Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 103

Sunday.

Ye Jiawu was helping Ye Yunlin load things into the car when Shen Xiang quietly approached. Jiawu greeted him warmly and pointed to a box at his feet. “Xiang, help me with this one—it’s heavy.”

“Fine.” Shen Xiang’s eyes held a hint of amusement, but his face remained stubbornly sullen, as if he were doing this purely out of obligation.

Jiawu saw right through him but didn’t call him out. After they carried the box to the trunk, Jiawu suddenly slung an arm around Shen Xiang’s neck. “There are too many of us—the car won’t fit everyone. You’re coming with me on the bike.”

Shen Xiang’s eyes lit up for a split second before dimming again. He shook his head. “I’m not going. I’ll stay and watch the house.”

“Zhijiu-jie, Xiang says he’s not coming!” Jiawu called out to Shen Zhijiu, who was chatting with Li Shuying.

Zhijiu and Li Shuying both turned to look at them. Shen Xiang tensed, gripping his pant legs as if ready to bolt, but Jiawu held him back. “Hey, where do you think you’re going? We’re not done moving stuff yet.”

“Xiang, we’re all going, got it?” Zhijiu walked over to him.

Shen Xiang’s nose stung, and he kept his head down, muttering, “Zhijiu-jie, it’s not right for me to go. Today is…”

Zhijiu cut him off, teasing, “Today is when my maiden family visits my in-laws. What, you’re not part of my maiden family? Don’t want to be my little brother—want to be my ge instead? Not a chance! You’re asking for a beating!”

She raised a hand playfully as if to hit him. Instead of dodging, Shen Xiang leaned in slightly, his expression like that of a puppy afraid of being abandoned.

Both siblings were reminded of the past—whenever Shen Xiang annoyed Zhijiu, she’d ruffle his hair fiercely and give his ears a couple of tugs.

Now, she did just that. “You’re coming with me. You’re my backup, so everyone can see I’ve got two good brothers looking out for me. Got it?”

Tears glistened in Shen Xiang’s eyes as he nodded firmly.

…..

Zhijiu and the others arrived first by car.

Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin came out to greet them, extending their hands warmly. “Yunlin, Shuying, you’ve had a long journey.”

Ye Yunlin and Li Shuying hurried forward to shake their hands. “Brother Yue, Sister Wan.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhijiu, holding Yaya, greeted them. “Dad, Mom, we’re back.”

“Zhijiu, let me see my precious darling!” Yue Guohuai reached out and took Yaya into his arms.

Yaya grinned at him, waving a tiny fist. Yue Guohuai planted several kisses on her chubby cheeks. “Yaya, Grandpa’s sweetheart, I’ve missed you so much!”

Wan Jiayin watched, beaming. “Oh my, she’s gotten chubbier—and taller too! Look at those plump little cheeks!”

“Yaya, do you miss Grandma?” Wan Jiayin gently shook Yaya’s tiny fist. “Grandma bought a big, sweet watermelon. How about some watermelon juice?”

Yaya blew a bubble like a little goldfish, melting Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin’s hearts. At that moment, they would’ve plucked the stars from the sky if she’d asked.

“Yunlin, Shuying, please forgive us. We haven’t seen Yaya in days—we just couldn’t help ourselves,” Wan Jiayin said apologetically after kissing Yaya’s fist and reluctantly tearing her gaze away.

“Sister Wan, you’re being too polite! Where we’re from, girls are treasured even more than boys!” Li Shuying said bluntly. “We’re thrilled you treat Yaya like the apple of your eye. It proves Zhijiu married into the right family. Your family’s values are truly upstanding!“

As they chatted, another car pulled up. Huo Jiusi’s eyes lit up, and he ran over as soon as it stopped. “Grandpa!”

“You little rascal, finally decided to come see your grandpa, huh?” Huo Yingnian stepped out of the car, bending down to boop Jiusi’s nose.

Jiusi hugged his grandfather’s waist, looking up with a bright smile. “Grandpa, I missed you so much.”

“And I missed you.”

Huo Yingnian ruffled Jiusi’s hair and led him to Ye Yunlin and Li Shuying. “I’m Jiusi’s grandfather. Thank you both for taking such good care of him these past few days. I hope he hasn’t been too mischievous?”

Li Shuying waved her hands emphatically, her fondness for Jiusi plain to see. “Not at all! Jiusi is the most polite, well-behaved child I’ve ever met.”

Jiusi gestured excitedly. “Grandpa, Second Aunt’s cooking is amazing—especially her sugar-glazed pancakes. I can eat a whole big one in one sitting!”

Huo Yingnian pinched Jiusi’s cheek. “No wonder you’ve gotten rounder.”

Jiusi puffed up proudly, refusing to admit he’d gained weight. “Grandpa, I’m stronger now. I can carry Yaya for a really long time!”

“That’s my boy!” Huo Yingnian gave him a thumbs-up. “You’re turning into quite the little gentleman. Keep it up!”

Jiusi’s eyes sparkled as he nodded vigorously. “Mm!”

…..

[So hungry~ I want milk~]

[Hey, little demon, is your mind-reading broken? I’ve been calling you forever!]

[Aah—I’m gonna scratch you!]

Hearing Yaya’s thoughts, Jiusi rushed to her side. She puffed out her cheeks, her big round eyes glaring at him as she shook her tiny fist threateningly.

“Yaya, I’ll get it right away!”

With that, he dashed off to prepare her bottle while the others headed inside.

After her milk, Yaya drifted off to sleep. Jiusi covered her with a towel blanket, kissed her little hand, and fanned her gently with a palm-leaf fan.

Clutched in Yaya’s hand was the jade pendant, pulsing softly like a firefly. Tiny specks of light scattered, seeping into her and Jiusi’s bodies.

…..

In the living room, the atmosphere was lively—until Tan Yingjun walked in with a few gossip-loving women from the compound.

“Lao Wan, I heard you were hosting the in-laws today, so I thought I’d drop by.”

Tan Yingjun’s gaze swept over Ye Yunlin and Li Shuying, her disdain undisguised. “My son Chen Can and Mingyuan are brothers-in-law, you know. We almost became family—until, well, that incident with Zhijiu happened.”

“This elder sister sure has a peculiar sense of humor,” Li Shuying said coolly, holding Zhijiu’s hand. “Not just anyone can become family.”

“Zhijiu may be our niece in name, but in our hearts, she’s our own daughter. We’d never let her marry some two-timing, wishy-washy man.”

“No matter how ‘good’ a man might seem, the first thing he needs is to be dependable. If he’s not serious about life and only thinks about playing the field, who’d ever want to marry their daughter to him?”