserved, to ensure history does not repeat itself."

Ho Xuan Truong's eyes flashed with something unpredictable - maybe discomfort, maybe something deeper - before he nodded, changing the topic to the presentation of the project's economic benefits. But Khanh Linh, sitting down in her chair after the presentation, could still feel an underlying tension building between her and this powerful businessman.

After the meeting, when everyone gradually left, an older woman approached Khanh Linh, her eyes were full of complexity - both resentful and as if she was looking for something. "Are you the daughter of architect Bach Vinh Son?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Yes, I'm Khanh Linh," she replied, mentally preparing to receive familiar reproaches.

"I'm Ut Suong, I used to sell vegetables at the ancient market," she said, her voice choked. "I lost my husband and youngest son that night of the landslide." She stopped for a moment, her eyes looking at Khanh Linh with an indescribable complexity. "But I've lived long enough to realize, perhaps, things aren't as simple as this whole town has been thinking for the past fifteen years."

Those words made Khanh Linh stunned, a fragile ray of hope crept into her heart. "Can you explain more clearly, Mrs. Suong?" she asked, her voice nervous.

Mrs. Ut Suong glanced around, as if worried that someone was watching, before lowering her voice to a whisper. "Not here. If you really want to know the truth, go to the market early tomorrow morning, find my old vegetable stall. I will tell you what I witnessed that night, things that I have never dared to tell anyone for the past fifteen years."

Having finished speaking, she hurriedly left, leaving Khanh Linh standing there, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and fear at what might be about to be revealed.

Viet Hoang, waiting for her at the hall door, immediately noticed Khanh Linh's strange expression when she walked out. "What's up?" he asked, his eyes watching her worriedly.

Khanh Linh recounted the short conversation with Mrs. Ut Suong, her voice still shaking with emotion. "She asked to meet me at the market tomorrow morning," she said. "I don't know what to hope for, but my gut feeling tells me that this could be the first piece of the puzzle that helps me better understand what really happened."

"I'll go with you, if you want," Viet Hoang offered immediately, his voice sincere. "Mrs. Ut Suong used to be very close to your family before, perhaps your presence will make her more comfortable sharing."

"I really hope you come with me," Khanh Linh replied, feeling relieved to know she didn't have to face this alone.

On the way back to the hotel, they passed by the area expected to be the center of the renovation project - where there used to be a bustling ancient market before the disaster, now there is only a temporary fenced vacant lot, overgrown with weeds mixed with broken pieces of concrete left over from the previous cleanup. Khanh Linh stopped and stared at that desolate scene, feeling like she was seeing the unfinished wound of an entire community.

"Every time I pass by here, I still can't help but shiver," Viet Hoang said softly, standing next to her. "My father often told me that night, the sound of rocks collapsing sounded like endless thunder, lasting for nearly half an hour."

"Did your father ever tell me, or anyone else, about his doubts before he died?" Khanh Linh asked, her voice filled with fragile hope.

Viet Hoang shook his head, his expression full of regret. "I don't know the details, because I was too young at the time, and my father also passed away not long after from injuries sustained in the landslide. But I remember, a few times, I heard my father and a few former colleagues whispering about 'the drawings not being exactly like what they saw on the construction site.' At that time, I was too young to understand the meaning of that sentence, but it has always haunted me for many years."

That account further reinforced the suspicion that was gradually forming in Khanh Linh's heart — that there was some gap between what actually happened on the construction site, and what was officially recorded in the investigation file blaming her father. She looked towards the empty lot, where the sunset was gradually falling, dyeing a pale orange color over the entire desolate landscape, and told herself that, no matter how complicated and painful the truth was, she would not stop until she found it, even at the cost of the career she had built up for so many years.