Chapter 17 — The Promise of a Demobilized Soldier

The news that Bao Chau's family was directly threatened spread quickly among the veteran network, not only within Binh Minh Agricultural Products Company but also beyond Tan Hoa city, to veterans who were in the same unit as Thanh Phong and Dinh Khang in the past, and are now scattered throughout the provinces and cities after demobilization.

Ben, as the main connector in the veteran network, established a contact group many years ago, initially just for brothers to ask about their health and share news about each other, gradually becoming a close-knit community. When news of the incident that threatened Khang's family spread among the group, the reaction came faster and stronger than anyone could have imagined.

In just two days, dozens of veterans from neighboring provinces, even some from the remote Central region, proactively arranged their work, paid their own money to buy bus tickets, and found their way to Tan Hoa to support. Some people own a small car repair shop, some people work as security guards for another company, some people are even older, their health is not as good as before, but all of them put aside all personal difficulties to go on the road, for just one simple reason: their teammates need them.

"Mr. Phong, I heard about what happened to Ms. Chau's family." A middle-aged man, named Trung, a veteran who used to be in the same battalion as Thanh Phong but in a different small unit from him and Khang, called as soon as he heard the news, his voice full of determination. "My brothers and I in the province are making arrangements right here. If you need anything, just let us know, we're ready."

Thanh Phong was touched speechless by that support. He never expected that, with just a short call through the contact group, the team spirit from years of fighting together would still be so intact, overcoming all geographical and time distances.

Within a week, the area around Bao Chau's house and the whole Binh Minh company had nearly thirty more volunteer veterans from all over, organizing themselves into small groups, assigning each other to guard shifts, escorting An to school, and also supporting additional human resources for the company during this difficult period. Their large and organized presence not only brought real safety to Bao Chau's family, but also created a significant psychological pressure on Chan Long, forcing him to be more cautious before considering any further rash actions.

"I didn't expect this to be so controversial." Chan Long scowled and spoke to his juniors when receiving reports about the number of veterans gathering around the area. "Where did that group of old soldiers come from?"

"Mr. Long, I heard that everyone in this province knows about Binh Minh company. These veterans are very close together, they are not the type to be easily bullied." A junior whispered, his voice somewhat apprehensive.

That evening, in the area in front of Bao Chau's house, a touching scene took place when veterans from all over gathered and built a small canvas tent to take turns staying on duty all night. Some people brought along mini gas stoves to cook a few simple dishes to share with each other. The atmosphere was both serious guarding and warm comradeship, reminiscent of the nights of marching and field camps in the past.

Among the returning volunteers, there was one case that made Thanh Phong especially emotional. That was a veteran named Phuc, who was seriously injured in the spine during the same mine clearance mission last year but in another platoon, and had had to use a wheelchair for more than ten years. Hearing the news from the contact group, he did not hesitate to ask his son to drive him by motorbike more than three hundred kilometers from a central province to Tan Hoa, despite the constant pain every time he traveled long distances.

"Uncle Phuc, you don't have to work so hard. It's very difficult for you to travel this far." Thanh Phong said as he picked him up from the car, his voice was both emotional and guilty.

"Phong, don't say that." Mr. Phuc brushed it off, his voice resolute even though his face was still wrinkled from fatigue after the long trip. "In the past, on the battlefield, we couldn't leave each other. Now when we hear that Khang's wife and children are in danger, if I sit still at home, I'm not worthy of being seen by my comrades. If my legs can't move, my hand can still hold something to help. Don't worry about me, just worry about solving this problem."

Those words made Thanh Phong unable to contain his emotions and had to turn away to hide the tears that were about to flow. Mr. Phuc, even though he was in a wheelchair, still volunteered to handle phone calls and coordinate guard schedules among groups of veterans, properly promoting the logistics command experience he once held in the military.

The atmosphere in the area around Bao Chau's house those days became unusually bustling, but it was a bustle filled with gratitude, not chaos. People in the alley were initially a bit shy when they saw a large number of strangers gathering, but when they learned the story, many people actively brought drinks and cakes to support, seeing it as a beautiful gesture in the heart of the city.

Bao Chau, when bringing hot tea to the veterans on guard, couldn't help but be moved by that spirit of solidarity. She sat down and talked with a few people, listening to the stories they told about Khang, about shared memories with Thanh Phong during his time in the army, stories that her husband had rarely told in detail before.

"Sister Chau, Mr. Khang is a very good person. Back then, he often gave his meals to hungry young soldiers who had just joined the army." An elderly veteran recounted, his voice full of nostalgia. "He lost a leg but never complained, always worried about his brothers more than himself. You and An are loved by him and protected by us brothers, it's only natural, don't be afraid of anything."

Hearing those words, Bao Chau couldn't hold back her tears, both because she missed her husband and because she was touched by the deep sense of comradeship that Khang had cultivated over the years, which was now bearing fruit to protect his wife and children in the most dangerous moment.

Thanh Phong stood from afar observing that scene, his heart filled with an indescribable pride and gratitude. He understands that this war is no longer just his or Binh Minh's war, but has become a symbol of eternal teamwork, of the oath to never abandon each other whether on the battlefield or in everyday life, a strength that no amount of money or power of the Diep brothers can easily subdue.

That night, as he looked at the small fire from the mini gas stove flickering among the gathered group of veterans, Thanh Phong silently told himself, and as if silently telling Khang somewhere far away, that the old promise, despite having gone through many difficulties and challenges, was finally being fully fulfilled, not by his own strength, but by a whole group of soldiers who had never forgotten their camaraderie.

Mr. Phuc, sitting at a small table temporarily set up in the yard with a book carefully recording his duty schedule, called Thanh Phong closer, his voice thoughtful. "Phong, I heard Ben tell you a little about what you guys are doing, about some farmers whose land is being squeezed or something. I think, this is not just about protecting Khang's family, but a much bigger story. You and Chau can rest assured that we will do everything we can, let us take care of the security here, we can be on duty for a few months if needed, we won't give up overnight."

Thanh Phong squeezed his hand, filled with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you everyone. Thanks to everyone, I was confident enough to focus on completing the evidence file, without worrying about the safety of Ms. Chau and baby An anymore."

"That is our duty." Mr. Phuc smiled, the gentle smile of an old soldier who had gone through many ups and downs in life. "Once upon a time, Khang saved your entire squad. Now his wife and children are in trouble. If we don't take action, how long will we wait?"

In the distance, under the late moonlight, the silhouettes of old soldiers still took turns standing guard around the small house, silent but steadfast, like an invisible wall built with camaraderie, ready to shield the deceased friend's family from any danger that could come from the Diep brothers, a silent but strong affirmation that the soldiers' camaraderie has never been limited in time or distance, and that no one is enough. the power to bribe or extinguish it with money or power.