Chapter 27 — The Man Behind the Rain in Old Street

Three months after Minh Nguyet was born, the rhythm of life of the small family at the Late Night Light bookstore gradually entered a new orbit, despite not lacking sleepless nights and hurried mornings. Bao Ngoc has returned to work part-time at the editorial office, mainly editing remotely and only going to the office a few times a week, while Nhat Quang rearranged his work schedule at the bookstore so he can take turns taking care of his daughter and his wife.

"Are you sure you're ready to go back to work?" Nhat Quang asked one morning, when he saw Bao Ngoc breastfeeding her baby while trying to read a draft of an article on her phone.

"I think so," Bao Ngoc replied, looking up and smiling tiredly but happily. "Work helps me feel like I'm still myself, not just a mother. Besides, I also want Minh Nguyet to grow up and be proud of her mother's work."

On the first Tuesday morning back to the editorial office, Bao Ngoc walked into the office with a bit of surprise, feeling both familiar and strange after many months of absence. Former colleagues gathered around to congratulate her and ask about Minh Nguyet, while the group of young reporters she led before going on maternity leave were still struggling with an investigative topic about water pollution in a suburban industrial park.

"Miss Ngoc, we are so confused, we don't know where to approach internal sources," a young reporter named Thao said, her voice full of worry when presenting the situation to Bao Ngoc. "That company is very secretive, no one dares to speak up for fear of losing their jobs."

Bao Ngoc sat down, listened to everything the group had collected, then shared the experiences she had drawn from her own journey investigating the Nhat Lan case - how to build trust with witnesses, how to patiently wait for the right moment for someone to be ready to speak up, and most importantly, how to protect the source at all costs.

"Sometimes, it takes a long time for someone to be brave enough to break the silence," she said, her eyes shining with deep understanding. "Our job is not to force them, but to create a space that is safe enough so that when they are ready, they know they can trust us."

Phan Duc Long, passing by and hearing part of the conversation, stopped and nodded in approval. "That's exactly why I always want you to come back, even if only part-time," he told Bao Ngoc after the group of young reporters had left. "Her experience and empathy are something that cannot be taught through books, but can only be learned through real-life experiences."

That afternoon, when Bao Ngoc brought Minh Nguyet down to the bookstore to help Nhat Quang arrange a new display corner, Mrs. Bay Lieu stopped by as usual, her hand never forgetting to bring a small gift or a home-cooked dish for the whole family.

"She's growing up so fast," she said, picking up Minh Nguyet and rocking her gently in her familiar arms. "At that moment, I already knew how to laugh out loud."

"Her favorite thing is when she hears the wind chimes hanging in the bookstore," Nhat Quang said, pointing to the small bronze wind chimes he recently added near the book counter area, which was a wedding gift from an old friend. "Every time the wind blows, she laughs loudly."

While Mrs. Bay Lieu played with Minh Nguyet, Bao Ngoc took the opportunity to complete the new display corner that she and Nhat Quang had long cherished - a small bookshelf specifically for children in the neighborhood, where they can come and read books for free every weekend, named "Nhat Lan Reading Corner," as a way to continue the spirit of love of books and culture that Nhat Lan once expressed through her diary.

"I think this is the most meaningful way to remember you," Bao Ngoc said, arranging children's books on a lovely small wooden shelf. "Not just a stone stele or an inscription in a museum, but a living space where children can grow up with a love of books, just like the way I once wished."

Nhat Quang nodded, his eyes filled with deep sympathy. “You will certainly be happy to see this,” he said. "I always dreamed of opening a small reading corner for children in the neighborhood, before... before everything happened. Now, that dream has finally come true, albeit late."

***

The opening ceremony of "Nhat Lan Reading Corner" took place on a sunny Sunday morning, attracting a large number of children in the neighborhood and their parents to attend. Bao Ngoc, holding Minh Nguyet, stood with Nhat Quang in front of a small bookcase decorated with colorful ribbons, preparing to cut the inauguration ribbon.

"From today, every weekend, you will have a place to read books, to dream, to explore the world through each page," Bao Ngoc said to the small crowd, her voice warm and sincere. "This is a gift that aunt and uncle Quang want to give to this neighborhood, to commemorate a person who loved books so much that he couldn't put it into words."

Baby Su, now a little older, was one of the first children to rush into the new reading corner, her hand eagerly choosing her favorite comic book to read on the spot. Looking at that scene, Mr. Tuan, standing next to Ms. Bay Lieu, could not hide his satisfied smile.

"Look how happy the kids are," he said. "This is exactly what a community needs — not just justice for the past, but good things built for the future."

Ms. Truong Thi Ngan, the woman who provided important financial evidence that contributed to solving the case every year, also attended the ceremony, bringing a stack of old books to donate to the reading corner. "I always feel guilty for being silent for so long," she told Bao Ngoc, her eyes filled with mixed emotions. "Seeing the good things built from the truth that I helped reveal, I feel like I have finally redeemed myself for some of my past mistakes."

"You don't need to feel guilty anymore," Bao Ngoc replied, holding her hand affectionately. "It was her courage that helped bring justice to Nhat Lan, and now, helps bring joy to so many children in this neighborhood. That is more of a complete atonement than anything else."

***

That evening, after the guests had left and Minh Nguyet was asleep in her crib, Bao Ngoc and Nhat Quang sat in the bookstore, looking at "Nhat Lan Reading Corner" under the soft yellow light, both hearts filled with an indescribable contentment.

"I think we are gradually turning pain into meaningful things," Bao Ngoc said, leaning her head on her husband's shoulder. "Not only for our family, but also for the entire community that has accompanied us throughout our journey."

"That's what Nhat Lan always wanted," Nhat Quang replied, his hand squeezing his wife's hand. "It's not about revenge or mere justice, it's about turning pain into motivation to build better things for future generations."

They sat quietly together for a long time, listening to the gentle sound of wind chimes ringing every time a gentle breeze blew, a sound that has now become an indispensable part of the warm space of the Late Night Bookshop - a place that has witnessed many ups and downs, from secrets and pain, to love, marriage, and now, a new generation growing up between the pages of books and the love of an entire community.

Not long after, Bao Ngoc stood up, gently walked to Minh Nguyet's crib, who was sleeping in the corner of the room, and looked at her daughter for a long time before returning to her husband's side. "I just thought, maybe later, when you grow up, you will sit and read books right in this reading corner, like the other children in the neighborhood," she said, her voice gentle and thoughtful. "You will grow up in a space full of stories, full of memories of people who have taught us what courage is."

"And who knows," Nhat Quang added, a small smile on his lips, "one day, you will read the book you wrote, understand the entire journey your parents went through before you were born, and be proud of it."

"Do you think your child will understand?" Bao Ngoc asked, a bit of concern passing through his voice.

"I'm sure so," Nhat Quang replied, squeezing his wife's hand. "Because you were born from a story of truth and love, and those values, no matter how you realize them, will always permeate the way you grow up, the way you view the world around you."

Outside, Yen Lang street has fallen into a quiet night, with only the familiar "Late Night Light" still shining in the first floor window, like a silent testament to a family built from the seemingly impossible - from the darkness of a thirty-year secret, to the light of a perfect love, and now, to the hope of a new generation waiting to continue writing its own story.