Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 55

“No!”

Ling Hang answered briskly, then grinned at Shen Zhiqiu: “Sis-in-law, are you trying to set me up?”

Even someone as dense as he was in matters of the heart could tell what Shen Zhiqiu was getting at.

“That depends on whether you’re willing. If you’re not—”

Before Shen Zhiqiu could finish, Ling Hang cut in eagerly, nodding repeatedly: “Sis-in-law, I’m willing! I’m totally willing!”

“Xiao Hang, I haven’t spoken to the girl yet, so I’m not sure how she feels. Once I ask her, if she’s also willing, you two can meet during your next leave. How does that sound?”

“Sis-in-law, I’m fine with that, but…”

Ling Hang’s face fell. “We just got notified—no leave is allowed for the next three months.”

“That’s quite a while. I don’t know if she’d be willing to wait. If she minds, then forget it. I’ve already struck out on blind dates plenty of times—one more won’t hurt.”

“You’re giving up before it’s even started.”

Yue Mingyuan shot Ling Hang a glare, then turned to Shen Zhiqiu: “Zhiqiu, when you bring Yaya to visit me at the base, why not invite Sister Jiawen along? If she’s willing, we can all go together.”

“Sister Jiawen will come if she’s willing.”

Shen Zhiqiu reached out and took Yaya from Yue Mingyuan’s arms. “It’s getting late.”

“Alright.”

Yue Mingyuan tossed his duffel bag into the back seat and settled into the passenger side. Ling Hang started the car and reversed.

As their figures grew smaller in the distance, both Yue Mingyuan and Shen Zhiqiu felt a pang of sadness. Only when they could no longer see each other did they finally look away.

Early the next morning, after letting Wan Jiayin know, Shen Zhiqiu headed to the Housing Management Office.

She found Yue Mingyuan’s classmate, Yu Bin, and asked about the status of her family’s courtyard home.

“The property was originally under the name Wang Sanmei, then legally transferred to Ye Yunshuang through proper procedures.”

Yu Bin handed Shen Zhiqiu a blue registration booklet for her to review.

“Comrade Yu, Ye Yunshuang was my mother. She’s passed away—can the property be transferred to my name now?”

“First, you’ll need all the necessary documents: your mother’s death certificate, a neighborhood-issued proof of your relationship with her, your household register, the land deed for the courtyard, and ideally, the original sales contract.”

Yu Bin listed them one by one, then asked: “By the way, is your father still alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll need his consent. If you have any siblings, they’ll need to agree as well.”

“I have a younger sister and a brother, but they’re not my mother’s children—they’re my father’s with another woman. Does that mean the property has nothing to do with them?”

“Most people would think so, but legally, you’d better consult someone who knows the law.”

Yu Bin advised Shen Zhiqiu: “Given how complicated your family situation is, if you want the property transferred to your name, you’ll likely have to go to court.”

“Alright, thank you, Comrade Yu.”

As Shen Zhiqiu stood to leave, Yu Bin suddenly called her back: “Oh, Comrade Shen, is Shen Daqiang your father?”

Shen Zhiqiu nodded. “Yes.”

“Then let me give you another piece of advice—you’d better act fast.”

“He’s been coming here every day lately, trying to get the property transferred to his name, just like you.”

Yu Bin shook his head helplessly. “But his paperwork is incomplete, and when our staff refuse, he makes a scene.”

Shen Zhiqiu frowned. “Comrade Yu, let me ask—if his documents are incomplete, is there any chance he could pull strings and get the transfer done quietly?”

Yu Bin replied firmly: “Comrade Shen, that’s absolutely impossible!”

“Property matters are serious business. We’d never handle them carelessly.”

Reassured, Shen Zhiqiu bid Yu Bin goodbye and left the Housing Management Office. From a distance, she spotted Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin approaching on a bicycle. She quickly ducked into an alley to avoid being seen.

Watching them enter the Housing Management compound, Shen Zhiqiu mounted her bicycle and headed straight for their current residence in Sanmiao Alley.

“B-Big Sis?!”

Shen Xiang collided with her at the gate. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Shen Zhiqiu.

As she tried to wheel her bike into the courtyard, Shen Xiang spread his arms to block her path.

Shen Zhiqiu knew Wang Fengqin and Shen Daqiang must have warned him not to let her in if she ever returned.

“Xiao Xiang, I heard you want to join the army?” Shen Zhiqiu leaned casually against her bike, smiling.

Wang Fengqin had mentioned this during her hospital visit, but Shen Zhiqiu hadn’t paid it much mind at the time.

Now, though, it seemed like the perfect way to win Shen Xiang over to her side.

Hesitantly, Shen Xiang nodded. “I was hoping Brother-in-law could train me.”

“Why him?”

“Because he’s the best.” Shen Xiang’s admiration for Yue Mingyuan was unmistakable.

Shen Zhiqiu nodded in agreement, giving a thumbs-up. “Your brother-in-law really is the best—he aced every category in the military competition.”

“Big Sis, Dad said if you just ask him, Brother-in-law would definitely agree to train me.”

Shen Xiang grabbed Shen Zhiqiu’s arm, eyes pleading. “Can you talk to him for me?”

“Of course I can.”

Shen Zhiqiu ruffled his hair. “You’re my brother. We’re family.”

“But Xiao Xiang, whether you want to join the army or have your brother-in-law train you, first you need to be a good kid—someone who loves his country, takes responsibility, and knows right from wrong.”

“Big Sis, I do love my country! And I take responsibility!” Shen Xiang thumped his chest emphatically.

“And knowing right from wrong?”

Shen Zhiqiu bent down to meet his gaze, her expression serious. “At Yaya’s full-moon celebration, you saw what Mom and Dad did to me. You saw what Second Sister did too. Who do you think was in the wrong?”

“Big Sis…” Shen Xiang lowered his head, avoiding her eyes. His hands clenched the hem of his shirt, clearly unsettled.

“Xiao Xiang, I’m not asking you to turn against your family. I just want you to understand what’s right and what’s wrong.”

“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, and learning to tell the difference is something you’ll have to do.”

“I know you dream of being a hero. You’ve read stories and heard legends about heroes, but you’ve only seen the battles they fought—not why they fought them.”

“They’re called heroes because they protected the people they were meant to protect—not because they helped tyrants!”

Shen Xiang had been spoiled rotten by Wang Fengqin. Combined with the impulsiveness of youth, he loved picking fights, thinking that being feared and domineering made him a hero.

She would only say this to him once. If he took it to heart, she’d help him while he was still young. If not, she could only wish him luck in the future.