Chapter 29 — The Empty Rescuer and the Female President Hide a Will

Five years after the flood, wharf number 4 became a place to welcome people.

No more abandoned warehouses, just rescue stations, community kitchens and an open storage room. The metal box is on display, next to a map of the embankment and the names of those who contributed.

Vy is still the female chairwoman, but the council has seven resident representatives. She no longer uses the word "family" to exempt herself from audits. When there is a new project, she is the first to request a safety assessment.

Quan became technical director. Tuan has retired, but still comes to teach new recruits. Duyen manages the insurance program, and Nam published a book about the right to live safely.

Khang opened six kitchens, but still cooked for the rescue team on weekends. He said work shouldn't turn him into someone who doesn't have time to eat with his wife.

I'm not rich. I have a salary, a new room and enough emergency funds to live on. People ask why I don't use my inheritance to buy a big house.

I said:

“I like to hear the sound of water under the floor.”

One afternoon, Vy gave me her father's last will and testament. He edited a sentence, writing after learning that the two sisters had met:

"If they find each other, don't force them to become one person. Let each of them keep their own way of saving people."

Vy asked me if I was angry with him.

"Have."

“Still hurt?”

"Have."

“Do the two things coexist?”

“Family is usually like that.”

We sat and looked at the river. No one has to choose between forgiveness and the truth anymore.

Khang called from the kitchen, saying a boy sent me a toy key.

I came down to meet you. The boy is engineer Quan's son and has just finished swimming lessons.

“I want to be a lifeguard in the future,” he said.

I put the toy key on his backpack.

“So remember to learn how to open the door, not just how to jump into the water.”

Vy looked from afar and smiled.

That night, we locked the storage room, but left the key in an unlocked glass case.

Secrets should only be kept when it is necessary to protect people. After the danger has passed, the truth must have a door to come out of.