Chapter 19 — The Lantern That Never Goes Out

There are only five days left until the night of the parade of lights, when a new piece of news hits, threatening to disrupt all the preparations over the past weeks. Mr. Dai Quang Minh, with a rare panicked expression, came to Van Nguyet workshop early one morning, holding an official document.

"I just received a notice from Han Phat's lawyer," he said, his voice shaking with worry. "They warned that, if the light parade night takes place as planned, using the river wharf area during the time frame that coincides with their promotional schedule, they will consider it a violation of the exclusive contract, and may withdraw the entire sponsorship package committed to the festival, including the cost of installing the public lighting system that the whole city is waiting for."

Uyen Chi felt like the ground beneath her feet was shaking. This is no longer a private matter of the craft village, but has become a problem affecting the entire old town, hundreds of other business households that are counting on the overall success of this year's festival season.

"If we cancel the parade night, will they keep their sponsorship commitment?" Uyen Chi asked, trying to keep her voice calm even though she was confused inside.

"Maybe so," Mr. Minh replied, "but I can't be completely sure. This is a very awkward situation for the Management Board. If you insist on organizing it, we could lose a large source of funding, affecting the entire lighting and security system of the entire festival. But if we force you to cancel, I understand that it would also be a great injustice to the efforts you have put in."

This news quickly spread throughout the craft village, causing a new wave of confusion. Some households, already wavering before, are now even more worried, afraid that if they stubbornly organize, they will become the reason the whole street loses an important source of funding, affecting their overall public image.

Uyen Chi convened an emergency meeting that evening at the Van Nguyet factory yard, this time the atmosphere was much heavier than the first meeting to initiate the plan. Many faces showed hesitation, some frankly suggested postponing or canceling the event to avoid risks to the whole street.

"I understand everyone's concerns," Uyen Chi said, standing in front of the crowd, her voice trembling but still trying to keep it steady. "But I want to ask, if this time we step back because of threats, then next year, or the years after that, will we still have a chance to speak up, or will we forever have to live under the influence of forces greater than us?"

A silence covered the factory yard, everyone looked at each other, weighing the realistic fear and the burning desire for justice in each person's heart. Thien Vu, standing next to Uyen Chi, also spoke, his voice full of weight.

"I know, this is a difficult decision, and I have no right to ask anyone to take risks for me or for Van Nguyet workshop," he said. "But I want everyone to know that, if necessary, I am ready to take official responsibility before the Management Board and my father's company, so that the risks do not fall on everyone's shoulders."

Mr. Bay Tuyen, who rarely spoke up in large debates, suddenly stood up, his voice trembling due to age but full of determination. "I have lived in this street for nearly seventy years, witnessed many ups and downs. I think, if this time we step back, not because of lack of resources or lack of talent, but just because of fear, that would be the saddest thing, even sadder than losing a sponsorship."

Mr. Bay's words were like a breath of new life blowing into the crowd's sagging spirits. One by one, even though they were still worried, they began to express their support for continuing the plan, not because they were no longer afraid, but because they realized that this was the decisive moment for whether they would let fear guide their lives, or let their belief in their own worth guide them.

"We will continue," Uyen Chi declared, her voice now firmer, "but we will do everything within the legal framework, making sure not to violate any terms that could put the Management Board in legal trouble. This is our freedom of business, our freedom of culture, and no one can take that away with just empty threats."

That night, after everyone had left, Uyen Chi and Thien Vu sat together, both tired after a stressful day but also filled with an indescribable sense of pride. "You did well," Thien Vu said, looking at her with eyes full of admiration. "I've never seen anyone who can inspire an entire community like you just did."

"It's not just me," Uyen Chi replied, smiling tiredly but warmly. "It's that everyone, including you, stood up together. Without that consensus, I alone couldn't have done anything."

They sat together in silence for a long time, under the gradually full moonlight signaling the approach of the official festival. They both felt that, although there were still many challenges ahead, the fire of love for their profession, of community solidarity, was truly burning stronger than ever, strong enough to illuminate the path they were walking together.

The next morning, Uyen Chi and Thien Vu went to meet Mr. Dai Quang Minh again, bringing with them the official decision of the entire village. They clearly presented a plan to ensure safety, ensuring not to violate any legal terms in the contract between the Management Board and Han Phat, and also proposed to move the time frame of the night light parade to a time that does not overlap with the company's official promotional activities, in order to minimize the risk of conflict.

Mr. Minh carefully examined the proposal, his face gradually relaxed after realizing the thoughtfulness and goodwill in every detail. "If you can firmly commit to not overlapping schedules, I think I can convince my superiors to approve this plan, although a few more confirmation procedures are still needed," he said, his voice much less tense than the previous morning.

"We will prepare all the necessary documents today," Thien Vu said, "and I will also directly discuss with the legal department of Han Phat company, to clarify that we do not intend to violate any terms, simply exercising the right to organize a legal community cultural activity."

Leaving the Management Board headquarters with a new ray of hope, Uyen Chi felt much lighter than the heavy mood of the previous night. She looked at Thien Vu and silently thanked his calm and tact for helping turn a seemingly deadlocked situation into a viable solution, without requiring direct confrontation but still maintaining the stance of the entire community.

Returning to the workshop, the two immediately began adjusting the plan according to the new time frame, notifying all participating households of the change. Even though the organization had to be postponed two hours earlier than originally planned, the atmosphere in the craft village was still filled with excitement, because everyone understood that the fact that the plan was saved at the last minute was the clearest proof of the power of solidarity and determination not to back down.

In the afternoon, Bao Chau stopped by, bringing a pot of hot green bean soup to "reinvigorate" everyone after a stressful day. "I heard you kept the plan?" she asked, her voice full of excitement as she scooped tea into small cups and offered it to everyone in the workshop.

"Yes, but we have to change the time a little earlier," Uyen Chi replied, taking the cup of tea from her friend's hand, feeling the sweet and cool taste spreading in her mouth as if to alleviate some of the fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day.

"That's better," Bao Chau smiled, "the earlier the sunset is even more beautiful. Just as the sun sets over the river, the lantern light will be even more sparkling." She looked around the workshop, saw nearly completed lamps lined up in long rows, her eyes shone with undisguised pride. "Watching you guys work these past few weeks, I feel so proud of our craft village. Who said manual workers are weak, but I think we are stronger than any big company."

Those simple but sincere words made the whole workshop laugh. The tense atmosphere throughout the day gradually disappeared, giving way to a rare warmth and connection between people working together towards a common goal.

Late that night, when everyone had left one by one, Uyen Chi took the opportunity to sit back and count the number of completed lights, comparing it with the list of unfinished work for the remaining five days. She calculated that despite her best efforts, the workshop still lacked about ten lamps to reach the expected number of displays. She rubbed her tired shoulders, but her heart did not waver, she was only more determined to make the most of every remaining minute and hour.

Mr. Khoan, even though his hands were no longer steady enough to do delicate work, still tried to sit with his daughter until late, helping with chores such as tying strings and cleaning the finished lamp frame. "Don't stay up too late," he reminded, his voice filled with worry when he saw his daughter's eyes were dark circles from lack of sleep for many days. "Your health is more important than any lamp."

"I know, father," Uyen Chi replied, giving a tired but warm smile. "Only a few more days. Once you get through this stage, you will rest a lot." She looked at her father and saw in his eyes not only worry, but also a deep pride that he had never put into words, but she still felt it completely through every small gesture he gave her every day.