Chapter 18 — Where Old Elephants Rest

Two days after that unfinished conversation, Tuan Khoi came to Ha Lam when she was alone cleaning the veterinary medicine warehouse, where the wooden box containing her father's notebooks used to be. He stood in the doorway for a long moment before speaking, as if weighing every word he was about to say.

"I've been thinking a lot, since that night," he said, his voice slower but more certain than the hesitation of a few days ago. "And I realized, you were right. I was wrong to make the decision for both of us on my own, to think that retreating was the best way to protect you, without even consulting you."

Ha Lam stopped, turned back to look at him, said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"I called the foundation's leadership again," Tuan Khoi continued, "proposing another option — I would make our relationship with the foundation public and transparent, agreeing to have another colleague independently appraise all reports related to the camp from now on, to ensure objectivity that cannot be questioned. But I will not leave here, not leave you, just because I am afraid of rumors or pressure from outside."

"They agreed?" Ha Lam asked, her voice was still cautious, not completely letting go of the remaining hurt.

"They agreed to consider it, on the condition that everything must be absolutely transparent," he replied. "But more importantly, I want you to know, this decision, this time, I won't hide anything from you. I was wrong in the past when I tried to shoulder all the risks myself, thinking that was the way to protect you. But you taught me that real love is not about protecting from afar, but standing together in the face of the storm, even if it costs you your reputation or career."

Ha Lam felt her throat constrict, the tears she had been holding back for the past two days were now threatening to overflow. "I don't want you to sacrifice your career for me," she said, her voice shaking. "But I also don't want to have to keep guessing what you're thinking, what you're planning to do, without deciding with me."

"I know," Tuan Khoi stepped closer and held her hands. "From now on, no matter what happens, good or bad, I promise to always tell you frankly first, so we can face it together, rather than me deciding on my own and leaving you to accept the results."

At that moment, all the distance and hurt that had accumulated over the past few days seemed to disappear, giving way to a deeper understanding between the two people — that love, to endure through the storms of life, needs to be built on a foundation of transparency and mutual support, not unilateral protection derived from fear.

Tuan Khoi pulled her into a gentle hug, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice whispering in her ear. "I'm sorry for making you wait and wonder in confusion these past few days. From now on, no matter what happens, good or bad, I want you to be the first person I share with, not the last to know."

"I'm also sorry for leaving without giving you a chance to fully explain," Ha Lam replied, her voice choked up against his chest. "It's just that, after everything that's happened, I'm more scared than I thought. I'm scared of losing another person I trust, after losing my mom, almost losing my dad, almost losing this whole place."

"I won't lose you," Tuan Khoi said, his voice as firm as an oath. "Unless you yourself want to send me away, I'll stay here, with you, until everything is resolved, and after that."

The two of them stood silently together in the middle of the messy medicine warehouse, amidst the smell of dried herbs and the afternoon sunlight pouring in through the window, letting that rare peace seep into their hearts, somewhat soothing the wounds that had just been revealed and had just begun to heal.

That afternoon, both sat down with the Japanese lawyer to review the entire response strategy for the upcoming mediation session, now with a completely new consensus and transparency. Lawyer Nhat, after hearing the plan Tuan Khoi proposed to the fund, nodded in agreement.

“This is actually a smart move,” he commented. "Proactively publicizing the relationship and proposing an independent appraisal mechanism shows absolute transparency from the camp, which will further weaken the unfounded accusations that Hoang Kim's side is trying to spread."

While the group was discussing, Xuan Mai ran in, holding the phone, her voice a bit excited and worried. "Everyone, this is very important news. I just received a contact from a national television station, they want to do a special report on the elephant conservation model in the Central Highlands, and they are especially interested in the story of our camp, including the ongoing lawsuit!"

That news presented a great opportunity - a national media platform that could help the camp's story reach a wider public, while also creating significant public pressure on Hoang Kim and the authorities looking into the case. But it also means that every aspect of the story, including the most sensitive parts of Mr. Thach's past, will likely be exposed to millions of viewers.

"This is a double-edged sword," Tuan Khoi commented, his eyes serious. "If done well, this can be a big turning point to help the camp be protected. But if the message cannot be controlled, the opponent can completely take advantage of that interview to focus on their own weaknesses, turning the story of reconciliation into evidence for the land dispute claim that they are aggressively pursuing before the district court."

Ha Lam looked around at the faces waiting for her decision - the calm Japanese lawyer, the enthusiastic Xuan Mai, the steady Tuan Khoi by her side - and felt that, after all the turmoil she had just experienced, she was ready to face this biggest challenge, not with fear, but with the confidence of someone who has learned to stand firm, both in love and in the fight to protect what she cherishes.

"We accept," she said, her voice final. "It's time to tell our true story to the whole country, completely, without hiding, even the most imperfect parts. I believe, the truth, no matter how complicated, is always stronger than any elaborate lie."

That decision was received by the whole group with high consensus, although everyone understood that the road ahead would not be easy. Xuan Mai immediately began contacting the film crew and arranging the filming schedule, while the Japanese lawyer carefully drafted a statement guideline to ensure all information given in front of the camera was accurate and did not create any additional legal loopholes for the other side to exploit.

That evening, Ha Lam came to see his father to discuss inviting him to participate in an interview, knowing that this would not be a light decision for a man who was used to living quietly, away from the spotlight all his life.

"Do you agree to appear in front of the camera?" she asked, her voice cautious, not wanting to put any more pressure on his already fragile health.

Mr. Thach pondered for a moment, then nodded, his eyes steadfast even though his voice was still shaking with age. "I will say it, without avoiding anything. All my life I have lived with unsaid things. Now, if possible, I want at least before I die, everything will be clearly exposed, so you don't have to carry that burden alone in the future."

That response, even though it carried concerns about her father's health, also made Ha Lam feel a deep sense of pride - she realized that the father she had always respected, despite his mistakes in the past, was now showing even greater courage than what he had done when he was young and healthy.

She hugged her father's shoulder, resting her head on his thin shoulder for a moment, feeling the steady but slow breathing of old age, silently promising herself that, no matter how many imperfect parts of the past were recorded by the camera lens, she would stand firmly by her father's side, not letting him face the public's judgment alone in the coming days, just like the way he had not left the elephants for thirty years, regardless of rumors or doubts from outside. and just like how Tuan Khoi just chose to stay by her side, instead of backing down from the storm.