Chapter 20 — The City Behind the Mist

Exactly eleven days after the emergency reinforcement plan was approved, the construction team completed the entire ground anchor system in the sensitive slope area, three days earlier than expected. The acceptance ceremony took place on a foggy early morning, with the presence of an independent inspection team, local government representatives, and people living near the area where the disaster occurred fifteen years ago.

"The entire ground anchor system met and exceeded the proposed safety standards," the inspection team leader declared, his voice filled with satisfaction as he presented the results to those present. "This is one of the most carefully and methodically executed geological reinforcement projects I have ever seen in my entire career."

Khanh Linh stood silently for a moment, emotions rising that were difficult to express in words. Viet Hoang, standing next to her, gently squeezed her hand. "We did it," he whispered, his eyes unable to hide both pride and emotion.

Mr. Bui Quoc Bao, speaking before a large crowd of people gathered to witness the acceptance ceremony, could not hide his emotions. "Fifteen years ago, this place buried so much hope and so much trust. Today, right here, we have rebuilt a stronger foundation, not only with reinforced concrete, but also with honesty and transparency." The sound of applause rang out, mixed with tears from many people who had lost loved ones in the disaster of the past.

However, that joy did not last long. That afternoon, Khanh Linh received a call from Mr. Nguyen Trong Hai with news that made her worried. "Ho Xuan Truong has been released on bail pending trial, due to health reasons and no criminal record," Mr. Hai announced, his voice somewhat reserved. "I need you to know in advance, so you won't be passive if he makes any moves."

"He's out on bail?" Khanh Linh asked again, unable to hide her surprise mixed with insecurity. "After everything that has been proven, after the testimony of both Mr. Tien and the irrefutable scientific evidence?"

"The legal process must still be followed, Ms. Linh," Mr. Hai explained, his voice patient. "Being on bail doesn't mean you're innocent, it just means you haven't been detained while waiting for an official trial. But I advise you to be very cautious, because a person like Ho Xuan Truong, while still free, can still cause a lot of trouble in other ways."

That warning quickly became reality just a few days later, when Khanh Linh heard that Ho Xuan Truong had held a private meeting with a small group of Van Son Land shareholders, including Mr. Luong Dinh Khai, to discuss "reviewing the reasonableness" of the new design plan that Khanh Linh was implementing, citing additional costs and extended time as legitimate reasons.

"He is trying to rebuild his influence, even though he is awaiting trial," Viet Hoang commented when the two discussed this new development. "It seems he has no intention of giving up easily, but is looking to shift the fight from the legal front to the media and shareholder relations front."

As expected, a few days later, an interview with Ho Xuan Truong suddenly appeared in a local newspaper, in which he, without completely denying responsibility, tried to build an image of himself as a victim of "excessive public pressure," and at the same time questioned the management capacity of a young architect like Khanh Linh for a project of such large scale and influence.

"This is clearly a calculated campaign to shake the public and shareholders' trust in you," Viet Hoang said, his voice unable to hide his indignation as he read the article. "He is trying to take advantage of every remaining tool at his disposal, even though he has lost his official leadership position."

Khanh Linh, even though she couldn't help but feel angry at the distorted words, still tried to maintain the necessary calm. "I won't let myself get caught up in a meaningless media war," she said, her voice steady. "The best way to respond to those baseless accusations is to let the project, the actual results of the project, speak for themselves."

She decided to organize a public press conference, inviting all the media and shareholders of Van Son Land to the construction site, so that they could see for themselves the entire transparent construction process, along with the clear scientific testing results that her team had worked hard to build over the past many months.

The press conference was successful beyond expectations, when many reporters and shareholders, after witnessing firsthand the modern reinforcement system and strict monitoring process, expressed their trust and clear support for the direction that Khanh Linh is pursuing. Mr. Bui Quoc Bao, speaking at the end of the meeting, firmly affirmed: "The Board of Directors completely believes and absolutely supports the technical leadership role of architect Bach Khanh Linh for this project."

However, Khanh Linh and Viet Hoang both understand that this is just a small victory in a long war ahead. "He won't stop here," Khanh Linh said that evening, as they sat together looking out at the construction site slowly fading into the thin evening mist. "A person like Ho Xuan Truong, when cornered, will often find every way to protest, including the most dangerous ways."

At that moment, Viet Hoang's phone rang. It was an urgent call from the regional hydrometeorological station that he regularly coordinated with. After listening to the call, his face became serious. "The tropical depression has officially strengthened into a small tropical storm," he said, his voice low. "The latest forecast shows that it is likely to make direct landfall in the northern mountainous region, including Van Son, much sooner than we originally predicted — within the next five to seven days."

That news made both of them speechless for a moment. Although the reinforcement work has been completed, more time is still needed for the soil and anchoring structures to fully stabilize in accordance with the natural cycle. A real storm, coming earlier than expected, will be the harshest test of all the efforts they have built over the past many months.

"We need to prepare for the worst," Khanh Linh said, her voice regaining its familiar assertiveness even though her eyes still held a hint of anxiety. "Not only in terms of project engineering, but also response and evacuation plans for people living near dangerous areas, in case the worst really happens."

Viet Hoang nodded and squeezed her hand as a silent commitment. “Whatever happens next, we will face it together,” he said. "Just like we've always done, since the day you returned to Van Son."

The next morning, Khanh Linh convened an emergency meeting with the entire project management board, the town government, and representatives of residential groups living near the slope area. "We have less than a week to complete the response plan," she began, her voice decisive, betraying no hesitation. "I suggest immediately making a list of households that need to be prioritized for evacuation if heavy rain exceeds the warning threshold, and at the same time arrange safe shelters with enough capacity for the entire high-risk area."

Mr. Bui Quoc Bao immediately directed the mobilization of more manpower and vehicles from neighboring units, while Viet Hoang and his technical team installed a series of early warning sensors along the entire slope, directly connected to the town's loudspeaker system to be able to broadcast immediate warnings if unusual signs are detected.

News of the impending storm quickly spread throughout Van Son, arousing in the hearts of many people, especially those who had experienced the disaster fifteen years ago, an unavoidable anxiety. Mrs. Ut Suong, upon hearing the news, rushed to find Khanh Linh, her eyes could not hide her insecurity. "Honey, can the reinforcement work really withstand it?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"The technical team has thoroughly tested it, meeting and exceeding safety standards, ma'am," Khanh Linh replied, holding the old woman's thin hands to reassure her. "But Mr. Hoang and I will not be subjective. We are preparing full backup plans, ensuring absolute safety for everyone, whether the worst situation happens or not."

That word of reassurance, although it could not completely dispel the anxiety that was creeping throughout the town, partly helped people feel more secure when witnessing the serious and urgent preparation of Khanh Linh and the entire project team - a clear contrast to the indifference and concealment that led to the tragedy fifteen years ago.

Outside, the night mist gradually thickened, covering the small town that was preparing to enter a new challenge, harsher than anything they had ever faced since they began their journey to find the truth of the past.