Rebirth and making money first

Zhang Jing simply calmed down, immersed in her world of words, the sound of her keyboard clacking incessantly. She didn't stop until her mother called. Passing by a roast duck restaurant, she smelled the aroma and decisively went in to order some braised duck heads and chicken wings, ready to go home and have a snack with her mother.

However, when she returned home, she was greeted with a rebuke from her mother. Smiling, Zhang Jing took out some braised food and invited her mother to share. However, her mother firmly insisted, "Eat it yourself. Don't worry about me. I'll just eat whatever I want." Zhang Jing disagreed, retorting, "We have enough money at home. Why do we have to live so hard? We should enjoy ourselves when we should. Money can't be earned by saving!"

Hearing this, the old lady became anxious. "You're already feeling proud just now because you have a little money. Who here doesn't save money by spending it? Which of your aunts didn't borrow money to buy a house? Even their children have to help out, and some even spend all their savings. If you guys keep spending lavishly like this, what will happen to you in the future? How long can I live?"

Zhang Jing understood her mother's concerns, but she was confident she could solve the problem. She comforted her, "Don't worry, Mom. Your daughter can't guarantee anything else, but she will definitely let you live in an apartment. We'll definitely buy a house this time, and it'll be better than anyone else's. More importantly, we won't need to borrow money!"

The mother then pressed Zhang Jing about her apartment search. Zhang Jing replied, "They asked us to clean up and hand over the house within a week. I looked at their resettlement housing, and the location isn't as good as Aunt Chen's. At least in Aunt Chen's Shengyuan neighborhood, the police station is right outside the gate. It's safe. Let's choose the second floor there. We'll decide which building later."

Her mother said, "The house can be handed over immediately. I've already sold the things inside and given them away. Only a few beds and the range hood have not been moved. I'll go check it out tomorrow. Whoever wants it can move out if they don't need it." Zhang Jing agreed.

After dinner, Aunt Liu arrived. As soon as she entered, she began to ask Zhang Jing's mother about the house demolition. She beamed with joy, saying, "My family chose to move back. We chose a spacious, high-rise apartment on the fifth floor. We have to pay quite a bit of compensation! But it's okay, my children paid for it." Then she asked, "What are your plans, mother and daughter?"

Zhang Jing looked at Aunt Liu with a touch of disgust. Aunt Liu had a sharp, sarcastic look, especially those triangular eyes, which always made people feel uncomfortable. She also loved gossiping, her mouth never stopping. She had played a significant role in fanning the flames of her father's past affairs. Although she and her mother were good friends, many of the other aunts disliked her.

Zhang Jing had long seen through Aunt Liu's desire for her father. She also knew clearly that her father not only disliked Aunt Liu's appearance but was also deeply annoyed by her gossipy mouth. Therefore, nothing happened between them.

Although Aunt Liu once deceived her mother by pretending to be a close friend, Zhang Jing chose to remain silent. She knew that with her mother's emotional intelligence, she would probably never be able to detect the hidden intentions. For her mother, she believed that having many friends was a good thing. However, this was just a superficial appearance, hiding endless conspiracy and betrayal.

What Zhang Jing never imagined was that in her previous life, it was Aunt Liu and her younger brother who had been spreading rumors about Zhang Jing's unfilial behavior and praising her younger brother's filial piety. Their goal was to discredit Zhang Jing and make her a target of public criticism. At the funeral, Aunt Liu refused to even speak to Zhang Jing, as if she were a stranger. Her younger brother's classmates also praised his filial piety, leading Zhang Jing to mistakenly believe she had committed a heinous crime. These people were being used by her younger brother, becoming his pawns, damaging Zhang Jing's reputation.

Zhang Jing was filled with deep sorrow and disappointment. She had initially believed Aunt Liu to be genuinely devoted to her mother, but she hadn't expected her to be so sinister and treacherous. Her brother further chilled her heart. Far from appreciating Zhang Jing's contributions to the family, he colluded with outsiders to slander her. This betrayal of family affection left Zhang Jing disheartened and deeply skeptical of human nature.

In her last month, her mother repeatedly recounted to Zhang Jing her brother's cruelty and indifference, warning her to be extra cautious. Bursting with remorse, she expressed her inability to confide her inner pain to others. Even when others praised her brother's filial piety, she could only echo their praise. No one knew the pain she endured.

Zhang Jing was the one who truly reassured her mother. Her mother sincerely affirmed her efforts. She added that this matter was known only to Heaven, Earth, and herself. "You know what? The amount of fruit you've bought me in the past month and a half is more than I've bought in years combined! Mom is satisfied. You're a good child. Don't resent them, and there's no need to explain to anyone else. And don't let anyone know."

Hearing these words, Zhang Jing was deeply moved. She knew her mother's kindness and tolerance, and understood the depth of her love for her. She held her mother's hand tightly, a determined light in her eyes, and agreed to her mother's request.

