Kevin, a former classmate of mine, got married today. I was in the large ballroom of an opulent hotel for the reception. Then Kevin saw me and said something startling, "Hey, hello!
Why is there a person with less knowledge here? While I exclusively invited the highly educated today. " His disagreeable voice reverberated across the opulent wedding setting.
Reluctantly, I accepted the invitation, but I didn't understand why Kevin felt the need to say that to me. Kevin has always denigrated me due to my lack of formal schooling. I usually don't mind, but this time I couldn't help myself.
Kevin will fall to his knees when he fully understands who I am. James is my name. I'm 30 years old.
I have lived a somewhat different life, which you might not have guessed from the me of today. My parents were just regular people when I was born. In comparison to those around us, I believe we led a reasonably comfortable existence because my dad owned a modest business.
On their days off, despite their hectic work schedules, my parents would take me anywhere I wanted to go and let me do anything I wanted. Learning is essential in life. It never fails you.
When I was younger, my father made me study a lot. I diligently studied as instructed by my father. Because of that, I was able to go into a private school that was integrated from elementary school through high school and a prominent elementary school.
Studying has never let me down. As my father once said, studying was fun for me since I learned more and felt like I was getting smarter the more I studied. I wanted to be a successful business owner like my dad eventually, so I kept studying.
However, the good times were short-lived. My father's business started having problems around the time I started middle school. My mom began working many part-time jobs to assist with the finances while Dad was struggling to make ends meet.
Every time I got home from school, my parents were worn out. I intended to change schools and attend a public middle school. That ought to help our finances somewhat, doesn't it?
My parents didn't agree when I recommended this to them. "James, you shouldn't be concerned about it," Dad strongly stated. "Going to a public school would be a waste for someone who can study like you.
" And he kept me enrolled in the pricey private school. But by the time I started high school, my father's firm could not be saved, and the debt only grew. Despite her best efforts, my mother was unable to sustain my father's firm.
"We can't do this anymore," my mother sobbed as she instructed my father to shut down the company. All he could do was do what she said. A few days later, my father, with much regret, closed his company and became unemployed.
My father, who had been a vigorous businessman, completely lost his vitality and fell into depression. My mother worked in his place to support our family, but all her earnings went to my private school tuition. From then on, my life changed completely.
What was once normal for me, like eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and buying whatever I desired, became a struggle even for the next day's meals. Therefore, I immediately decided to drop out of high school and start working. At first, my parents were puzzled by my decision, but given the dire situation, they reluctantly agreed.
And so, I dropped out of high school and started working at a major online retail company. Drpping out of high school was a sad decision for me, but I could still study on my own. Now, I need to work for my family.
With that mindset, I began my job. It was unimaginable for me, who had been a high school student until recently, to suddenly become a working adult. But my colleagues were kind to me, and we cooperated in our work.
I gradually got used to this environment. My work seemed to help my parents somewhat, and I felt reassured that my decision was not wrong. Those days continued, and it had been 13 years since I entered the workforce.
Time flies! Eventually, I was celebrating my 30th birthday. My colleagues said they would throw me a birthday party at a fancy restaurant, so I was walking towards that restaurant.
It was a bit embarrassing but also pleasing to be celebrated like this at 30. I was looking forward to seeing what kind of birthday party it would be. Then, I saw someone familiar walking towards me.
I quickly looked down, trying not to be noticed, but he started staring intently at me. Oh no, I busted! "Hey, isn't that James?
" The person who called out to me was Kevin, a former classmate of mine. The moment Kevin spoke to me, I instinctively stepped back. The reason I didn't want Kevin to notice me was because of the bitter memories from middle school.
Kevin and I had been in the same elementary school. His father was the president of a major transportation company, and he lived a considerably wealthier life compared to our other classmates. His clothes were all designer brands, and the things he owned were much more expensive than what I or the other classmates had.
Kevin always bragged about it to me and the others. I distanced myself from Kevin and rarely talked to him. But upon entering middle school, I ended up in the same class as him.
Being in the same class, I couldn't avoid talking to him. Kevin often initiated conversations with me, but his talks were all about bragging. "I got the top score at the tutoring center recently!
The tests are just too easy; it's laughable! " Our classmates praised Kevin for his boasting. "Hey, James, why don't you go to tutoring?
Oh wait, you can't because you don't. . .
" phone ringing. "Excuse me," the receptionist said, picking up the phone. As I waited, I glanced around the large, bustling office.
