The mountains are still green in the town.

Yen and Binh grew up together in a small plot of land at the foot of the mountains, surrounded by lush green forests in the highlands at the southern end of the Truong Son mountain range. Their settlement, situated near the highway, gradually developed into a district town. Looking down from the mountain, the town and its houses resembled mushrooms sprouting from the earth, yearning for the rain.

Beside the forest, a green lake flows through a canal to the dragon fruit orchards in the town. Yen and Binh attended the same district school. Their love blossomed in the prime of their youth. They often walked arm in arm, gazing at the golden moon and mountain breeze, strolling through the small town until their feet were tired, reaching the end of the road before they could even get tired. The moon hung high above the mountain, casting long, dappled shadows on the highway that ran through the town. The shy moonlight mingled with the flickering streetlights beneath the forest trees. The towering mountains stood majestically against the sky, witnessing generations of people here growing up amidst hardship.

In the early morning, the lush green mountains were shrouded in a swirling blue mist, like a flowing silken veil, gently descending upon the town. The green mountains, silently nestled against layers of stacked rocks, seemed to be contemplating whether they would still exist ten years from now. The gleaming green, red, and white corrugated iron roofs lined the hillsides, casting slanted shadows. The scenery was ethereal and dreamlike in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The icy air seeped through the window, causing Yen's small shoulders to shiver in the warm cotton jacket Binh had bought her for him at a farewell gathering before he left for military service on a frontline island. Yen pulled up the collar and kissed the soft wool. Her intense longing for him surged like the waves of the sea that had bid her farewell.

The rooster, the leader of the flock of wild chickens living in the mountains, wakes up at exactly 5 o'clock. Five hens gather around, clucking and cackling loudly. Tuyen opened the window slightly towards the edge of the forest and saw the rooster, with his neatly arranged five-colored plumage: black, white, purple, yellow, and red, stretching his neck, standing on tiptoe, and proudly flapping his wings to crow three long, clear, resonant times. The nightingales, magpies, and bulbuls joined in, singing loudly to welcome the new day. The rooster's strong crow echoed far into the street. Customers woke up knowing their usual morning coffee was waiting at their usual roadside stalls. Breakfast eateries, selling noodles and pho, stirred, releasing fragrant smoke to welcome the new day.

Yen's parents' blue house was built with its back against the mountain and its front facing the town. Binh's parents lived and traded in the town below. Long-time residents here called it the Pointed Mountain. The young peak of the mountain had a pyramid-like summit soaring into the clouds. Yen and Binh named it Love Mountain. Tri thought that in the near future, perhaps one or two springs from now, talented people would take the time to create a landscaped Love Mountain park. A precious green lung preserving the air and environment for everyone to breathe. The two dreamed of having a walking path for exercise around the spiral slope embracing the mountain. From above, they could gaze down at the bustling town, seeing the vibrant colors and lively sounds of life rushing by.

To build the vast road, mountains need to be quarried for gravel and stone foundation materials. The hills and mountains along the highway are blasted with explosives, causing massive landslides and destruction. The resulting tremors cause cracks in the foundations of houses, offices, and public buildings. The mountains are crumbling, gaping, and unsightly. Strips of green forest disappear to make way for the roads. People say they will restore the original state of the forests, but who knows when they will be able to replant trees and restore the greenery as before? The company is taking advantage of the situation to exploit and transport foundation materials for profit. The explosions from the blasting rocks shake the mountains like an earthquake. Residents in the town live in fear of air pollution, flying rocks, collapsing walls, and cracks in the foundations. Complaints and appeals have been sent to all levels of government.

Yen considers it a blessing for the people of the town that Love Mountain has been spared from quarrying. Yen's family has taken on the responsibility and right to protect and preserve the mountain. Yen's parents have propagated and planted more Cam Xe, Giáng Hương, and Cà Chí trees – trees with thick bark that store water and strong roots that penetrate deep into the mountain to nourish the trees during the dry season.

Two springs passed quickly, and Binh completed his military service and was discharged. Yen was overjoyed to welcome her lover. Their kisses deepened, and their love grew even happier. She admired his strong, sturdy physique, his sun-tanned skin from the sea and island winds. She eagerly took his hand and climbed mountains to explore the forest. There, the highly disciplined rooster still strictly followed the wake-up call regulations. There, the two of them spent their childhood playing, learning, and exploring the growth of the forest and its vegetation. The parasitic plant that grows on tree trunks had a beautiful and elegant name: the jade orchid. The orchid preferred to grow by clinging to the gnarled tree trunks in the forest. The two of them saw people climbing trees in the forest to pick orchids to keep at home. When orchids are separated from their mother tree and brought to the garden, they wither and die; how can they survive? People painstakingly dig up large forest tree roots and transport them to plant in the city. The trees, withered and saddened by the separation from their origins, shed tears of sorrow.

