But before I could answer, Ate Hanh came out and said coldly:
“There’s no need. The people there are all rich. If they see someone from the province with them, I might even be embarrassed.”
My husband was annoyed:
“Sister, that’s my wife. She’s part of the family!”
But Sister just turned her back on him and said:
“You don’t understand. In everything, there’s an ‘image’ that needs to be maintained. What if my fiancé’s family sees that my sister-in-law looks like a simple woman, with no class?”
I kept quiet. I wasn’t hurt; I didn’t want to argue. So I said:
“It’s okay, Sister. I just wanted to wish you happiness.”
But life has a way of teaching the arrogant a lesson.
Three months before the wedding, my company signed a contract with a well-known construction company. Our contact there was Mr. Quang, head of the technical department—a professional, quiet, and polite man. We only met a few times, all about work.
Little did I know, he was the one who would marry Sister Hanh.
The wedding day arrived. Even though Ate forbade me, I decided to go. Not to show off—just to say hello sincerely. I wore a simple white dress, elegant but not flashy. When I entered the venue, Ate immediately scolded me:
“Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you not to come?”
I just smiled:
“Just saying hello, Ate. There’s nothing wrong with it, right?”
She whispered, coldly:
“It’s up to you, just don’t embarrass our family.”
A few moments later, the groom arrived. He was wearing a black tuxedo, looking neat and respectable. But when our eyes met, his eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. The glass of wine he was holding fell to the floor.
“Miss Huong?” he exclaimed.
The entire hall fell silent. The guests began to whisper.
“What? Director?”
“Wait, is that your boss?”
Ate Hanh turned pale.
“What do you mean, Quang?”
But the man quickly bowed and said:
“She… she is my direct supervisor at the company. She is the one who signed and approved our contract for the hotel project!”
Everyone was amazed. My mother-in-law was stunned, and Ate Hanh was like a stone—unable to speak.
I approached and calmly said:
“Good day, Mr. Quang. I never thought we would meet at such a time.”
He stammered his answer:
“Madam—este, Ma’am… I am very surprised. Thank you very much for your help. I’m sorry if—”
I just smiled:
“It’s nothing. Today is your happy day. I am here to congratulate, not to remind.”
Everyone was silent. I could feel people’s gazes on me change—from contempt, to respect.
Ate Hanh forced a smile:
“Ah… so that’s it. So, my sister-in-law… my husband’s boss?”
I nodded, and said softly:
“Yes, but at work, I don’t talk about personal matters. For me, wealth or poverty is not measured by where you come from, but by the way you live your life.”
Everything was quiet. Until I heard Mama sigh:
“Hanh, you should learn. What you’re proud of is just your appearance. But true dignity is in your character.”
I just smiled. I didn’t need to insult them; the truth was enough for them to come to their senses.
After the wedding, the whole family treated me differently. Ate Hanh even sent me a message apologizing. I didn’t hold a grudge—I even felt sorry for her. Because sometimes, people just look down on you because they don’t know who you really are.
My husband hugged me and whispered:
“I’m proud of you. You taught her a lesson, without me having to raise my voice.”
I smiled:
“No one is poor forever, and no one is rich forever. What matters is how you treat others while you’re on top.”
I looked up at the sky and smiled. In the end, I thought—life is truly fair. The day will come when the proud will bow down to those they once despised.
And when I heard him call out again, “Director!”, I didn’t feel proud. Because I knew, true respect cannot be bought with money—it is the result of character and hard work.