It was quite impressive, with employees moving quickly and efficiently between desks and meeting rooms. Suddenly, I spotted a familiar face walking towards me. It was Kevin.
My heart sank. I had hoped never to see him again after the unpleasant encounters we'd had in the past. He approached with a smug grin on his face.
"Well, well! Look who it is," Kevin said with a mocking tone. "What a small world.
Drpping off documents, are we? Must be nice to play the errand boy. " I clenched my jaw, trying to maintain my composure.
"It's just a job, Kevin. Not that you'd understand what hard work is. " His grin widened, seemingly enjoying our little confrontation.
"At least I have a job that matters, unlike you. Didn’t you drop out of high school? How's that working out for you?
" I felt a mix of anger and frustration wells up inside me. "I’ve built a career for myself, and I'm doing just fine, thank you. Your opinions don’t bother me.
" Kevin smirked, his arrogance palpable. "Right. I heard you got a little birthday party recently.
Celebrating mediocrity, I see. " "Better than celebrating being a bully," I shot back, feeling encouraged by my own words. He scoffed, "I’m just being realistic.
Maybe if you had put in the effort, you wouldn’t be where you are now. " "Maybe if you had some decency, you'd understand that your words have consequences," I retorted, my voice steady. At that moment, the receptionist finished her call and turned to me.
"Mr James, you're free to go. Thank you for your delivery. " I nodded, relieved to escape the conversation.
I walked past Kevin with my head held high, reminding myself that his opinions no longer held any power over me. As I exited the building, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I had faced one of my past tormentors and didn’t let him affect me.
I was grateful for the growth I’d experienced since those middle school days, and more determined than ever to continue on my path to success. A familiar voice behind me made me turn around. Standing there was none other than Kevin.
"What brings you to my company? " I couldn't believe my ears. Rainbow Logistics—Kevin's father's company.
I had completely forgotten about that. "Oh, Rainbow Logistics is your father's company? " "I just came to deliver some documents," I said, unable to hide my surprise.
Kevin looked a bit angry. "I'm going to be the next president. It will no longer be my father's company; it will be mine.
" My mention of it being his father's company seemed to strike a nerve. Kevin became aggressive toward me. "I don't know which company you work for, but any company that employs a high school dropout like you must be no good!
Ha! " The receptionist looked shocked by Kevin's loud voice. He had no regard for his surroundings, appearing childish and embarrassing.
"Maybe you're right," I said, about to leave Rainbow Logistics. But Kevin wasn't finished. He continued to raise his voice at me, "Low-educated people like you are a burden to society!
I'm amazed you can live so shamelessly. I couldn't do it, that's for sure! Your thick skin is astonishing!
" Kevin went on a tirade against me, his voice echoing through the entrance hall of Rainbow Logistics. Then another voice came from behind him. "Kevin, what are you yelling about?
We can hear you from outside the company! How embarrassing! " It was Kevin's father, Tom, the president, standing there in an expensive suit and a luxury watch.
"Dad, this guy was a classmate of mine, but he's so arrogant despite being a high school dropout! " I wasn't trying to be arrogant; I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. Tom looked at me intently.
"Why waste your voice on such an undereducated person? Don't raise your voice at someone like him! What if our other clients heard you?
They'd be shocked! " I was stunned. The idea that the president of a major corporation would use the term "undereducated" was unthinkable to me.
"You're right," Kevin scoffed. "It's a waste of time dealing with someone like you. " What was this guy talking about?
He was the one picking a fight. It was almost laughably absurd. I couldn't hold back and retorted, "I'd say the same to you!
I'm busy too, so excuse me. " I tried to leave the company once more, but again Kevin raised his voice at me. "What do you mean by that?
" Hey! I left without paying attention to Kevin. His voice continued to echo even as I walked away.
When I returned to my own company, Ken immediately came up to me. "You really saved me. Thanks!
Also, this came for the company. " Ken handed me an invitation. It was a wedding invitation for the son of a client's president, enclosed in a fancy envelope.
My eyes widened in shock when I saw the name of the sender. It was Kevin. Seeing me speechless, Ken looked puzzled.
"Usually I would attend as the company's representative, but I already have plans for that day. Rainbow Logistics is an important client, so we can't just skip the wedding, right? " "It's not uncommon for us to receive wedding invitations from clients.
Normally, Ken handled our dealings with Rainbow Logistics, but if he had other commitments, there was no helping it. " "I'll attend in your place," I said resignedly. A wedding.
