Chapter 27 — The Empty Rescuer and the Female President Hide a Will

A year later, heavy rain returned.

This time the sensor gave three days notice. People were relocated according to plan, and the rescue station operated non-stop. I was in command on the boat, Vy was in the coordination center.

The temporary settlement area was not flooded. The embankment can withstand water flow, although some sections need reinforcement.

A little girl asked me why I saved my sister last year.

“Because I'm on the roof of the car.”

“What if I don't have the box?”

“You still saved.”

That's the answer I want to keep. The box only takes me so far; the decision to jump into the water was made before.

Vy called to inform the council that she wanted to buy back the rights of the fund to expand her business.

I went back to the meeting room. Representatives of residents sat on both sides, no longer guests.

“Repurchase is not in the charter,” I said.

A shareholder asked that if we don't expand, Thien Ha will fall behind.

Vy looked at him.

“We expand in a way that doesn't force people to leave their homes.”

The Council approved the community floating house project, which is both a flood shelter and a rescue warehouse. The fund holds veto power, Thien Ha enjoys limited profits.

Khang looked at the design and said the floating kitchen needed large windows.

“Let people see that there is hot rice after the flood,” he said.

I asked him if he planned to become kitchen president. Khang shook his head.

“I just want diners to not have to guess what's going on today.”

Nam sent me an article about my father. For the first time, a newspaper called him the founder of the rescue fund, not an embezzler.

After reading it, I didn't feel as happy as I thought it would.

Vy asked:

“Do you want them to apologize?”

"I want to. But sorry won't give back the years my mother had to listen to people curse."

“So what do you do?”

“Create a place where the accused don't have to spend twelve years to hear the truth.”

We opened a whistleblower protection program in the construction industry.

That night, Vy called me by my first name. She asked me if I wanted to move into a shared house near the wharf.

I refuse.

“I still like the room overlooking the river.”

Vy laughed.

“I know. But at least give me a spare key.”