It wasn't just the two of them who shared their love story here; Love Mountain is a witness to many couples who have tied the knot and built their lives in this town. The crape myrtle tree at the summit is inscribed with the names of these lovers. It's a vivid and endearing symbol of love. Every time Yen and Binh climb the mountain together, embracing the tree and touching the increasingly large, rough, and uneven inscriptions, their hearts overflowing with love.

Love Mountain has two seasons, which Yen calls the season of lush greenery and the season of barrenness. In each season, the landscape of the land and trees reveals its healthy and beautiful form. The mountain's energy, sometimes surging, sometimes hidden, is a captivating force that draws people in. Young men and women eagerly climb the mountain to seek out the contours of space, time, and light, exploring, checking in, and sharing on Facebook—a never-ending pursuit. The cold winter solstice penetrates the mountain's soil, and the forest trees shed their leaves one by one until the end of the year. The bare branches embrace a deep slumber, storing up lifeblood. Birds and insects are silent, lazily curled up in their burrows. At the beginning of spring, flocks of forest birds—larks, magpies, and starlings—sing loudly, awakening the trees and causing them to burst forth with countless new shoots. Pink, green, and tender spring buds appear. The natural scenery is blossoming with enchanting beauty. Yen's blood also surges with longing.

Yen breathes in the pure mountain air, drinks the clean, cool mountain spring water. She eats mountain produce: shiitake mushrooms, termite mushrooms, yams, purple sweet potatoes, medicinal herbs, and sweet, fragrant forest honey. Her body is fragrant and pure. Her muscles are strong and supple. Her skin is ivory white like milk. Her black, silky hair flows down her slender waist like a stream. Her long, strong legs move nimbly along the mountain paths. In the garden around her house, her parents grow mangoes, jackfruit, and bananas. The mountain soil nourishes the trees, yielding many delicious fruits. Yen is grateful to the mountains and forests for nurturing her family's health and well-being.

Yen and Binh spread their legs on the mountain, leaning their shoulders against it, their arms embracing it. Their kiss on the summit of Love Mountain was sweet with the fragrance of mountain flowers. The lovers felt healthy, energetic, and full of life, dedicating their minds and energy to their work. Yen showed off the mountain to her friends, posting pictures of it on Facebook to honor it as a magnificent, vibrant entity; a priceless treasure of her mountainous hometown. Yen felt joyful and proud to be a resident of Love Mountain.

No one knew where the fire had started. Yen's father thought the sun's rays, passing through a dewdrop, acted as a converging lens, gathering sunlight into flames. The dry grass was the perfect fuel for the fire to ignite. The flames licked at the forest trees, gnawing at dry branches and leaves, devouring everything in their path. The fire grew rapidly, like a blazing red wall. The fire ravaged the Love Mountain, writhing and groaning. Its ferocious, blood-red tongue swept across the mountainside, very close to the green house. Binh rushed up from the town, shouting: "Everyone!... Young people!... Cut branches and leaves to put out the fire and save the forest!..." The brave youth group charged into the thick smoke and flames. The entire town rallied to fight the fire.

The group worked together to control and suppress the raging wall of fire. A sudden strong wind fueled the flames. Binh was struggling to breathe when the terrifying smoke and fire rushed in, knocking him onto the rocks. Young men rushed to help him up, noticing his hair was soaked with fresh blood. Yen struggled to get up as Binh was carried on a stretcher to the emergency room at the hospital. "Oh! My God!... Brother Binh!... Brother Binh!..." The heart-wrenching cries echoed through the mountains, soaring into the air, piercing through the white clouds, and spreading across the land. The town's residents' battle against the raging fire continued throughout that day.

The five-hour surgery saved Binh's life. A teleconsultation connected them with doctors at a major hospital. Yen and other volunteers donated blood to support Binh's efforts. Their families stayed up all night, anxiously awaiting news. Yen sat by his bedside, praying for faith to help Binh overcome the critical situation. Binh's head was wrapped in a thick white bandage. His eyes were tightly closed. Time ticked slowly in the melancholic atmosphere. Memories of their love flooded back. Yen held his hand, sobbing: "Binh!... Binh!...". Binh slowly opened his eyelids. They looked into each other's eyes. His smile radiated the light of a miraculous rebirth. In the hospital's emergency room, spring suddenly blossomed with countless kisses of love and happiness.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/nui-con-xanh-pho-huyen-126306.html