Rebirth: My Mother, My Hero

The Day Helen Walked Out

Mia Lin decided to voice her proposal immediately.

Raising three fingers, she said with unwavering resolve: “I’ll catch up by the end of the semester, Mom. You don’t need to go to the school, and I absolutely won’t repeat a grade!”

Helen Chung smiled at her daughter’s determination, which reminded her so much of the tenacious little girl Mia used to be. She gently took her hand and led her toward the bathroom.

“Alright, deal. No repeating a grade.” She paused for a moment and added with a knowing look, “But… there’s one more condition.”

Mia blinked in surprise. “What condition?” she asked curiously, wondering why her mother was agreeing so easily this time.

Helen handed Mia a toothbrush already covered in toothpaste. “From today, you’ll have lunch and dinner at your homeroom teacher’s house, and you’ll get tutoring there too.”

She explained, “I asked around, and several of your classmates go to Mr. Li’s for extra tutoring. You’ll study together in a group, with meals included.”

It became clear that this wasn’t just a casual agreement—Helen had planned this from the start. She had decided long ago that Mia wouldn’t repeat a grade, and instead, she would receive extra help to catch up.

Yesterday’s events had been part of a bigger plan. Helen hadn’t just kicked out Grandma on a whim—she had already charted a new course for Mia’s schooling and their family dynamic.

Mia stood in stunned silence, realizing that everything had changed in this new life of hers. The timeline had shifted in ways she hadn’t anticipated, and the ripple effect was altering her family’s path.

“Mia, do you not want to go to your teacher’s for tutoring?” Helen asked, her tone gentle and understanding.

“No! I want to go!” Mia exclaimed, extending her hand decisively. “It’s a deal! I’ll go to tutoring, and we won’t need Grandma anymore!”

She felt a wave of relief at the thought of her grandmother no longer hovering over their lives. If anything, Mia wanted to be sure her mother wouldn’t change her mind.

Helen smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm but also sensed the concern behind her excitement.

Helen recalled how Mia, once cheerful and outgoing, had gradually become more withdrawn after transferring to her new school. The girl who had once been so full of life had turned cautious and burdened, always fearing how others would perceive her actions.

This time, Helen was determined to ensure that didn’t happen again.

“Don’t worry, nothing will change,” Helen reassured her. “Everything I’ve promised counts.” With a gentle smile, she extended her pinky finger, mimicking Mia’s gesture from the night before. “I promise, Mia. From now on, I’ll protect you and respect your wishes.”

Mia’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar warmth in her mother’s words. This was not the Helen Chung she remembered—the one who was always too busy, too stressed to make promises. Yet here she was, waiting patiently for Mia’s response, as if this moment was the only thing that mattered.

A smile bloomed across Mia’s face, radiant and full of trust. She hooked her pinky with her mother’s. “Okay, Mom. I believe you!”

*

As Helen and Mia left the house, Richard Lin was just arriving home after an all-night mahjong session. Exhausted but pleased with his winnings, he wasn’t prepared for the scene that awaited him.

The night before, Helen had acted strangely. She packed up his mother’s things, insisted on enrolling Mia in tutoring, and even mentioned renting a storefront to replace their night market stall. Her sudden confidence had left Richard feeling baffled.

He had stormed out, angry that Helen was disrupting the balance of their lives. His mother had helped them, why should she be cast aside? And why risk everything by giving up their reliable stall?

Assuming Helen would eventually back down, as she always did, Richard had left to cool off, expecting things to return to normal by the morning.

But as he tried to unlock the front door, none of his keys worked. Confused, he tried them all, only to realize that Helen had changed the locks.

Furious, Richard pounded on the door. “Helen Chung! Open this door right now!” he shouted, waking the neighbors in the process.

After a few minutes of futile banging, he had no choice but to call a locksmith.

When the door finally opened, the house was empty. His anger gave way to a chilling realization—Helen was gone, and this time she hadn’t waited for him to return.

Richard decided to head to his parents’ teahouse for answers. Surely, his mother would know what happened.

But the moment he arrived, Diana Wang launched into a tirade, furious at how she had been treated.

“Your wife thinks she’s better than us now, throwing me out like trash!” she fumed, waving her broom. “Get out of here, Richard! If you’re so capable, you don’t need your mother’s help!”

Richard couldn’t get a word in edgewise before he was chased out.

For the first time, he felt a pang of true panic. Returning home, he realized Helen had packed up and left, and even their night market stall was abandoned.

He had no idea where to find her, or how to make things right.

The life he thought was unshakable had changed in a single night, leaving him alone to pick up the pieces.