Rebirth and making money first

Zhang Jing knew that if her mother found out about this marriage, it wouldn't go smoothly. Fortunately, her household registration had already been transferred with the purchase of the house, so she and Achen could get a marriage certificate first. Even if the old lady found out, she wouldn't be able to stop it. As for Achen's family, Zhang Jing didn't consider them. Subconsciously avoiding questions was a habit Zhang Jing couldn't break in either lifetime.

Before I could think it through, Zhang Zhi called: "I called our mother. Xiaobing's wife gave birth to a son. The old lady and Xiaobing were very happy and insisted that my husband come up with a name for the child. My husband accepted this important task and was looking through the dictionary. He wrote down a long list of dissatisfactions on the paper. I didn't see him pay so much attention when I gave birth to my own child!"

It sounded like a complaint, but Zhang Jing knew Zhang Zhi was showing off. Having lived a new life, Zhang Jing understood the toll her father's abandonment of his wife and children had taken on the entire family. It had left her mother with only her own power, her younger brother unable to support the family, and the entire family reliant on her brother-in-law as the breadwinner... This sadness, like a virus, had taken root within the family, yet Zhang Zhi was the only one who didn't take it seriously, believing everyone was doing well.

Zhang Jing wanted to get married even more. She wanted to be the pillar of the family. Who says women are inferior to men? Perhaps the meaning of this new life was to live a different life.

Zhang Jing let Zhang Zhi finish her boasting, then listened to her talk about how busy she was with her children, but thankfully she had a nanny, which made things a little better. Finally, as the call was about to end, Zhang Zhi asked her, "Boss, how are you doing now?"

Zhang Jing is the oldest, so Zhang Zhi and Zhang Xiaobing are used to calling her "Big Boss." Of course, Zhang Zhi is also called "Second Boss," and Mom is called "Old Lady" by the three of them. Even her younger brother's wife, who calls her "Mom" to her face, calls her "Old Lady" behind her back.

Zhang Jing said, "I'm fine, I'm ready to register for marriage!"

Zhang Zhi was shocked. "So soon? Have you met A-Long's family? Didn't he say he didn't want to get married?"

Zhang Jing said, "Your sister has married someone else. That one is yesterday's news."

Zhang Zhi was anxious. "Who are you going to marry? What does he do? Is his family rich? How many people are there? Do you understand everything clearly? Don't let anyone fool you!"

Zhang Jing was furious. "Stop it! I'm older than you. I don't care who you marry. I didn't even tell me when Xiaobing married an online friend. I'm only informing you of my marriage, not asking for your opinion."

Zhang Zhi quickly suppressed her impatience and spoke in a slow tone, "Everyone knows our family's situation without us even telling you. We have no one to rely on, not even relatives. We can only fumble around on our own. Xiaobing and I are lucky luck, and our marriage will just work out. I always thought your parents' divorce had an impact on you, and I was relieved when Xiaobing got married. Your refusal to get married made me realize that you were the one who was hurt the most."

Zhang Zhi's words brought tears to Zhang Jing's eyes. She listened quietly on the phone, "Now that you're finally willing to find someone to marry, I'm happy too. This person must make you feel safe! I know you work hard to earn money to buy a house and a shop, but you just don't feel safe. So tell me about this person. If you're going to have a wedding, our whole family will come and help you make it a great occasion."

Zhang Jing cried and laughed, finally letting go of her mask and chatting with her sister Zhang Zhi about her squad leader, Achen. She recounted everything from work to life, marveling at the transformation she'd experienced. Finally, she sighed, "I hope you don't regret it in the future. I can only wish you the best. The old lady is taking care of you after your confinement, so you'd better be more tactful. Go ahead and tell them yourself, I won't say anything more. I'm waiting for your good news."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Jing thought for a moment and called Zhang Xiaobing. "I heard you had a son. Congratulations on becoming a father!" Zhang Xiaobing laughed happily. "You've also become an aunt. Don't forget to show your appreciation!"

Zhang Jing said, "Your sister knows how to do it, even without you telling her. Don't let the old lady get too tired. She was so exhausted the last time she took care of the second child during the confinement period." Zhang Xiaobing was not happy to hear it. "What are you talking about, sister? The old lady is so happy to see her grandson. She cooks different kinds of food for my wife every day, just because she's worried that her grandson won't have enough milk. If you don't believe me, ask her yourself."

The phone was picked up by the mother. "Don't try to sow discord for no reason. I am happy to take care of my grandson no matter how tired I am. You are the eldest aunt now, don't forget to give money to your newborn nephew! After all, he is your nephew. If you don't get married, you will rely on him when you are old..."

"Mom, I'm getting married. Come over here as soon as you're done taking care of me during the confinement period. I need to choose a date for the wedding."

"I don't believe it. You said you can get married? The second one is the same. I didn't even see the betrothal gift. I gave it to a Hong Kong man for nothing and he even gave birth to a child. I'm so unlucky that I gave birth to two money-losing things like you!" The old lady felt more and more at a loss as she spoke.

Zhang Jing immediately stopped her: "Mom, please keep your voice down! Don't let your daughter-in-law hear you! How much do you give to her parents as a betrothal gift?"

The old lady suddenly felt guilty and her voice became much lower, "I'm talking about you two, don't talk about other useless things. You won't throw yourself at me like the second brother, will you?" "No, I will accept some money and give it to you when the time comes." The old lady was immediately satisfied.

