Chapter 23

Although Zhang Hongying hated Zhang Hongxing so much her teeth itched, she didn’t actually wish for him to die.

In her previous life—especially after she turned thirty—her younger brother and his wife, both living in the city with high-paying jobs and a luxurious apartment, had been her pride. They were her bragging rights.

Her life had been too bitter. When the factory workers chatted, everything started with “In my family…”

Her son wasn’t smart, her husband wasn’t capable—the only thing she could show off was: “My brother Hongxing…” “My sister-in-law Xiuqin…” Even when Xiuqin didn’t want to cook and splurged on a few hundred yuan for a meal at a restaurant, Zhang Hongying would brag about it—as if she were the one eating there, spending a whole day’s wages on a single meal.

In short, the more hopes she had pinned on Zhang Hongxing in her previous life, the deeper her hatred grew when he later took the house away from her.

Back then, she’d hoped Zhang Hongxing would help guide her son, that he would help shoulder the burden of supporting their parents, that he’d be a good brother to her…

She had spent most of her life building those hopes—that kind of emotion had seeped into her bones.

If they’d fallen out early on, perhaps she wouldn’t have hated him so much. But she had always believed their family was close-knit, that the sibling bond ran deep.

Now, Zhang Hongying didn’t even know what she was feeling.

She panicked, her limbs went cold. That’s when Shen Jianzhen stepped in.

She first helped Zhang Hongying to the door, then turned to the person who brought the news and asked, “Are you going back with Hongying?”

The person shook their head. “I still have to work.”

Shen Jianzhen made a quick decision—she closed her stall.

She pulled down the cloth curtain, turned off the power, double-checked everything, then supported Zhang Hongying on the way home.

Zhang Hongying’s legs were weak. Shen Jianzhen looked around and said, “You sit here and rest. I’ll borrow a bicycle and carry you back.”

She rushed to the market administration office and shouted, “Boss, do you have a bike I can borrow? Stall 12 has an emergency. She’s too weak to walk.”

Li Liang came out and saw the same girl again—black as a coal miner, skinny as a stick. He took the bicycle key off the hook and tossed it to Shen Jianzhen: “Ride slowly. If you break the bike, you’ll have to pay.”

Shen Jianzhen agreed and helped Zhang Hongying onto the bicycle. “Let’s go, we’re going home.”

The community’s bicycles were bulky and heavy—Shen Jianzhen was too small to ride it. She had to push it while walking.

It was summer, so it stayed bright late. Though it was already after five, the sun was still high.

Soon, Shen Jianzhen was drenched in sweat, her back soaked.

Zhang Hongying gradually came to her senses.

On the way, she figured out what to do.

If Li Xiaofang blamed her for not watching her brother, she’d retort, “Before I left for work, I told you to keep an eye on him. It’s dangerous to play by the canal.

I’m working to pay off the house debt—how can I look after Hongxing too?”

If Li Xiaofang accused her of jinxing him for warning him not to go, she’d shout right back like Shen Jianzhen would: “What, your son’s gone and now you want to push your daughter to death too? I gave a kind warning, and I can’t even say a word?

Everyone here, tell me—was I wrong to ask Mom to keep an eye on my brother and not let him play by the canal?”

Honestly, it was sad—Zhang Hongying, in her past life, was like a hardworking ox, with little joy in life. Her biggest entertainment had been reading a few Qiong Yao novels when she was seventeen or eighteen, and later, watching TV after work.

When smartphones became popular, Zhang Yuhao got her one and installed WeChat and Douyin (TikTok) for her.

Even the seventy-year-old grannies in the village were filming Douyin videos, using beauty filters to turn themselves into glamorous fairies, lip-syncing and dancing online. All she could do was scroll and guess who was in the videos.

So, despite her rebirth, Zhang Hongying had to learn how to talk back to her mom.

She was too weak to walk and just sat on the bike while Shen Jianzhen pushed.

