Chapter 2

The first thing I did after realizing I'd been reborn.

Was to subtly switch backpacks with my dad, then detour to the souvenir shop behind us.

Because I knew.

Half an hour ago.

My mom had torn a lucky charm off the wishing tree at the top of the hill and stuffed it into *my* bag.

That's exactly what happened in my past life.

I’d taken my family on this trip that weekend.

In the crowded tourist spot, my mom had eyed the wind chimes hanging from the wishing tree.

She just assumed they were free souvenirs you could take.

So she casually shoved one into my backpack.

When security staff at the exit stopped me during a secondary check.

I had no idea why.

I argued with them, self-righteously.

Until my backpack was ripped open.

The lucky wind chime fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The embarrassing scene of me being exposed in public was filmed entirely by an influencer who happened to be there.

The video instantly exploded online, becoming a trending topic.

I became the thief condemned by netizens.

My million-dollar corporate job vanished.

It wasn’t until the security camera footage from the park was found that day.

The footage clearly showed my mom.

Her movements, as she slipped the wind chime into my bag, were clear and practiced.

I angrily confronted her, demanding to know why she did it.

My mom covered her face, speechless.

She cried, trembling all over.

My dad slapped me across the face and said,

"Stop going on and on! Who told you to be so careless with your own bag?"

Later.

I managed to find a comparable job elsewhere, thanks to my impressive resume.

But during the entrance medical exam, my mom lost my urine sample.

She, again, just assumed.

That anyone's sample would be fine.

As a result, my exam showed I had chronic conditions common in the elderly, leading to my job offer being rescinded.

I was furious, crying silently in my room.

But all the relatives and elders in the family dragged me out to apologize to my mom.

"It's just a job, if it's gone, find another! You don't even care that your own mother is sick! You really are a heartless wretch!"

Even later.

Under their constant pressure, I developed severe depression and refused to leave the house.

My mom, once again, assumed I was like this because I lacked social interaction.

She hung a "Free Hugs" sign on me.

And pushed me out onto the street.

Ultimately.

I was dragged into an alley by a deranged pervert, abused, and left for dead.

Reborn.

I had to make everyone understand.

Just how desperate it was to deal with someone like my mom.