Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 6

Shen Liya seethed with resentment as Wang Fengqin dragged her away, hissing, “Stop making a scene!”

Once downstairs, Shen Liya finally shook off Wang Fengqin’s grip. “Mom, tell me—what does Shen Zhiqiu have that I don’t? Chen Can still can’t forget her, and now Yue Mingyuan acts like she’s cast some spell on him! She’s damaged goods, yet he married her and treats her like a treasure!”

“Look at how his family dotes on her! I gave Chen Can a son, but his family still looks down on me. My mother-in-law nitpicks everything I do!”

Her chest heaved with pent-up fury.

Wang Fengqin’s expression wasn’t much better. Their earlier attempts to turn the Yue family against Shen Zhiqiu had backfired—instead, they’d only made themselves look bad.

And that damn baby! A newborn shouldn’t understand anything, yet it kept thwarting her, making the Yue family wary.

“Keep your voice down!” Wang Fengqin glanced around the stairwell before whispering sharply, “You only say these things at home, understand? If your in-laws hear you, we’re ruined!”

When Shen Liya stayed silent, Wang Fengqin pinched her arm hard enough to make her nod.

“Stay away for now. If you want Yue Mingyuan, stop throwing yourself at him. Learn to play hard to get—that’s how that little temptress Shen Zhiqiu snagged both him and Chen Can!”

“Men are all the same. The less you care, the more they chase you.”

“Don’t neglect your in-laws either. Keep buttering up Chen Can and your mother-in-law. Meanwhile, I’ll coax that girl into telling her dance troupe leaders about her ‘premature birth’ to get you a better role.”

“Work harder at the troupe too. The stage is where powerful people notice you. Understood?”

Another vicious pinch. “Useless! I sent you to dance lessons, yet she learned just by watching and got into the performance troupe! How?!”

The memory made Wang Fengqin’s blood boil. If not for her insistence that Shen Zhiqiu take Shen Liya along, her own daughter wouldn’t have gotten in at all.

“Mom, stop pinching me! I’m covered in bruises—I can’t even wear dresses!” Shen Liya pulled free, clinging to Wang Fengqin’s arm. “Should I bring my troupe friends to visit Shen Zhiqiu?”

Wang Fengqin smirked. “Do it. They’re ‘colleagues,’ after all.”

Those troupe girls came from wealthy families. Their congratulatory gifts would be generous.

After the Wang duo left, Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin prepared to depart too. Yue Guohuai stationed two guards outside, while Wan Jiayin pulled Yue Mingyuan aside.

“Xiao Yuan, that stepmother and stepsister are trouble. Protect Zhiqiu and Yaya—don’t let those two near them.”

“I will.” Yue Mingyuan’s jaw tightened. “Have Jiejie bring supplies from home. I don’t trust anything they left.”

“Of course. She’ll bring meals too. We came in a rush earlier.” Wan Jiayin squeezed his shoulder. “It’ll be a long night. Your sister will relieve you tomorrow after our checkups.”

“I don’t mind.” For the first time that day, Yue Mingyuan smiled openly. “I’m happy.”

Wan Jiayin’s eyes softened as she peeked at Yaya, now asleep with tiny fists curled by her cheeks—a picture-perfect dumpling straight off a New Year’s poster.

The family lingered for one last look before leaving reluctantly.

Midnight Feeding

Yaya woke hungry but drowsy, mewling softly. Yue Mingyuan cradled her instantly.

“Shh, let Mommy sleep.” He warmed a bottle with one hand, testing the milk on his wrist before offering it. Yaya latched on, gulping eagerly.

Pride swelled in Yue Mingyuan’s chest—stronger than when he’d won army-wide combat drills. This tiny life was his to protect.

[Daddy’s doing okay for a beginner. But he’s so bad at talking! How will Mommy know what he’s thinking if he never speaks up? Silly!]

The thought startled him into self-reflection. He was reticent, especially with Zhiqiu—always afraid of saying the wrong thing.

But now they had Yaya. Things had to change.

Once Zhiqiu recovered, he’d tell her everything he’d uncovered about her family. No more secrets.

As he tucked Yaya back in, a whimper came from the bed.

“Don’t… stay away!” Zhiqiu thrashed in her sleep, recoiling when Yue Mingyuan touched her hand.

His heart sank. She still can’t stand my touch. Does she still love Chen Can?

Suddenly, Zhiqiu bolted upright, screaming—

“Yaya!”

“She’s here.” Yue Mingyuan swiftly brought the bassinet over, supporting Zhiqiu as she clutched their daughter.

“A nightmare,” Zhiqiu panted. “Someone was hurting her.”

She bit her lip. How could she explain hearing Yaya’s thoughts—or her suspicions about Wang Fengqin—without proof?