KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Kong actress Betsy Cheung Fung-Nei has been happily married to a Malaysian businessman Datuk Paul Poh since December 1998.
Cheung, 58, said in a recent interview with Sing Tao Daily that following her marriage she took a break from acting to focus on her family but made a comeback with the popular drama series The Heir To The Throne early this year.
"At first I struggled with adapting to life in Malaysia because I wasn't familiar with certain customs," she said.
"Once I sat next to my husband when dining out but he told me 'This table is full of men, even my mother is sitting at another table, you can sit with her' and I found it very strange."
Cheung also shared advice from her godmother on coping with life in a wealthy family.
"She told me if there's no one ringing the bell, there's no need to open the door.
"And if your husband does not give you anything, it does not mean he is treating you badly."
Cheung believes that as long as she is a good mother, wife and daughter-in-law, her husband will appreciate her.
"For many years, I have personally cooked meals, taken the children to school and participated in parent and child activities.
"I am also mindful about shopping despite occasionally buying clothes and designer bags," she said.
Cheung met Poh when she was 31 through an acquaintance while filming in Malaysia.
The couple have three daughters.