The Devoured Sister Is Reborn

Zhang Hongying, born in 1973 in a rural Jiangnan village, lived a life defined by self-sacrifice for her family. From the age of six, she worked in the fields to earn work points, and later took a brutal job in a silk-reeling factory, handing over all her earnings to her parents to support her younger brother, Zhang Hongxing. Despite her devotion, her parents favored Hongxing, eventually giving him a house in Suzhou while Hongying and her husband, Shen Yongjian, built a new home with their own labor and savings. After their parents died, Hongying discovered they had left the new house to Hongxing, sparking a bitter family dispute where relatives sided with the brother who had never contributed. Enraged and regretful, Hongying fell into a deep sleep and woke up reborn in her childhood, just as her parents were deciding she should drop out of school to work while Hongxing continued his education.

Armed with memories of her past life, Hongying recognized her brother as a manipulative opportunist who had drained her resources. Determined to change her fate, she sought advice from her childhood friend, Shen Jianzhen, a girl who was academically brilliant but socially disadvantaged due to her neglectful mother. Hongying chose to learn tailoring instead of working in a factory, securing an apprenticeship with Master Wang in town. She quickly mastered the craft, observing every detail of draping and pattern-making that her master initially withheld. Understanding the future value of real estate, she negotiated a secret arrangement with Master Wang to receive wages while appearing unpaid, allowing her to save money without her parents discovering her earnings.

Hongying’s primary goal was financial independence and asset ownership. She used her hidden savings to purchase a dilapidated tailor shop in a developing town, registering it under her own name to secure a future income stream. She also confided in Shen Jianzhen, teaching her about menstruation and helping her navigate the hardships of her home life. In return, Shen Jianzhen advised Hongying on how to hide property certificates and escape forced marriage by changing her household registration. The two girls formed a strong alliance, supporting each other against their respective family pressures.

Back at home, Hongying maintained a facade of obedience while subtly undermining her family’s control. She stopped sharing her bed with Hongxing and began buying small gifts for her parents using her secret wages, keeping them placated while she accumulated wealth. When her family decided to build a new house, Hongying ensured she contributed minimally, forcing her parents to borrow money and creating a debt that would later complicate Hongxing’s claim to the property. Her actions were calculated to protect her assets and limit her brother’s ability to exploit her labor.

The story reaches a critical juncture when Hongying learns of an old tailor’s death in a neighboring town. The deceased’s three sons are fighting over an inherited shop, which Hongying knows will become highly valuable due to future urban development. She sees an opportunity to acquire another property at a low cost. Meanwhile, her relationship with Shen Jianzhen deepens as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Hongying’s rebirth has given her the chance to rewrite her destiny, shifting from a exploited daughter to a strategic woman building her own future. She continues to navigate the complex dynamics of her family, using her knowledge of the future to secure her independence while keeping her true intentions hidden from those who would take advantage of her.