FID – Chapter 597

Chapter 597: Muqiu

When Liu Yusheng entered the room, the conversation had just reached a natural pause.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother, when Junyue had her accident, the authorities erased her household registration. The most urgent matter now is getting her registered again.”

Hearing this, Grandma Liu slapped her thigh. “Oh no! I almost forgot about that!”

It wasn’t just her—none of the Liu family members had thought of it until now.

Back then, Li Junyue had taken a knife to the chest to save Zhiqiu. She was even laid out in the Liu family courtyard for two days, and they had already bought a coffin for her.

Everyone had believed she was dead. Later, when Zhiqiu took her to Xuzhou and Nannan saved her life, the Liu family hadn’t made a big deal out of it upon their return. Because of that, the authorities had gone ahead and erased her household registration.

Without household registration, she was considered an undocumented person. If discovered, she could be thrown into prison.

So getting her re-registered was indeed the top priority.

“When Zhiqiu bought her freedom, Junyue has completely severed ties with Li family. She can’t go back under their registration. Let’s just register her under our Liu family name. From now on, she will be one of us,” the old man declared.

Grandma Liu nodded firmly. “Yes, she’ll be registered under our Liu family. This way, no one outside will ever be able to scheme against her again!”

The Li family had already come to cause trouble, demanding compensation. The two elders of the Liu family had long heard about it and deeply despised the Li family’s behavior.

They treated their own child as a mere object, something only to be used for profit—how could such people even be called family?

Now that Junyue would be registered under the Liu family name, along with the severance contract that the Li family had signed, they no longer had to worry about any trouble from that side.

Li Junyue sat quietly, listening to the Liu family making plans for her. Her gaze was lowered, and her hands were clenched tightly, trembling slightly.

A wave of sourness welled up in her nose, but she forced herself to hold back her tears.

Before, she had only ever been able to rely on herself.

But now, the Liu family—people who originally had no relation to her—were wholeheartedly looking out for her. The feeling of finally having someone to support her… made her want to cry.

“In that case, Junyue will need to change her surname. She’ll take on our Liu family name. Junyue, are you okay with that?” Liu Yusheng asked.

This was no small matter. In Nanling, filial piety was paramount, and unless absolutely necessary, people would never change their surnames. It was considered disrespectful to one’s ancestors, and if word got out, it would invite ridicule.

Li Junyue nodded without hesitation. “Yes!”

To her, the surname Li was nothing but a shackle. If she could change it, it would be a true release.

“In that case, do you want a completely new name, or will you keep Junyue?”

“I want to change it.” She longed for a fresh start.

She wanted nothing to do with the Li family—nothing at all!

Change her name?

The elders of the Liu family exchanged glances, then immediately huddled together, enthusiastically discussing what her new name should be.

“Our younger generation follows the ‘Zhi’ generation name. How about Zhichun?”

“That doesn’t sound elegant. There are already too many Chunlai and Laichun out there. How about Zhidong instead?”

“But Junyue is a girl. She should have a name like our Nannan, with Yu (jade) in it. I think Yuxue (jade snow) sounds nice.”

The elders whispered among themselves, quickly turning the discussion into a full-blown debate, their faces flushed with excitement.

Liu Zhiqiu leaned in, resting his chin on his hand as he squatted beside them. “Call her Muqiu. She’s not related to us by blood, so she doesn’t have to follow our family’s generational naming pattern.”

Four heads turned to look at him. “Why Muqiu?”

“When she was out in the world, she gave herself that name. She thinks it sounds nice.” Someone was blatantly making things up with a straight face.

The elders all turned to look at Li Junyue. “Junyue, do you like that name?”

Under their gaze, Li Junyue’s face quickly turned as red as a tomato. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. “…I like it.”

“Alright then, if you like it, we’ll call you that. Muqiu—Liu Muqiu—it sounds nice enough.” Grandpa Liu made the final decision.

Li Junyue’s face was as red as a ripe tomato.

On the other side, Liu Yusheng was with Shi Xianrou and Qian Wanjin, admiring her second brother with a look of deep respect. “My second brother’s thick skin really has reached a new level.”

“I can’t agree more, it’s really thick,” Shi Xianrou nodded. “If it weren’t for this, we’d never have guessed. He usually acts so pure and innocent.”

“I told you! I’ve been the only one who’s truly innocent from the start!” Qian Wanjin grumbled, feeling betrayed for many years.

Shi Xianrou immediately responded, “I like the truly innocent kind.”

“….” Liu Yusheng shuddered at the goosebumps rising on his arms and moved over towards Xue Qinglian, trying to distance herself from the two.

Xianrou was the type to flaunt her love without any regard for the occasion, as long as it made her wife happy.

And of course, someone nearby had to tease her. “When you’re out there messing around, it all comes back around. You didn’t think this day would come when you were being all sweet back then, did you?”

“…” Xue Qinglian really knew how to land a direct hit.

Liu Yusheng took a moment to reflect on her own behavior, recalling how she had interacted with Feng Qingbei. She never thought it was at all nauseating. Then, she gave Xue Qinglian a playful tap on the back of the head.

He was talking nonsense.

Meanwhile, after confirming Li Junyue’s new name, the old man immediately grabbed some gifts and set off for the village chief’s house to discuss the matter of updating her household registration.

Li Junyue’s move to the Liu family in Xinghua Village required the village chief’s approval.

Although the village chief was unlikely to refuse, the formalities still needed to be followed.

With time running short, Grandma Liu took the two daughters-in-law to the kitchen. The two elders returned, and everything in the household fell back into its usual rhythm, each person resuming their duties without any fuss.

In the meantime, Liu Yusheng took Shi Xianrou and Li Junyue to the inner courtyard to check out their new rooms.

Compared to the other two courtyards, the inner courtyard was quieter and more refined.

With Wei Hong’s help, the room had already been tidied up.

The furnishings were simple but warm.

Li Junyue looked around the room, which would soon be hers. Her eyes reddened slightly, and her heart trembled gently.

After leaving the Li family, she finally had roots again, a place to call her own.

From now on, she was also a member of the Liu family.

Even though there was no blood relation, here she felt a sense of stability and peace she had never experienced before.

The Liu family was different from the Li family.

Here, no one would scheme against her, no one would hurt her. She didn’t have to constantly be on guard or tread carefully at every step.

Here, she could live a new life.

Shi Xianrou’s room was arranged similarly to Li Junyue’s.

All the bedding and daily necessities were brand new.

Shi Xianrou wasn’t a picky person. Having followed her father on military campaigns, she had slept in desolate mountains and wilderness before. So, she didn’t care about such things; as long as there was a place to rest, it was enough.

After looking at the rooms, the three of them sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, enjoying the brilliant sunset while making small talk.

The warm glow of the evening sun spread across the yard, casting a soft, golden hue.

The three young women sat around the table, whispering to each other, occasional light laughter floating through the air.

This time together was easy, leisurely, and pleasant.

Li Junyue, sitting in the midst of it all, felt a complex mix of emotions.