Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 48

Shen Zhiqiu lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes landing on Yue Mingyuan’s throat—where a small mole rested.

It reminded her of their first intimate moment, when that very mole had flickered in her vision like a persistent star. Beads of sweat had rolled down his skin, dripping from the mole onto her lips. She’d frowned faintly, and he’d immediately paused, leaning down to press tender kisses to her forehead, eyelids, the tip of her nose…

If only I’d met him sooner, she thought. Maybe then he’d have loved me instead of that other girl.

But there were no “if onlys.”

Once he returned to his military unit, time and distance would surely fade her improper feelings for him.

“Zhiqiu,” Yue Mingyuan ventured cautiously, “once you’ve recovered a bit more… if I can’t come back, would you bring Yaya to visit me at the base?”

Shen Zhiqiu nodded. “Of course. If you miss Yaya, I’ll bring her to see you.”

“I—”

He wanted to explain that it wasn’t just Yaya he’d miss—he’d miss her too—but Huo Jiusi interrupted before he could finish.

“Yaya, I’m sorry!”

Huo Jiusi rushed back and crouched beside Yaya, his delicate, handsome face scrunched in regret. “The crabapple blossoms have all wilted—I couldn’t find any pretty ones.”

“But I picked these lilacs for you. Are they okay?” He pulled a small sprig of purple lilacs from behind his back and held it out to Yaya. “Smell them, Yaya. They’re so fragrant.”

“Auntie Shen, this is for you.”

He handed another sprig to Shen Zhiqiu, who accepted it with delighted surprise, ruffling his hair. “Thank you, Jiusi. I love them.”

[Clueless Dad, take notes from this little devil! You need to sprinkle in some romance—bring Mom flowers, buy her jewelry…]

[Such perfect weather—take her on a date! Enjoy some time alone together.]

[Mom’s been cooped up for so long; she must be dying to go out.]

[See a movie, stroll through the mall, or at least row a boat at Haiyin Park. Take pretty photos of her!]

Yaya shook her tiny fists in frustration. When will my blockheaded father finally get a clue?

Yue Mingyuan’s eyes lit up—this was a great idea. After breakfast, he pointed between himself and Shen Zhiqiu. “Zhiqiu, do you want to go out? Just the two of us?”

Shen Zhiqiu nearly nodded emphatically. God knows how badly I want to leave this house—even if it’s just to watch strangers pass by on the street.

Being home wasn’t the issue; it was the stifling lack of freedom.

“But your parents…” she hesitated.

“If you want to go, I’ll handle them. Just go change.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I do!”

“Then I’ll talk to them now.”

Back in her room, Shen Zhiqiu cracked the door open just enough to hear Wan Jiayin give permission. She immediately rummaged through her closet, pulling out a navy-blue blouse and khaki straight-leg pants.

Yue Mingyuan changed into casual clothes too, grabbing a camera before beckoning to her. “Zhiqiu, let’s go.”

They left in high spirits. As the car started moving, the wind rushed through Shen Zhiqiu’s hair, and she felt—for the first time in ages—truly alive again.

“Are more families moving out today?” she asked, spotting soldiers loading belongings into a truck.

Yue Mingyuan’s voice turned somber. “That’s Chen Can’s family.”

“His mother demanded he divorce Shen Liya. When he refused, she kicked them out.”

“Oh.” Shen Zhiqiu’s interest waned.

This aligned with her suspicions.

Chen Can seemed like a mama’s boy, obedient to Tan Yingjun’s every word—but in truth, he used his mother as an excuse to avoid responsibilities he never wanted. If something mattered to him, no amount of pressure from Tan Yingjun would sway him.

Neither his mother nor Shen Liya could compete with his career.

The only difference was that Shen Zhiqiu had seen through his selfishness after that incident—while the others remained blind.

“Captain Yue!”

Further down the road, they encountered Tan Jianping and Tian Man with their two children. Yue Mingyuan pulled over, and the couple nudged the kids forward.

“This is Uncle Yue, the man who saved you from the garage fire,” Tan Jianping said. “Thank him properly.”

The children dropped to their knees, but Yue Mingyuan and Shen Zhiqiu quickly caught them. “No, no—this is too much.”

“Captain Tan, Mrs. Tian, such a gesture is unnecessary.” Yue Mingyuan steadied the children.

“Mingyuan, you deserve this,” Tian Man said, voice thick. “If you hadn’t rushed in that day, they’d have—”

“Are the children fully recovered?”

“Yes, but I kept them hospitalized a few extra days for caution. We just left today.”

“We were actually heading to your place to thank you,” Tian Man admitted, turning to Shen Zhiqiu with a warm smile. “Zhiqiu.”

“Mrs. Tian.” Shen Zhiqiu returned the smile softly.

“Your postpartum recovery looks excellent—your complexion is radiant.” Tian Man studied her, then glanced at Yue Mingyuan. “Are you two… heading out?”

Shen Zhiqiu lowered her voice shyly. “I just wanted some fresh air.”

“Good for you! After my first childbirth, I nearly suffocated indoors.”

Eager to bond, Tian Man added, “Zhiqiu, you must visit us sometime.”

“I will. In fact, I’d love to learn knitting from you.”

“Anytime! It’s a promise, then.” Tian Man patted her hand. “We won’t keep you.”

She signaled to Tan Jianping, and they loaded their gifts of gratitude into the car. Yue Mingyuan didn’t protest, exchanging a few more pleasantries before driving off with Shen Zhiqiu.

“Anywhere in particular you’d like to go?” he asked once they’d left the compound.

Shen Zhiqiu stared at the distant mountains, her eyes clouded with grief and longing. “I want to see my mother. To tell her… I’m a mother now too.”

“Alright.”

At the crematorium, after presenting their IDs, a staff member led them to the columbarium and retrieved Ye Yunshuang’s urn from the shelf.

“Sun’s scorching today,” the worker advised. “Say your prayers here—don’t take it outside.”

As they walked away, they muttered, “First time I’ve seen someone visit at this hour. So filial.”

The words stabbed Shen Zhiqiu’s heart. Clutching the urn to her chest, she broke into heaving sobs.

“Mom… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!“