Pushing and panting, Shen Jianzhen tried to comfort her: “They only said he was carried home, not that anything happened.

Maybe he just got scared or tired, so the kids helped carry him.

Worst case, maybe he broke an arm or something.

Don’t scare yourself.”

Once Zhang Hongying had her thoughts sorted out, she finally had the strength to speak. She forced a smile: “Jianzhen, stop the bike. I think I’m okay now, I can walk.”

Shen Jianzhen, drenched in sweat, stopped. “Alright, let’s rest for a bit before moving on.”

Truth be told, even if Zhang Hongxing really died, Zhang Hongying didn’t think she’d feel sad. But she truly didn’t know how to deal with what would come next. And she had been planning to ask Shen Jianzhen for advice on how to teach her brother, how to make him obedient and grateful.

In her past life, Shen Jianzhen earned big money outside. Wu Xiaohong had been chronically ill, and Shen Dalin aged and became unwell too. So Shen Jianzhen paid her younger brother Shen Jianxing to take care of their parents.

She sent him 10,000 yuan a month, covering food, clothing, and all expenses. Whatever was left was considered his salary.

The old couple got to be cared for by their favorite son and live comfortably.

Shen Jianxing worked part-time as a ride-share driver while caring for their parents. With both incomes, he lived a very good life in the countryside.

Whatever Shen Jianzhen said, they listened.

Now that Zhang Hongying had the advantage of foresight in this life, if she could control the money, maybe she could make her brother listen too.

The two rushed home, and thankfully, it was still early. There were no cries or screams.

Zhang Hongying let out a sigh of relief.

If Zhang Hongxing had really died, she wouldn’t even know where to direct all the resentment from her past life.

When they arrived, the first thing Li Xiaofang said was, “What took you so long?”

Her second question: “Where’d you get the bike?”

Zhang Hongying ignored her and asked, “How’s Ah Xing?”

Li Xiaofang started scolding: “That little brat went swimming with some kids, then tried to steal someone’s pearl lettuce while playing.

Got caught and was chased. While running, he stepped on a broken shell and nearly sliced off a toe!

Blood all the way home—his little friends had to carry him.”

Zhang Hongying let out a long sigh and wiped her sweat.

Zhang Hongxing came out hopping on one foot, the other wrapped in bandages.

Zhang Hongying gave him a hard slap: “You scared me to death!”

Zhang Hongxing lost balance, stepped down with his injured foot, and screamed in pain.

To Zhang Hongying, that scream was music to her ears.

She even added fuel to the fire: “Mom, you really need to keep an eye on him.

Pearl lettuce isn’t even tasty, and the ones that haven’t matured aren’t worth much. Why would he steal it?

Just asking for trouble.

And swimming in the river—if you move too fast you could get cramps.

Today’s injury happened on land, but if it were in the water, he could’ve drowned before anyone could help!

He’s been hanging out with those little delinquents and is picking up all their bad habits. Didn’t you want him to go to school and become someone in town?

If he keeps acting wild like this, he won’t even be able to sit through class when school starts.”

Li Xiaofang found this made some sense. She had high hopes for her son, so she asked, “What else can a kid his age do besides run wild?”

Zhang Hongying replied, “That plastic factory in the village needs help trimming edges. Why don’t you bring home some work for him?”

They were making export-quality tool pouches using layers of plastic, which were heat-sealed. Every summer and winter break, lots of students helped peel off the excess plastic. They could make fifty to sixty yuan over the summer. Shen Jianzhen often did it.

Li Xiaofang instinctively wanted to object—how could a boy do such work? But Zhang Hongying’s warning—“He’ll go bad and won’t settle down”—convinced her.

Besides, with his foot hurt, he could stay home and trim plastic.

Zhang Hongxing wasn’t happy—only girls usually did that kind of work. But Zhang Hongying promised he could keep the money to buy whatever toys he wanted. He agreed.

Consider it labor reform, Zhang Hongying thought with satisfaction.