What happened at the class reunion?
*Below is Mr. Chuong's sharing posted on the Toutiao platform:
I have been counting down the days until I can return to my homeland after so many years away. 5,000 km is not a short distance, but I am still eager to pack my bags and hit the road, my heart filled with anticipation to meet old friends and cherished memories of my youth.
Since graduating, life has swept me away with the flow of earning a living, work and responsibility, leaving me with few opportunities to return home. But this time, when I heard that the class president was organizing a class reunion, I decided to put everything aside to attend. Simply because I wanted to find the memories that had been dormant, wanted to see the faces that had roamed together under the school roof years ago.
I imagined a class reunion filled with laughter, stories of the past, and beautiful memories. I imagined friends shaking hands and sharing stories about their current lives. But the reality was a bucket of cold water poured straight into my heart.
As soon as I entered the party, the class president looked at me and laughed loudly, saying something that I can never forget:
"Mr. Chuong is rich now, he must be paying for the whole class today, right?"
I thought it was a joke, but when I looked around, I realized that my old friends were laughing too, some nodded in agreement, some even patted me on the shoulder and said: "Play fair, buddy! Consider this a souvenir!".
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I was stunned. A feeling of loss filled my heart. I came here with the desire to reminisce, to find old friendships, not to become someone who is taken advantage of. But the eyes and attitudes of everyone made me realize that, to them, I am no longer a friend, but just a "mobile ATM".
During the party, the conversation revolved around me, only questions about work, income, assets. No one asked me how my life was, if I had any difficulties. They only focused on how much money I made, what car I drove, how my house was. The happy stories of the past had been replaced by comparisons, scrutinizing looks.
The climax was when a classmate stood up, raised his beer glass and said: "Chuong, come back once in a while, today be generous and treat us to a round of beer for fun!"
The whole table applauded. I smiled faintly, put my glass down on the table, said nothing more, stood up and left the party. No one stopped me. No one asked me what I was thinking. Perhaps, in their eyes, I was the one who “didn’t have team spirit” because I didn’t spend money to prove myself.
As I walked out of the restaurant, a feeling of loneliness enveloped me. I realized that, although there were once beautiful relationships, time could change them. People no longer come together with sincerity, but instead with calculations and personal interests. I did not regret the money I had to pay for that meal, but I regretted the friendship that I once thought was sincere.
At that moment, I decided to delete the class group and block contact with my old friends. I no longer wanted to attend any class reunions. Because I did not want to become an object for others to take advantage of.
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This story taught me an important lesson: Money can help you have many relationships, but not all relationships are worth keeping. The value of a friendship is not in the amount of money you can spend, but in sincerity and mutual understanding. Cherish those who come to you for who you are, not for your wallet.
From now on, I will only keep precious relationships, people who truly love and respect me. I choose to let go of the old things, to make my heart lighter on the journey ahead.
Moon
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/di-hang-ngan-km-ve-que-du-hop-lop-nghe-1-cau-tu-lop-truong-ma-toi-lap-tuc-bat-xe-ve-thanh-pho-roi-khoi-moi-nhom-chat-172250311192153431.htm
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