Seeing the land deeds, antique calligraphy and painting inventories, and other items in the wooden box, Li Yanzhong looked up in astonishment: “Madam, are these really to be donated?”
Yu Jingqiu gently stroked the gilt-copper enamel paperweight on the table and chuckled softly: “They’re just useless decorations and abandoned land. Keeping them might bring trouble, so it’s better to give them away early for peace of mind.”
Hearing this, the muscles on Li Yanzhong’s face twitched involuntarily.
Bincheng bordered the capital and had witnessed several dynasties over centuries. Officials building their reputations or retiring often preferred to acquire property in Bincheng, making its prosperity evident over time.
As one of the four major families in Bincheng, the Feng family had accumulated vast wealth over a hundred years. Although their fortune had significantly dwindled in recent years due to unfilial descendants and the public-private partnership industrial restructuring, the remaining real estate was still staggering.
Even the equity documents for the Feng family’s public-private partnership enterprises were in the box. Though the annual interest was only five percent, the combined yearly income amounted to tens of thousands—all of which he had personally managed.
Li Yanzhong wasn’t coveting these assets but was concerned: “Madam, if all these are donated, how will you and the children manage?”
“I have a job and a salary to support the children,” Yu Jingqiu replied with a smile. “Just like many working families in the city.”
“How can it be the same?” Li Yanzhong grew anxious. “Ordinary families don’t have servants—they do all the housework themselves. They mix coarse and fine grains for meals, eat meat less than twice a month, and only buy six feet of cloth a year. You’re not accustomed to such a life, Madam.”
Yu Jingqiu listened quietly, then suddenly laughed. “How do you know I’m not accustomed? I originally came from an ordinary family. My father was just a teacher, and my mother a homemaker. I grew up helping my mother with household chores.”
Li Yanzhong was taken aback. His gaze fell on Yu Jingqiu’s hands, folded on her knees—slender, smooth, and flawless, like fine jade.
After a brief glance, he quickly averted his eyes, staring out the window at the bare branches battered by the cold wind. “If you insist, Madam, I’ll give you my monthly salary from now on,” he murmured.
Yu Jingqiu was momentarily stunned.
Feng Mingshu passed by the study. Though she didn’t catch what Uncle Li said, she sensed the subtle tension inside and prepared to leave.
But Yu Jingqiu noticed her and beckoned her in. “Pearl, come in. As the eldest daughter, there are things you should know.”
Seeing her mother’s serious expression, Feng Mingshu entered the study. She saw the box on the table and learned of her mother’s bold decision.
“Mom, is this all our family’s wealth?” Feng Mingshu wanted to confirm.
Yu Jingqiu nodded. “Everything except the Western-style house we live in now.” She lightly tapped the box lid with her jade-like finger.
Feng Mingshu hesitated before saying, “Mom, maybe we shouldn’t keep the Western-style house either.”
In her previous life, the small Western-style house had been ransacked and confiscated after being vandalized.
Her words only caused Yu Jingqiu’s eyebrows to twitch slightly, but Li Yanzhong was greatly shocked.
Was the young lady even more willing to part with wealth than her mother?
He knew this era praised sacrifice and selflessness, and young girls, inexperienced with life’s hardships, might be swayed by empty praise.
But he, Li Yanzhong, was clear-headed and immediately objected, “Miss, the house must not be donated.”Feng Mingshu shook her head. “Uncle Li, I’m not being rash.” She turned to her mother. “Mom, what do you think about exchanging our small Western-style house for a unit apartment?”
Yu Jingqiu didn’t respond to her question, instead turning slightly to Li Yanzhong. “Yanzhong, I’d like to speak with Zhuzhu alone.”
Li Yanzhong immediately stood up. “Yes, madam.”
As the door closed, only mother and daughter remained in the room.
Just as Feng Mingshu was about to speak, her hand was grasped. Her mother gently massaged her fingers and spoke softly, “Zhuzhu, were those fifteen years all spent in the labor reform farm?”
“Yes.”
“What were the conditions like there? Could you contact the outside world?”
“No contact was allowed, and very few visitors came.”
Feng Mingshu smiled bitterly. It had been a cadre school labor reform farm—closed off and strictly managed, housing mainly intellectuals and deposed cadres and leaders. Given her status, she hadn’t qualified to be there, but had been granted the “favor” by a certain figure.
Only when that figure fell from power and the cadre school was disbanded did she finally walk out of the farm.
