Rebirth: My Mother, My Hero

Rewind to 2000

Back then, she yearned desperately for a collectible copy of *Stefanie Sun*.

But an original album cost 15 yuan.

To a primary school student like Mia Lin, who had just moved from a small town in 2000, that was an astronomical sum.

So, she couldn’t bring herself to buy it.

Now, as Mia Lin held the brand-new original *Stefanie Sun* album in her hands, the cold, smooth touch of the plastic case felt so real. Even the bittersweet thrill in her chest was something no dream could replicate.

She knew, without a doubt, she was back in the year 2000.

Mia Lin slapped the album onto the counter, her voice bold and sure. “Boss, I want this one!”

Beside her, Sunny Zhou, who was asking the shopkeeper for Nicholas Tse's album, widened her eyes in astonishment.

“Mia Lin, are you not saving money anymore? And why are you buying a new artist’s album? If you buy anything, it should be Nicholas Tse or Coco Lee!”

Back then, Mia Lin had indeed been saving money. She’d heard about Shudu Tower in Chengdu—a thirty-story tower where taking the glass elevator to the top would give you a breathtaking view of the entire city. She dreamed of taking her grandparents there, but the tickets cost 10 yuan per person, and she only had 20 yuan—secretly gifted by her grandmother when she transferred schools.

She planned to save up some New Year’s money at the end of the year, make up the 30 yuan, and take her grandparents to Chengdu during winter break.

By the time the Spring Festival came around, Mia Lin had managed to save a grand sum of 50 yuan.

When her cousin visited, she proudly showed her the piggy bank, excitement bursting as she described the surprise she planned for her grandparents.

But she never expected—her cousin would steal her money!

Mia Lin complained, but her cousin denied everything and even accused her of losing it herself. Her cousin’s family was well-off, with both parents working, and no one believed Mia Lin. The injustice of it had stayed with her for a lifetime.

“No more saving! Spend it early, enjoy it early!”

Following her memories, Mia Lin pulled out a small coin purse from a pocket in her schoolbag, drew out a handful of money—a large brown five-yuan bill, two green two-yuan notes, and some one-yuan and fifty-cent coins—fifteen yuan in all, which she handed to the shopkeeper.

Sunny Zhou blinked at Mia Lin, puzzled. Her friend seemed different today!

In the past, Mia Lin wouldn’t even spend 20 cents on a pack of spicy sticks. She would stand at the egg waffle stall every day after school, looking longingly but refusing to buy. She had the money but always seemed stingy, awkward, holding back.

But today, she splurged 15 yuan on a brand-new artist’s album.

Sunny Zhou slipped Nicholas Tse's CD and tape into her bag, then grabbed Mia Lin’s arm and declared, “Mia Lin, I like this version of you today. Let me treat you to an egg waffle!”

Before Mia Lin could respond, the record store boss suddenly slapped his forehead as if remembering something. “Ah! Sunny, I forgot to tell you—your dad asked me to let you know not to go home tonight. Go straight to Shudu Tower for dinner at the revolving restaurant.”

“Wow!” Sunny Zhou’s excitement surged, and she turned to Mia Lin. “In that case, I’ll treat you to dinner at the revolving restaurant!”

She spoke with the air of a little princess, and at that moment, Mia Lin remembered who this girl really was—their landlord’s daughter.

Sunny Zhou’s father was a coal baron, and her mother dealt in foreign currency. They owned seven properties in Chengdu.

Sunny Zhou was a true princess. Her father had informed every store within ten meters of the school—anything she wanted, she could take, and her father would settle the bill once a month.

The entire Shengping Primary School knew her and envied her.

Mia Lin had only just transferred in that year and wasn’t familiar with the details, but her mother had asked Sunny Zhou's mother to let her daughter accompany Mia Lin to and from school.

In 2000, the revolving restaurant was not somewhere just anyone could afford.

If it were any other kid, they would definitely have gone with Sunny, risking any scolding from their parents when they got home.

But Mia Lin thought of her mother and shook her head. “Thanks, Sunny, but I already made plans with my mom tonight.”

She recalled how, in the past, Sunny often wanted to treat her to snacks and even gave her a Barbie doll set as a graduation gift when they left primary school.

Mia Lin added, “Let me buy you a lollipop ring! It won’t fill you up, and it won’t spoil your appetite for the revolving restaurant.”

Sunny Zhou stopped, turning to examine Mia Lin from head to toe as though she were an exotic creature.

“Mia Lin, you’re really different today!” she marveled.

In the past, Mia Lin had been so stingy she wouldn’t even treat herself, let alone anyone else. She had overheard classmates calling her a miser.

But now, Mia Lin wanted to buy her a lollipop ring.

Mia Lin chuckled, admitting, “Yes, I’ve figured it out. From now on, I want to be a generous, new-age millennial.”

“Alright~” Sunny Zhou beamed with delight at her friend’s transformation.

Without hesitation, she picked a red lollipop ring, peeled it open, and slipped it onto her finger like a precious jewel. “Then tomorrow, I’ll treat you to an egg waffle, and we’ll share it!”

Mia Lin nodded, and then Sunny Zhou waved down a red Alto taxi.

Before the driver could say a word, Mia Lin spoke up. “I still need to buy something for my mom, Sunny. You go ahead to dinner—don’t keep your dad waiting.”

Sunny Zhou’s father had a bit of a temper, so she didn’t argue, gave a cheerful “See you tomorrow,” and the red Alto sped off.

Meanwhile, Mia Lin, back in the year 2000, wandered to the snack stalls near the school gate.

Sticky rice, brown sugar, and white sesame rolled into balls and deep-fried into crispy, chewy sugar treats; the almost-forgotten *San He Ni*, made with over ten ingredients stir-fried with lard until rich and creamy; and the cool, silky *bian dan dou hua*.

Once, she longed for these but never bought them. Now, she pulled out her remaining money, bought two of each, and had them wrapped up.

Just then, the double-decker bus No. 34 pulled in. Mia Lin handed over her student fare and sat in the last row on the top deck.

The 33-year-old Mia Lin, now in her 10-year-old body, carried these “gifts” with her, ready to meet her 33-year-old mother.

This time, she would make sure there were no regrets.

She would pull her mother out of the quagmire of her past life with her own hands.