Rebirth and making money first

After hearing those shocking words from Naituanzi, Zhang Jing felt as if struck by lightning. She stood there in shock, unable to recover for a long time. When she finally realized what was happening, her face was blue with rage. She reached out and fiercely pinched Naituanzi's chubby little face, angrily demanding, "You damned child, who taught you to say those things?"

Naitianzi was pinched so hard by Zhang Jing that it hurt, but he couldn't break free from her hand. So he begged for mercy pitifully, "Aunt, I know I was wrong! I heard those words from others, and they are often said on TV. Please forgive me this time!" Seeing Naitianzi admit his mistake so obediently, Zhang Jing's heart softened immediately.

She released her hand, then pulled the little one into her arms, saying earnestly, "Don't just blindly follow what others say in the future, or it won't be good for you when you grow up. It's no use for you to keep playing around like this. I guess I have to send you to school."

Thinking of this, Zhang Jing sighed helplessly. She realized there were no ordinary kindergartens nearby. The only one was a traditional Chinese kindergarten run by a Taiwanese.

This kindergarten was private, and its curriculum focused on traditional classics like "Three Character Classic," "Hundred Family Names," "The Doctrine of the Mean," and "The Great Learning." Furthermore, the tuition was quite expensive, which made Zhang Zhi, already complaining about her financial constraints, simply not consider it. Zhang Jing was truly troubled.

But for the sake of her child's education, Zhang Jing finally made up her mind to go and do some on-site research. So, after discussing it with her mother-in-law, she took her son to the traditional Chinese kindergarten to learn more about the situation.

There are so many children here! Amazingly, all their meals are vegetarian. This kindergarten focuses on fostering self-care, with teachers patiently guiding children through everything from dressing to eating. Furthermore, children also learn to write large characters. It's said that children as young as three years old are accepted, even as small as a chubby little kid in diapers. Surprisingly, even a two-and-a-half-year-old baby was accepted.

Here, classic Chinese literature is taught daily, and these classic passages are played repeatedly in the classroom. According to the hospital, this is done to entice children to develop a strong memory of traditional culture from a young age.

After the children are able to recite the text fluently, the teacher will start to teach them to read it word by word. Although the children may not be able to write well at this time, after all, writing is a skill that will have more opportunities to practice after entering elementary school.

After three years of kindergarten, the children have already learned quite a lot of Chinese characters and can even read simple storybooks independently!

Of course, young children may not fully grasp the profound meanings of classic works like "Three Character Classic" right now. But that's okay. According to the kindergarten, as children grow older, they'll naturally understand the underlying principles. It's this educational philosophy that has successfully convinced many parents.

Seeing those little figures dressed in Hanfu, nodding their heads as they diligently recite their lessons, is truly enticing! Even more captivating is the way every student greets everyone they see. The dean has also granted any child a free trial period, requiring only a report on their experience. Regardless of their origin, all are welcome!

My mother-in-law politely said she'd go back and discuss it. My daughter, curious, rushed over to watch the child learn. Before leaving, the three of them shared afternoon tea: sweet potatoes, corn, and taro.

When they got home, the mother-in-law asked Naituanzi, "Do you like the environment there? Do you want to go?"

Milk ball said: "I want to go! Their skirts are so beautiful, I want one too. There are also corn and sweet potatoes, they are all delicious."

My mother-in-law said, "The only bad thing is that all the students are vegetarians. Will they suffer from malnutrition?"

Zhang Jing said, "I asked for accommodation again and came back once a week."

My mother-in-law said, "You're not the head of the family, so you should ask her mother first. We can't make the decision!"

Zhang Jing said, "We can let her in for a trial period of one month and then make a decision after her mother comes back."

When Zhang Jing called Zhang Zhi, she heard the clear cry of a baby. It turned out that Zhang Zhi had already given birth to a son and was immersed in the joy of being a mother.

Zhang Jing asked Zhang Zhi about the situation on the phone and gave her a detailed introduction to the environment, teachers, and teaching philosophy of the National Studies Kindergarten. She also asked Zhang Zhi if she would agree to let her daughter go there for a trial period of one month.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Zhi replied, "I'll give you a three-month trial. However, I'd like you to advance my tuition for the period, and I'll pay it back when I return." Zhang Jing agreed without hesitation and happily set about handling the relevant matters. However, the naive and kind-hearted Zhang Jing was unaware of Zhang Zhi's plans.

