Rebirth and making money first

Zhang Jing spent the afternoon absentmindedly sitting at her desk, her thoughts racing, unable to concentrate on her writing. So she decided to put down her computer and pick up her crochet hook. She selected various colored threads and prepared to begin crocheting a lotus cushion. She planned to make seven cushions, each with the same design but varying colors.

To ensure the right color combination, Zhang Jing carefully wrote and drew on paper. After some thought and experimentation, she found that every color of yarn could be used. However, she soon realized that the yarn she had on hand was not enough to complete the plan, so she resolutely decided to go to the wholesale market to buy more wool.

Zhang Jing walked into Baimacheng with familiarity and headed straight for the yarn counter. As her eyes fell on the mountain of yarn, she felt an overwhelming surge of excitement. The dazzling array of yarns in every color was dazzling. The cheapest yarn was only ten yuan per kilo, while higher-quality, firmer yarns were fifteen yuan per kilo, and the colors were incredibly vibrant and eye-catching.

Zhang Jing's eyes sparkled. She quickly pulled a piece of scratch paper from her pocket and began carefully comparing the colors of the yarn. To her surprise, there were all the colors she needed, no one missing! She secretly rejoiced, as if she had found a treasure.

Zhang Jing then engaged in a heated bargaining session with the shop owner without hesitation. She stated she was buying in bulk and hoped for a better price. The shop owner curiously asked how many kilograms she wanted. When she said she wanted over ten kilograms, he immediately quoted her 14 yuan per kilogram.

However, Zhang Jing wasn't satisfied with this and insisted on a reduction to 12 yuan per catty. The boss refused, but Zhang Jing said that for 20 yuan per catty, she could buy catties or even more. The boss asked her how much she wanted, and she said she could tell him the exact weight after she selected the color. So the boss simply gave her a large garbage bag and told her to pack it herself, and he would settle the bill with her later.

Zhang Jing ordered one jin of each color she'd arranged, and two jin for the other bright, dark, and black items. The final total was 28 jin, a significant weight to carry, and considering her stomach, she decided to buy less, fearing she'd be in trouble if she couldn't carry it. Then the phone rang. She pulled it out and saw it was Ah Long again. Didn't we agree to part ways?

"Where are you? Have you finished your meal?" Zhang Jing admired this aspect of A-Long the most. One moment they'd argue and never talk to each other again, but the next time they'd call, they'd act like nothing had happened. If she kept nagging him, it would be a bit unreasonable.

Zhang Jing sighed and said, "I'm at Dongmen Baima City to buy some wool. I have too much to carry, so I'm planning to take a taxi home." A Long said, "Then wait for me for twenty minutes and I'll help you carry it." Zhang Jing paid the bill and asked the boss for a pair of knitting needles as a replacement.

While sitting on a small bench in the shop waiting for Aaron, Zhang Jing asked the boss again, pointing to a pile of colorful yarn spread on the floor, each pound (10 yuan) thick. "Can that be cheaper?" the boss simply said, "If you take it all, I'll give you 80 yuan. It's not a complete set, but it definitely weighs more than 10 pounds." Zhang Jing, observing the same thing, readily agreed, bargaining, "60 yuan for all, or you can sell it. I bought a lot today, so it doesn't matter if you take the rest." As the boss collected the money, he lamented the difficulty of doing business.

By the time A-Long found Zhang Jing, 40 minutes had passed. The two large garbage bags beside Zhang Jing were shocking, and even A-Long, a handsome man with a briefcase under his arm, couldn't help but mutter to Zhang Jing, "Why did you buy so much?"

Zhang Jing said, "Please help me send the line home, and I will treat you to dinner tonight!" Of course Aaron agreed, and the two of them called a taxi and went straight back to Zhang Jing's house.

After entering the room, A'long looked around with a curious look on his face. He kept asking Zhang Jing various questions, such as whether she rented the house, how much the monthly rent was, and whether she lived alone in such a large house. However, Zhang Jing ignored his questions and casually threw the thread in her hand into a room and said, "Let's go eat first and talk while we eat."

