Chapter 15 — Where Old Elephants Rest

The following days passed with unprecedented urgency. Lawyer Thai Minh Nhat and Ha Lam drafted a draft cooperation agreement between the camp and the Chu Rinh trading families who sent elephants in the past, which clearly stipulates the rights, responsibilities, and voice of the community in long-term management. Ama Not acted as a bridge and convened a meeting to get opinions from the families involved.

The meeting took place at the village's community house, under the light of lanterns because the electricity grid in this area was still intermittent after the storm. Ha Lam, along with Mr. Thach, was helped by car, sitting in the front row, nervously observing every face in the crowd - some people nodded in agreement, others still looked skeptical, and many eyes still had a hint of old resentment that had not yet subsided.

Y Khun, as a young person who understands both sides, stood up to speak first, presenting his point of view on behalf of the next generation. "I know my father, my grandfather, has carried this resentment in his heart for many years," he said, his voice echoing throughout the stilt house. "But I also see that in the past few months, Mr. Thach's family has really tried to correct mistakes, not just talk. I think, instead of holding on to old wounds, or chasing after Hoang Kim's promises that are unlikely to come true, we should choose to build a future in which our family really has a voice and a part in it."

That statement received many nods of approval, although there were still some mixed opinions from older people, concerned about the long-term feasibility of the agreement. A middle-aged man sitting in the middle row stood up, his voice still a bit harsh. "It's a good thing to say, but how can we guarantee that this time will be different from the last time? Mr. Thach promised that it's not the first time. Who knows, in a few years everything will fall into place and I'll still be empty-handed as before."

Ha Lam stood up. Even though her heart was pounding with excitement, she still tried to keep her voice steady to answer. "I understand your skepticism, and I don't dare to make empty promises. But this time the agreement is notarized, supervised by a lawyer, and has specific benefits in clear numbers, not just words of mouth like in the past. If I or anyone else violates in the future, you have the right to take legal action. I accept that as a binding commitment, not just simple goodwill."

That straightforward answer seemed to somewhat ease the skepticism in the room. Several people nodded and whispered to each other in M'nong, which Ha Lam only vaguely understood, but through the tone of her voice, she felt the positive change that was gradually spreading. Ama Not stood up, his voice was solemn as usual but also filled with rare warmth.

"I talked to Mr. Thach, heard him apologize with his own mouth," the old man said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "I believe, this time, things will be different. But I also made it clear to Mr. Thach and his daughter, this is not a matter of doing it for the sake of it, doing it to deal with Hoang Kim and then leaving it at that. If our people agree to step on this path, we must follow through to the end, must keep our promise like our grandparents taught us."

After many hours of discussion, the meeting reached a consensus decision - representatives of the families who sent elephants, led by Ama Not, will officially sign a cooperation agreement with the camp, establishing a joint management board with the participation of both parties, in which Chu Rinh village will have a permanent representative, share a part of the revenue from the upcoming responsible observation tourism model, and be given priority in recruiting for work positions at the camp.

When the meeting ended, Mr. Thach was invited to stand up and say a few words. He leaned on his cane, stood up trembling, looking around at the faces that had been involved in his life for decades.

"I'm not perfect," he said, his voice choked but still trying to stay steady. "I have made mistakes, shortcomings that only today I have the courage to face. But I pledge that the rest of my life, no matter how short, I will spend fixing what can be fixed, and I believe my daughter, and her new friends," he glanced at Tuan Khoi standing quietly in the corner of the room, "will continue on that path, better than what I have ever done."

Applause echoed scatteredly and spread throughout the stilt house. It was not passionate applause, but the quiet, sincere recognition of the people who had gone through a long and painful journey together to reach this point of reconciliation.

On the way home, sitting in the back of the car, Mr. Thach leaned his head on his daughter's back. His voice was completely weak from fatigue but still had enough strength to whisper. "Today is one of the most relieved days of my life, daughter. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Three days later, the official agreement was signed, witnessed by Japanese lawyers, commune representatives, and even a few local reporters cleverly invited by Xuan Mai to record this landmark moment. Immediately after the signing ceremony, Ha Lam and the Japanese lawyer sent all documents, including the new agreement document, historical documents, and Ama Not's written testimony, to the district People's Committee office to prepare for the upcoming official meeting on the legality of the land.

But just when everything seemed to be starting to go on a favorable trajectory, a call from Tang Viet Long, Hoang Kim's legal assistant, caused the optimistic atmosphere to slow down. His voice over the phone still retained its familiar cold politeness.

"Miss Lam, we know that you have just signed an agreement with Chu Rinh village," he said, "but I must inform you that our side will continue to pursue the legal review petition, because your new agreement cannot completely eliminate the problems with land registration procedures in the past. In addition, I also want to inform that our company will officially sue in civil court, requesting to declare a part of your farm land as land without an owner. clearly legal, needs to be recovered by the state for auction according to regulations."

That sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured straight into the newly rekindled hope. Ha Lam stood still, clutching her phone tightly, looking out at the elephant field where Sao Mai was standing in the sunset, completely unaware that the real legal storm, more intense than anything that had happened before, was preparing to strike, threatening to sweep away everything she and her father, along with the entire Chu Rinh trading community, had just built together from the ruins of the past.

Tuan Khoi, standing next to her when the call ended, saw her pale face and walked closer, placing his hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "Them filing a lawsuit means they are choosing the path of openness and transparency before the law," he said, trying to keep his voice calm even though his eyes could not hide his worry. "That means that every piece of evidence, every agreement you just signed with Chu Rinh village, will be publicly examined. If you have the truth and the consensus of the community on your side, this is not necessarily the worst thing that could happen."

"But going to court means it's long, expensive, and no one can guarantee the outcome," Ha Lam said, her voice still shaking. "In the meantime, they can continue to apply pressure in all sorts of other ways. I don't know how much longer I can last."

Lawyer Nhat, who heard the news via Ha Lam's phone, called immediately afterward, reassuring her in a calm, experienced voice. "Don't panic, Ms. Lam. A civil lawsuit over land usually lasts many months, even a year, which is also the time for us to consolidate our documents and mobilize more support from public opinion and local authorities. Hoang Kim wants to use time to erode her will, so we have to prove to them that her will, and that of the entire community behind her, is not as easily eroded as they think."

That night, the group sat together late into the night, drawing up a response plan for the coming months and days — gathering more evidence, expanding their support network, and preparing themselves for a long legal battle. Looking around at the steadfast faces under the oil lamplight, Ha Lam felt that, no matter how fierce the storm ahead was, she no longer had to face it in solitude like the first days, when all the burden seemed to fall solely on the thin shoulders of a twenty-seven-year-old girl who had never been prepared for such a big war.