Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 53

“Sister-in-law, you must have heard about my family’s affairs by now, right?”

Shen Zhiqiu turned to Tian Man. “Do you think what happened in my family could count as a lead?”

“It could, but Zhiqiu… are you sure you want it reported?” Tian Man hesitated. “As the saying goes, ‘Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public.’”

“Sister-in-law, I don’t mind if you laugh at me—I wouldn’t resort to this unless I had no other choice. But they’ve gone too far!”

Shen Zhiqiu didn’t bother hiding her resentment. “Shen Liya may have been expelled from the cultural troupe, but what she tried to do was take mine and Yaya’s lives! And even after that, they kept trying to kill us again and again!”

“I can endure it, but what has Yaya ever done to them? Why can’t they leave her alone?”

“Sister-in-law, you’re a mother too. You must understand how I feel.”

Shen Zhiqiu clenched her fists, trembling with anger. “When I pulled that cursed talisman out of my mother’s clothes and saw what was written on it—”

“Those were my mother’s clothes! How could she?!”

“Zhiqiu, your health hasn’t fully recovered yet. Don’t let anger consume you.”

Tian Man held Shen Zhiqiu’s hands, comforting her. “You’ve suffered so much all these years. Just hearing about it makes my blood boil!”

Her face darkened with indignation. “The world should know what they’ve done. They deserve to be exposed and condemned!”

“Zhiqiu, I’ll personally write the article for you. But you must tell me the whole truth.”

Tian Man’s expression turned serious. “Anything published under my name must be factual—that’s my professional integrity as a journalist.”

“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I have proof.”

Shen Zhiqiu had come prepared. She handed Tian Man a file containing detailed evidence of everything Shen Daqiang, Wang Fengqin, and Shen Liya had done to her over the years.

It wasn’t enough for just the factory workers to know. She wanted the three of them to become public outcasts—and this step was crucial for what she planned next.

Evening, Yue Household

“Xiao Yuan, take these two jars of sauce with you.”

After dinner, Wan Jiayin brought out two bottles of beef-and-egg sauce made by Auntie Zhao and handed them to Yue Mingyuan. “Xiao Hang was begging for it over the phone the other day. Bring them to him.”

Yue Mingyuan accepted them, and Wan Jiayin squeezed his hand reluctantly. “Have you packed everything?”

Yue Mingyuan nodded. “Yes.”

“Go on, then. Spend a little more time with Zhiqiu and Yaya.” Wan Jiayin turned away, waving him off as she headed back to the kitchen. “I’ll pack you some pickled vegetables too.”

Only then did Shen Zhiqiu realize—Yue Mingyuan’s leave was over, and he would have to return to his unit soon.

So soon?

“Don’t hold Yaya for too long, and don’t rush back into training. At least wait until she’s six months old before returning to work.”

Back in their bedroom, Yue Mingyuan reminded Shen Zhiqiu.

Then he placed a small address book on the table. “These are the contact details of some of my classmates and comrades. If you ever need help, reach out to them—I’ve already given them a heads-up.”

Shen Zhiqiu took the book and flipped through it. Every entry listed the person’s workplace and department. Touched, she murmured, “Mingyuan… thank you.”

“Will you bring Yaya to visit me at the base sometime?”

Yue Mingyuan knelt in front of her, holding her hands, his eyes full of hope. “If you wait until my next leave, Yaya might already be crawling.”

“We already agreed I’d bring her to see you. I know you’ll miss her.” Shen Zhiqiu’s voice was quiet.

She wished he would miss her too—not just Yaya.

But that was impossible. His heart already belonged to someone else.

At that moment, Shen Zhiqiu desperately wanted to ask him—What’s the girl you love like?

Yet the words died on her lips.

Some things were better left unspoken.

“I—”

Yue Mingyuan, meanwhile, wanted to tell her he would miss her as well. But he feared scaring her off—she had only just stopped pushing him away.

Both were lost in their own thoughts, longing to say so much yet holding back.

Watching them, Yaya was practically frustrated—if only she could grab their heads and make them kiss already!

“Waaah—”

Hearing Yaya cry, Yue Mingyuan immediately scooped her up, rocking her gently. “Shh, Yaya, Daddy’s here.”

“Are you hungry? Daddy will make your bottle.”

Yaya waved her tiny fists—Not hungry!—then clutched Yue Mingyuan’s finger tightly, her little mouth moving.

Yue Mingyuan’s heart melted. He could swear her lips formed the word “Baba.”

She knew he was leaving. She didn’t want him to go.

“Yaya…”

He hugged her close, kissing her cheeks repeatedly.

“Wah!”

Yaya turned to Shen Zhiqiu, reaching out. Understanding, Shen Zhiqiu stepped closer and offered her hand. Yaya grabbed it with her other tiny fist, trying to press their hands together.

Yue Mingyuan and Shen Zhiqiu’s fingers brushed, and they glanced at each other—flustered, secretly pleased.

Realizing his daughter was playing matchmaker, Yue Mingyuan winked at Yaya, then laced his fingers with Shen Zhiqiu’s.

Seeing her dad finally taking the hint, Yaya giggled, waving her fists triumphantly.

“Yaya, be good for Mommy while Daddy’s away, okay?”

“Don’t make her angry, and don’t fuss too much.”

[I’m the best baby in the universe—of course I won’t make Mommy angry!]

[Only those big bad villains upset Mommy. But Mommy’s been doing great lately—she doesn’t even get mad at them anymore!]

[But once Daddy leaves, they’ll start causing trouble again. Especially that old witch! She’s planning the same trick!]

Yaya puffed her cheeks, shaking her fists indignantly.

Earlier, when Grandma Zhao tossed out fish scraps, a few stray cats had gathered. To her surprise, Yaya realized she could understand their meows.

Between bites, the kitties gossiped—they’d seen the old witch (Wang Fengqin) meeting the ugly one (Shen Liya) in secret, plotting revenge against Mommy.

Both Yue Mingyuan and Shen Zhiqiu heard Yaya’s thoughts—and both instantly understood what “the same trick” meant.

The humiliating memory sent a chill through Shen Zhiqiu, while Yue Mingyuan’s eyes turned icy.

Back when Shen Zhiqiu and Chen Can were engaged, they’d gone on an outing to the countryside with Shen Liya.

Midway, Shen Zhiqiu suddenly felt dizzy and returned to the car to rest.

But when she woke up, she was lying half-dressed in a patch of reeds far from the car—covered by a man’s jacket.