But after being confined and disciplined for so long, everything in the outside world felt alien to her. She had become timid and fearful.
Stepping out of the farm gate, she encountered a military jeep. The guard had proactively invited her to ride along, saying they were heading to Bincheng anyway. But she had shrunk back, too afraid to approach. It wasn’t until the farm leadership came out to confirm the other party’s identity and impatiently urged her to get in the vehicle that she—fearing the authorities—hurriedly climbed into the passenger seat.
That imposing senior officer sat in the back seat. She didn’t dare join him, nor even glance his way.
It was only when she saw her own gaunt, sallow, rough, and scarred face in the rearview mirror that she suddenly understood—she had nothing that anyone would want to take advantage of. The officer’s offer to give her a ride was truly just an act of kindness.
Her panicked heart finally began to calm slightly. After mustering courage for a long while, she prepared to thank the officer.
But just as she started to turn toward him, the vehicle suddenly braked. Startled, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, time and space had shifted—she found herself back in her high school classroom from fifteen years earlier.
It was as if those fifteen years of labor reform had been just a dream, a nightmare foretelling the future. She had woken up and returned to this peaceful, warm reality.
Of course, this was a good thing. She would use this precognitive dream to change her destiny!
Noticing the renewed determination in her daughter’s eyes, Yu Jingqiu lovingly stroked her head. “Zhuzhu, Mother will arrange everything properly. Let’s keep the Western-style house we live in for now. Remember, going too far is as bad as not going far enough—otherwise it might arouse suspicion.”
Feng Mingshu, suddenly enlightened, flushed with shame. “Mom, I’m so foolish.”
Yu Jingqiu shook her head. “My daughter is anything but foolish. I saw the grade report in your backpack—ranked third in your year, just three points behind first place, with a perfect score in foreign languages.” Her voice brimmed with pride.
Yes, she had excellent grades and had always dreamed of attending university. She had paid no attention to matters outside her studies, so when the turmoil came, she was lost and helpless, unable to do anything right.
Now, having awakened from that nightmare, she realized she hadn’t improved much—she’d only gained some foresight.
“Mom, from now on, don’t always protect me. Teach me more instead.” Feng Mingshu hugged her mother’s arm affectionately, then suddenly remembered something. “Mom, let’s go to the hospital tomorrow for a full physical examination—top to bottom.”
In her precognitive dream, her mother had fallen ill after suffering the shocks of that time, but by then they could no longer go to the hospital for check-ups…Feng Mingshu’s eyes reddened as she insisted, “We must go!”
Seeing her daughter’s expression, Yu Jingqiu guessed something and nodded in agreement. “Once Mother finishes the donation matters, our whole family will go for check-ups.”
Feng Mingshu shook her head vigorously. “No, we go tomorrow.”
Pestered beyond refusal, Yu Jingqiu nodded. “Alright, we’ll go to the hospital tomorrow morning.” She would handle affairs in the afternoon.
Feng Mingshu immediately brightened up, jumping to her feet. “I’ll call Uncle Li in. You should chat more with Uncle Li.”
“Pearl, don’t be rash…”
The door opened too quickly, and Li Yanzhong immediately stepped inside. As their eyes met, Yu Jingqiu’s words faltered, a sudden thought flashing through her mind.
Even if all the Feng family’s assets were donated, when that turbulent wave swept through, their family of four might not be spared – because they bore the indelible mark of “Feng.”
But what if… they removed this mark?
“Madam, what instructions do you have?” Li Yanzhong asked gently.
Gazing at the solemn man before her, Yu Jingqiu finally made her decision, a slight curve forming at the corner of her mouth. “There is one instruction.”
“Please speak, Madam.”
“My instruction is that from now on, don’t call me Madam anymore,” Yu Jingqiu said seriously.
Li Yanzhong froze, his burning gaze searching her elegant face but finding no trace of jest. His throat suddenly felt dry, and after a long moment he asked, “How should I address you then?”
“You can call me Comrade Yu, or use my name.”
“…Very well, Comrade Yu.”
PS: Whether it’s rebirth or having a prophetic dream, neither will increase one’s intelligence. Those fifteen years of reform through labor on the farm can be seen as society’s large-scale psychological manipulation of the female protagonist. So don’t have too high expectations of the female protagonist, but you can look forward to her mother.
When we were young we feared nothing, but as we aged we changed – because we experienced more, witnessed more. Yet we pray that despite all setbacks, we may return still bearing the heart of youth.