In the morning, I work here because I hope it will sell out and close quickly, so I can go to the hospital to take care of my mother before my next shift.

Although I hired a caregiver, I still need to go and check on her every day to feel at ease.

I work three jobs during the day. One at a breakfast shop, another as a housekeeper at noon, and the third one as a part-time art teacher at an art class in the afternoon. In my spare time, I also take online orders.

The advantage of these jobs is that they fit perfectly together. With multiple sources of income, I can still find some time to take care of my mother.

Today, I came back from the hospital a bit early, so I can take a short break.

Just as I took out my keys to open the door, Mrs. Liu from the opposite door suddenly opened hers.

"Xiaoye, you're back. Come over and sit with Auntie for a moment. I have something to tell you," Mrs. Liu said.

Mrs. Liu lives opposite us and has always been very caring towards me and my mother.

Later, when my mother fell ill and I needed money, she knew I wanted to take on a few part-time jobs.

It was she who recommended me for the housekeeping job at noon, which was a perfect fit for my schedule.

Mrs. Liu pulled me to sit down and said, "Auntie's son has earned enough money to buy a house. He wants me to move to City Y."

"Mrs. Liu, you're moving?" I was somewhat surprised and felt a bit reluctant, but I smiled and said, "That's great. Your son is successful, and you can live a good life with him."

"Sigh, the main reason is to make it convenient for me to help them take care of the children. Can you hire a nanny for free? If I still have the ability, I should help them. They are under a lot of pressure, and it's not easy to make money. It's better to save the money for myself in case of any future difficulties," Mrs. Liu explained.

"With some money in hand, I won't feel so distressed when something happens. Xiaoye, you understand this very well."

I smiled bitterly.

Who can say otherwise?

My family situation is not good. When I was in high school, my father's business failed, leaving behind a pile of debt and disappearing without a trace.

My mother took me to transfer schools and we had to hide from relatives looking to collect debts. We couldn't even go back to our hometown.

Later, my mother worked alone to support me through college. After I graduated, I found a decent job with a stable income, and the burden on my mother became lighter.

Gradually, we managed to save some money, and it seemed like our life was slowly improving. However, troubles always arise unexpectedly.

My mother fell ill and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The cost of medication, chemotherapy, and surgery...

For our family, it was an astronomical figure.

My mother said it was terminal.

The doctor said it was only in the middle stage, and there was still a 50% chance with timely treatment. I didn't want to give up.

Now, my daytime job pays around 10,000 yuan per month, and if the evening job goes well, I can make tens of thousands more.

We can still maintain our living expenses.

"Xiaoye, you are indeed working too hard alone, but there's no other choice. You have to grit your teeth and endure it. Once you get through this, things will definitely get better, you know?" Mrs. Liu comforted me, and I could only nod.

Who knows what the future holds? Perhaps I won't be able to endure it.

Mrs. Liu consoled me, and I could only nod.

"Auntie, I have another decent job on hand. The salary is better than the one I introduced to you before, and it offers more flexible hours," I said.

"It's a two-story apartment, and the employer only requires me to go there for two hours during the day to do thorough and careful cleaning."

"Auntie has been working there for years because the employer is wealthy and offers exceptionally high pay, 5,000 yuan per month."

"I've talked to the employer and told them that after Ifinish my current job, I can start working for them. They agreed to wait for me."

"That's great, Xiaoye! You should take this opportunity. The higher salary will definitely help you take care of your mother's medical expenses," Mrs. Liu said with a smile.

I nodded and replied, "Yes, Auntie. I think it's the right decision. With the higher salary, I can provide better care for my mother and ensure she receives the best treatment possible."

As we chatted, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Mrs. Liu. She had always been there for me, offering support and advice.

After our conversation, I returned home and started preparing for my next job. The thought of the higher-paying job gave me a glimmer of hope amidst the struggles.

Life is tough, but I won't give up. I will continue to work hard, not only for myself but also for my mother. Together, we will overcome these challenges and create a better future.