Chapter 17 — The Man Behind the Rain in Old Street

One week after Ton Bao Long was detained for investigation, Captain Hoang Minh Duc informed Bao Ngoc of an important breakthrough. "He finally agreed to cooperate fully," he said over the phone, his voice unable to hide the relief. "His lawyer negotiated a deal under which he would tell the entire truth in exchange for consideration of a partial reduction of his criminal liability."

"What did he say about what happened that night?" Bao Ngoc asked, her voice tense with anticipation.

"According to his testimony, Ms. Nhat Lan accidentally discovered evidence that the Ton family was conducting an illegal financial transaction — essentially money laundering through fake construction contracts," Captain Duc explained. "She confronted him directly, demanding that he report the incident, otherwise she would report to the authorities herself."

"And how did he react?" Bao Ngoc asked, although she had already somewhat guessed the answer.

"According to testimony, a struggle occurred when he tried to prevent her from leaving the residence to report," Captain Duc said, his voice low. "During that struggle, Ms. Nhat Lan fell, hit her head on a rock in the garden, and died on the spot. He claimed that it was an unintentional accident, but instead of reporting the incident, he panicked and decided to bury the body, then used his family's money and power to arrange and hide the entire incident, including deliberately spreading the legend of the white shadow to prevent local people from visiting that area."

Bao Ngoc felt a complex mixture of relief at finally knowing the whole truth, and a deep anger at the cruelty and selfishness that had caused a family to endure thirty years of pain just to protect the reputation and fortune of a wealthy family.

"Whether or not it was an accident," Bao Ngoc said, her voice hard, "the act of concealing, burying the body, and intentionally obstructing justice for thirty years are unforgivable crimes."

"I completely agree," Captain Duc replied. "Formal charges will include concealment of a corpse, obstruction of an investigation, and possibly manslaughter depending on the court's final determination of the nature of the standoff."

***

Bao Ngoc immediately went to meet Nhat Quang to share all the newly received information. He listened in silence, his face going through a variety of emotions—pain, anger, and finally a heavy acceptance.

"So it was an accident," he said finally, his voice quiet. "But he turned an accident into a much more terrible crime, by choosing to hide it rather than face responsibility."

"That's right," Bao Ngoc replied, holding his hand. "If he had reported the incident right then, perhaps things would have turned out a lot differently. Your family would not have had to endure thirty years of suffering in uncertainty."

Nhat Quang nodded, tears rolling down his eyes but no longer carrying the same extreme pain as before, but instead a feeling of relief mixed with deep sadness. "At least now I know," he said. "I know my sister did not suffer prolonged pain, that it was a quick, albeit tragic, death. And I know who is responsible for what happened afterward."

"Do you want to attend the trial when it happens?" Bao Ngoc asked gently.

"Yes," Nhat Quang replied, his voice determined. "I need to see justice served, so that I can truly close this sad chapter in my life."

***

In the following days, Bao Ngoc continued to closely monitor the legal process, writing more articles updating readers on the developments of the case. She also spent time helping Nhat Quang's family prepare for Nhat Lan's official funeral, which could now finally be held after thirty years of waiting.

The burial ceremony took place at a peaceful cemetery on the outskirts of the city, with the attendance of family, friends, and even the witnesses who courageously spoke out to bring the truth to light — Ms. Bay Lieu, Mr. Ly Cong Tuan, Ms. Truong Thi Ngan, along with Phan Duc Long and Thanh Son. Nhat Quang stood in front of his sister's grave, his hand placed on the new stone stele, his voice choked as he said his final goodbye.

"Sister Lan, you can finally go home," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I'm sorry it took me so long to find you, but I never stopped searching, I never stopped believing that one day, the truth will be known."

Bao Ngoc stood next to him, her hand holding his hand tightly, sharing with him this emotional and meaningful moment. A light rain began to fall as the ceremony ended, but this time, none of them felt afraid or haunted by the raindrops — they were now simply rain, no longer carrying the shadow of legend or mystery, as the truth had finally been completely liberated from the darkness that had buried it for so long.

Mrs. Bay Lieu approached the grave, placed a simple bouquet of white chrysanthemums on the new soil, her voice trembling. "My daughter, I'm sorry for being silent for so long," she said, bowing before the stone tablet. "But I hope you can forgive me, and now you can rest in peace."

Mr. Ly Cong Tuan also walked over and solemnly placed his hand on Nhat Quang's shoulder. "As the person who was responsible for investigating this case from the beginning, I apologize for not having the courage to pursue the truth to the end while I still could," he said, his voice filled with regret. "But I'm proud to finally be able to play a small part in correcting that mistake."

"None of you need to apologize anymore," Nhat Quang said, his voice sincere as he looked around at the faces that had accompanied him and Bao Ngoc through this arduous journey. "You all had the courage to stand up when the time came, and that's what really matters."

After the ceremony, when everyone gradually left the cemetery, Bao Ngoc and Nhat Quang stayed a while longer, standing quietly in front of the new grave. "Thank you, Bao Ngoc," Nhat Quang said, turning to look at her, his eyes filled with a peace she had never seen in him before. "You gave my sister something I thought she would never have — a dignified resting place, surrounded by the love of family and people who believed in justice."

"She deserves it," Bao Ngoc replied, resting her head gently on his shoulder. "And you also deserve to find peace after all you've been through."

They stood there for a long time, under the gentle rain, no longer a symbol of mystery or obsession, but now simply drops of purifying water, washing away the pain of the past, paving the way for a new chapter full of hope in both of their lives.

On the way back to the city, Nhat Quang shared with Bao Ngoc about his new plans. "I'm thinking of expanding the bookstore, turning it into a community cultural space, where people can come read books, chat, share their own stories," he said. "I want to transform a place once associated with pain and secrets into a place that brings joy and connection to the community."

"That's a great idea," Bao Ngoc replied, smiling at his hopeful vision. "I believe Nhat Lan would be very proud to see the place she grew up transformed into something so beautiful and meaningful."

"Do you want to help me plan the details?" Nhat Quang asked, his eyes full of hope. "I think, with the eyes of a journalist who has written about urban culture, she will have many good ideas to make this space truly meaningful to the community."

"I'm very happy to help you," Bao Ngoc replied without hesitation, feeling a new excitement about this meaningful project. "We can organize reading sessions for children, small exhibitions about the street's history, and even conversations with historical witnesses like Mrs. Bay Lieu, so that the stories of this street are never forgotten."

"That sounds wonderful," Nhat Quang said, a rare bright smile on his lips, a smile that no longer had any burden of the past, but was full of hope for what was to come. Their car continued to roll through the rain-soaked streets, carrying two people who had overcome darkness together to find light, and now, together, are heading towards a new and promising future.