Rebirth and making money first

Zhang Jing received a rare benefit: a dormitory of her own, providing her with a quiet and comfortable place to relax during her busy workday. This single-person dormitory not only provided her with convenience, but more importantly, it became a small world where Zhang Jing could freely pursue her personal interests and hobbies.

Although her daily midday nap wasn't long, it was a deeply enjoyable time for Zhang Jing. Especially when it rained heavily outside, she preferred to stay at her workplace and enjoy the peace and quiet. The accommodations provided by the workplace were quite good, on par with senior citizens. However, this routine and lack of variety undoubtedly eroded the enthusiasm for work for the young and energetic Zhang Jing.

Every morning after breakfast, with Li Xiangyue's permission, Zhang Jing would go to the square to practice finger exercises and Tai Chi with the elderly. Only at this moment could Zhang Jing truly let go of her burdens and devote herself wholeheartedly. As the days passed, the elderly, who had initially been somewhat indifferent to Zhang Jing, gradually became familiar with her and even showed great enthusiasm. It's undeniable that Zhang Jing is truly beloved by the elderly.

Despite this, Zhang Jing fell significantly behind in her coursework due to various reasons. She began scrambling to catch up. However, sitting in the classroom, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and listening to the teacher explain topics that, despite her previous accounting experience, still seemed difficult, Zhang Jing couldn't help but feel anxious.

During a brief break, she quickly put on a friendly smile and approached the teacher to ask a question. It was then that she learned the intermediate exam was approaching, just a month and a half away. "If you're not entirely sure, consider waiting until next year," the teacher said, knowing Zhang Jing had fallen behind in her studies. She kindly advised her not to rush.

Zhang Jing refused to listen. She was dreading studying and prepared to push herself to the limit. The teacher smiled and reviewed the key points of each chapter. This caused dissatisfaction among the other students, who demanded equal treatment. The teacher, being experienced, simply went through the lesson again.

The intermediate exam is more rigorous than the elementary exam, so even those who are unsure can still take the exam. If you fail, you can continue studying for free and take the exam again next time. Of course, it is divided into theory and practical.

The key point is that if you pass a single subject, you can still get a diploma if you pass the other subject within two years. Otherwise, your score will be reset and you'll have to start over. Watching the students rubbing their hands in anticipation, Zhang Jing knew that everyone would probably take the exam this time.

Zhang Jing was so inward-looking that she worked even harder. She took the book to the nursing home and memorized it at all times. Even when she was accompanying the elderly in the sun, she was still muttering to herself.

"What are you doing?" someone finally asked her, and everyone knew that Zhang Jing was taking the self-study exam. She was a girl with aspirations. An elderly man, who had worked as an accountant for many years, volunteered to tutor Zhang Jing. He grabbed Zhang Jing's book, flipped through it, and said it was simple.

Zhang Jing was a little overwhelmed. She pointed out what she didn't understand and asked for advice. The old accountant explained it in more detail than the teacher did. He even linked several chapters together and Zhang Jing understood a little bit.

The old accountant got excited, grabbed a pen and paper, and used simple diagrams to make the lesson easy to understand, noting the purpose. She handed it to Zhang Jing and told her to review it according to the diagrams. Once she understood everything, she could easily pass the intermediate level exam. The advanced level wouldn't require much more content. Zhang Jing said she had no plans to take the advanced level exam. The old lady glared, her Tianjin accent blazing. "You're useless! If you're going to take the exam, take the highest level. They'll definitely give priority to those with advanced qualifications when hiring people for jobs."

"What are you afraid of? After you pass the intermediate level, I will also give you some pointers on the advanced level. Let's take the highest level in one go, and you won't look stupid. The accounting job remains essentially the same no matter how it changes." Zhang Jing's blood boiled again, and she instantly felt that she could do it again.

Aunt Zhang also laughed, and Zhang Jing hit the snake stick. "We were family five hundred years ago. No wonder you feel so close when you see each other!" Aunt Zhang also laughed and said yes. It was obvious that the old lady also had a cheerful personality. "If I pass the exam this time, I will definitely thank you!" Zhang Jing solemnly promised. The old lady was even happier and more dedicated to tutoring.

Aunt Zhang discovered that accounting rules had changed a lot. After asking Zhang Jing about it, she learned that after decades of changes, accounting is indeed more stringent and comprehensive. Aunt Zhang sighed helplessly, "We are really old and can't keep up with your pace!"

