Rebirth and making money first

Zhang Jing looked at her mother expressionlessly, took a deep breath, and said calmly:

"Mom, there's something I can't hide from you anymore. I have to tell you the truth! These two children are actually Achen's. This is absolutely true. I secretly had someone do a test without telling anyone, and I've long since destroyed the report. But, Zhang Yongle forcibly took me away, so I deliberately misled him, making him mistakenly believe that these two children were his own. That way, I can use him to gain some benefits and profits for myself."

Hearing this, the old lady was stunned. She stared at Zhang Jing with eyes wide open in disbelief, her lips trembling as she said, "You...how could you do such a thing? You're really too bold, aren't you? What if Zhang Yongle finds out the truth someday? What will we do then?"

Facing her mother's questioning, Zhang Jing simply smiled coldly and replied nonchalantly, "Don't you know what our family's situation is like now? Look at you all these years, you've worked so hard and devoted so much effort to helping those so-called relatives. But when we're in trouble, who's willing to lend a hand and help us? Are we just going to sit there and wait to starve to death?"

After hearing her daughter's words, the old lady suddenly shrank like a deflated ball. She pursed her lips and muttered softly, "After all, we're all relatives. Even if we really have no food to eat, they wouldn't refuse us a single bite of food when we go to their house to beg for help, right? Besides, things aren't that bad right now!"

"Mom! You know, after I quit that job, I immediately rented an apartment, and I never found a suitable new job! Those days were truly miserable! Just imagine, I only had a few thousand yuan left in my pocket. How did I ever get through it?" Zhang Jing still shudders at the memory of this experience. If it weren't for God's blessing and rebirth, she would have long since returned home to live off her parents.

"It was around that time that I met Uncle Zhang by chance. When we were chatting, I pretended to be silly and pitiful in order to arouse his sympathy and pity. Unexpectedly, this trick really worked. Uncle Zhang was moved by sympathy and even took the initiative to help me find a job!"

"However, I dare not take it lightly. In order to prevent him from having any improper thoughts about me, I racked my brains and came up with a solution - that is to recognize him as my godfather. In this way, he will naturally be much colder to me. Hehe, isn't this a great trick?" At this point, Zhang Jing couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.

"Later, Uncle Zhang and his son started having a falling out because he found a partner. Taking advantage of their quarrel, I seized the opportunity and bought the house at a very low price. I thought things would go smoothly, but who could have imagined that Uncle Zhang's son would be unhappy and come to me in a rage to settle the score, insisting that I return the house to him!"

"Oh, this is really troublesome... It was due to this kind of coincidence that a complicated relationship between him and me developed. I had no choice but to find Ah Chen to act as a shield to get out of this predicament... Later, I even got pregnant and had a child."

"Who bears the most pressure? It's definitely me. Luckily, Achen's entire family is aware of this, but in order to ensure that Achen is taken care of and not left without care, everyone has quietly chosen to accept it."

"For such a long time, no one has ever dared to easily break this delicate balance. Gradually, no one mentioned this matter anymore!"

"As for Zhang Zhi and Zhang Xiaobing's work, you can ask Zhang Yongle for help. I don't have time to take care of it, and naturally I won't interfere easily. However, I must solemnly remind you here: since you have a job, you should do it with all your heart and soul. Don't be picky or avoid heavy tasks. You must know that if my lies are exposed one day and the flaws are revealed, none of us will end up well!"

Seeing the old lady's expression was not right, Zhang Jing said again: "After all, I still have my parents-in-law as my backing, who can protect me from the wind and rain. But when it comes to you, I really can't do anything else and can't take good care of you!"

Zhang Jing's sharp words struck her mother like a hammer, sending a wave of mixed emotions welling up inside her. In reality, the old lady knew full well that her family was nothing more than an ordinary one. Her children were ordinary too, without any exceptional qualities or talents. Their hopes of rising to prominence and bringing honor to the family were unlikely.

Therefore, her only hope for her children had always been "just enough to have enough to eat." Looking back now, this seemingly simple wish seems to have been fulfilled. But why, deep down, did she still not feel true happiness and satisfaction? Was she simply too greedy?

"Oh, girl, what can your mother say to you? I'm old and weak now, and I really don't have the energy to control you like I used to. How to go on in the future is entirely up to you to decide! I don't ask for much."

