Rebirth and making money first

Chapter 173 Ice and Fire 2 Heavens

Zhang Jing sat by the window, brow furrowed, bewildered by the motives behind Old Lady Xu's puzzling actions. No matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't fathom why she'd acted this way. She had loved ones still alive, yet at the end of her life, those who should have been close to her refused to even show a single glance. They'd avoided her like the plague, leaving all the responsibility of handling the funeral arrangements to Zhang Jing, a complete stranger with no blood relationship.

Recalling every moment she spent with Mrs. Xu, Zhang Jing felt a surge of resentment and resentment. She had always treated Mrs. Xu with genuine care, offering her the utmost concern and concern. Whether it was caring for her in daily life or caring for her when she was ill, Zhang Jing never slacked off. She treated Mrs. Xu like her own grandmother, diligently attending to her every need.

But now, all that effort seemed to have gone to waste. Old Madam Xu's family ignored her, as if she had never existed. This heartless treatment was like a kick in the chest. Although no blood flowed, the pain was unbearable and unbearable.

At this thought, Zhang Jing couldn't help but think of her unspent relocation compensation of over 10 million yuan. This money, sitting in the bank, was more than enough for her to live a stable and comfortable life. Logically, she shouldn't be short of money. However, whenever she mentioned the inheritance left by Old Lady Xu, her heart would still surge with emotion, a wave that wouldn't settle for a long time.

Perhaps it wasn't the value of money itself, but rather a sense of unwillingness. After all, she had given so much to Old Lady Xu, yet in the end, she received nothing. Perhaps the inheritance held more symbolic meaning for her, a sign that her efforts and dedication had not been entirely in vain.

Of course, if she truly didn't have this inheritance, would she be unable to make ends meet? The answer is clearly no. Even without this additional wealth, Zhang Jing could still rely on her own hands to create a wonderful life. Possessing these things simply makes life more colorful. However, human desires are often like this: endless and boundless. Once an idea is formed, it is difficult to let go.

If we met by chance, it was merely a brief encounter on life's journey. After all, in this vast sea of ​​people and the boundless universe, how could there be so much unprovoked deep affection? Perhaps all encounters and partings are simply the arrangements of fate.

A crisp ringtone suddenly rang out, shattering the tranquil atmosphere. Zhang Jing picked up the phone and saw it was Lawyer Sheng calling. Lawyer Sheng's calm and gentle voice came from the other end: "Hello, Ms. Zhang. I'm ready. Let's go to the securities exchange together to handle some relevant procedures." Zhang Jing thought for a moment and replied readily: "Okay, Lawyer Sheng, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Jing simply packed up her things and hurried out. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaobing and his partner chose to stay in the hotel, quietly waiting for news.

Zhang Jing's application process went surprisingly smoothly. Thanks to thorough preparation and the complete completion of all necessary paperwork, the entire process was incredibly fast and efficient. With the staff's warm and attentive service, Zhang Jing only needed to follow their guidance and methodically complete the series of signature and confirmation steps.

After a flurry of activity, the final result astonished everyone present. Who could have imagined that seemingly ordinary Mrs. Xu actually held five stocks and two mutual funds? Even more astonishing, the total value of these assets was a staggering 1 million yuan!

When the number appeared clearly before her eyes, Zhang Jing felt as if she were in a dream. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the data report. She was completely stunned, her mind blank, and she had completely lost the ability to think. At this moment, all she could do was mechanically follow Lawyer Sheng's instructions, signing her name here, then pressing her fingerprint there...

Oh my god! What on earth was going on? How had I, out of nowhere, transformed into a billionaire?! This dreamlike, unbelievable feeling was like being in a bizarre and grotesque dream.

After finally recovering from her shock, Zhang Jing slowly raised her head and gazed directly at the serious-looking Lawyer Sheng sitting across from her. His expression was as calm as water, and he spoke slowly and unhurriedly, "Ms. Zhang, please rest assured. I'm simply following the client's wishes. Once you've completed all the necessary procedures, you can officially take over this wealth. In addition, our Shenzhen Law Firm and Ms. Xu have left a letter for you. I believe that after reading it, many of your doubts will be resolved and you'll find the answers to your questions!"

After hearing this, Zhang Jing, though puzzled, didn't ask further questions. She requested that Mrs. Xu's shares and funds be placed in a separate account, separate from her own. The staff, though puzzled, agreed and asked Zhang Jing to provide her bank card. Zhang Jing then simply opened a joint account.

Zhang Jing didn't reveal her purpose. She still had a nagging thought in her mind. She wanted to see how long it would take for her account to reach Old Lady Xu's level. Having completed her tasks, Zhang Jing bid farewell to Lawyer Sheng thoughtfully and returned to her hotel.

When she came back, she found that Zhang Xiaobing and the other man who were supposed to be waiting for her were not in the house. She had no choice but to pick up her phone and call Zhang Xiaobing. Zhang Xiaobing's slightly excited voice soon came from the other end of the line: "Sister! You're back? We are out and about right now! There are so many fun places here! We won't be back at noon. We'll talk about it in the afternoon."

Hearing this, Zhang Jing's heart finally settled down. After hanging up the phone, she thought to herself: Since they are having so much fun, let them have their fun first.