Recalling her past life, Zhang Jing struggled to suppress her inner excitement. She quietly watched the interaction between Aunt Liu and her mother, her heart filled with emotion. In this life, she resolved not only to pursue her own happiness but also to ensure a happy life for her mother. She no longer feared those with ulterior motives. Even if they stirred up a storm, she would resolutely protect her own and her mother's happiness.

Knowing Zhang Jing was looking at houses, Aunt Liu persuaded her mother to have her brother come back to handle the process. She also said that a man was still needed to lead the household, as women couldn't handle big things. "Who can I turn to if I get scammed?" Her mother was moved by her success. Zhang Jing smiled and replied, "It wouldn't matter if he came back! I bought the house, and the deed is in my name. The developer only recognizes my signature as the owner, and I'm the one paying the difference in price."

Aunt Liu was unwilling to accept this. She said, "As an older sister, isn't it your responsibility to take care of your brother? Your mother raised you with so much difficulty. If you can't help your son buy a house, how will he find a wife? Even if he can, if he doesn't have money, will people respect him? In my opinion, this time the house will be changed to your brother's name, so that he can have more confidence in the girl's family."

Zhang Jing said, "Aunt Liu, don't worry about my brother. We've already planned everything for him. This house is in my name, and it will definitely be for my mother to live in. After my mother passes away, it depends on how he performs. If he performs well, I'll give it to him. If not, I'll sell it."

Before Aunt Liu could say anything, her mother immediately agreed. Aunt Liu excused herself awkwardly, and her mother sent her out to chat for a while before returning. At dinner, her mother kept giving Zhang Jing meat, but she wouldn't eat it herself. Zhang Jing urged her mother to speak frankly, knowing she couldn't sleep or eat without the old lady. So, she decided to speak her mind openly and honestly.

Sure enough, his mother began lamenting her brother's difficulties, saying he couldn't even afford a house. Zhang Jing responded, "Don't we have two properties? The shop in Huizhou will start collecting rent within two years at most, and the storefront at home is already rented out. If he's willing to come back, we can take the house back and use it for business or personal use."

However, seeing that Zhang Jing didn't seem to understand her intentions, her mother simply told her to transfer a residential building to Zhang Xiaobing. This way, Zhang Xiaobing would have more confidence in front of his father-in-law in the future. Zhang Jing couldn't help but laugh at this, thinking that her mother really wanted to rob the rich and give to the poor! Unfortunately, she was no longer the submissive person she had been in her previous life, so she couldn't fulfill her wish.

As expected, when Zhang Jing decisively refused, her mother was deeply disappointed and silently put down her chopsticks, falling silent. Zhang Jing also put down her chopsticks and urged the old lady not to think so much about her son. Her son was desperately trying to break away from her and move to Yunnan, where his father-in-law lived, and he was even trying to persuade her to go there to retire.

"Mom, no matter how good someone else's place is, it's not your home. It's okay to go there to play occasionally. All your strength is in the North. When my house is ready, you can live in it. I want you to be happy until you grow old!" Zhang Jing's words softened her mother's expression.

"Mom has lived my whole life, how much can I eat and drink? I just hope that you can all be well and take care of each other. When Mom is gone, you will be the closest people to me! Now that you have the ability to help your brother, just lend a hand. It's not that difficult for him, right?"

Zhang Jing looked at her mother, her heart aching. She knew her mother had always been like this, always putting family first and sacrificing everything for her children's happiness. But this time, Zhang Jing decided to stand her ground.

"Mom, I understand how you feel, but everyone has their own lifestyle and choices. My brother is already an adult and should learn to take responsibilities independently. Moreover, I also have to consider my small family and cannot help him indefinitely." Zhang Jing tried to speak in a gentle tone.

The mother sighed, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "Alas, Mom knows you are right. But we are family after all, so I will help you as much as I can. However, Mom will not force you to do anything. As long as you live well, Mom will be relieved."

Zhang Jing held her mother's hand, feeling the warmth of her palm. She understood her mother's selfless love, though sometimes the way she expressed it could be overwhelming. She was determined to prove to her mother that they could live a happy life without her family's help.

"Mom, thank you for your understanding. I believe we will all get better and better. When my new house is renovated, I will take you to live with us and we will enjoy family happiness together." Zhang Jing said with a smile.

The mother nodded with a pleased smile on her face: "Okay, then Mom has been waiting for this day."

Although Zhang Jing remained resolute, she was willing to communicate with her mother and find a balanced solution. After all, family harmony and happiness were equally important. She believed that through frank dialogue and mutual understanding, they would be able to find a path that worked for both of them.

It really feels like I'm thinking about you and you're planning for him, and everyone has someone they care about.

Zhang Jing suddenly understood what Mr. Guo Degang said: Taking good care of your brothers and sisters is being filial to your parents!

Are you really wrong?