Chapter 1 — They Think I'm Leaning on My Brother-in-law... Until I Flip the Cards

"Lam Vy Vy, don't think that marrying into my family is so terrible!"

Right at the wedding, Trieu My Phuong's mother-in-law suddenly stood up, pointed straight at me, her high-pitched voice echoed throughout the hall:

“Now that you earn 1,000,000 yuan a year, didn't you all thanks to my son - Chi Cuong's help!”

The more than three hundred guests below immediately fell silent. All eyes turned to me. I was wearing a wedding dress worth 100,000 yuan, still holding the microphone. One second he was thanking everyone for their blessings, the next second he was being defamed right in front of so many people.

“Mom, what do you mean by that?”

My husband, To Chi Hoa, looked unsightly and gently pulled her sleeve.

“What is what?”

Trieu My Phuong shook her son's hand away, the more she spoke, the more enthusiastic she became.

"I have to tell everyone the truth! Lam Vu Vy is what she is today, thanks to the help of my youngest son - Chi Cuong! He is the deputy general manager at Dang Long Group. Without his support, how could a lowly secretary like her climb to that position?"

Below began to stir.

“So that's it, I thought she was really good.”

"Relying on my brother-in-law to climb up... it's an eyesore to see."

"Chi Cuong is so kind, helping his sister-in-law like that."

My hand tightened around the microphone. Trembling not because of fear... but because of anger. It's been three years. For three years, from the time I fell in love with To Chi Hoa until I got married, my mother-in-law always believed that everything I had was thanks to To Chi Cuong. But the truth is— To Chi Cuong does work at Dang Long Group. But that job... was given to him by me. Because I— am the real boss of Dang Long Group.

“Mom, you misunderstood.”

I tried to keep my smile and my voice calm.

“My work is achieved by my own efforts.”

“Try on your own?”

Trieu My Phuong smiled coldly.

"A girl from the countryside like you, if it weren't for Chi Cuong, would you have a chance to know the big guys in Dang Long? Would you be able to get so many projects?"

She turned back down, her voice getting louder and louder:

"Let me tell everyone, my Chi Cuong is the deputy general of Dang Long Group! Salary is 5,000,000 yuan a year! He often speaks well of Vu Vy in the company. Otherwise, how could a small secretary like her be promoted to the position of department head in one year?"

The chatter below became louder and louder. My colleagues looked at each other. They knew my true position in the company— But in this situation, no one dared to open their mouth.

“Mom, today is our wedding, can you please stop talking about these things?”

To Chi Hoa's face darkened.

“Why wasn't Mom told?”

Trieu My Phuong raised her chin, her voice full of reason.

"I have to show him what gratitude is! If it weren't for Chi Cuong, he would still be in the countryside working in the fields!"

At that moment, To Chi Cuong stepped up from the stands. He was wearing a branded suit, with a smug smile on his face.

“Mom, you're right.”

He patted my shoulder.

"Sister-in-law should really thank you. At the company, you really helped me a lot."

I looked at this man three years younger than me, and a feeling of nausea arose in my heart. To Chi Cuong really has a good appearance. Tall, more than eight feet tall, with a good-looking face, and a good speaker, he has been a treasure in Trieu My Phuong's heart since childhood. Since To Chi Hoa and I started getting to know each other, he has stood in front of me many times, boasting about his position in the Dang Long Group, alluding to everything I have today. It's all thanks to him. As for me, because I wanted to preserve the so-called "family harmony", I chose to stay silent during that time.

“Chi Cuong, thank you.”

I smiled and said, on the outside being gentle, but inside I was thinking about how to teach this brother-in-law a lesson.

“There's no need to be polite, we're all family.”

He patted the back of my hand.

“In the future at the company, if there's anything difficult, just look for me.”

Applause rang out below. But I know, that applause is not for me. In everyone's eyes, I'm just a guy who can't get enough. And To Chi Cuong is the truly successful person. The wedding ceremony continued, but I was no longer in the mood. In the ceremonies that followed, Trieu My Phuong continuously boasted of his youngest son's achievements. As for me, the daughter-in-law who had just entered the house, in addition to strict requirements, I did not receive a single compliment.

"Vu Vy, in the future you must be filial to your parents-in-law, especially be grateful to Chi Cuong."

"That's right, if it weren't for Chi Cuong, there wouldn't be my glory today."

“The boy Chi Cuong is really good, he is even willing to help his sister-in-law.”

The flattery continued endlessly. I can only keep a smile on my face and listen. It wasn't until the wedding ended that I pulled To Chi Hoa back.

“Chi Hoa, we need to talk.”

“Say what else?”

His face was still unsightly.

"Mom was a bit too much today, but Chi Cuong in the company really helped you a lot, don't take it to heart."

I looked at the man who had been with me for three years. Suddenly felt strange.

“Do you also think my success is thanks to Chi Cuong?”

He hesitated.

"Chi Cuong really has a say in Dang Long Group, you two are from the same company, it's normal for him to help you."

A bitter smile. The person closest to me still doesn't believe me, so who can I expect to understand?

“Okay, I understand.”

I nodded.

“Let's go back to the room to rest.”

Returning to the bridal room, I sat in front of the dressing table and took off my jewelry. To Chi Hoa stood behind and said something, but I couldn't hear a word. I had only one thought in my mind— It's time for everyone to know the truth. To Chi Cuong, since he likes acting so much... I will give him a big enough stage. From tomorrow, I will let him know— who is the real owner of the Dang Long Group. On the morning of the second day after the wedding, I was awakened by the sound of arguing in the kitchen.

"Chi Cuong wants to eat bird's nest, why don't you prepare it?"

Trieu My Phuong's voice was harsh.

"Mom, there's no bird's nest in the house, I'll go buy it."

To Chi Hoa replied in a low voice.

"Out of stock? Didn't Vu Vy bring a box yesterday? Why is it out of stock?"

“I finished that box for Chi Cuong yesterday.”

I turned around and continued listening.

“Then buy more!”

Trieu My Phuong said it naturally.

"Chi Cuong is still growing, must be fully nourished! Vu Vy now earns 1,000,000 yuan a year, what is a box of bird's nest worth?"

“But Vu Vy is still on wedding leave…”

“What if I'm on leave for my wedding?”

Trieu My Phuong said it like it was obvious.

"She is now the daughter-in-law of this family. Isn't it a good thing to spend some money to honor your sister-in-law?"

I took a deep breath, put on my coat and went downstairs. In the kitchen, To Chi Hoa was looking awkwardly at his mother, while Trieu My Phuong had an upset face.

“Mom, good morning.”

I walked in and politely spoke up.

“Vu Vy, you came down at the right time.”

As soon as she saw me, she immediately changed countenance.