Taking advantage of this break, Zhang Jing slowly stood up and began to wander aimlessly around the hotel. The hotel was exquisitely decorated and elegant, exuding a sense of nobility and refinement. She strolled leisurely, savoring this rare tranquility and comfort.

From time to time, the soft, melodious Wu dialect of Shanghainese people drifted by, as charming as the sounds of nature. From time to time, blond, blue-eyed foreigners brushed past, bringing with them a unique, exotic charm. At that moment, Zhang Jing seemed to forget all her worries and sorrows, completely absorbed in the beautiful scene before her...

Is this really the environment that Old Lady Xu longed to return to? On the streets of Shanghai, graceful women, dressed in gorgeous cheongsams, glittering pearl necklaces around their necks, delicate hats on their heads, elegantly clutching small bags in one hand, gently waving exquisite round fans in the other, their faces meticulously painted with makeup, seem to be waging a fierce struggle against the relentless passage of time.

These aunties naturally formed small groups, gathering in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere. Shanghai's prosperity served as a giant incubator, nurturing generation after generation of the middle class, those striving for a better quality of life. However, the high threshold of wealth divided people into different classes. They held themselves in high esteem, looking down on those from other classes. Perhaps when they reached the age of old lady Xu, they too would feel a sense of resentment.

In their eyes, Shanghai always belonged to them. Whenever Shanghai changed, they stubbornly attributed it to the influence of outsiders. What a pitiful bunch of people living in a dreamland! At that moment, Zhang Jing suddenly seemed to understand Old Lady Xu a little better.

For Mrs. Xu, returning to her hometown meant facing a completely unfamiliar landscape. Only by escaping could she immerse herself in a beautiful dreamland. In her dreams, she saw familiar parents, relatives, and friends, and countless happy times. Even the unpleasant experiences she had once faced now carried a touch of sweetness when recalled.

For Zhang Jing, none of the scenes here were completely unfamiliar. She was just a passerby. She might never come back, a thought that made her smile bitterly. She'd just treat it as a trip. I wondered how the kids and Ah Chen were doing back home. I'd have to call them tonight.

As expected, when a person has someone he cares about in his heart, his life will truly have meaning.

Zhang Xiaobing and his companions returned slowly in the afternoon. When they knocked on the door, Zhang Jing was just waking up from her nap. She lay quietly in bed, her mind churning out plots for a new novel. While she no longer relied solely on her writing to make a living, writing novels had become an integral part of her work.

Zhang Xiaobing and his uncle both looked energetic and full of energy. After inquiring about Zhang Jing's affairs and confirming that they had been properly handled, the three of them began to discuss the specific timetable for their return trip. At this point, Zhang Jing asked them, "Are there any special delicacies you two would like to try, entertainment activities you would like to enjoy, or beautiful scenery you would like to see? If so, please let me know as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be too late to regret it when we get home!"

Zhang Xiaobing scratched his head and said shyly, "To be honest, I've been working in Shanghai for a long time. I don't know many places in this city very well, and I've never even been there." Zhang Jing smiled and nodded, showing her understanding. She knew that most migrant workers like Zhang Xiaobing were busy with work and rarely had the free time to explore the world.

Meanwhile, his brother-in-law, standing nearby, had a look of reluctance on his face, clearly not yet fully enjoying the journey. Seeing this, Zhang Jing had an idea and suggested, "Why don't we just hire a professional guide to take us on a thorough tour, showing us all the worthwhile places."

Lawyer Sheng received an unexpected call, and a hint of doubt welled up in his heart. He had initially assumed it was from a client he had handled before, Zhang Jing, who had a new situation requiring follow-up. Knowing the caller simply wanted help finding a professional to guide them through the bustling city of Shanghai, Lawyer Sheng agreed without hesitation.

He quickly contacted an old classmate who worked at a well-known travel agency and recommended the business to her. Not long after, the professional tour guide named Miss Zhong got in touch with Zhang Jing and others.

Ms. Zhong, a native Shanghainese, knows the city like the back of her hand. She warmly welcomed Zhang Jing and her group of three and, after learning about their needs and preferences in detail, quickly developed an efficient and thoughtful three-day itinerary.

Just as everything was ready and they were about to set off, Zhang Xiaobing quietly pulled his sister Zhang Jing aside and asked, "Sister, hiring a tour guide is going to cost a lot of money, right? Why don't we just go on our own? That way we can save a lot!" Facing her brother's concern, Zhang Jing smiled and replied, "Since we're going on a trip, let's not dwell on saving money. My godmother just gave us 20 yuan, so this is nothing. Don't worry about it. The most important thing is to enjoy this trip!"

Over the next three days, Zhang Jing, Zhang Xiaobing, and their brother-in-law, accompanied Miss Zhong, fully experienced the unique charm of Shanghai. Whether it was the renowned, unforgettable tourist spots, the mouth-watering snacks hidden in the streets and alleys, or even the crowded yet vibrant buses, their joyful footprints and hearty laughter were all left behind.

Ordinary people's lives are still full of trivialities, and this is real life. Even the urgent quarrel was neither hurried nor slow. Zhang Xiaobing said: "If this were the Northeast, I would have punched him a long time ago!"

When he said this, Zhang Xiaobing was arguing with an old lady and was stopped by Zhang Jing and the tour guide.