"What kind of person are you marrying? Is he the one we saw when we bought the shop last time? He's not bad looking, but I'm afraid you can't control him."

"I've changed the person. We've already broken up. He doesn't want to get married and just wants to fool around!" "It's better to break up. I'm not saying anything bad about you. Find someone to marry and live with. Don't look for someone who is too good-looking. He's useless and unreliable. Don't look for someone who is too rich. Even if he has money, he won't settle down!" Zhang Jing knew that the old lady was thinking about her marriage again, so she interrupted her:

"Don't worry, I found a fool this time. First, he's not good-looking, and second, he doesn't have as much money as me. Then we'll register first and have the wedding banquet when you come."

"No need for a big celebration. Our family is still connected back home. Don't throw a banquet and no one will come, it will make people laugh. Just have a meal together for both families."

"Sister, are you really married? What kind of person is your partner?" Zhang Jing heard her mother say as Zhang Xiaobing grabbed the phone. She hadn't finished speaking yet. Zhang Xiaobing said, "I'll tell you later. Go see your grandson! He's crying!"

Zhang Jing said, "Give the old lady the phone and let her talk for a few more words. I'll talk to you later." Zhang Xiaobing said, "Then I'm going to the bathroom first. Old lady, you said you'd wait a little longer until I come out." "Go ahead!"

Listening to the interaction between Zhang Xiaobing and his mother on the phone, Zhang Jing lamented that they had a time when the mother was loving and the son was filial, but it was a pity that there was no filial son by the bedside of a long-term patient. With a small family and a wife, the mother naturally took a back seat.

The old lady turned around and began to lecture Zhang Jing, "Don't let any man touch you if you don't get married this time, otherwise women will be worthless!" "Oh, Mom, can you please hope for me?"

"I'm only saying this for your own good. It's up to you whether you listen or not! Anyway, you're all grown up now and have your own ideas. Nothing I say will work."

Zhang Jing, dreading her mother's nagging, hoped Zhang Xiaobing would come out soon. As she wished, Zhang Xiaobing emerged to grab the phone and overheard her mother complain that he hadn't washed his hands or flushed the toilet after using it. Zhang Xiaobing replied, "This is a special situation. Isn't the phone bill expensive? It's okay to flush the toilet a little later," the old woman muttered, then went to flush the toilet.

Zhang Xiaobing was curious about the kind of man Zhang Jing had married, and most crucially, "Is his family wealthy?" This led Zhang Jing to reassure herself that her family was indeed poor. It was the same question, a question she had never considered. Could it be a genetic mutation?

Zhang Jing detailed her breakup with her ex-boyfriend: he refused to marry her because he was too poor to buy a house and just wanted to live a carefree life. Zhang Xiaobing agreed, saying, "We have nothing. There's really no point in being with him!" He completely forgot that he was one of those people, too lucky to have gotten married because his girlfriend got pregnant, and he didn't even have a dowry.

Speaking of this, Zhang Jing couldn't help but ask if his mother had given his daughter-in-law any gold jewelry. Zhang Xiaobing replied, "Yes, a complete set of gold jewelry. The thin necklace I gave her before is now on my mother-in-law." Zhang Jing knew that the thin gold necklace was a prize from a factory raffle when Zhang Zhi was working there. Zhang Zhi disdained it and gave it to her mother. Her mother then gave it to her daughter-in-law as a meeting gift.

Unexpectedly, it ended up at Zhang Xiaobing's mother-in-law. Perhaps it will be passed on to her granddaughter-in-law in the future.

Zhang Jing asked Zhang Xiaobing to find a place where his wife couldn't hear her. She explained the origin of the gold and repeatedly warned him not to wear it out in public. She told him to go to another gold shop in another city to change the style to be safer. She said she had already taken care of it and asked him to be careful not to be targeted.

Zhang Xiaobing said his wife only wears it for a short while at home to look beautiful, then hid it away. She might take it out and use it when she gets married, and then she'll change it again. "Even though my family didn't give a betrothal gift, my father-in-law didn't ask for it! This time, the old lady contributed both financially and physically to the birth, and my wife was so touched. When she presented me with this jewelry right after the birth, I was stunned by how golden it was! She's got a real gem! How many do you have?"

Zhang Jing said, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Just take what's given to you. Be nice to the old lady and she'll give you more."

"Then I believe it. My wife also said that my mother is a real person. I must be filial to the old lady in the future." Zhang Xiaobing agreed with Zhang Jing's words.

"Then when you get married, should I go with the old lady? Anyway, my wife will go after she finishes the confinement period," Zhang Xiaobing asked again, "We haven't been to your house yet. I heard that the house you bought is quite big."

Zhang Jing said, "I found someone who is a bit mentally retarded and whose family has some wealth. I have the final say after we get married, mainly because I'm afraid that normal people will scheme against my property. You should let the old lady be mentally prepared. As for whether you can come over, you two can discuss it yourselves. I suggest that you come together. The old lady wants a betrothal gift, so we have to satisfy her."

Zhang Xiaobing heard this and immediately said, "Don't worry, sister. Mom and I will definitely be there for your wedding. We have people from my family there too. Oh, and let the second son and his family go too. That Hong Kong guy didn't even give a betrothal gift back then, so we have to give him a little jolt!"