Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 116

Shen Xiang honestly confessed his feelings: “Big Sis, I do want to meet him… but I’m also scared to.”

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll go with you. Uncle He is a good man.”

“Oh, and Uncle He grew up with Second Uncle—they’re childhood friends.”

Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “No wonder you and Xiao Wu got along so well. Turns out, there was a connection from the older generation.”

On their way back from He Weijun’s house that day, she and Second Uncle had talked about it, both finding it strangely serendipitous.

The ties between people really were beyond explanation.

Shen Xiang turned his head away, unwilling to admit it. “We’re not friends.”

“Xiao Wu considers you one.”

Shen Xiang’s eyes brightened. “Big Sis, he told you that?”

“Of course.”

Ye Zhiqiu patted Shen Xiang’s shoulder. “Xiao Xiang, Xiao Wu is straightforward, and you’re decisive—no need to tiptoe around it! You two should get along. Maybe you’ll even become great partners when you enlist together.”

Shen Xiang froze. “Big Sis, Xiao Wu wants to join the military too?”

“He’s always dreamed of being a soldier—protecting the country. That’s why he went out of his way to train in martial arts.”

“…No wonder he’s so strong.”

Shen Xiang’s face twisted in reluctance, but inwardly, he admired Ye Jiawu deeply.

That fight had settled it—Ye Jiawu had beaten him fair and square.

Right now, aside from Yue Mingyuan, Ye Jiawu was the second person Shen Xiang genuinely respected.

Hesitantly, he asked, “Big Sis… if I asked Xiao Wu to train me, do you think he’d agree?”

“Xiao Xiang, I’m not Xiao Wu—how would I know? If you want an answer, you should ask him directly.”

Ye Zhiqiu deliberately paused before adding, “But since he’s your older brother, he’d probably say yes.”

Shen Xiang pointed at himself. “Big Sis, wait—if I’m sixteen this year, doesn’t that mean Xiao Wu and I are the same age? Who’s the older brother isn’t even settled yet!”

“I asked Uncle He. Your birthday is November 3rd. Xiao Wu’s is in August.”

“Ugh, so I’m younger? That means I have to call him ‘big brother’?!”

Shen Xiang slumped onto the table, pounding it twice in frustration.

Ye Zhiqiu chuckled, ruffling his hair. “It’s late. I need to get back to the compound. Rest well.”

“Big Sis—” Shen Xiang grabbed her hand. “She told me to steal Yaya and hand her over to my uncle.”

Ye Zhiqiu’s expression darkened instantly. “She’s still trying to hurt Yaya?”

“Big Sis, how can I help? I could go to my uncle—he’d probably believe me.”

Ye Zhiqiu shook her head gently. “I don’t have a plan yet. Let me think it over first.”

“Big Sis, promise me—if there’s anything I can do, you’ll tell me.”

“I will. I won’t hold back.”

…..

Back at the compound, Ye Zhiqiu was watching Yaya sleep, lost in thought, when the phone suddenly rang.

She quickly picked up the receiver—and couldn’t help smiling at the familiar voice. “Mingyuan.”

Hearing the warmth in her tone, Yue Mingyuan’s lips curved upward. “Zhiqiu, you’re still up? Sorry for calling so late—I just finished dorm checks.”

“Mingyuan, you said I could call you anytime. Well… you can call me anytime too.”

She wanted to add, “I’m happy when you call me.”

But it felt too forward, so she swallowed the words and changed the subject. “I got my new household register today.”

Yue Mingyuan’s voice softened. “Hello, Comrade Ye Zhiqiu.”

“Mhm.”

Her grip on the receiver tightened, her heartbeat quickening.

Memories of their first meeting flashed through her mind.

Yue Mingyuan and his comrades had been seated in the audience as combat heroes. Like everyone else, she’d peeked at them from behind the stage curtain—only to lock eyes with him.

His gaze had been terrifying—like a predator’s, fixed on its prey.

No exaggeration—she’d frozen, breath caught, staring dumbly until he finally looked away.

She barely remembered the rest of the performance, only that she’d danced poorly, too afraid to glance at the audience again.

After the curtain call, he’d approached with the other leaders—and somehow ended up right in front of her. He’d extended his hand—large, rough with calluses.

“Hello, Comrade Shen Zhiqiu.”

His voice had been clear as jade.

And when she’d finally dared to meet his eyes, those dark, bright pupils had etched themselves into her heart.

“Zhiqiu?”

Yue Mingyuan’s voice snapped her back to the present. “I—I was just thinking. Got distracted.” She pressed a hand to her cheek—so warm.

“What about? Can you tell me?”

“Wang Fengqin is still trying to hurt Yaya. She told Shen Xiang to kidnap her and deliver her to her eldest brother, Wang Yuelong.”

Ye Zhiqiu’s brow furrowed. “I think Wang Yuelong plans to hand Yaya over to that evil Taoist—probably to trade for Wang Fengqin’s release.”

“Master Qingfeng told me Yaya’s fate is unique. That fraud doesn’t actually want to ‘transfer luck’ for Wang Fengqin—he wants it for himself.”

“He has to be stopped. He’s a menace.”

Yue Mingyuan said, “I’ve already tracked his location.”

“Zhiqiu, go see Master Qingfeng. We’ll need his help.”

“I’ll head to Yunsheng Temple first thing tomorrow.”

Yaya’s safety came first—everything else could wait.

Otherwise, this would keep gnawing at her, leaving her restless day and night.

Yue Mingyuan sounded guilty. “Zhiqiu, I’m sorry. You’re facing all of this alone.”

“Mingyuan, don’t say that. I know you’ve been helping behind the scenes.”

“I’m a soldier too—I understand. You protect the country. I’ll protect our family.”

“Once this is over, I’ll bring Yaya to see you.”

She bit her lip, aching to tell him how much she missed him—how badly she wished he were here. But she knew his duty came first.

“Zhiqiu… thank you.” Suppressing his own longing, Yue Mingyuan murmured, “Get some rest.”

“You too.”

After hanging up, both felt the same hollow ache—their eyes drifting to the family photo.

Ye Zhiqiu picked up the frame.
Yue Mingyuan pulled the picture from his chest pocket.

“Next time I’m back / I visit… we’ll take a new one.”

……

Early the next morning, Ye Zhiqiu brought Ye Jiawu and Shen Xiang with her to Yunsheng Temple.

“Master Qingfeng, please—I need your help.”

After explaining everything, she shared the location Yue Mingyuan had uncovered.