Rebirth and making money first

After Zhang Jing received the property certificates, she carefully stuffed them into her suitcase. She gently stroked the household registration booklet in her hands, feeling a little reluctant to put it away. After all, it meant so much to her, and she used it far more often than her mother did. Now, only she and her mother were included in the booklet.

Although she knew she would need her household registration booklet to buy a house in Shenzhen, Zhang Jing hesitated for a long time. Ultimately, she decided to put it away and wait until she arrived in Shenzhen to tell her mother the news. This made her feel a little guilty, but also full of anticipation.

When Zhang Jing learned that her classmate Ali's husband had been in a car accident and suffered serious injuries, months after recovering and left with residual health problems, she immediately went to visit him. Upon meeting Zhang Jing, Ali's husband couldn't help but confide in her about his own unfortunate experience. It turned out that a classmate he had been close to had also been paralyzed in bed for months after a car accident. He had cared for the other person wholeheartedly, without complaint. However, when he faced his own difficulties, that former friend ignored him and even refused to lend him money for medical treatment. He lamented, "Now I finally understand: no one can be trusted!"

Zhang Jing complained that Ali hadn't told her, but Ali said she didn't want to burden Zhang Jing. With no other options left, she even borrowed money from Zhang Jing's mother. Zhang Jing felt a pang of grief at Ali's haggard face. She asked if she still owed foreign debts, saying she could help. The couple declined, saying they had recovered. However, Ali's anxiety left her with an eye disease that could never be cured. At that moment, Zhang Jing wanted to cry.

Life is truly hard without money! Looking at Ali's husband, Zhang Jing couldn't help but feel a strong empathy. She understood the pressures and frustrations of life, and so she became even more determined to spare no effort in saving enough for survival.

She asked Ali curiously, "How did that boy have so much money for his medical treatment? Did he borrow a lot of money like us?" Ali's husband replied, "No, he originally bought five shops, and after the car accident, he sold three of them to pay for his medical treatment. Those shops were the goose that laid golden eggs, and it would be a shame to kill them."

Hearing this, Zhang Jing suddenly realized what she had been neglecting. It turned out she had forgotten the crucial matter of buying a shop in her hometown! She secretly made up her mind to go see if there was a suitable opportunity tomorrow.

After returning home, Zhang Jing began to plan how to deal with Aunt Tian and A Yan's property issues. She decided to let Aunt Tian's house wait for relocation, while A Yan's house would need to be exchanged for cash. She also planned to buy a small shop, which she could use for her own residence or to run a small business. If she ran into difficulties, she could rent it out to generate income.

Thinking of this, Zhang Jing felt filled with hope and motivation. She believed that as long as she persisted in saving money, the future would definitely be better.

The next day, Zhang Jing went to see the shops that had risen in value in the past few years, and found that many of them were still empty. She went to the sales office and asked, but they said they hadn't sold out yet. However, the full price was required, and the prices were not cheap. Seeing that Zhang Jing had limited funds and the salesperson was eager to sell, they suggested that she buy a smaller shop, one closer to the edge. After looking at the shop, Zhang Jing found that small size had its advantages. It could be a nice place to live after renovating it. When she asked the price, which was 10 yuan, she hesitated. The salesperson said there were two shops at the same price, but one was renovated, just closer to the edge. Zhang Jing was worried that the exterior wall would crack due to thermal expansion and contraction.

The salesperson wasn't disappointed, saying they had a slightly larger model unit that had been converted into two floors. Without renovations, the upper floor could be used for living and the lower floor for commercial purposes. The location was a bit out of the way, but it wouldn't affect anything. After seeing it in person, Zhang Jing was told it cost 12 yuan, but she wasn't satisfied.

Walking to the side of the building, the shops seemed even more deserted, barely even getting any sunlight. However, the price was surprisingly affordable, only 60,000 yuan. One of the units was also a renovated model apartment, with the upper floor housing living areas and the lower floor serving as a shop. It was quite spacious, and Zhang Jing remembered that someone later rented it as a warehouse.

After carefully comparing them for a long time, she finally decided to buy this one. In a previous life, her brother had rented a garage for her mother to live in, but the conditions were far inferior to the one she saw now. Moreover, all she needed here was to convert the squat toilet into a sit-down toilet and add some furniture. So, Zhang Jing quickly completed the purchase procedures. This time, she spent over 100,000 yuan to buy two houses and a shop. At this moment, Zhang Jing finally felt at ease. This way, her mother's future life was guaranteed, and she would never repeat the tragic fate of her previous life.

