Chapter 112: Old Partner, Don’t You Agree?

The scene before them left the soldier wives both surprised and inwardly envious.

If only the child in General He’s arms was their own, how wonderful that would be.

He Meijiao looked on, her lips curling in anger. She never liked Lu Yuanbao—he was nothing but dead weight, clearly a burden to Lu Zhanlin. And now, all he ever mentioned was Chu Yue, just a stepmother who’d barely been around a few days. Was he really that close to her?

She wondered if the mother and son were secretly working together to deceive Lu Zhanlin.

Several times, He Meijiao wanted to speak up and pull Lu Yuanbao from General He’s arms, but Madam He gently held He Meijiao’s hand and soothed her softly like a mother.

“Meijiao, today is the first day of the new year. Everyone should be happy and harmonious. Look at your Uncle He, how joyfully he’s smiling. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him so happy. And look, there are so many children here—how wonderful~”

He Meijiao slowly relaxed her tense mood under Madam He’s gentle reminder, feeling the furtive glances cast by the other wives around them.

If she really caused a scene in public—especially on the first day of the new year—that would be truly embarrassing.

Biting her lip, though unwilling, she still obeyed Madam He’s words.

She clung tightly to Madam He’s arm and leaned in, “Aunt He, you can’t like that little runt. You once said I looked like you when you were young, and that you liked me the most.”

He Meijiao no longer had General He’s affection and had to hold firmly to Madam He’s favor.

Madam He chuckled at the childish remark and nodded, “Alright, I like you.”

Nearby,

General He, holding Lu Yuanbao, smiled and asked, “Do you like it?”

Lu Yuanbao’s fingers were still on the golden five-pointed star, and he nodded firmly, “I like it! I want to have lots and lots of these stars when I grow up.”

The wives nearby gasped inwardly, and Chen Fengying once again felt a chill—this kid’s confidence was a bit too much.

But to everyone’s surprise, General He burst into hearty laughter after hearing Lu Yuanbao’s innocent words.

“Hahaha… hahaha… you’re quite the kid—more impressive than your dad! That’s right! You should have lots and lots of stars, even more than your grandpa here, hahaha…”

It was in this cheerful atmosphere that Chu Yue and Lu Zhanlin appeared.

They walked into the compound and saw a group of wives gathered together, with familiar laughter echoing.

Xia Xiaolan, standing at the edge, was the first to notice Chu Yue and Lu Zhanlin—not by sight, but by smell.

Chu Yue and Lu Zhanlin gave off such a “distinctive” scent that it was impossible to ignore.

Xia Xiaolan wrinkled her nose and turned away. When she finally saw them, she was shocked, her eyes wide as she exclaimed, “Commander Lu, Comrade Chu, where have you been? What happened to you? Could it be that…”

They fell into a cesspit?

Though educated and refined, Xia Xiaolan didn’t say the crude words aloud.

Her voice caught the attention of the wives, who one by one turned their heads and also saw Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue—and smelled the “distinctive” scent emanating from the two of them.

“Tsk tsk? What’s that smell? Why does it smell so much like cow dung?”

“Commander Lu, you… you… how could you and your wife be like this? What happened?”

“Chu Mei, you finally came back! Is the matter all settled?”

Chen Fengying, seeing Chu Yue, breathed a big sigh of relief and hurried forward, wanting to ask what had happened last night and why the couple had rushed out on New Year’s Eve.

But just a few steps in front of Chu Yue, she immediately stopped.

The truth was… the sourness and bitterness in the air was unbearable.

Suddenly, Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue, the center of everyone’s attention, both looked calm and composed, showing no embarrassment or awkwardness at all.

Lu Zhanlin, having noticed Commander He’s military vehicle earlier, greeted first: “Commander He, Madam He, Happy New Year.”

When his dark eyes glanced over, he was somewhat surprised to see Lu Yuanbao in Commander He’s arms.

As Lu Zhanlin spoke, Lu Yuanbao saw that Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue had returned. His previously tense little face immediately broke into a smile, the corners of his mouth happily lifting, showing a row of neat little white teeth.

He didn’t care about anything else and patted Commander He’s shoulder, calling out, “Grandpa He, put me down.”

Lu Yuanbao quickly got down from Commander He’s arms and then dashed toward Chu Yue. Even though Chu Yue was dirty and smelly, he still rushed over without hesitation.

Chu Yue smiled after seeing Lu Yuanbao and quickly reached out to stop him.

“Careful, don’t get too close. I’m really dirty, and you’re wearing new clothes.”

Hearing this, Lu Yuanbao stopped, but the excitement on his face didn’t fade. He looked up at Chu Yue with bright black eyes full of excitement.

Chu Yue softly asked, “Were you scared last night?”

“No, I didn’t wake up last night. I got up by myself when it was daylight, got dressed, washed my face and brushed my teeth, and then waited for you all to come back. I wasn’t scared at all.”

Although it was just a brief reunion, the joy filled Lu Yuanbao’s heart and made him especially happy, because he wasn’t left behind a second time.

This surge of happiness made Lu Yuanbao speak a lot at once, as if wanting to win Chu Yue’s praise.

Chu Yue did praise him, saying, “Good boy. But no next time, okay? From now on, I’ll always tell you before I go out, so you won’t worry.”

Feeling lonely must be bad, especially for such a small child like Lu Yuanbao.

If Chu Yue hadn’t been dirty and smelly, she would definitely have given Lu Yuanbao a big hug right then and there.

The warm, touching image of mother and son talking quietly together was very moving. In Lu Yuanbao’s eyes, there was no presence of Lu Zhanlin the father; instead, it was all Chu Yue the stepmother, as if they were biological mother and son.

Commander He said with a sour tone, “That kid didn’t want to call me ‘Grandpa’ a moment ago, but as soon as she came, he was willing to say it — just to get down from me. That temper is exactly like his dad’s. Honey, don’t you think so?”

Commander He asked Madam He, seeking agreement.

Madam He looked toward Chu Yue not far away, her expression changed. Her loving eyes were filled with shock, staring unblinkingly at Chu Yue, her emotions gradually growing intense—