Chapter 119 [Extra]: Knock Knock, Kneel and Kowtow

According to Chu Yue’s age, she should have been in university studying, and shouldn’t have gotten married or become a wife and mother so early. She was actually still a child.

But everyone ignored this fact, already treating Chu Yue as an adult—only Mrs. He seemed to remember this.

Chu Yue held a bright red red envelope in her hand, feeling moved deep inside.

Mrs. He was such a kind person; she truly hoped her illness would never worsen.

After Commander He and Mrs. He got into the car, Commander He immediately said to the driver, Xiao He, “Go to the hospital, go down the mountain straight to the hospital.”

“Commander He, you and madam haven’t had lunch yet…”

“Go to the hospital!”

Commander He’s voice was firm and commanding. Earlier at Lu Zhanlin’s house, in front of Chu Yue and Lu Yuanbao, he had restrained and suppressed his emotions.

But now, without others around, his swirling worry burst out like a spring.

Just as Chu Yue said, the big hospital had more advanced equipment and instruments, requiring more thorough examinations and clearer medical reports.

At this moment, Mrs. He knew she could no longer comfort Commander He and could only let him take charge.

“Xiao He, listen to him, go to the hospital. After arriving, you can have a meal first, then bring us some food…”

The car slowly descended the mountain, the clouds lingering in the mountain valley.

…

That noon, after all they had been through, Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue were too exhausted to do anything else. He simply reheated the leftover late-night meal from yesterday, which turned out to be a rich and satisfying meal.

The family of three happily ate their first meal of the new year together.

After the meal, Lu Zhanlin was about to get up to clean the dishes, but Chu Yue gently tugged on his arm.

“Lu Zhanlin, come sit next to me.”

She pulled the man down to sit beside her, and they sat shoulder to shoulder.

Chu Yue beckoned to Lu Yuanbao.

“Yuanbao, come here… right here, kneel down… and kowtow…”

Lu Yuanbao was especially obedient—whatever Chu Yue said, he did.

Chu Yue smiled and reminded him, “Besides kowtowing, you also have to say, ‘Happy New Year, give me the red envelope.’”

Lu Yuanbao seriously kowtowed and earnestly spoke the words.

“Dad, Mom, Happy New Year, give me the red envelope.”

Bang! Bang!

Little Yuanbao’s forehead hit the ground firmly; when he lifted his head, it was a little red.

This kid was truly sincere.

While Yuanbao was bowing and couldn’t see, Chu Yue took a red envelope from her pocket and quickly slipped it into Lu Zhanlin’s hand, winking at him.

After Yuanbao kowtowed three times, she stopped him.

“That’s enough, three times is good. Yuanbao, Happy New Year! This is your red envelope. I wish you to eat well and grow fast in the new year, and be happy every day.”

Chu Yue had another red envelope in her hand and solemnly placed it in Yuanbao’s palm.

Everything given today was something Yuanbao had never experienced before, and something Lu Zhanlin had not had in his childhood either. Chu Yue insisted on such small rituals, believing they brought happiness.

When Yuanbao grows up, whenever he thinks back to his childhood, he will surely be glad to have had such happiness.

Lu Zhanlin knew what Chu Yue was about to do. Though unfamiliar with everything happening, he was still willing to cooperate with her.

“Yuanbao, Happy New Year! Dad wishes you health, safety, happiness, and joy in the new year.”

Both Lu Zhanlin and Chu Yue hoped for the same thing—that Lu Yuanbao, who had suffered misfortune, could have a completely different life from now on.

In his palm, Lu Yuanbao now had two red envelopes. Suddenly, his chest felt warm and his eyes grew hot.

He clenched his palm tightly and nodded firmly.

Seeing this, Chu Yue gently patted his head. “Good, get up now.”

She even reached out to brush the dust off his knees.

Chu Yue, having stayed up for so long, finally couldn’t help but yawn.

Lu Zhanlin immediately asked, “Are you sleepy?”

“Yeah, a little tired,” Chu Yue answered. Staying awake for three days and nights was not unusual in the post-apocalyptic world. She wasn’t sure if it was because she relaxed in this era or if the original body was simply delicate, but just one night of staying up had exhausted her.

Lu Zhanlin said, “You’ve been up all night. Go get some sleep. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Yeah, okay… You haven’t slept either. After you finish, rest early. Yuanbao… hide your red envelopes well. Remember the piggy bank I gave you last time? Put the money in there—it’s all yours, so keep it safe. If Mom and Dad are resting later and you feel bored, go play with Big Zhuang brother. Don’t stay cooped up at home all day.”

Before going to rest, Chu Yue didn’t forget to remind Lu Yuanbao.

Lu Zhanlin and Lu Yuanbao, both with identical black eyes, looked at Chu Yue worriedly as she covered her mouth to yawn and squinted her eyes, then went into the room.

The big and small pair of eyes finally lowered.

Lu Yuanbao already had three red envelopes, all quite plump—especially the one Chu Yue gave him, which contained quite a bit of money.

He carefully put the red envelopes into the pocket inside his padded jacket, then patted the jacket, feeling safest keeping them close to his body. Then he followed Lu Zhanlin to busy themselves.

They tidied up the dishes, wiped the table, organized the kitchen, and washed dishes with hot water—all done properly.

Seeing Lu Yuanbao doing well, Lu Zhanlin relaxed. He poured hot water and let Lu Yuanbao stand on a small stool to wash dishes while he took care of the laundry.

It was winter, and the water was cold. No one wanted to wash clothes in cold water—not even if it meant freezing Chu Yue’s slender, fair fingers red and raw.

As long as Lu Zhanlin was home, he took on all the chores willingly.

After finishing both indoor and outdoor tasks, Lu Zhanlin returned to the room he had hurriedly left in the middle of the night, his mood indescribably complicated.

The rumpled quilt was now neatly arranged, tightly covering Chu Yue.

His wife, who had flushed cheeks last night, still had rosy cheeks.

Last time, Chu Yue was flushed because of the wine; this time… she was warm and sound asleep under the cozy quilt, heated by the warmth.

His wedding night…

Lu Zhanlin’s feelings of regret were something no one could understand. Watching Chu Yue’s peaceful sleeping face, he couldn’t bear to wake her.

He looked at her for a while and unknowingly yawned himself.

Sleepiness surged in his heart.

Lu Zhanlin took off his coat and shoes, got into bed, and pulled the quilt over himself.

At first, worried he might be cold, he didn’t cuddle close to Chu Yue right away, but first warmed the bed.

Yet even such slight movement was sensed by Chu Yue, who was already sound asleep.

She turned over and rolled right into Lu Zhanlin’s arms—