The two of them arrived at the restaurant and began to eat. Zhang Jing casually told A-Long that she had actually purchased the house, paying for it in full. Upon hearing this, A-Long's mouth dropped open in astonishment. He couldn't believe this seemingly ordinary woman was so wealthy. He immediately gave her a thumbs-up in admiration. At this point, his interest in Zhang Jing grew even stronger, particularly in understanding how she made her money. Perhaps by interacting with her, he could learn some useful lessons.

After dinner, Aaron was clearly reluctant to leave. He followed Zhang Jing back home and walked around the rooms, carefully observing every corner. Finally, he nodded in satisfaction, very happy with the environment. Then, he shamelessly said to Zhang Jing, "How about I move in with you? I'm not sure if you're alone here."

Zhang Jing glared at him and said angrily, "Stop dreaming!" But A'long continued to pester him, "Really? Look how unsafe it is for a girl like you to live here. It would be nice to have me by your side to look after you." Zhang Jing still shook her head firmly and said, "Stop it. You don't want to get married, and I don't plan to live together. There's no need for us to be so naive."

Aaron was helpless and could only sigh and not mention the matter again. However, he did not intend to give up easily. Instead, he began to walk around the room, trying to find other opportunities. After a while, he suddenly said to Zhang Jing with a thick face, "Then I will sleep here tonight."

"What?" Zhang Jing's eyes widened, her face filled with surprise and anger. "No, absolutely not! This is my home, how can you just stay here?" She said as she pushed A-Long out.

A-Long refused to leave, hugging Zhang Jing tightly and spouting sweet nothings. Zhang Jing struggled at first, but gradually, she was swept away by A-Long's passion and lost herself in it. At that moment, A-Long's hand accidentally touched Zhang Jing's abdomen. Zhang Jing suddenly woke up and pushed A-Long away.

"No, we can't do this now." Zhang Jing's voice was trembling, with a hint of panic. A'long looked at her in confusion and asked, "Why?" Zhang Jing shook her head helplessly, sighing in her heart. She knew that if she didn't tell the truth, A'long would probably keep pestering her. So, she took a deep breath and whispered, "I might be pregnant..." A'long didn't believe it, "Are you lying to me? Were you pregnant the last time we were together?" "Not sure yet, let's test it tomorrow morning. Go back tonight and tell you the news when it's confirmed." Zhang Jing coaxed him to leave.

Aaron slept at Zhang Jing's house. As he'd said, he didn't touch her. He simply held her tenderly and lovingly, instantly thawing her heart. Aaron asked Zhang Jing to take a urine test that evening, but Zhang Jing insisted that a morning urine test would be more accurate. Both believed they were right, and Zhang Jing gave in first. After all, they had two, so they could just do it twice.

The morning sun shone through the gaps in the curtains into the room. Zhang Jing rushed to the bathroom the moment she woke up and took another pregnancy test. However, the result was still unclear, leaving her confused and worried. She decided to wait until daybreak to test again to ensure accuracy.

At this moment, Zhang Jing, who was half asleep, felt A-Long begin to move restlessly. She immediately opened her eyes and found that he was trying to kiss her. Zhang Jing pushed him away, but A-Long became more and more aggressive, even reaching out to touch her belly. Zhang Jing protected her belly with her hands and beat A-Long hard, hoping that he would stop.

Aaron finally realized his actions had gone too far. He quickly apologized and promised to be gentler. Then, he suddenly suggested, "I've thought about it. When I'm on vacation next week, you can come home with me."

Zhang Jing asked in surprise, "Are you going to meet your parents?" A Long smiled and replied, "Yes, how is it? Are you happy? The ugly daughter-in-law is about to meet her parents-in-law!"

Zhang Jing responded nonchalantly: "Am I ugly? If I were really that ugly, how could a handsome boy like you have the heart to eat me?" She was not afraid of meeting Aaron's parents, but appeared very confident and determined.