"Don't worry too much about Zhang Zhi's affairs. If she can't do it, her husband will support her. As for Xiaobing's job, don't worry. As long as everything is arranged properly, I will always keep a close eye on him and urge him to complete his tasks conscientiously. I will definitely not cause you any trouble."

The more Mom spoke, the more she felt her idea was right. "Also, our house cannot be moved or altered at will for now! Just in case you can't make it here in the future, at least you'll have a last resort. Your mom, although older, is still pretty strong. She shouldn't have any problem holding on for another ten or eight years! Don't worry, Mom won't make things difficult for you!"

Seeing that her persuasion had worked, Zhang Zhi said, "I've thought about it. If Xiaobing stays to work, you can go back. I'll also take care of the house at home. I'll find someone to do some simple renovations on my apartment. You can move in."

"What will happen to your children if I leave?" asked the old lady.

"With the help of Achen's family, I have temporarily taken a leave of absence from my work."

The old lady said that this matter should be discussed again.

Zhang Jing contacted Wang Ping to inquire about children's insurance. Without hesitation, she quickly bought Century Angel Insurance for her child. She checked the dividends and found them quite good.

The neighbor downstairs bought a new house and wanted to sell their old one. The price had already been quoted at 70 yuan, and people were already looking at it and bargaining. Zhang Jing was also tempted; she remembered that the demolition was imminent. She was thinking about buying it; it was more stable than stocks.

Zhang Jing talked about it with her mother, saying that it wouldn't be a big deal if she bought it, and that she could get a large sum of money from the demolition. "Ask Zhang Zhi if she wants one?" Zhang Jing's question was once again rejected by Zhang Zhi:

"Where do I get the money? My husband doesn't have it either. When we get old, we'll apply for public housing in Hong Kong! It's nice to have money to rent a place! We can't even come up with over 60 yuan, so how about you lend me some money?"

Zhang Jing hung up the phone and sighed, "It's like a hopeless situation. I won't force it. At worst, I can buy another apartment and get several times more compensation for the demolition!"

I turned around and saw my mother staring at me: "Mom, what are you doing?"

Mom smiled and asked Zhang Jing, "Xiao Jing, do you think the houses here can really be demolished?"

"Why would I lie to you? Didn't you see that my parents-in-law and grandfather bought this place? They moved in less than half a year. They bought it now for less than 100 million, and it will be worth twice as much by then. I won't talk to you anymore. If it doesn't work out, I'll bargain and buy it first. Then I'll have two houses, one for payment and one for relocation!" After saying this, he was about to leave when the old lady stopped him:

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Wait until I finish speaking." Mom quickly pulled Zhang Jing, and Zhang Jing looked at her mom strangely.

The old lady closed the door and pulled Zhang Jing aside: "Tell me, how does mom treat you?"

Zhang Jing immediately became alert: "Old lady, just say what you want to say!"

"Well, I told you not to be angry. Look, Zhang Zhi doesn't want to buy the house, so why don't you let Xiao Bing buy it? His wife and children can move their household registration here."

Zhang Jing said, "That's fine, but does he have that much money to buy it?"

My mother smiled awkwardly: "But don't we still have you as our sister? Can you help him?"

Here it comes again. I know I can't escape this routine. Sighing: "Mom, am I your biological child? Do you always cut me when you cut leeks?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean by cutting leeks or not? As long as you help Xiaobing buy a house, I won't ask you to pay anything in the future. My lifelong wish will be fulfilled."

Zhang Jing said, "Now that you have a house, you still want a car, you still want to work, and your children still need to go to school... I can't control that!"

My mother was anxious: "Don't worry, I promise this is the last time. Don't forget that he and I still have a shop, and we will have income next year."

Zhang Jing thought for a while and said, "How much can you come up with? If it's too little, forget it!" Mom said, wait for me to ask.

Watching her mother go to Zhang Xiaobing, Zhang Jing finally understood. It would be unreasonable not to lend the money, but if she did, she would have to write an IOU. She had to keep a close eye on her money.

After discussing with Zhang Xiaobing, my mother went downstairs to ask for the price, and then came up to talk to Zhang Jing:

"The downstairs said the price had been reduced to 68, but for the sake of our neighbors, we'll pay 66 in one lump sum."

Zhang Jing asked the same old question: "How much can you take?"

Zhang Xiaobing said, "I can only get 18 yuan at most. I need to discuss this with my wife and sell the stocks first!"