Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 108

“Zhiqiu.”

As Shen Zhiqiu stepped out of the room after putting Yaya to sleep, Yue Mingde called out to her.

“Big Brother, did you need something?”

Yue Mingde wore an apologetic expression. “Zhiqiu, I heard about Li Yan causing a scene with you at the department store. I never imagined she’d do something like that—I’m really sorry.”

He’d learned about it from a neighbor and was stunned.

Had Li Yan lost her mind? How could she possibly think there was something improper between him and Shen Zhiqiu?

“Big Brother, this isn’t your fault. Why are you apologizing to me? The one who should apologize is Sister-in-law.”

Shen Zhiqiu shook her head. “But I doubt she’ll ever admit she was wrong.”

Yue Mingde knew Li Yan’s temperament even better than Shen Zhiqiu did. Not only would she refuse to acknowledge her mistake, but she’d likely keep stirring up trouble.

Once she latched onto an idea, she’d obsess over it, never caring about the truth.

If she’d only targeted him, he could’ve brushed it off. But now that she’d dragged Shen Zhiqiu into it, he couldn’t ignore it. He’d have to confront her when he got back that evening and see what she was really after.

“Big Brother, there’s actually something I wanted to ask you.”

Not wanting to dwell on Li Yan, Shen Zhiqiu changed the subject. “Do you happen to know anyone from Yaojia Village?”

The screw factory where Yue Mingde used to work had taken over some land from Yaojia Village, and a few families had used the opportunity to secure jobs for their children there.

“I do know someone, actually.” Yue Mingde looked curious. “But why are you looking for someone from Yaojia Village?”

Shen Zhiqiu didn’t hide it. “The medicine mortar my mother used before she passed had some issues. I heard that Yaojia Village makes them, so I need to go there to look for clues.”

“What kind of clues are you trying to find?”

Shen Zhiqiu took out a photo of Shen Daqiang. “I want to ask the mortar makers if any of them have seen this man before.”

Yue Mingde reached for the photo. “Zhiqiu, let me take this. I’ll ask Old Yao to help look into it.”

“Villagers talk more openly among themselves. If we go asking around as outsiders, they might not tell us the truth.”

“Once Old Yao finds something, we’ll know exactly who to talk to when we go to the village.”

Shen Zhiqiu handed him the photo. “Thank you, Big Brother.”

“We’re family—no need for thanks.”

After tucking the photo away, Yue Mingde called out to Yue Youxin and Yue Youhui. “Xinxin, Huihui, time to go home.”

The two boys were in the middle of a game of Chinese checkers with Qin Feng and Huo Jiusi. Their faces fell, and they pleaded, “Dad, let us finish this round!”

“Fine, finish it. But that’s it—we’re leaving after this. I’ve got things to do. You can play more next week.”

“Okay!” they chorused.

After dropping the boys off at home, Yue Mingde headed to the screw factory.

He first stopped by the security office to check the attendance records, confirming that Yao Chuwu was on shift that day, then waited at the gate.

But instead of Yao Chuwu, he ran into Li Zhigang first.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my dear brother-in-law!”

“Wow, long time no see!”

“So, where are you working these days, huh?”

Li Zhigang swayed drunkenly toward Yue Mingde, who stepped back at the smell of alcohol.

“Brother-in-law, heard your old man got promoted again, eh?”

Li Zhigang gave Yue Mingde a thumbs-up. “Impressive!”

“If I had a general for a dad, I’d be strutting around like a king! How the hell did you end up like this—no job, nothing?”

Li Zhigang burst into loud, mocking laughter. “Yue Mingde, are you stupid? Why not just beg your dad to pull some strings and get you a cushy job? Instead, you go and set up a damn street stall? Hahahaha!”

“Bet you’re not even his real son—that’s why he doesn’t give a damn about you!”

“Fuck, it’s bad enough you’re useless, but you had to drag my sister down with you!”

“Back then, I only let her marry you because I found out your family was from the military compound. And what do I get out of it? Nothing! And now you’ve got the nerve to divorce her on your own?”

“Take a piss and look at yourself in it, you worthless piece of shit. Who the hell do you think you are?”

The more Li Zhigang ranted, the tighter Yue Mingde’s fists clenched.

When enough was enough, there was no need to hold back.

BAM!

Yue Mingde’s fist slammed into Li Zhigang’s face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

“Lao Yue?”

Hearing Yao Chuwu’s voice, Yue Mingde shook out his hand, glanced coldly at the dazed Li Zhigang, and walked over.

“Lao Yao, I need your help with something. Let’s talk while we walk.”

Once they’d ridden to a quiet side street, Yue Mingde explained his request. He kept it vague, just handing over the photo and asking Yao Chuwu to find out if anyone recognized the man in it.

Yao Chuwu pocketed the photo but hesitated.

Yue Mingde guessed. “Lao Yao, has Li Zhigang been spreading crap at work?”

“He’s saying you’re fooling around with your sister-in-law and that your family’s throwing its weight around. Claims your son beat up his boy so badly he almost died.”

Yao Chuwu waved it off. “Lao Yue, none of us believe that nonsense. Everyone in our workshop knows what kind of person you are—and what kind he is. But the more he blabs, the more people might start buying it.”

“Damn shame you got stuck with a brother-in-law like that.” Yao Chuwu shook his head, feeling indignant on Yue Mingde’s behalf.

“Lao Yao, I appreciate the heads-up. Thanks.”

Returning to the factory gate and finding Li Zhigang gone, Yue Mingde went straight to the Li family’s place.

Li Zhigang had always been the type to lose all sense of shame after a few drinks, spouting nonsense wherever he went.

In the past, he’d taken every chance to belittle Yue Mingde, acting high and mighty as the elder brother-in-law.

At first, Yue Mingde hadn’t tolerated it—he’d shut him up with his fists whenever he ran his mouth.

But Li Yan and her mother would team up to make a scene, and after enough times, he’d stopped bothering just to avoid arguments with Li Yan.

Li Zhigang mistook his restraint for fear and only grew bolder.

Now that he and Li Yan were divorced, and Li Zhigang was still at it, he wasn’t about to let it slide.

“Li Yan!”

Yue Mingde strode into the Li family’s crowded courtyard and called her name loudly.

Li Yan rushed out from the kitchen, and Yue Mingde immediately noticed the bruises on her face. His brow furrowed. “Who hit you?”

“No one.” She covered her cheek and turned away. “I just tripped and fell.”

It was obviously Li Zhigang’s doing.

The words were on the tip of Yue Mingde’s tongue, but he swallowed them back.

Pointing it out wouldn’t help. Li Yan never saw it as a problem, and if he pressed the issue, he’d just end up the bad guy.

Even when they’d been married, she’d been like this. Now that they were divorced, she’d probably see it as him meddling.

“What did you come here for?”

Just as Yue Mingde was about to answer, Li Zhiqiang burst out of the house.