In fact, Zhang Zhi had already heard that her sister, Zhang Jing, would be moving into a new residential complex in three months. That new complex had a very good kindergarten. So, Zhang Zhi thought she'd take advantage of this trial at the Guoxue Kindergarten and, using the high tuition as an excuse, send her daughter to a kindergarten near her sister's new home. That way, she could focus on caring for her precious son wholeheartedly.

And so, Naituanzi was sent to the Guoxue Kindergarten. When the little girl first entered, she was silent, her lips pouted. She was clearly in a very low mood, her face full of unhappiness. She didn't want to live on campus. Seeing the child like this, Zhang Jing felt heartbroken.

I quickly comforted her softly, "Be good, auntie promises that I will come to pick you up on time every Friday afternoon." Hearing this, the little girl finally couldn't hold back her tears. Tears welled up in her eyes and she cried out in a sobbing voice, "Auntie, you must be the first one to pick me up!"

Zhang Jing also loudly assured him. The teacher checked his belongings, luggage, and bedding. The little golden gourd around Naituan's neck was removed and returned to Zhang Jing. They agreed to wear it back when Naituan returned. Zhang Jing watched reluctantly as the teacher led Naituan inside. She stood there for a long moment, stunned. Other parents empathized: "When we first brought our child here, we were so reluctant to let him go. There was nothing we could do. You'll get used to it once you get used to it."

Zhang Jing felt that if she were happy and joyful, she would be just as uncomfortable. Now that she had experienced it in advance, Zhang Zhi was careless and only thought about her son. Children grow up quickly, and by the time you want to be with them, they no longer need you.

When she got home and picked up her daughter, her son also rushed over to her. Zhang Jing thought that being able to accompany her children as they grew up was also a kind of happiness.

Zhang Jing was not used to sleeping without Natuanzi making noises. She woke up several times and looked around, only to remember that Natuanzi was in kindergarten. Zhang Jing was not used to it when Ah Chen was next to her.

Achen is becoming increasingly capable and can help out a lot in daily life. Kaixin and Huanxi both enjoy being held by him, and he treats them equally. He's also adept at feeding, changing diapers, and bathing them, and Zhang Jing praises him endlessly.

Privately, Zhang Jing asked Ah Chen if he wanted another baby. Ah Chen said that was enough, as he already had a son and a daughter. Zhang Jing didn't force him, deciding to let nature take its course.

When Naituanzi was first brought home, he burst into tears the moment he saw Zhang Jing. The teacher and Zhang Jing coaxed him for a long time before he finally said goodbye. When he returned, he saw a large table of food and burst into laughter. He had a blast playing with his younger siblings, and their laughter filled the room.

Everyone gathered around the little girl, noticing she'd gained weight. They all said the food in kindergarten was good. But Naituanzi loudly retorted, "The food in kindergarten isn't tasty. They eat rice, vegetables, and soup all together." Everyone glanced at each other, and Zhang Jing asked, "Then why are you so fat?"

"Oh, I'll be hungry if I don't eat!" said Naituanzi. Her mother-in-law immediately felt sorry for her and immediately picked out some meat and fish for her to eat, even picking out the fish bones.

Later, Zhang Jing learned that some children, after returning home, had parents who felt their children had suffered greatly from a week-long vegetarian diet. They'd pampered them, only to find they weren't hungry when they got to kindergarten. The teachers and principals simply let their children go, allowing them to skip meals and only rush to eat at the next meal when they were starving. This was commonplace, and no matter how the kindergarten teachers urged parents to cooperate and prevent their children from overeating, they simply couldn't. They were their own children, so who could have the heart to do that?

That night, Naituanzi wouldn't let go of Zhang Jing, prompting the two little ones to follow suit. In the end, all five of them slept in one large bed. After the two little ones were asleep, Achen carried them to the children's bed. Only then did Zhang Jing inquire about the kindergarten's situation.

Naituanzi said she could coax younger children and wipe their butts. The teacher even praised her. Zhang Jing was surprised: "You need others to wipe your butt, and you can also wipe other people's butts? Why don't I believe it?"

