Reborn in the 80s: My Whole Family Secretly Hears My Thoughts and Goes Wild with Success! - Chapter 7

She worried that if she spoke up, Yue Mingyuan might think she’d lost her mind.

“Don’t be afraid. No one would dare hurt Ya-Ya.”

Yue Mingyuan handed Shen Zhiqiu a cup of brown sugar water at just the right temperature and gestured toward the door. “Dad left two guards outside.”

“I’ve taken a month off. I’ll be by your and Ya-Ya’s side the whole time.”

“Mm.” Shen Zhiqiu hugged Ya-Ya tighter, silently vowing to become stronger from now on—for herself, and even more so for her daughter.

If Wang Fengqin really dared harm Ya-Ya, she would make sure to repay her tenfold.

“Zhiqiu, are you hungry? There’s some millet porridge here, made by Auntie Zhao.”

Yue Mingyuan picked up a thermal container from the bedside table. Shen Zhiqiu noticed it wasn’t the same one Wang Fengqin had brought earlier.

“Open it for me. I want to see what’s inside,” she requested.

Right now, she couldn’t trust anyone.

Yue Mingyuan unscrewed the lid. Seeing it was just plain millet porridge, Shen Zhiqiu asked to smell it. Only after confirming there was no herbal scent did she relax. “Could you pour me a bit more? Thank you.”

Truthfully, she had little appetite, but eating would help her recover faster.

“Don’t mention it,” Yue Mingyuan replied quietly.

He wanted to tell her not to be so formal with him—they were husband and wife, and now they had Ya-Ya. He hoped they could build a good life together.

But he was afraid speaking up might upset her. She had loved Chen Can. If not for that incident, she would never have married him.

“I’ll put Ya-Ya back for now. Mom and my sister-in-law said you shouldn’t hold her too long during the postpartum month—it could cause health problems later.”

As Yue Mingyuan reached to take Ya-Ya from her arms, Shen Zhiqiu stopped him and patted the space beside her on the bed. “I won’t hold her. Just put her here where I can see her. It’ll ease my mind.”

“Alright.”

After settling Ya-Ya down, Yue Mingyuan raised the side rail of the bed, then returned to hand Shen Zhiqiu the porridge.

Noticing the brown sugar mixed in, Shen Zhiqiu instinctively frowned. But after a small taste, her expression softened.

It wasn’t too sweet—just right for her palate. She disliked overly sugary things. Come to think of it, the brown sugar water he’d given her earlier hadn’t been too sweet either.

Did he actually know her preferences?

Seeing her pause after one spoonful and look up at him, Yue Mingyuan tensed. “Is it too sweet?”

“No.” Shen Zhiqiu shook her head lightly. “It’s perfect. I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Zhiqiu, you don’t need to keep thanking me.” His voice carried a hint of bitterness.

“Have you eaten yet?” Shen Zhiqiu deftly changed the subject, nodding toward another thermal container. “What did Auntie Zhao make for you?”

“Braised rice.”

As he brought it closer, Shen Zhiqiu inhaled deeply. “Smells amazing.”

Before he could offer, she waved him off. “I know, I can’t have any.”

Yue Mingyuan ventured carefully, “Then… after your postpartum month, I’ll ask Auntie Zhao to make some for you? Her cooking is really good.”

Shen Zhiqiu sensed there was more to his words. She set down her spoon and looked at him seriously. “Mingyuan, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”

He hesitated, then asked tentatively, “Zhiqiu, after we’re discharged… could we go back to the family compound?”

“I know you’d rather return to your parents’ place and have your mom take care of you. I understand the compound might feel stifling for you.”

“But with your dad and Xiang to cook for, and Liya visiting sometimes, I’m worried your mom won’t be able to give you and Ya-Ya the attention you need.”

“At our place, we have Auntie Zhao, and Mom’s retired now. Plus, Second Brother and his wife are there—more hands to help. If Ya-Ya ever seems unwell, my sister-in-law would know how to handle it.”

“And we have a car at home, so it’s more convenient.”

When he finished, Shen Zhiqiu gave a small nod. “Alright.”

“Zhiqiu… you agree?” Yue Mingyuan was visibly surprised. He hadn’t expected her to accept so readily.

She used to dislike going to the compound, her expression darkening every time. His parents and the rest of the family never said anything, but he knew it made them view her unfavorably. Stuck in the middle, he’d felt utterly helpless.

“Your reasoning makes sense. Why wouldn’t I agree?”

Shen Zhiqiu smiled. “Besides, I can see how much your parents adore Ya-Ya. Taking her back to the compound will make them happy.”

Most importantly, the compound is safer. She didn’t expect the Yue family to dote on her child, but at least they wouldn’t wish her harm.

She didn’t fully trust them either, but if Ya-Ya could choose, she’d probably prefer the compound too.

…

The next morning, Wang Fengqin bustled in again, arms laden with bags.

The moment she entered, she fawned over Yue Mingyuan. “Xiao Yuan, you must be exhausted after last night! Look at you—your face is pale, and you’ve lost weight!”

“Taking care of a postpartum woman is no easy task, and our Zhiqiu here is particular. I’m sure she’s been running you ragged.”

“Managing both her and the baby alone—that little girl cries all the time, such a handful!”

“Zhiqiu and Ya-Ya are both easy to care for. Neither is difficult or fussy,” Yue Mingyuan replied coldly.

Wang Fengqin pretended not to hear. Plopping down beside Shen Zhiqiu’s legs, she began unpacking items while lecturing her.

“Zhiqiu, landing a husband like Xiao Yuan is a blessing from three lifetimes. You’d better cherish it, understand?”

“I made you fish soup—simmered it first thing this morning. It’s delicious! Xiang was begging for a taste, but I didn’t let him. Make sure you drink plenty, hear me?”

“Build up your strength so you can hurry up and give Xiao Yuan a son.”

She glanced at Yue Mingyuan, and seeing his attention elsewhere, leaned in to whisper:

“Once you have a boy, your status in the Yue family will be unshakable. Got it?”

“With the one-child policy, it doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl,” Shen Zhiqiu retorted, irritated by her mother’s absurdity.

“Those policies are for ordinary folks. Xiao Yuan’s family is different.” Wang Fengqin’s gaze clung to Yue Mingyuan as if he were made of gold.

If I were ten years younger… She’d have thrown herself at him. A man with his status and looks was rarer than a phoenix feather. How had this little brat Shen Zhiqiu gotten so lucky?

“Don’t spout such nonsense. The Yue family doesn’t engage in those kinds of underhanded things,” Shen Zhiqiu warned.

This was true—the Yue family’s reputation was impeccable. Wang Fengqin’s loose lips could cause serious trouble if the wrong person overheard.

“Ha! A daughter married off is like water spilled on the ground—gone forever!”

“See how you talk now? This is why boys and girls aren’t the same!”

Wang Fengqin glared. “I’m helping you, but you won’t listen. Fine! What can I expect? I’m just the evil stepmother—everything I say is wrong!”

“You’re twisting my words. I am thinking of our family’s good, aren’t I?”