After much deliberation, Zhang Jing decided to confess to her mother before leaving. Late one night, while they were lying in bed chatting, her mother expressed her concern that she would be lonely and helpless in her old age if she didn't marry. Zhang Jing's heart was suddenly struck. After all, she was her own child. It was just that her brother's importance was less important to her. The patriarchal view that "raising a son provides for old age" didn't realize that sometimes, "providing for old age also requires providing for a son."

Zhang Jing told her mother that she had bought a house and a shop, but the old lady didn't believe her. Zhang Jing said that A Yan would send the keys to her after she moved in, and asked the old lady to keep them. If she wanted to live there, she could move in. If not, she could rent it out and give the rent to the old lady. She received the demolition notice and decided not to return to the house to ask for money. Her mother scolded Zhang Jing, "You didn't discuss such a big thing with me. Do you still have me as your mother?" Zhang Jing said carefully while accompanying her, "I'm just afraid that you won't agree. Besides, I can only stay for a few days when I come back, and it's your place! What if your son can't make it out there, he can come back and start a small business selling sesame cakes."

Perhaps Zhang Jing's words touched her mother's heart, and her mother softened. She asked Zhang Jing, "What else have you been hiding from me?" "Mom, how did you know?" Zhang Jing was stunned. Her mother said disdainfully, "You are my daughter. You know what shit is going on even without you sticking your butt up. Tell me now!"

When Zhang Jing mentioned the location she'd bought for her shop, her mother got furious. She said that such a crappy spot hadn't been sold in years, and Zhang Jing had actually bought it, spending 6 yuan. She was losing money. "Refund it tomorrow!" the old lady insisted. "That won't work! It's already been bought. If anyone can't make it out there, come back and start a small business!"

"Do you think business is easy? If no one buys, it won't work!" The old lady softened her tone. "No, I'll go with you tomorrow to take a look." Zhang Jing said that the shop had a second floor where people could live, but she was worried that the old lady couldn't climb up. "Your mother isn't that old yet, climbing the stairs is no problem."

The next day, Zhang Jing wanted to sleep in, but her mother pulled her out of bed. She said, "The house is not going anywhere, why are you in such a hurry?" Her mother refused to listen and said, "I didn't sleep all night, and you've been snoring all night. How could you sleep that much? Hurry up, let's go out and have breakfast after this!"

Zhang Jing was urged by her mother to get dressed and wash. She laughed at her mother and said, "You look just like what you describe yourself as, you can't hold two taels of sesame oil in your stomach." The old lady said, "Don't be so playful with me. If today's performance is not as good as you said, just give up." Zhang Jing did not comment.

After entering the shop, the mother was as surprised as Zhang Jing, "It's quite big." Zhang Jing looked it over inside and out with her mother, and after explaining the interior arrangements, the mother was very satisfied. She then went upstairs to see the second floor, which also had plenty of room for activities, and could accommodate a bed and a wardrobe. "This house is worth it, it's perfect for anyone to live in," the old lady finally agreed. "You've done a good job."

Zhang Jing suggested moving in. With underfloor heating in the winter, there's no need to clear snow or chop wood or burn coal. It would alleviate her daily needs, and most importantly, it would be convenient for shopping. There's a market just around the corner, and it would be easy for her old coworkers to visit. Her mother was tempted, saying, "I have too much stuff in my bungalow. I can't fit it all in here!"

Zhang Jing said, "We'll buy a new bed and wardrobe over here, and move everything else we need, and leave the unused stuff over there. At least the dog can't get in here." After leaving, her mother was reluctant to leave. A passing coworker asked her about it, and she shouted, "My daughter bought a house, and I came to see it. She insisted I move in, and I haven't made up my mind yet!" Her boastful expression overflowed. Soon, more people came in to take a look, many saying they had no idea how big it was. They all praised Zhang Jing for being filial and for knowing how to buy a house for her mother.

After breakfast, the mother and daughter bought some food and went home. Zhang Jing's mother asked her to sit down and asked her seriously, "Did you hear what those aunts said? Do you have to put my name on the building you bought for me?"

Zhang Jing knew that her mother finally couldn't help it and couldn't help laughing.