Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The birthday celebrations of a billionaire's child are usually celebrated lavishly. The event was filled with various top entertainment which was attended by many guests. However, what happens if the birthday party fails miserably, no one comes? That is what was bitterly experienced by Oei Hui Lan, the daughter of a rich tycoon from Semarang, Oei Tiong Ham.

This story happened on December 21, 1900. At Oei Tiong Ham's residence, a party was being held to celebrate Hui Lan's 11th birthday which would be held at 6 pm. Even though it was done at the end of the day, since morning the entire house was transformed in such a way as to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and joy.

Sparkling lights, colorful balloons and fresh flowers brightened up the special day. In fact, Oei Tiong Ham dared to spend a lot of money to invite a famous music group from Batavia to come to Semarang.

Oei Hui Lan herself wore a luxurious dress complete with real jewels made by a Dutch designer. When worn, she admitted that the dress fit her body very well, even the jewels could emit a beautiful light. Meanwhile, the waiters were given suits complete with bow ties. Of course, so it's not embarrassing.

However, before the party started, signs of strangeness appeared. It should be an hour before the party, guests have started to arrive. But, this didn't happen.

When it was 6 pm, Hui Lan was still confident that guests would come. He thought, they were on their way. After all, a birthday party that invites well-known performers will attract the attention of the invitees. However, everything is still the same.

“No one was seen entering my house, but I tried to be patient,” recalled Oei Hui Lan in his memoirs, which were rewritten in The Tragic Story of Oei Hui Lan (2017: 62).

Unfortunately, until late at night there were no guests present. He who stood at the door from the afternoon had to accept the fact that the birthday celebration was a complete failure.

In the midst of the silence, Hui Lan, who was still in her teens, cried uncontrollably. The image in his mind of a grand birthday party disappeared instantly. All the decorations were taken down. Entertainment automatically cancelled. Clowns and musicians were told to go home. He was not only sad, but also embarrassed.

After being investigated, the failure of this party occurred because of the father's actions. A week before the party started, Oei Tiong Ham was with Dutch colonial government officials and nobles for dinner. In the middle of the event, he invited all the guests to come to Oei Hui Lan's 11th wedding party.

“I hope you come and bring your sons and daughters,” said Oei Tiong Ham.

However, these words came out when the guests were busy themselves. Someone is chatting. There are also those who are drunk on opium. In essence, they did not listen to Oei's invitation. In the midst of these conditions, anyone would definitely not focus. No one returned to confirm the birthday party invitation. Everyone was busy with their respective activities.

On this basis, Oei Tiong Ham felt guilty towards Hui Lan. As the richest man in colonial Indonesia, he immediately sent his youngest daughter on holiday abroad. However, none of this could make up for the shame and sadness that befell Oei Hui Lan. He admitted that until he was an adult he would not forget the embarrassing incident caused by his father's bad behavior. In the future, Oei Hui Lan changed her fate to become an honorable woman because she became the first lady of a country as big as China.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(mfa/sef)