Chapter 23 — The Summer Contract of Western Beauty and Beasts

One evening, after Tue An had fallen asleep, Nha Khanh was busy cleaning up the file cabinet in the couple's shared office when her hand stopped on a piece of paper that was slightly yellowed by time - the marriage agreement they had signed together more than a year ago. In the past few days, since all the legal turmoil completely subsided, life at Doi Suong farm has gradually returned to its daily rhythm, but with a new nuance - more relieved, peaceful and full of happiness than ever.

She picked up the piece of paper, reread every clause she had meticulously drafted on the first night, deciding to accept Bach Son's offer - about a private room, about clear boundaries, about the clause to terminate at any time if it negatively affected Tue An. Reading those words again, she couldn't help but laugh at her own naivety in believing that a paper contract could control the human heart.

At that moment, Bach Son entered the room, saw her holding a piece of paper, he paused a bit and then approached.

"Where did you find it?" he asked, sounding a little surprised.

"In the old drawer, while cleaning," Nha Khanh replied, smiling at him. "I just read it again, and I find it so funny. Back then, I carefully wrote down each clause, afraid of any disputes in the future."

Bach Son sat down next to her, took the paper, his eyes glanced over each familiar line, the corners of his lips also curled up in a nostalgic smile. "At that time, I did not expect that such a pragmatic agreement would lead to today."

"Do you ever regret it?" Nha Khanh asked, her voice soft, her eyes gauging his reaction.

Bach Son turned to look at her, his eyes filled with an unmistakable deep affection. "My only regret is that I didn't realize early on that I loved you, and that I had to spend a long time hiding my feelings behind the cover of a pragmatic agreement."

Those words made Nha Khanh's heart pound and happy tears welled up. "Me too. I remember, there was a time when I told myself not to let my emotions creep in, for fear of being hurt again. But you, and An too, made me unable to keep that promise to myself."

Bach Son held her hand, his voice became serious, filled with love. "Nha Khanh, I want to say clearly, unequivocally, without any more hints - I love you, not because of an agreement, not because of benefits, but because of who you are, because of the patience and sincerity you have shown me and An throughout the past year. Are you willing to stay here, not as a wife on paper, but as my real wife, forever, without any further terms?"

Nha Khanh's tears rolled down faster than she could wipe them away. She nodded repeatedly, having to take a deep breath to finish the sentence. "Yes, I'm willing, Bach Son. I love you, love An, with all my heart, without any more calculations or reservations."

Bach Son pulled her into his arms, embracing her tightly in a warm embrace, filled with the most sincere love that he had never shown to anyone since the day his ex-wife passed away. Then he took the old agreement, slowly tore it into small pieces, letting them fly in the night wind outside the window, as a ritual that completely closed the pragmatic, calculating phase of their relationship, to open a completely new chapter, guided only by sincere love.

"From today, there are no more contracts," he said, his voice firm, "only one real family, with real love, forever."

Nha Khanh leaned her head on his chest, listening to the steady, warm heartbeat of the man she loved, fully feeling the simple but precious happiness that she had searched for all her life without even knowing it, until fate brought her lost on this deserted farm on a fateful rainy night.

"What should we do next?" she asked softly, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Bach Son thought for a moment, then smiled, a rare radiant smile. "I think it's time for us to hold a real wedding, not just a simple registration procedure like before, but a proper wedding, with all our relatives and friends witnessing, so that the whole world knows we truly love each other."

Nha Khanh laughed and nodded in agreement immediately, her heart filled with anticipation for a bright, fulfilling future waiting ahead, where she was no longer a deserted lady running away from danger, but a happy woman, finding true love among the green tea hills of the plateau, next to the man and child who became her whole world.

The next morning, the two decided to announce the good news to everyone. First was Uncle Sau Lanh, who as soon as he heard the news, he shouted with joy, almost dropping the tea tray he was carrying. "I knew it right away, I knew right away that you two would come together sincerely! Let me take care of the wedding preparations. I know a few theater and party people in the village. I'll make sure to take care of everything!"

After that, Nha Khanh called to inform her father and Ha Bich Tram. When Mr. Duong Khai Phong heard the news, his voice trembled with emotion. "I'm so happy for you, Khanh. You've finally found your true happiness. I will definitely come to your wedding, I can't be absent."

Bich Tram shouted excitedly over the phone, asking questions about the date, time, location, and who would be the bridesmaid, causing Nha Khanh to laugh and calm her best friend down.

In the afternoon, when the news spread throughout Doi Suong village, all the neighbors stopped by to congratulate, bringing simple but sentimental gifts - sometimes a bunch of ripe banana trees, sometimes a basket of chicken eggs, sometimes a few kilos of freshly picked tea at the beginning of the season. That warm, sincere atmosphere made Nha Khanh even more aware of the value of the simple things that she had missed during her years living amid luxury and calculation in the city.

That evening, while sitting together making preliminary plans for the wedding, Tue An also sat next to her, scribbling on a piece of paper something according to her own imagination. When Nha Khanh bent down to look, she realized that the child was drawing three figures holding hands and standing in front of a small house, above which was a large round sun shining brightly - the picture was simple but filled with a clear message about the family that the child was feeling, even though it could not be fully expressed in words.

"So beautiful, An," Nha Khanh hugged the baby, pressing her cheek against the baby's hair to hide her stinging eyes. "This is our family, right?"

Tue An nodded, looked up at her, her eyes were clear, shining with a simple happiness that only those who truly understand her can fully recognize.

Bach Son sat next to him, quietly observing that scene, his heart filled with an indescribable emotion. He reached out to receive the painting from Nha Khanh, looked at it for a long time, then carefully folded it and put it in his wallet, like a priceless treasure he would always carry with him.

“I will keep this painting forever,” he said, his voice deep. "This is the first time An has painted a picture of such a complete family since her mother passed away. That, to me, is more meaningful than any certificate."

Nha Khanh nodded, her eyes also filled with tears from emotion. She hugged both father and daughter in her arms, fully feeling the family warmth that she had been searching for throughout a long and arduous journey. That night, the three of them sat together on the porch for a long time, looking at the sparkling starry sky, no one was in a hurry to leave, as if wanting to prolong this rare moment of peace and complete happiness.

Before entering the bedroom, Bach Son held Nha Khanh's hand and stopped in front of her room door - no longer a separate room according to the terms of the torn-up agreement, but from today, will be a common room for both husband and wife. He looked at her, his eyes gentle and filled with love. "Welcome, officially become my wife, no more strings attached."

Nha Khanh smiled, happy tears rolling down, nodded slightly, walked in with him, closed the door behind her, leaving behind all the pain and fear of an old life, opening up a future filled with love and true happiness ahead, a future that the two of them will continue to write together, day by day, with all the sincerity they have for each other.