I wasn't fond of places with large crowds because I was extremely shy, and it was Kevin's wedding, no less—someone I really disliked. He was sure to throw snide comments my way again, but I hadn't done anything to deserve such treatment from him. I resolved to attend the event with dignity.
Time passed and the day of the wedding arrived. I changed into a suit, wore the fancy tie given to me by my colleagues, and got into a taxi. The wedding venue was at a luxurious hotel.
Arriving at the high-end hotel, I saw a line of luxury cars. Guests attending Kevin's wedding reception stepped out of them. Inside the reception hall, various company presidents and executives gathered for the wedding of the heir to a major corporation.
The venue was filled with more than 500 people. I sat at a table marked with my company's name, trying not to stand out, and began drinking alone. After a while, the lights dimmed for the bride and groom's entrance.
A beautiful woman in a stunning white dress and Kevin, in a tuxedo, entered arm in arm. Kevin was blushing but composed. When they took their seats, a toast was made and the hall burst into lively chatter.
Guests flocked to the couple to offer their congratulations. "I'll just give my greetings and leave quickly," I thought. As I headed to greet them, the bride, Ava, had left her seat to go to the restroom.
Kevin spotted me immediately and burst into laughter. "Hey! Hey!
I only invited the highly educated today, so why is a low achiever here? Both the bride, Ava, and I are high achievers! " At Kevin's words, the guests at the reception all turned to look at me, some even laughing.
I hadn't wanted to attend Kevin's wedding in the first place; I couldn't understand why I had to be subjected to such comments from him. "Even though I came reluctantly, I'm just here to represent my company and offer congratulations. Congratulations on your marriage," I managed to control my anger and offered Kevin my congratulations, but Kevin laughed even harder.
"You representing your company? Which company sends a high school dropout as their representative? Don't you think it's disrespectful to me?
" My anger became increasingly difficult to control. Then Tom's voice came from behind me. "Kevin, are you arguing again?
Stop it at such a festive occasion! Don't bother with someone so undereducated! " So Tom thinks the same way as Kevin.
I made up my mind at that moment. Just as I was about to speak, Ava. .
. I returned from the restroom and looked surprised to see me. "Aren't you Kevin?
" puzzled by Ava's reaction, said, "What? You know this guy? " "Such an underachiever is just trash in society, right, Ava?
" Hearing Kevin's words, Ava desperately tried to convey something to him, visibly shaken. "Kevin, this man is—" But Ava was too panicked to articulate her thoughts properly. Then a man approached me.
He hadn't heard my exchange with Kevin and greeted me with a smile. "You're the president of Orian Corporation, right? It's an honor to meet you.
I've wanted to talk to you, so it's great to see you here. " He handed me his business card, which bore the name "Pegasus Logistics," a leading company in the industry. "What?
" Both Kevin and Tom looked at me incredulously. "Could we have a formal business meeting sometime? " Lucas, the president, asked me politely.
"Yes, we've actually been looking for a new logistics company. I'd love to hear more," I said, smiling. Lucas beamed with joy.
Ava, watching my interaction with Lucas excitedly, said, "So you are the president of Orian? " "Indeed. I once interned at your company and had the chance to greet you.
" However, Kevin and Tom, still in disbelief, raised their voices at me. "You're the president of Orian? Who would believe such nonsense?
" "That's right; Orian is one of the top revenue-generating companies in the US and a significant client of Rainbow Logistics. Enough with the jokes! " "Oh well, it seems this father and son will never believe me.
" I was indifferent, but Lucas raised his voice at the two. "How can you be so rude? This gentleman is genuinely James, the president and director of Orian Corporation.
He's famously shy and avoids public appearances, which is why you didn't know. " Hearing Lucas's words, they finally seemed to accept that I was the president of Orian. "James, the president of Orian?
Impossible! " "Yes, I am indeed the president of Orian Corporation. I dropped out of high school and initially lived on part-time jobs.
But as that wasn't enough to cover living expenses, I casually started an online shopping operation to supplement my income. I hoped it would just help a bit with my finances. Gradually, the online shop sales grew, and I seriously ventured into managing it.
What helped me then was the mathematics I had studied from childhood. Education doesn't betray us. Indeed, my mathematical knowledge aided the management of my online shop.
At first, I ran it alone, but soon I needed more hands on deck. That's when I hired a few employees, including Ken, who became my right-hand man. Two years after starting my business, my company became so renowned that it was hard to find someone who hadn't heard of it.
Fourteen years after its establishment, we expanded our market internationally, boasting the highest sales among online retailers in the United States. My company partnered with several logistics firms to operate efficiently, with Rainbow Logistics being one of them. When my company was just starting, finding a logistics company willing to partner with us was a struggle.
