Chapter 16 — The Inn at the End of the Pass

Just as Khai Dang predicted, the following days became a real race against time. Thao spent every spare moment going door to door in Back Deo hamlet, explaining the "heritage road" project, convincing each household to sign a consent petition. Not everyone was easily convinced — many were skeptical, thinking this was just a pipe dream that could not come true with the power of an approved state project.

In the midst of busy work, La Duc Vinh suddenly returned to the inn, this time bringing a much more specific proposal than the previous meeting.

"We just received instructions from above." He spoke, his voice still professional but a bit more urgent than before. "There is a special support policy for households who register to receive compensation early, before the official land recovery decision is made - the support level will be thirty percent higher than the normal price schedule, but only applies within the next month."

The number thirty percent, for many households struggling to manage their finances, is a big temptation. Thao noticed that right after La Duc Vinh left the shop, the atmosphere in the neighborhood began to stir strongly, many families began to discuss and seriously consider accepting this "decoy" proposal instead of waiting for a project that was not yet certain of success.

"You've decided." Ms. Sau Hong informed Thao that afternoon, her voice a bit guilty but still determined. "I will register to receive compensation soon. I'm sorry, but I'm old and can't wait for a vague plan anymore. That amount of money is enough for me to buy a small house downstream and live in peace for the rest of my life."

Thao did not blame Mrs. Sau Hong, although she could not help but feel disappointed. She understands that everyone has their own circumstances and worries, and not everyone has the strength to bet their future on a plan as uncertain as the one she is pursuing.

That afternoon, Nhat Minh returned from school, his face sad, telling the story of his classmate - the child of another household in the neighborhood who had decided to receive early compensation - announcing that he would transfer school to the city next week.

"Long said his parents sold the land and will leave next week." Nhat Minh said, his voice choked. "She cried the whole class, saying she didn't want to leave us, far from this pass. Thao, can we save her?"

Thao hugged her younger brother, clearly feeling the worry not only of the adults but also of the children in the neighborhood, innocent beings who were witnessing their familiar world gradually falling apart due to decisions beyond their control.

"I'm trying my best, honey. I promise I'll do everything I can." She said, even though in her heart she was not sure about the final result.

That afternoon, Thao and Khai Dang continued to go to each remaining house in the hamlet, patiently explaining and persuading, bringing with them sketches of the future vision of the heritage road - where tourists can stop to admire the scenery, experience the indigenous culture, and buy typical agricultural products of the highlands. Some families agreed immediately, others were still half-convinced and half-skeptical, requiring more specific evidence about the feasibility of the plan.

"I think that's a good idea, but to be honest, I've heard a lot of projects like this, but in the end, few of them are successful." A middle-aged man, owner of a small roadside restaurant, frankly expressed his skepticism. "How do we plan to convince the guys above, when the final decision is still in their hands?"

"You're right, it's a real risk." Khai Dang replied, not avoiding difficult questions. "But I believe, if we have enough consensus signatures from the people, enough data to prove the economic and cultural value of the old road, along with the support of local media, the likelihood of success will be much higher than if we do nothing."

The man pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and agreed to sign the petition, although his doubts still remained that had not completely disappeared.

That evening, at Mr. Bay Trinh's house, a small meeting was held among the hesitant households, even though it was pouring rain outside. Thao stood up and presented the entire project plan, with the support of Khai Dang through carefully prepared data and illustrations.

"I understand people are worried, are tempted by the immediate support." Thao said, her voice sincere, her eyes looking around at the familiar faces that had been with her all her life. "But I hope everyone will give us a little more time. If the project is successful, not only my inn, but our entire neighborhood will have a much more sustainable path than a few tens of millions of dong in compensation and having to start from scratch in a strange place."

Mr. Bay Trinh stood up, his voice as bright as usual. "I believe in Thao. He is Chinh's child, and Chinh once recklessly built an inn in the middle of this deserted pass. Everyone said he was crazy, but in the end he succeeded. I think, I should give the children another chance."

The atmosphere in the small house became quiet, many people nodded and thought. At the end of the meeting, although absolute consensus was not reached, the majority of remaining households still agreed to wait longer, temporarily shelving the decision to receive early compensation to see the results of the project.

But the next morning, another piece of news hit, making all efforts seem shaky. Ms. Sau Hong's grocery store closed, a "Transfer" sign was posted on the window, marking the first departure in a series of separations that may continue if the project does not bring results in time.

Thao stood looking at the "Concession" sign for a long time, her heart heavy. Mrs. Sau Hong, who has been selling on this street corner since Thao was a child, is now left with only an empty shop, waiting for a new buyer to take over, erasing a small but important piece of memory of the entire Back Deo neighborhood.

"Don't be so sad." Khai Dang came to stand next to her, placing his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "We can't keep everyone, but we can still do our best so that those who remain have a future worth waiting for."

"I'm just afraid that if every week one more household gives up like that, by the time the project is completed, our neighborhood will have no one left to save." Thao said, her voice filled with anxiety.

Khai Dang remained silent, there was no solid answer to reassure her at this time, he could only squeeze her hand tighter, and face with her the harsh reality that was gradually becoming clear - the battle to retain Vuc Suong pass was not only a battle with cold planning drawings, but also a battle with the doubts and fatigue that were creeping into the hearts of the people who had been attached to this place for many generations, now standing at a crossroads of not easy choices. easy.

That evening, when the whole family gathered to eat, the atmosphere was still heavy because of the news about the grocery store closing. Nhat Minh ate and drank absentmindedly, occasionally looking up to ask innocent questions that made adults feel sad.

"If Mrs. Sau is gone, who will sell candy to us anymore?" The boy asked, his voice regretful.

"Someone else will come soon." Thuy Duong replied, trying to comfort her younger brother even though she herself felt equally disappointed.

Gia Binh, who rarely came home for dinner tonight, sat quietly listening to the story, his face unable to hide his concern. He looked at Thao, his eyes complicated as if he was fighting with his own thoughts about the decision to sell the land that was still hanging in the balance.

"Miss Thao, how is your project with Mr. Dang progressing?" He asked, his voice was low, completely different from his previous indifferent attitude.

"We are collecting consensus signatures from the people, more than half of the hamlet already. But Ms. Sau Hong and a few other households have decided to receive compensation soon. I'm afraid if this momentum continues, by the time the project is completed there won't be enough supportive households left to create convincing weight." Thao answered honestly, not hiding the difficulties she was facing.

Gia Binh nodded and did not say anything more, but his eyes when looking at the project map that Thao had temporarily pasted on the wooden wall, reflected a deeper concern than what he expressed on the outside, as if the decision to sell the land that he once thought was final was now starting to waver due to what was happening around him.

The meal ended later than usual, each person left the table with their own thoughts. Thao looked at Gia Binh quietly helping clean up the dishes, a small action that he rarely took the initiative to do in recent days, and in her heart there was a faint glimmer of hope that, perhaps, the whole family's efforts were not completely in vain.