Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 64

Shen Zhiqiu pedaled furiously the entire way, only relaxing once she reached the cultural troupe and saw Dong Xiaomei safe and sound.

“Xiaomei!”

Dong Xiaomei was sorting through costumes when she heard her name. She turned, her eyes lighting up with joy as she ran over. “Sister Zhiqiu! What brings you here?”

Shen Zhiqiu playfully tapped Xiaomei’s nose. “Came to see you, of course.”

“Guess what I brought you?”

She handed over the treats, and Xiaomei squealed, hugging her tightly. “You’re the best! You’re like a real sister to me!”

“And these too.”

Shen Zhiqiu pulled out two hair clips and several ribbons, placing them in Xiaomei’s hands. “Pretty, aren’t they?”

Xiaomei nodded eagerly. “So pretty!”

“You came just in time, actually. If you’d been any later, I’d have left already.”

Her shoulders slumped, worry clouding her delicate features. “The village head called this morning—Grandpa’s sick.”

“Don’t worry, Xiaomei. I’ll go with you.” Shen Zhiqiu gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’d like to visit Grandpa too.”

“But Sister, it’s really far… and the roads are rough.”

“We’ll leave now. I’ll bike you there.”

“But my costumes—I haven’t finished organizing them yet.”

“I’ll help.”

With Shen Zhiqiu’s assistance, they quickly finished the task.

After accompanying Xiaomei to get permission from Wu Qingyun, Shen Zhiqiu handed over the extra hair accessories for the other troupe members. Then, without delay, the two set off.

Three hours of cycling later, they arrived at Xiaomei’s village.

“Grandpa!”

At the courtyard gate, they found Dong Hesong leaning on a cane, tidying up drying herbs.

“Xiaomei? Why’d you come back?” Realization dawned on him. “I told Xiao Zhang not to tell you. That boy never listens.”

“Grandpa, why wouldn’t you let Uncle Zhang tell me? Where does it hurt? And why are you working if you’re sick?” Xiaomei rushed to support him, her voice trembling.

Dong Hesong patted her head gently. “It’s nothing serious—just twisted my ankle on the mountain. Already treated it. It’ll heal soon enough.”

To distract her, he turned to Shen Zhiqiu. “Xiaomei, aren’t you going to introduce your guest?”

Shen Zhiqiu stepped forward with a warm smile, bowing slightly. “Hello, Grandpa. I’m Shen Zhiqiu, Xiaomei’s comrade.”

“Grandpa, this is Sister Zhiqiu—the one I’m always telling you about! She’s so good to me. Look at all the treats she brought today!”

“Hmm. I can see she’s a good one.”

Dong Hesong studied Shen Zhiqiu closely, then cut straight to the point. “Young lady, you didn’t come all this way just to visit, did you? You look troubled.”

“Grandpa, you see everything.”

Moving to his other side, Shen Zhiqiu took his arm urgently. “Grandpa, you and Xiaomei need to go to the village head’s house right now. It’s not safe here!”

On their way, she’d deliberately had Xiaomei lead her through the village to assess the situation.

Hexi Village was large—hundreds of households—with the village head’s home centrally located. Dong Hesong, valuing peace and easy access to the mountains for herbs, lived isolated on the outskirts.

She reasoned that the criminals wouldn’t dare enter the populated village center. Getting them to the village head’s would guarantee their safety.

“Xiaomei, grab the bundle from the cabinet by Grandpa’s bed. We’re doing as Zhiqiu says—let’s go!”

“Okay! Grandpa, you and Sister Zhiqiu go ahead. I’ll catch up!”

Shen Zhiqiu supported Dong Hesong, glancing back repeatedly until she saw Xiaomei running after them. Only then did she exhale in relief.

After settling them safely at the village head’s home, the tension finally left her shoulders.

“Young Zhiqiu, this kindness won’t be forgotten.”

Dong Hesong had watched her carefully, noting her damp clothes and the fear she’d carried all this way.

“Grandpa, no need for formalities. Xiaomei’s like a sister to me.”

She smiled at Xiaomei before meeting Dong Hesong’s gaze earnestly. “If anything, our family owes you more—especially for treating my father-in-law. We could never repay that.”

“Good child. Come here.”

Dong Hesong beckoned her closer. From the bundle, he withdrew a jade bracelet.

“I once had a daughter… but she left this world too soon. A lifetime of regret.”

He pressed a hand to his chest, grief flashing across his weathered face. “If you’re willing, accept this bracelet. Call me ‘Grandfather’ from now on, hm?”

“Sister, please say yes!”

Xiaomei grabbed Shen Zhiqiu’s hand excitedly. “Then you’ll really be my sister!”

Shen Zhiqiu hesitated only a heartbeat before deciding.

She knelt before Dong Hesong, kowtowing three times. “Grandfather!”

“Ah! Good child, rise now.”

Xiaomei helped her up as Dong Hesong offered the bracelet again. But Shen Zhiqiu shook her head. “Grandfather, keep this for Xiaomei.”

She recognized its fine quality—it must’ve been valuable.

“Xiaomei has its pair. One for each of my granddaughters.”

“Sister, take it!” Xiaomei snatched the bracelet and slid it onto Shen Zhiqiu’s wrist.

“See? It fits perfectly. Meant to be yours!”

“Mn.” Warmth blossomed in Shen Zhiqiu’s chest at gaining new family.

She’d felt an instant connection to Xiaomei from their first meeting. Today, Dong Hesong gave her the same feeling.

“Outlaws in the woods! Everyone, help the police catch them!”

Outside, militia members shouted, and soon men from every household rushed toward the commotion armed with tools.

By evening, word came that the criminals had been captured and taken away by the authorities. Shen Zhiqiu and Xiaomei helped Dong Hesong back home.

Though Xiaomei insisted on staying to care for him, Shen Zhiqiu, anxious about Yaya, prepared to leave.

“Zhiqiu, bring your little one to see me next time.”

Dong Hesong pressed a slip of paper into her hand. “If she has any congenital weaknesses, I’ll help strengthen her. This prescription is for you—your postnatal recovery was good, but that earlier miscarriage damaged your foundation.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.” She accepted it solemnly.

It was late when she finally arrived home. Wan Jiayin and Meng Fang had been waiting anxiously in the living room.

“Zhiqiu! You’re back!”

They hurried over the moment she stepped inside.