Zhang Jing comforted her, "What do you mean old? You're just getting started. We're all heading for over 100 years old! You still have decades to go!" Aunt Zhang said, "Who can live to that age? We're not old witches." Zhang Jing said, "There's a true story. Let me tell you."

Zhang Jing recounts an old man who accompanied his grandson in learning painting. After three years, he worried his grandson might be naughty and not study hard, so he accompanied him in his studies. When his grandson started elementary school, the grandfather, after dropping him off, continued his own studies, diligently delving into his craft. Finally, at 80, he achieved fame, with clients flocking to him for his paintings. His own later years also became more fulfilling.

"I'm not saying anything. For example, if you learn something now, whether it's calligraphy, square dancing, Tai Chi, handicrafts, or even cooking a dish, if you stick with it, you can achieve success before you're 80! If you took the self-taught exam with me, you'd have an advantage over me, and there would be basically nothing for us to do. It's a good thing you're retired!"

Aunt Zhang said, "You're really good at talking, but you're right. Having someone pursuing you won't be so boring, and the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease from constantly thinking will be much lower!" Seeing Aunt Zhang comfort herself, Zhang Jing felt relieved.

While elderly people age only physically, their spirits are not limited. They often become discouraged and say things that are discouraging because of a lack of coordination. In such cases, it's crucial to not let the elderly dictate the situation and quickly reassure them. Asking them about their experiences in their youth, Zhang Jing found this approach worked every time.

The 602-year-old woman in Room 98 constantly claimed she was dying, causing the caregivers considerable anxiety. Li Xiangyue took Zhang Jing to comfort her, but she showed little interest. Zhang Jing then asked what the woman could do. She said she played mahjong, swam, was a doctor, and knew Latin. Zhang Jing gave her a thumbs-up, and the woman smiled.

Speaking of mahjong, the nursing home has a mahjong room with five or six tables, where any elderly person who enjoys playing will go. Even caregivers who can't gather enough people will play. One elderly person lost and collapsed in excitement, requiring emergency treatment. So, no one dares to play with the elderly these days, fearing something might happen to them.

"Grandma, you can swim! That's amazing! I can't swim at all. If there's a flood now, we'll both fall into the water. Maybe you'll even be needed to save me!" The old lady was happy and talked about how she and her husband often went swimming after get off work when they were young. Finally, she turned sadly and said, "I'm too old now. I can't do it anymore!"

Zhang Jing said, "Look, grandma, people who know how to ride a bicycle can still remember how to ride it even if they haven't ridden for many years. Now there are no conditions for you to swim, but if there were, you would definitely know how to breathe and dive." The old woman smiled with her toothless mouth, "I'm not afraid to tell you, I taught my husband everything. He's not as good as me in the water!" The old woman seemed to be younger in spirit again.

Before leaving, he reluctantly held Zhang Jing's hand, urging her to come often because the old man was happy. He planned to teach Zhang Jing Latin, "So that you can recognize the doctor's handwriting wherever you go!" Zhang Jing promised to come whenever she could and even asked the old man's caregiver to learn with her. She saw that many elderly people were unhappy because of a sense of loss.

Li Xiangyue is very satisfied with Zhang Jing's adaptability.

Zhang Jing fell into thought again.

When you get old, you're not needed by society or your children. Feeling like you've become a waste-making machine waiting to die is the most terrifying thing that strangles the human spirit. Many people resist going to nursing homes out of fear of being abandoned.

Cultivating a strong mind is more important than maintaining physical health. Most physical discomforts are caused by mental problems that manifest in the body. But we often think that our mental pain stems from our physical problems.

Humans are such a strange and mysterious species.

Alan's call finally reminded Zhang Jing that they wanted to visit the nursing home. She quickly hung up the phone and called Li Xiangyue, but she refused, saying that there was no precedent for this.

Zhang Jing said, "Then open it." Li Xiangyue rolled her eyes. "A nursing home is a special place with many elderly people. The slightest disturbance can cause them to get sick. They have low immunity, and outsiders visit only to accommodate their families. Too many unrelated people will bring more viruses. This is something neither the nursing home nor the families want to see."

Zhang Jing asked, "Isn't it painful to be so unfree?" Li Xiangyue said, "It depends on how you think about it. Compared to being alive, nothing else matters." Zhang Jing said, "So, everyone has to digest negative emotions on their own?" "Then what do you want to do?" Li Xiangyue asked Zhang Jing in return.

Zhang Jing became listless. She didn't want to be like this when she got old. So she had to have her own family and children. Someone to accompany her in the hustle and bustle, and she wouldn't be lonely. Even if this world is just a dream, she still had to organize herself and have a good dream!