The wind blew through the leaves, carrying a bit of the chill of early autumn, making Mrs. Hanh’s heart ache even more. Sitting on the rotten wooden chair on the porch, she thought about the past days, the decisions that had caused her life to take a regretful turn. In her sunken eyes, the images of her two children, a boy and a girl, appeared one after another, as clear as a slow-motion film.

The day her first daughter cried out at birth, instead of bursting with joy, Mrs. Hanh’s heart was filled with an indescribable disappointment. “A daughter again,” that sentence kept echoing in her head. Mr. Tan, her husband, could not hide his disappointment. Both of them hoped for a son to continue the family line, to take care of the family. The girl was named Linh, but the name seemed not to be enough to light up the hope in the parents’ hearts. Linh grew up in indifference, lacking love. She was sent to live with her grandparents, rarely being picked up by her parents. The clothes she wore were all secondhand clothes given to her by others, and milk powder boxes were just a luxury dream.

Three years later, Hung was born. The baby’s cry echoed, bringing boundless joy to the whole family. Mrs. Hanh and her husband were so happy that they cried, considering their son as a treasure. From that moment on, all their love and care were devoted to Hung. He was fed the best food, dressed in the best clothes. The whole family no longer cared about Linh’s existence.

One evening, when Linh came home from school, she saw Hung playing with his new toy car. She timidly approached him. “Mommy, can I buy a toy?” Her voice was small and filled with longing.

Mrs. Hanh looked at her daughter, then looked at Hung, her eyes became cold. “Go play with your old car. Your toys are your toys. Girls don’t play with toys too much.” Her words were like a knife cutting into Linh’s young heart. The little girl quietly turned away, tears welling up. She understood that, in this house, she had no right to be loved, no right to ask for anything.

As time passed, Linh grew up without affection. She devoted all her energy to studying. Every year, Linh was an excellent student and brought home certificates of merit. She believed that as long as she was good enough, her parents would see her and be proud of her.

“Mom and Dad, I passed the university entrance exam! Medical School!” Linh happily held the notice and showed it to Mrs. Hanh, her face beaming with hope.

Mrs. Hanh looked at the paper, then at Linh, her face showing no emotion. “What university? What is a girl studying for? Tomorrow you can go to work at a garment factory near home, a monthly salary of three million is enough to support yourself. Your parents still have to worry about Hung going to university. He is a boy, he needs to have a good future.”

Linh was stunned, her eyes filled with tears. “Mom… You can’t treat me like that! I tried so hard!”

“Are you still arguing with me? If you can’t even do such a simple thing, what else can you do? If you don’t go to work, then find your own way to pay for school!” Mrs. Hanh growled, then gave her a slap in the face.

Linh staggered, covering her face and sobbing. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Her mother’s every word was like a sharp knife cutting into her heart. In that moment, Linh decided she would no longer rely on her family. She took on all sorts of extra jobs, from washing dishes, serving in restaurants to tutoring, to earn enough money to pay for her tuition and fulfill her dream of going to university on her own.

Many years later, Linh graduated with honors and found a stable job. She met and fell in love with a gentle, sincere man named Hoang. When Linh brought Hoang home to meet her parents, Mrs. Hanh made an unreasonable request. “The dowry must be one hundred million. If you don’t have enough, don’t even think about getting married.”

Linh was indignant. “Mom, why are you treating me like this? This is my happiness, not a commodity to be traded!”

“What happiness? A daughter getting married is like pouring out water. Your parents have raised you, now that you’re married you have to take care of your younger brother a little!” Mrs. Hanh said firmly, without a moment’s hesitation.

Although she was very angry, but because of love and because she wanted to escape from the constraints of her family, Linh had to accept. Hoang also understood and sympathized with her situation, he tried to borrow money everywhere to have enough money for the wedding. The wedding took place in the silence and sadness of Linh. After getting married, Linh also gradually distanced herself from her family. She rarely called home, only reluctantly returning when necessary.