But now, they approach us with proposals for partnerships. Initially, we didn't have a deal with Rainbow Logistics, but Tom approached us to do business. I'm extremely shy and rarely appear in public, so only a few people know that I am the president.
Tom probably never imagined that I, a high school dropout, would be the president of this company. " An unusual atmosphere of fear pervaded the reception hall. "I apologize for Kevin's rude behavior," Ava said to me, looking genuinely sorry.
"It almost felt as if she had done something wrong herself. " "Ava, you haven't done anything wrong. The one at fault here is Kevin.
" I said this, but Kevin just laughed, which I found incomprehensible. Then Kevin said something surprising. "I'm sorry for the harsh words, but it's the truth, right?
Well, you've done well. We're friends, and this won't break our friendship, right? " The room went silent.
People looked as if they were wondering what he was talking about. "I sighed deeply. 'Kevin, are you serious?
If so, you're truly incompetent. '" Hearing my words, Tom quickly came up to apologize. "As expected of the president, he probably could foresee what was going to happen next.
'James, I am terribly sorry for our disrespectful behavior. '" However, Kevin looked at his father as if he were an outsider. Tom immediately urged Kevin to apologize as well, but unbelievably, Kevin refused.
"Why should I apologize? James and I are friends. " I was speechless at his delusion.
"Kevin still says such things even now. He needs a reality check. " "Kevin, unfortunately, I have never once considered you a friend.
Friendship means treating each other with respect, not looking down on one another and supporting each other through tough times. Have you ever done that for me? " Kevin, slightly shaken, retorted, "Oh, I was young and maybe didn't realize it, but now I consider you a friend.
" I was astonished. Tom continued to apologize profusely. "We're not friends or anything," I said.
I took a deep breath and then called Ken. "Hey sir, sorry to bother you, but can we stop all dealings with Rainbow Logistics and switch everything to Pegasus Logistics? " Ken expressed surprise over the phone but agreed to follow my instructions.
Lucas, overhearing the conversation, looked surprised yet pleased. After hanging up, all eyes turned to me. "Sorry, but my company will seize all dealings with Rainbow Logistics from this moment.
" "What? " Kevin trembled, his complexion turning pale. Ava covered her mouth, unable to hide her shock.
"Our company relies heavily on business with Orian. If we lose your contract, our company will collapse. How could you be so heartless?
Do you even have a conscience? " Kevin was endlessly self-centered. "I wanted nothing more to do with him.
" "Kevin, think about what you've done to me. Haven't you done far worse? This is karma.
" The wedding guests looked on in astonishment. While Kevin found no words to retort and fell silent, finally I had something to say to Ava. "Ava, I'm sorry for ruining your wedding.
I will properly apologize later. " Hearing my words, Ava stood up. "Your words, James, have opened my eyes.
I agreed to this marriage because my parents said so, but I will not marry Kevin. Looking down on people is what the worst kind of person does. " Then Ava turned to Kevin.
"That's why, goodbye. " "Everyone, please feel free to leave. " The attendees started leaving all at once.
"Ava, please come back! I beg you! " Kevin collapsed to his knees, crying pathetically.
I left the venue along with the other guests. Glancing at Kevin, I heard through the grapevine that the wedding was called off after I left. Later, Tom came to apologize at my company, but I completely ignored him and never met with him afterward.
Rainbow Logistics, having lost its major client, put my company into the red, forcing significant layoffs, and Tom struggled to turn things around. Kevin, who refused to apologize to me at the wedding reception, had a huge argument with Tom and was eventually disowned. His whereabouts are now unknown; he's likely living quietly somewhere, doing odd jobs.
It was a fitting outcome for Kevin, who judged people only by their academic credentials. As for Ava, after calling off the marriage, she went through some unstable days, but with my support, she now works happily at my company. "Since I'm hungry today, I'll make your favorite hamburgers," Ava said to me with a smile.
"After her engagement with Kevin was broken off, I helped alleviate Ava's emotional distress by going out to eat with her. " Gradually, I found myself drawn to Ava's charm. Ava seemed to feel the same way, and we naturally started dating.
Wanting to be closer to her, I invited Ava to join my company. She is a kind-hearted woman who cares for others and doesn't judge people by their education or background. Such a wonderful woman was never suited for Kevin.
While I'm not sure if Ava and I will marry, I want to cherish and nurture the happiness I have now. I'm determined to continue forging my own path to the fullest.
