Chapter 16 — The Promise of a Demobilized Soldier

Nothing in the business world in Tan Hoa can be kept secret forever. Just over a week after the evidence collection network began operating, news that Thanh Phong was secretly investigating Dong Thinh's agricultural product purchasing contracts reached Diep Chan Long's ears, through one of the small traders in the wholesale market who had a double relationship, both doing business with Binh Minh and reporting the news to Chan Long's side to gain favor.

Chan Long immediately reported to his brother, but this time, instead of waiting for instructions from Chan Vi as usual, he acted on his own, partly because his personal hatred from the previous times he was humiliated by Thanh Phong was still smoldering, partly because he wanted to prove himself to his brother after his failure in the forged debt paper case.

"This Phong guy is getting more and more deceitful." Chan Long gritted his teeth and spoke to his trusted juniors in a closed meeting at an empty pub in the suburbs. "Does he think he's a hero? Dare to go snooping around Dong Thinh's business, this time I have to show him the consequences."

That night, while Bao Chau was home alone with baby An, Thanh Phong was busy with work and had to go meet his partner late at night, when a motorbike without a license plate stopped in front of her gate. A tall man, his face had a long scar running from his temple to his cheekbone, often called Scar man by his juniors, walked down, stood leaning against the iron gate, did not enter the house but deliberately made noise to attract attention.

Bao Chau, hearing a strange noise, went out to see a strange man standing outside the gate, his eyes looking at her full of menace. "Miss Chau, Mr. Chan Long told you and your husband's close friend to be more reasonable." He spoke, his voice deliberately lengthening each word with meaning. "Everything has its limits. You have a young child, you should think about her safety before letting others drag you into things you shouldn't be involved in."

Bao Chau felt cold all over her body, but she tried to stay calm, stand straight, and not show her fear in front of strangers. "What do you mean by that? If there's something you want to say, please say it directly, don't make threats like that in front of my house."

Scar smirked, his eyes glanced through the window, where the small figure of Bao An was standing behind the curtains watching, making Bao Chau even more nervous. "That's all I'm saying. If you're smart, you'll understand. Tell your friend to stop what he's doing, otherwise, I'm not sure if your daughter will be able to go to school safely every day."

Having finished speaking, he turned around and got in the car and left, leaving Bao Chau standing dumbfounded in front of the gate, his legs shaking so much that he had to hold on to the iron bar of the gate to stand steady. She quickly ran into the house, hugged baby An who was hiding in fear in the corner of the room. Both mother and child hugged and trembled in silence for a long time before Bao Chau calmed down enough to call Thanh Phong.

Receiving the call, Thanh Phong immediately abandoned the meeting with his partner and drove like he was flying back to Bao Chau's house. When he arrived, seeing that the mother and child were still in shock, his anger flared up fiercely, but he tried to suppress it, prioritizing calming the mother and child first.

"Miss Chau, are you and baby An okay?" He asked, his voice filled with worry, his hand gently placed on her shoulder.

"I'm okay, it's just... I'm scared, Mr. Phong." Bao Chau said, his voice still shaking. "I'm not afraid for myself, I'm just afraid they will harm An. Maybe, maybe I should stop, my child's safety is more important than anything."

Thanh Phong looked at her sister, then at baby An nestled in her mother's arms. Her eyes were still a little scared but also had an innocent trust in him. He knelt down in front of baby An, his voice was gentle but firm. "An, don't be afraid. I promise you, I won't let anyone harm you or your mother, no matter what the cost."

Turning to Bao Chau, he continued, his voice low but full of determination. "Sister Chau, I understand your fear, and I respect if you want to stop to protect An. But I also want you to understand, if we back down from this threat, not only will Uncle Tu, Mr. Ca Duong and other farmers' affairs be forever in the dark, but we ourselves will have to live in this fear for the rest of our lives, because they will know that just threatening can make us submit."

Bao Chau was silent, squeezing his daughter's hand, tears rolling down his cheeks. She clearly understood that what Thanh Phong said was true, but the fear of a mother still made her heart ache.

"I will increase protection for you and An starting tonight." Thanh Phong added, his voice regaining its usual assertiveness. "I will ask a few trusted veterans to take turns standing near the house, taking An to school every day. We will not leave any loopholes for them to have the opportunity to carry out that threat."

That night, Thanh Phong stayed guard in front of Bao Chau's house until morning, not leaving for even a minute. Looking at his figure standing quietly on the porch all night long, Bao Chau felt more clearly than ever that no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, she no longer had to face it alone.

The next morning, the first thing Thanh Phong did was call lawyer Doan Bao Nghia and explain the entire incident for legal action. Lawyer Vu advises reporting immediately to the local police station, knowing that with oral threats without clear recorded evidence, the possibility of immediate criminal proceedings is not high, but at least reporting will create an official, useful record if more serious threatening behavior occurs later.

"Mr. Phong, I also advise you to install more security cameras around Ms. Chau's house, and it's best, if possible, to arrange for familiar people to take turns watching, both for real protection and as evidence if they continue this behavior." Lawyer Vu spoke on the phone with a serious voice. "At the same time, I will speed up the process of completing legal documents on Dong Thinh's side. The sooner we have solid evidence, the more position we will have to negotiate or confront if necessary."

Thanh Phong then immediately called Ben, explained the situation and asked to organize a small group of trusted veterans to be on duty near Bao Chau's house in the evening, and at the same time take An to school every day to ensure absolute safety. Without hesitation, Ben immediately mobilized five volunteers that afternoon, all of whom were veterans of life and death, ready to protect the family of their deceased comrades without having to think much.

That evening, when everything was arranged, Bao Chau sat quietly in the living room, looking out the window at the figure of a veteran quietly standing guard under the streetlight. Suong, her close friend, stopped by to visit after hearing the news, sat down next to her, and held her friend's hand tightly.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Suong asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm scared." Bao Chau replied, his voice still shaking. "But I'm even more afraid if out of fear I step back, letting people like that continue to oppress so many other families out there. Mr. Khang certainly wouldn't want me to be a weak mother, only cowering in fear and not daring to stand up for what's right."

Suong squeezed your hand, her eyes filled with admiration. "You are much stronger than I thought, Chau. With Mr. Phong and a few veterans by my side, I believe you and An will be fine."

Bao Chau nodded, looked out the window, where the veteran figure still stood quietly guarding the night, her heart gradually regained the necessary calm and determination to continue the thorny road ahead.

Before leaving, Suong gave further instructions in a rare serious voice. "If there's anything unusual, no matter how small, you must immediately notify Mr. Phong and the other veterans. Don't try to bear it yourself like before. You're not alone anymore, Chau, remember that." Bao Chau hugged her friend, her heart warmed by that sincere affection, then sent Suong off when night had completely fallen on the small alley, where the yellow streetlight still clearly reflected the figure of the old soldier standing quietly guarding the peace of mother and child, as a reminder that the camaraderie, no matter how many years have passed, has never faded.