"Really, auntie, the teacher doesn't have time." Naituanzi explained, "The teacher has to comb the children's hair, one by one. She also told us to cut our hair short, because short hair looks better." Zhang Jing guessed that the teacher was tired of combing so many children's hair every day.

Speaking of bathing, Naituanzi said: "Two teachers are responsible for washing us. One watches us take off all our clothes, and then we wash in groups of three. No shampoo or shower gel is used, only water is used. We only use shower gel to wash ourselves when we get home to smell good."

"The kindergarten grows vegetables, and it stinks. The teacher makes the kids pee in buckets to water the vegetables. We're the ones eating those vegetables!"

"The teacher made tofu dregs and scrambled eggs with rice for us to eat. It was delicious. I ate two bowls."

"Auntie, there's a ghost in the kindergarten. I'm scared. I want to go home and sleep."

"That ghost looked so scary, he stared at me. I buried my head in the covers, and when I peeked, he wouldn't leave, he kept staring at me!"

"That ghost has such a big mouth. Once it opens, it can eat a lot of sand..."

After listening to Naituanzi's description, isn't this a character from "The Mummy Returns"? It's obvious that she remembers it from watching TV.

Zhang Jing said, "Next time you see a ghost and it doesn't leave but stares at you, chant Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva or Namo Amitabha. Chant whichever you know and whichever you like."

Milk ball asked: "But he still won't leave?"

Zhang Jing said, "Keep reciting, keep reciting until he passes away. Once you recite, he will be afraid of you."

"Okay then!" Naituanzi compromised. Zhang Jing said, "When you grow up, your parents and I are no longer by your side. If you encounter danger or get lost alone, don't be afraid or panic. Keep reciting these two Buddhist mantras, and the Buddha or Guanyin Bodhisattva will come to save you. Do you remember?"

"I remember!" Naituanzi agreed seriously.

Zhang Jing was worried: "Can you really read it? Read it to me."

The milk ball said, "I can recite it. I will recite it to you. Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva! You see, I can recite it now."

"What's one more thing?"

"Namo Amitabha!"

"Great! When you go to kindergarten and see the ghost you mentioned again, remember to recite either of these two sentences. Which one do you prefer?"

"I like to chant Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva. Namo Amitabha is not easy to say."

"When you chant Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, you should chant Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva who saves the suffering and the distressed." Zhang Jing patiently taught Naituanzi and didn't let her go until she learned it.

It was because in her previous life, when the little girl grew up, she refused to obey her parents and became a headache. Only Zhang Jing could calm her down, so she simply stayed away from Zhang Jing.

I remember one time, Zhang Jing was asked by Zhang Zhi to keep an eye on her and not allow her to go shopping with her classmates. Seeing her dressed so coolly and like a bad girl, Zhang Jing got angry. She begged her aunt to let her go shopping with her classmates.

Zhang Jing came up with an idea. She found a copy of "The Great Induction Chapter: Abiding by Sexual Conduct," which contained historical and modern examples of people who committed sexual misconduct and suffered retribution. Zhang Jing asked her to read it and then tell it to him. If she could come up with 10 stories, she would be allowed to go out and have fun.

The little girl was full of confidence, believing herself to be the best at memorizing. She went to read with great enthusiasm, but soon came over to talk about it, and after only two stories, she couldn't remember it. She simply suggested that she read a story and tell it one by one, but Zhang Jing naturally ignored her.

Helplessly, she had to calm down and watch again. Her classmates called to urge her to go shopping, but she also postponed it. She didn't come out of the room until her mother came back after dark.

As soon as he came out, he found Zhang Jing and said, "Auntie, I can tell you 10 stories now! No, I can tell you 20."

Zhang Jing asked, "What do you feel after reading this book?"

The little girl said, "This is horrible! Is this true?"

Zhang Jing said, "Of course the record is true! You don't have to tell me stories anymore, you can go shopping!"

She clutched her chest and said, "Forget it, I'm not going. It's too scary."

Zhang Jing didn't know whether the little girl had done something wrong in her previous life. But when the little girl grew up, she ignored Zhang Zhi, and nothing she said could change her mind.

Now, looking at Naituanzi's adorable sleeping face, I can't help but think that children are really like trees. Only by caring for them from childhood can they grow into trees. Zhang Zhi missed it, and she must teach Naituanzi well in this life.