Mrs. Hanh did not think much about it, because she still had Hung, her son who she believed would be a solid support for her old age. She poured all her love and all her assets into Hung, hoping that her son would live happily. Hung did not disappoint her. Mrs. Hanh created conditions for him to study and live a life without worries. She always believed that one day, Hung would be successful and repay her.

But life is not like a dream. After getting married, Hung still depends on his parents. He has no stable job and comes home every month to ask for money. Mrs. Hanh, though old and weak, still has to save every penny of her pension to support her son.

One day, Mr. Tan fell seriously ill. He needed a large sum of money for treatment. Mrs. Hanh called Hung, her voice trembling. “Son, your father is seriously ill and needs money for treatment. Can you help us?”

“What’s wrong, Mom? I still have to take care of my wife and children. How can I have money to help? Where’s your pension?” Hung replied coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion. “If you have it, just use it. Don’t call me again.”

Mrs. Hanh was stunned, the phone fell from her hand. Tears filled her eyes. Not because of her husband’s illness, but because of the indifference and ingratitude of her son, whom she had devoted her whole life to loving. She had sacrificed everything, abandoned Linh, only to receive this indifference from Hung.

Not long after, Mr. Tan passed away. Mrs. Hanh was completely devastated, her heart filled with an incomparable pain. Now, she was left alone, isolated. She turned to Hung, the son she still believed would be her last support.

“Hung, your father is dead. Now you are all I have left. Can you let me come live with you?” Mrs. Hanh begged, her voice trembling.

“Mom, you’re coming back to live with me? What are you thinking? I still have to take care of my own family. Coming back here is just a burden. You have a pension, take care of yourself! Or you can go live with Linh!” Hung flatly refused, without any affection, without any pity. Those words were like a knife cutting into Mrs. Hanh’s heart, tearing her heart into pieces. She felt like everything she had built and believed in over the years had completely collapsed.

In her most desperate moment, Mrs. Hanh had only one choice: to call Linh. “Linh, mom… can I come live with you? I will give you 5 million a month to cover living expenses.”

Linh was silent for a moment, then her gentle voice said: “Come, Mom. I will pick you up.”

When Mrs. Hanh arrived at Linh’s house, she was surprised. The house was small but cozy, clean, and filled with light. Linh welcomed her with open arms, without a word of complaint or a look of anger. “Are you tired from the trip, Mom? Come in and rest.”

“This money… you take it.” Mrs. Hanh gave Linh an envelope of money.

Linh gently refused. “I don’t need money, Mom. Just stay here with me, I can take care of you.”

Mrs. Hanh was shocked. During the days she lived with Linh, her daughter took care of her wholeheartedly and thoughtfully. Linh took care of her every delicious meal, every sleep, and paid attention to her every gesture and word. She never resented or blamed her. Linh’s kindness and filial piety were in complete contrast to Hung’s coldness and indifference.

One evening, while Linh was gently massaging Mrs. Hanh’s tired feet, she couldn’t hold back her tears. “Linh… I’m sorry. I… I was wrong. I treated you badly, I abandoned you. I… I’m truly sorry…” Mrs. Hanh choked up, her words of repentance pouring out from the bottom of her heart.

Linh hugged her mother, patting her thin back. “Don’t say that, Mom. I understand. You’ve worked hard.” Linh’s voice was gentle, full of love. She didn’t resent or blame. In that moment, Mrs. Hanh felt a strange peace, a serenity she had never had in all these years.

Now, when old age has come, Mrs. Hanh can only thank Linh. Although it is too late, her daughter’s filial piety and kindness have saved her soul. She looks at Linh, the girl she once considered a “loser”, now the only one by her side, taking care of her. She realizes that, if only she were not biased, if only she treated both children fairly, perhaps now she would not have to live in loneliness, and her heart would not be so wounded. She only hopes that those who are spoiling their children, do not let the time come when they regret it. Because sincere love and fairness are the most solid foundation for a happy family, a bright future.